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    ๐Ÿ“ Show Notes:
    What if the biggest barrier to your companyโ€™s growth isnโ€™t your strategy โ€” but your peopleโ€™s belief in it?

    In Part 1 of this powerful two-part episode, we welcome Dave Garrison, seasoned CEO, board member, and leadership strategist with over 25 years of experience driving real-world results. Dave pulls back the curtain on what employee engagement really means โ€” and why it's the key to reducing turnover, boosting innovation, and transforming your business from the inside out.

    Whether youโ€™re leading a small team or an entire enterprise, this episode delivers practical, battle-tested strategies to move your people from burnout to buy-in.

    ๐Ÿ’ฅ Expect real talk, not fluff. Practical steps, not platitudes. Because leadership isnโ€™t about charisma โ€” itโ€™s about connection.

    ๐Ÿ”— Connect with Dave on LinkedIn
    ๐Ÿ“˜ Check out his book: buyinbook.com

    ๐Ÿ•’ Episode Breakdown:

    01:43 Meet Dave Garrison06:02 Why is Strategy Hard07:34 What is Engagement?15:48 Trust is a Prerequisite to Conflict19:34 Connecting with "Human Beings"20:45 Creating Friday Night Lights Moments26:46 Slowing Down to Speed Up29:35 The Real Cost of Disengagement

    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Hashtags:
    #MakingDataSimple #LeadershipStrategy #EmployeeEngagement #DaveGarrison #BusinessGrowth #TrustAndLeadership #OrganizationalHealth #TeamCulture #WorkplaceInnovation #BuyInNotBurnout

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    From Elephant Butts to Ethical AI โ€” Duncan Curtis on De-Risking GenAI at Sama

    Episode intro
    Duncan Curtis, SVP for GenAI & AI Product + Technology at Sama, has shipped everything from autonomous-vehicle platforms at Zoox to game-changing data products at Google. Today he leads a 160-person team thatโ€™s reinventing how training data is curated, labeled, and audited so enterprises can ship production-ready GenAIโ€”without the lurking model risk. Samaโ€™s newest release, Sama Automate, is already cutting annotation time by 40 percent while keeping quality above SLAs, and Duncan says theyโ€™re โ€œaiming for a 10ร— improvement by 2025.โ€ (aiuserconference.com, sama.com)

    If you want the inside track on AI ROI, ethical guardrails, and why Aโ€™s hire Aโ€™s (but Bโ€™s hire Cโ€™s!), lean inโ€”this oneโ€™s for you. (And yes, we do get to elephant butts.)

    Timestamped roadmap

    00:46 Meet Duncan Curtis03:51 The Duncan Brand05:52 Making Time for Yourself08:47 Autonomous Cars โ€” 9ร— Safer12:21 Favorite Jobs13:24 Inside Sama14:39 Data & LLM Training16:04 De-Risking Models19:08 Ethical AI22:43 Stopping Hallucinations27:18 Data Labeling Deep-Dive31:56 Production-Ready GenAI33:44 AGI Horizons35:34 What Makes Sama Different36:31 Calculating AI ROI38:50 State of the LLMs44:48 Elephant Butts & Closing Thoughts

    Quick links

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-curtis/Sama: https://www.sama.com/Latest blog: โ€œSama Introduces New Data Automation Platformโ€ (sama.com)Hear more: Duncan on โ€œHuman Guardrails in Generative AIโ€ (DataCamp podcast) (datacamp.com)

    Hashtags

    #MakingDataSimple #AIProduct #GenAI #DataLabeling #EthicalAI #AIROI #AutonomousVehicles #Podcast

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    ๐ŸŽง Episode Description:
    This week on Making Data Simple, we welcome David Hirschfeld, Founder and CEO of Tekyz. With a background spanning major tech firms and startup trenches, David brings grounded, data-backed insight into what makes or breaks a startup. From tackling the #1 reason startups fail to exploring the value of validation and the real meaning of product-market fit, this episode is a no-fluff masterclass in entrepreneurial strategy. Davidโ€™s message is clear: "Donโ€™t focus on your product. Focus on the clientโ€™s problem."

    Whether you're a first-time founder or scaling your next venture, David offers hard-earned truths, including surprising takes on unicorns, VCs, and what really matters more โ€” the founder or the technology?

