Biz and Tech Talks | Business & Technology Trends

In today's business world, data and analytics drive every decision made. Selecting the right technology tool plays a big part in successful implementation. A company realizes it's way behind the technology curve on data. The world runs on data, and they're moving at a slow walk. We need to do something, but what? In this episode of the Centric Biz and Tech Talks podcast, we continue our talk with Carlos Cruz, Jeremy Gruenwald, Sean Neben, and Ted Perez about how they took a client through the assessment of their data and analytics architecture, working toward a roadmap that drives the implementation of an enterprise solution. In part two of this discussion, we discuss the challenges the team faced and how decision-making worked on the project. In addition, we cover how we reviewed the technology options. Centric doesn't have specific technology partners but instead looks for the best fit for a client. This approach also means the field of possible tools is wide open, so how did the team get to a manageable list? Our team's experience spans the critical roles of a project like this, including the data architect, an expert in the company's industry, and a project manager keeping the initiative on the right track. They each present their view of the work and what it meant to overall success. Join us in our discussion to hear what it took to make this assessment project a success! John Kackley is a senior manager and program manager at Centric Chicago. Listen Here https://centricconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Podcast-Interview-6b-Data-and-Analytics-Engagement-part-2.mp3

In today's business world, data and analytics drive every decision made. Implementation, however, requires intentionality. A company realizes its way behind the technology curve on data. The world runs on data, and they're moving at a slow walk. We need to do something, but what? In this episode of the Centric Biz and Tech Talks podcast, we talk with Carlos Cruz, Jeremy Gruenwald, Sean Neben, and Ted Perez about how they took a client through the assessment of their data and analytics architecture, working toward a roadmap that drives the implementation of an enterprise solution. During our conversation, we talk about what the client expected to get at the end of the work and what steps the team took from beginning to end. We discuss the challenges they faced. Were these typical challenges for this type of job, or were these something unusual? We also talk about what approach they took in identifying technology to use as part of the solution. Finally, we address the length of time a project like this takes. Our team's experience spans the critical roles of a project like this, including the data architect, an expert in the company's industry, and a project manager keeping the initiative on the right track. They each present their view of the work and what it meant to overall success. Join us in our discussion to hear what it took to make this assessment project a success! (This is only half the discussion. Listen to part 2 for the rest!) John Kackley is a senior manager and program manager at Centric Chicago. Listen Here https://centricconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Podcast-Interview-6a-Data-and-Analytics-Engagement-part-1.mp3

Determining the best means of implementing organizational change is half the battle in the execution of change. Understanding external resources and processes aids in achieving a smooth transition. The gig economy is the newest of business trends driving towards nontraditional employment models. For years now, companies looked at the tradeoffs involved with people who are not classic full-time employees, with analysis of the costs, risks, and company strategy implications. In this episode of Centric Biz and Tech Talks, we talk to organizational change management practitioner Colleen McFarland about thoughtfully and successfully engaging external resources in your organization. Is the trend of using external resources likely to be reversed? How can you effectively include external resources in your organization? According to Colleen, it’s critical for success to address the development and use of a resource strategy. It’s all about knowing why you want to use external resources and how to do so deliberately. Colleen takes us through drafting such an approach and keeping it going, all while maintaining accountability from your vendors. Your resource strategy is a tool for communication with vendors and explaining your values and expectations. Join us to hear Colleen’s insights on these questions and more! John Kackley is a senior manager and program manager at Centric Chicago. Listen Here https://centricconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Podcast-Interview-5-Using-External-Resources.mp3

Developing a step-by-step business transformation plan increases the rate of success for introducing change into your business. We continue to talk about Business Transformation and how the objective is the most important focal point during any pre-planned change. In part two of this two-part episode, John Kackley continues to speak to Carla Cubert about her role in business transformation projects and her life as a trained pastry chef! She brings this additional expertise into the conversation and shares an analogy on how baking compares to business transformation! She specifically focuses on the importance of following a step-by-step plan while also being sure to take the time to execute each step thoroughly. They also discuss how framing the objective of Business Transformation starts with establishing the key benefits, strategy, and vision. John and Carla hit on the stages of BTM, beginning with considering culture. The following steps develop out of that starting point. The additional stages include determining the need for change, identifying core objectives to support the shift, assessing where the business is and where they want to be, developing a plan, executing that plan, and measuring those goals. Finally, they focus on the importance of quantifiable benefits defining the purpose. Not all companies feel the process is successful. Carla explains an excellent way to address those hiccups. John Kackley is a senior manager and program manager at Centric Chicago. Listen Here https://centricconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Podcast-interview-3b-Business-Transformation-part-2-1.mp3 Business resilience requires preparation and adaptability. Our 11 question assessment can help you determine how resilient you currently are and next steps for improvement. Download the Assessment

A business transformation plan is an essential part of implementing change in any business space. When is the last time your business went through a significant transformation? How did you handle it? What were some of your most substantial victories and pitfalls? In part one of a two-part episode, John Kackley speaks to Carla Cubert, a Business Management Consultant for Centric’s Chicago team. Carla has been a part of many business transformations over the years and brings her expertise to the conversation. In Carla’s words, “Business transformation is essentially changing for the betterment of an organization.” We talk about the importance of incremental change versus business transformation—learning a new step or approach compared to completely altering how employees engage with the business and produce results. Carla explains the importance of processes and being conscientious of how employees respond to change. Some of the more essential points covered include identifying a strategy and vision then aligning people, process, and plans to meet those goals. However, big or small the transformation plan, it changes the way a company does business. It’s essential to ensure all affected members of the company are on board.  From the CEO to the most base-level employee, it’s crucial to keep everyone informed and on board each step of the way. Carla shares the best way to use a business transformation team and build out the best plan of success, including building a long-term and short-term strategy, understanding a clear vision, and setting goals and objectives. John Kackley is a senior manager and program manager at Centric Chicago. Listen Here https://centricconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Podcast-interview-3a-Business-Transformation-part-1-1.mp3 Business resilience requires preparation and adaptability. Our 11 question assessment can help you determine how resilient you currently are and next steps for improvement. Download the Assessment

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are two different tools working well together to improve your business processes. It’s the rise of the machines! But there’s no need to call John Conner just yet. In this podcast, John Kackley speaks to Carmen Fontana, a guest expert on the cloud, about Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. John and Carmen discuss the differences between AI and Machine Learning and how these differences benefit your business. They look at some of the most effective uses of each in the consumer space and how this translates to the business space. Carmen explains how we can leverage machine learning to fully pattern behavior to determine which employees are most likely to leave the organization. She further explains the process of using predictive modeling in AI to attract and retain the best talent. The two continue their discussion by noting the difference in using AI versus data analytics, along with the difference in using AI versus data analytics. Understanding the differences allows the best application for each tool. Carmen shares how machine learning keeps AI running and how Deep Learning takes Machine Learning a step further. Finally, Carmen and John focus on how AI and Machine Learning continue to change the workforce. Many jobs are being replaced by AI and other technologies. It’s proven useful in some of the more mundane elements of business, such as building maintenance. But that doesn’t mean all human roles are in danger of disappearing. There are still certain areas in which machines simply cannot compare to human intellect, such as emotionally, empathically, and ethically. Carmen shares more on her vision for AI, allowing us all to be better humans. Listen Here https://centricconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Podcast-Interview-2-AI-in-business.mp3

Data and Analytics trends are constantly evolving. We talk about the latest and most important updates in the field. Let’s talk about data and analytics! What’s trending in the field? On our first podcast, your host John Kackley explores the broad boundaries of data and analytics with Centric Chicago’s practice lead Carlos Cruz about his experience and knowledge on the latest and greatest about the field. John and Carlos discuss how data ingesting and transformation is making way for businesses to change some of their standard practices entirely. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are at the forefront of data analytics trends, but what exactly does that mean? Using the data allows us to harness the benefits of these tools to their fullest extent. It’s transforming how businesses turn the data into valuable information for consumers. They also explore how Cloud data analytic platforms becoming more prominent makes users feel more confident in their security abilities. Security and privacy are a chief concern for most users, especially for businesses trying to protect themselves and their customer base. So, how do you ensure everything stays secure? Hiring the right people is step one! Carlos explains the best way to pick the best people. John Kackley is a senior manager and program manager at Centric Chicago. Listen Here https://centricconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Podcast-Interview-1-Trends-in-Data.mp3