    โฑ Time Markers:
    01:20 โ€“ Meet David Hirschfeld
    05:55 โ€“ THE Reason Startups Fail
    08:50 โ€“ Lifetime Value
    11:33 โ€“ The Value of Validation
    14:48 โ€“ What Do the VCs Say?
    16:20 โ€“ Startup Success Rate
    17:10 โ€“ Tekyz
    23:01 โ€“ Product Market Fit
    29:18 โ€“ Startup Ideation
    31:37 โ€“ Unicorns
    38:12 โ€“ Unexpected Truths
    42:45 โ€“ Founder or Technology?

    ๐Ÿ”— Connect with David:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhirschfeld

    Website: https://tekyz.com


    #MakingDataSimple #StartupAdvice #ProductMarketFit #TechLeadership #VCInsights #FoundersJourney #Entrepreneurship #DataDrivenDecisions #StartupFailure #Innovation #ClientCentric #Podcast

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    This week on Making Data Simple, we welcome Ralph Gootee, CTO and co-founder of TigerEye, a company reshaping strategic sales intelligence with a data-driven edge. Ralphโ€™s journey spans Pixar, Sony, and PlanGrid โ€” and now heโ€™s building tools to help sales leaders see around corners. From the secrets behind TigerEye's intuitive reporting to the realities of entrepreneurship and the affordability of LLMs, this episode hits both the business brain and the tech heart.

    00:52 Meet Ralph Gootee 01:43 TigerEye 04:49 PlanGrid 07:43 Monetization 08:50 TigerEye's Objective 12:38 Reinventing Reporting 17:06 How it Works 22:21 The Secret Sauce 27:48 LLM Affordability 34:14 Last Call 38:57 The Entrepreneur Dilemma 39:47 Where to Reach TigerEye 40:07 Do Code Assistants Work? 47:32 For Fun

    ๐Ÿ”— Connect with Ralph & TigerEye
    LinkedIn: Ralph Gootee
    Website: TigerEye
    Blog: TigerEye Blog

    #MakingDataSimple #SalesIntelligence #AIinSales #EntrepreneurMindset #LLMs #StartupLife #PixarToPipeline #DataDrivenDecisions #TechLeadership #TigerEye

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    ๐ŸŽง REPLAY ALERT: The Future of Risk, Powered by AI
    In case you missed it the first time โ€” weโ€™re bringing back this incredible conversation with Kathy Stares, EVP of North America at Provenir.

    Kathy dives into how Provenirโ€™s AI-powered risk decisioning software processes over 4 billion transactions annually across 50+ countries. From fintech to traditional banking, learn how this platform is shaking up risk strategies with automation, innovation, and global reach.

    ๐ŸŒ Why does risk decisioning need AI?
    ๐Ÿš€ Whatโ€™s driving the next wave of banking transformation?
    ๐Ÿ“Š How can Gen Z shape the future of financial services?

    Timestamps:

    01:14 Meet Kathy Stares 04:34 The Start of Summer 08:01 AI-Powered Risk Decisioning 11:31 The Tech Behind Provenir 13:42 Models 14:32 Data Source 16:43 The Business Problem 17:33 Banking Strategies 18:48 Platform Scope 20:28 Automation 21:46 Provenirโ€™s Differentiator 22:47 Millennials & Gen Z 29:05 Trends to Watch 31:57 Kathyโ€™s Takeaway 33:28 Connect with Provenir 35:25 The Wealthy Barber

    ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Guest: Kathy Stares
    ๐Ÿ”— Learn more: provenir.com

    #AIinFinance #FintechInnovation #RiskDecisioning #FinancialServices #AIReplay #Automation #FutureOfBanking #GenZFinance #WomenInTech #MakingDataSimple #TechPodcast #ProvenirAI #PodcastReplay

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    Weโ€™re back for Part 2 of our Automation deep-diveโ€”and the hits just keep coming! Host Al Martin reunites with IBM automation aces Sarah McAndrew (WW Automation Technical Sales) and Vikram Murali (App Mod & IT Automation Development) to push past the hype and map out the road ahead.

    ๐ŸŽฌ Episode Highlights

    00:12 Observability โ€“ why seeing everything is half the battle04:17 IBM Concert โ€“ orchestrating dev, ops & business in one score07:42 Tech vs. Culture โ€“ the million-dollar question11:34 Real-world use cases that ship value today13:65 Scanning the Future of Automation (spoiler: itโ€™s closer than you think)15:32 Hashi โ€“ tooling that scales with you17:42 Top resources to learn more and stay ahead of the curve18:13 Lightning-round fun to wrap it up

    Whether youโ€™re wrangling legacy systems or architecting cloud-native dreams, this conversation will spark ideas, bust myths, and give you action items of immediate value. Smash that play button, tag a colleague, and join the movement to #MakingDataSimple!

    ๐Ÿ”— Connect: Sarah McAndrew LinkedIn | Vikram Murali LinkedIn
    ๐ŸŒ Explore IBM Automation: ibm.com/automation

    #MakingDataSimple #IBMAutomation #Observability #TechPodcast #FutureOfWork

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    Buckle upโ€”automation is shifting into high gear! In Part 1 of our Automation mini-series, host Al Martin VP WW Technical Sales sits down with IBM insiders Sarah McAndrew (VP WW Automation, Technical Sales) and Vikram Murali (VP App Mod & IT Automation, Development) to decode the now and next of enterprise automation.

    ๐Ÿ”‘ Whatโ€™s inside

    00:53 Meet Sarah McAndrew VP WW Automation, Technical Sales01:29 Meet Vikram Murali VP App Mod & IT Automation, Development03:25 A crisp, boardroom-ready definition of automation09:21 Why observability is automationโ€™s super-power11:45 The latest breakthroughs propelling innovation faster than ever22:29 How Aspera rockets data transfer into warp speed23:43 The big โ€œWhy IBM?โ€โ€”and why it matters for your bottom line

    Expect practical tips you can deploy tomorrow, myth-busting insights, and bold predictions that will have your Dev & Ops teams buzzing. Hit play, share with a tech-curious friend, and letโ€™s #MakeDataSimpleโ€”together.


    ๐Ÿ”— Connect: Linkedin Sarah McAndrew | LinkedIn Vikram Murali
    ๐ŸŒ Explore IBM Automation: ibm.com/automation

    #MakingDataSimple #IBMAutomation #AI #Observability #TechPodcast #FutureOfWork

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    In this powerhouse episode of Making Data Simple, we welcome Dave Martinโ€”CEO, tech entrepreneur, investor coach to elite CEOs, and bestselling author of Mega Thinking: A Simple, Powerful Process to Think Smarter and Make Better Leadership Decisions.

    From Silicon Valley to boardrooms worldwide, Dave breaks down how top leaders think differently, make high-stakes decisions with clarity, and unlock their full leadership potential. Whether youโ€™re scaling a startup or leading a Fortune 500, these are the insights that move the needle.

    โฑ๏ธ Episode Breakdown

    02:38 โ€“ Meet Dave Martin: From tech entrepreneur to investor coachโ€”Daveโ€™s leadership journey05:27 โ€“ Silicon Valley Secrets: What makes this innovation hub tick?08:17 โ€“ The Inception of Mega Thinking: Where breakthrough leadership strategies begin10:57 โ€“ Startups Unfiltered: What it really takes to succeed (and survive)14:00 โ€“ What is Mega Thinking?: The simple yet powerful framework to level up your leadership21:05 โ€“ Mega Thinking in Action: How top performers apply it daily24:07 โ€“ What Holds People Back?: The hidden barriers between you and your next big idea27:26 โ€“ Mega Thinking Summary: Your rapid-fire leadership playbook33:06 โ€“ Reminiscing IBM: Timeless leadership lessons from a tech giant34:28 โ€“ The Most Powerful Leaders: How they think differentlyโ€”and why it works36:42 โ€“ Final Thoughts: Daveโ€™s rapid-fire leadership advice you can apply today38:46 โ€“ How to Reach Dave Martin: Continue the conversation and go deeper

    ๐Ÿ”— Connect with Dave:
    LinkedIn
    ๐ŸŒ Website: megathinkingbook.com

    #MegaThinking #LeadershipUnlocked #ExecutiveMindset #ThinkSmarterLeadBetter #StartupSuccess #SiliconValleySecrets #BusinessInnovation #LeadershipDecisions #MakingDataSimple #CEOInsights #TechLeadership #PodcastPower

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    What makes IBM TechXchange different โ€” and why is it a must-attend for techies? In this episode, weโ€™re joined by two powerhouses behind the scenes: Amy Tennison, VP of IBM TechXchange & Client Advocacy, and Graeme Noseworthy, TechXchange Content & Experiences. We explore the ethos of TechXchange, how it's curated for technologists of all skill levels, and why it's more than just an event โ€” it's an experience that continues all year long. From strategic content design to the future of tech conferences, youโ€™ll hear insider insights and behind-the-scenes stories that bring TechXchange to life.

    โฑ๏ธ Time Markers:

    03:06 Meet Amy Tennison03:54 Meet Graeme Noseworthy05:51 What IS TechXchange10:31 TechXchange is Always On!16:32 The Cost of Learning: Time22:12 Targeting Different Skill Levels27:07 Where Are Tech Events Heading?28:52 Session Curation33:03 The WHY of TechXchange34:00 Finally, What to Know36:29 For Fun

    ๐Ÿ’ก Whether you're a hands-on architect, an emerging developer, or a tech lead looking to sharpen your edge โ€” this episode is for you.

    #TechXchange #IBMPodcast #MakingDataSimple

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    ๐Ÿ‘ค About the Guest
    Dr. Ruchir Puri is IBM Fellow and Chief Scientist at IBM Research. Heโ€™s a master inventor with 70+ patents and decades of leadership in scalable AI, chip innovation, and open-source contributions. From Watson to watsonx, heโ€™s been shaping the AI landscape for decades โ€” and heโ€™s not slowing down.

    Inside This Episode In Part 2, Ruchir unpacks the macro forces shaping AI โ€” from Jensen Huangโ€™s bold prediction to IBMโ€™s leadership in open-model ecosystems and the emerging blueprint for AGI (Artificial General Intelligence). Itโ€™s a mix of sharp insight, grounded realism, and future-forward thinking.

    โฑ๏ธ Chapters & Timing

    00:12 โ€“ Jensen Huang's Prediction
    Ruchirโ€™s take on NVIDIAโ€™s CEO and whether the 2029 AGI forecast holds water.04:15 โ€“ The Open-Model Ecosystem
    Why IBM is betting on openness โ€” and what that means for enterprise AI.07:21 โ€“ Why IBM Granite?
    A breakdown of Graniteโ€™s strengths, flexibility, and why itโ€™s built to scale responsibly.09:58 โ€“ Model Indemnification
    The legal side of LLMs. Ruchir explains how IBM handles risk and accountability.11:32 โ€“ AI Implementation Challenges
    Beyond the hype: What really gets in the way of successful AI deployment?14:20 โ€“ AI in Politics
    A frank look at how AI is already reshaping elections, media, and power dynamics.15:35 โ€“ AI Chipsets
    From GPUs to custom silicon, Ruchir highlights whatโ€™s next in the AI compute race.18:37 โ€“ AGI = IQ, EQ, RQ
    Artificial General Intelligence, demystified. Why intellect alone isnโ€™t enough โ€” and how reasoning and empathy fit in.24:15 โ€“ The Human Brainโ€™s Efficiency
    What AI can learn from 20 watts of organic genius.

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Key Ideas

    You canโ€™t have AGI without reasoning. Thatโ€™s the โ€˜RQโ€™ โ€” and itโ€™s the missing piece.

    The future isnโ€™t one model to rule them all. Itโ€™s an ecosystem โ€” modular, open, and responsible.

    IBMโ€™s commitment to indemnification isnโ€™t just legal โ€” itโ€™s about trust in enterprise AI.

    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Why You Should Listen This episode goes beyond buzzwords. If you're serious about whatโ€™s coming next in AI โ€” how weโ€™ll build it, govern it, and live with it โ€” Ruchir offers a rare combination of technical clarity and visionary leadership.

    ๐ŸŽง Subscribe for More Don't miss upcoming episodes that help you lead with clarity in the AI era โ€” the Making Data Simple way.

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Ruchir Puri (Part 1): From Prompt Engineering to Agentic AI Guest: Ruchir Puri, Chief Scientist at IBM Research
    ๐Ÿ“ Website: ibm.com/watsonx
    ๐ŸŽง Host: Al Martin, Worldwide VP, Technical Sales, IBM
    ๐Ÿ“จ Want to be a guest? Email us at [email protected]

    ๐Ÿ‘ค About the Guest
    Dr. Ruchir Puri is IBM Fellow, Chief Scientist of IBM Research, and one of IBMโ€™s most prolific inventors. With over 70 patents and a lead architect behind IBMโ€™s AI breakthroughs including Watson and watsonx, Ruchir is a globally respected authority on AI, chip design, and scalable compute. Heโ€™s led groundbreaking work from Deep Blue to Agentic AI and is shaping how AI will drive the next era of enterprise transformation.

    ๐Ÿง  Whatโ€™s Inside This Episode This episode is a masterclass in where AI is headed. Ruchir takes us on a journey from the fading relevance of prompt engineering to the rise of agentic AI systems that think, plan, execute, and reflect. Youโ€™ll hear his candid views on inference at scale, memory in systems, and why 2025 is the year of agents.

    โฑ๏ธ Chapters & Timing

    01:22 โ€“ Hints for the IBM THINK Conference
    Sneak peek into whatโ€™s coming at THINK โ€” and what not to miss.04:09 โ€“ What Drives Ruchir
    From childhood curiosity to global impact. How does a mind like his stay inspired?10:00 โ€“ Where Are We Now: Feedback Systems
    Why the โ€œtraining is doneโ€ mindset is outdated and how feedback loops change the game.12:21 โ€“ Prompt Engineering Gone!
    Hot take alert! Ruchir declares the death of prompt engineering โ€” and what replaces it.13:39 โ€“ Inference Scaling
    How scaling inference (not just training) is the next AI frontier.16:26 โ€“ Systems with Memory
    Why โ€œforgettingโ€ systems are failing us โ€” and how memory transforms intelligence.17:56 โ€“ Agentic AI: Think, Plan, Act, Execute, Observe, Reflect
    A full walkthrough of what makes AI โ€œagenticโ€ and where weโ€™re headed next.21:02 โ€“ Future of Work and MCP (Multi-Contextual Personas)
    AI in the workplace isnโ€™t about job replacement โ€” itโ€™s about augmentation.23:45 โ€“ 2025: The Year of Agents
    Why this year will be the breakout moment for agents in enterprise AI.23:58 โ€“ The Open Ecosystem
    Open-source meets enterprise grade. Ruchir breaks it down.26:38 โ€“ Agentic AI Leader
    Final thoughts on leadership in AI and how to stay ahead.

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Quotes to Remember

    โ€œPrompt engineering is dead. Itโ€™s like writing assembler. You needed it at first. But not anymore.โ€โ€œThe true intelligence lies in systems that can remember โ€” not just respond.โ€โ€œWeโ€™re heading into an era where your agent will know you better than your coworkers do.โ€

    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Why You Should Listen If you want a front-row seat to the future of AI โ€” especially in enterprise environments โ€” this is it. Ruchir combines deep tech insights with strategic vision, all while keeping it practical and human.

    ๐Ÿ“ฉ Subscribe & Stay Ahead Follow us on your favorite platform and never miss an episode that helps you lead with tech โ€” simply.

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    Part 2 of 2

    Weโ€™re back with Part 2 of our fascinating conversation with Phanish Puranam, Professor of Strategy and Organizational Design at INSEAD.

    In this episode, we explore the next frontier: how intelligent algorithms donโ€™t just support organizationsโ€”they shape them. From AI ethics and algorithmic bureaucracy to the future of human-AI teams, universal income, and debunking myths, Phanish offers a provocative look at how organizations canโ€”and shouldโ€”adopt AI in a human-centric way.

    โฑ๏ธ Chapters

    00:12 โ€“ Algorithmic Bureaucracy01:23 โ€“ AI Ethics04:24 โ€“ Blockchain07:51 โ€“ AI as Team vs. Individual Agents11:59 โ€“ New Skills15:12 โ€“ Predictions & Universal Income17:20 โ€“ Adopting AI in a Human-Centric Way19:02 โ€“ AI Myths

    ๐Ÿ”— Connect with Phanish Puranam

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phanishpuranamWebsite: insead.edu/faculty/phanish-puranam

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    Part 1 of 2

    How do we make organizations not just run โ€” but run intelligently?

    In this episode of Making Data Simple, we welcome Phanish Puranam, Professor of Strategy and Organizational Design at INSEAD, to explore the intersection of AI, organizational science, and intelligent design. From tools and teammates to blockchain and the metaverse, Phanish walks us through the evolving relationship between humans, algorithms, and the systems we build.

    We dive into real-world use cases, research-backed insights, and surprising pitfalls โ€” plus a contrarian take on why bad ideas might be the key to better innovation.

    โฑ๏ธ Chapters

    01:50 โ€“ Meet Phanish Puranam03:36 โ€“ Organizational Design08:39 โ€“ Where is Org Design Today12:41 โ€“ A Research Example15:59 โ€“ Technologies as Tools & Teammates17:54 โ€“ A Real Use Case Example20:30 โ€“ The Metaverse, Eliminate Bad Ideas Fast21:28 โ€“ Pitfalls23:30 โ€“ Use Case Deep Dive30:06 โ€“ The Power Structure

    ๐Ÿ”— Connect with Phanish Puranam

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phanishpuranamINSEAD Profile: insead.edu/faculty/phanish-puranam

    #OrganizationalDesign #ArtificialIntelligence #PhanishPuranam #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #AlgorithmicOrganizations #Leadership #INSEAD #MakingDataSimple #AIandWork #BusinessStrategy #DigitalTransformation #OrgDesign

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    โœจ Updated April 1, 2025

    What do Tickle Me Elmo, bourbon, and Taylor Swift tickets have in common? Scarcity. And in the world of marketing, it's one of the most powerful forces you can harness.

    This week, weโ€™re throwing it back to one of our most insightful interviews โ€” a conversation with Dr. Mindy Weinstein, Founder and CEO of Market MindShift, marketing professor at Grand Canyon University, Columbia Business School, and Wharton, and author of The Power of Scarcity.

    We dig into:

    The psychology behind scarcity and why it drives us to act nowThe four types of scarcity (youโ€™ll want to write these down!)How top brands โ€” and yes, bourbon sellers โ€” use scarcity to spark actionWhy "reaching humans" in digital marketing is more nuanced than everHow you can ethically and effectively use scarcity to boost business results

    ๐Ÿ“š About the Book:
    In The Power of Scarcity, Dr. Weinstein combines her background in marketing and psychology to break down how scarcity messaging influences decision-making โ€” and how you can leverage it to drive revenue, deepen loyalty, and create urgency without manipulation. With research, real-world examples, and interviews from brands like McDonaldโ€™s and 1-800-Flowers, itโ€™s a must-read for anyone looking to up their marketing game.

    ๐Ÿ“Œ Timestamps:
    01:41 Meet "Marketer" Mindy Weinstein
    04:42 Technology in Marketing
    07:50 One of the top women in digital marketing
    09:12 The Power of Scarcity
    19:16 The Four Types of Scarcity
    20:41 Bourbon Scarcity
    21:47 Businesses Leveraging Scarcity

    ๐Ÿง  Connect with Dr. Weinstein:
    ๐Ÿ”— LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mindydweinstein
    ๐Ÿ“˜ Book: persuasioninbusiness.com
    ๐ŸŒ Website: marketmindshift.com

    ๐ŸŽง Originally aired: Season 7, Episode 5

    Want to be featured on Making Data Simple? Drop us a note at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next! Hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales at IBM โ€” where we explore cutting-edge tech, business innovation, and the human side of leadership... all while keeping it simple & fun.

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ From Host to Hot Seat!
    This week on Making Data Simple, Al Martin flips the mic and becomes the guest as Ian Smith, co-founder of Lighthouse Technology, steps in to host a fast-paced, thought-provoking episode of the Baseline Podcast.

    Itโ€™s a casual convo with some serious zingersโ€”think startup energy, AI honesty, automation truths, and even a little NFL shoutout. You wonโ€™t want to miss this one!

    ๐Ÿ•’ Episode Highlights
    00:52 โ€“ How Making Data Simple got started
    06:11 โ€“ IBM as a Startup?!
    08:38 โ€“ Why IBM, really
    11:49 โ€“ Competing with โ€œReal-timeโ€ AI
    23:20 โ€“ How to get clients to truly embrace automation
    32:12 โ€“ The test AI flunkedโ€ฆ but still got a B ๐Ÿค–
    33:06 โ€“ GO CHIEFS! ๐Ÿˆ
    37:54 โ€“ The real IBM use case
    47:06 โ€“ โ€œNothing went wrongโ€ (famous last words?)

    ๐Ÿ”— Connect with Ian: linkedin.com/in/ian-smith-a803701
    ๐ŸŒ Learn more: baselinepodcast.com

    ๐Ÿ’ก Want to be featured on Making Data Simple?
    Pitch us your story at [email protected]โ€”weโ€™re always on the lookout for brilliant minds in tech, data, leadership, and innovation.

    ๐ŸŽง Hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM. LinkedIn. Executive Producer, Katherine Mayne LinkedIn.
    We talk trending tech, bold ideas, and big leadershipโ€”all with a focus on keeping it simple and fun.

    #MakingDataSimple #BaselinePodcast #TechLeadership #AIConversations #StartupTalk #AutomationInnovation #IBMTech #DataDriven #PodcastGuest #BusinessInnovation #LighthouseTechnology #AlMartin #IanSmith #GoChiefs

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    ๐Ÿš€ Whatโ€™s the secret to building a world-class influencer marketing program? Ryan Debenham, CEO of GRIN, joins Making Data Simple to break down the future of creator-driven marketing, AIโ€™s role in the space, and how GRIN is reshaping brand-influencer partnerships.

    ๐Ÿ’ก From Red Bullโ€™s marketing playbook to a key conversation about the โ€œSecret Sauceโ€, Ryan shares the insights, technology, and mindset needed to scale a creator-powered brand in todayโ€™s digital economy.

    ๐Ÿ”น Key Topics:
    โœ… What makes a great influencer?
    โœ… How GRIN is redefining the industry
    โœ… AIโ€™s impact on marketing
    โœ… The future of remote companies

    โŒ›๏ธMinute Markers

    02:11 Meet Ryan Debenham
    07:54 Running a Startup
    08:46 Modeled after Red Bull
    12:01 GRIN
    15:44 Influencer Marketing
    17:52 Who are the Influencers
    18:45 Secret Sauce
    22:51 The Technology
    24:51 The 2-Min GRIN Pitch
    31:16 AI in Marketing
    34:32 GRIN's Future
    36:06 A Remote Company
    38:35 In Closing

    ๐Ÿ“ข Listen now!

    ๐ŸŽง Guest: Ryan Debenham | LinkedIn | Website
    ๐ŸŒ Host: Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM | LinkedIn

    ๐Ÿ“ฉ Want to be a guest? Email us at [email protected]

    ๐Ÿ”— Hashtags:
    #MakingDataSimple #InfluencerMarketing #CreatorEconomy #AIinMarketing #BrandGrowth #MarketingTech #Leadership #GRIN #RyanDebenham

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    Innovating on Wall Street: Kristen McGarry on Data, AI, and Technical Sales

    ๐ŸŽง Tune in for an insiderโ€™s look at the technical strategies shaping the future of finance.

    Kristen McGarry, Principal Account Technical Lead for IBMโ€™s Financial Services Market, returns to Making Data Simple to dive deeper into the intersection of technology and Wall Street. Based in NYC, Kristen works with the worldโ€™s largest financial institutions to drive innovation, accelerate time to value, and implement cutting-edge solutions across software, hardware, and services.

    In this episode, we break down the realities of technical sales, the evolving role of data science in finance, and what Wall Street is getting right (or wrong) about AI. Kristen also shares key insights on the challenges of working with financial giants and predictions for the future of tech in banking.

    โฑ Episode Highlights:
    ๐Ÿ“ 02:57 โ€“ An Intro to Kristen McGarry
    ๐Ÿ“ 04:36 โ€“ Why IBM?
    ๐Ÿ“ 09:25 โ€“ The Attraction of Data Science
    ๐Ÿ“ 11:51 โ€“ A Day in the Life of an Account Technical Leader
    ๐Ÿ“ 13:30 โ€“ Technical Sales versus Sales
    ๐Ÿ“ 15:05 โ€“ Continuing to Innovate
    ๐Ÿ“ 19:09 โ€“ Dealing with Wall Street
    ๐Ÿ“ 20:17 โ€“ The Methodology
    ๐Ÿ“ 22:23 โ€“ The How of Technical Sales
    ๐Ÿ“ 23:05 โ€“ Continuous Learning
    ๐Ÿ“ 28:03 โ€“ Management System
    ๐Ÿ“ 30:34 โ€“ Wall Street Learnings
    ๐Ÿ“ 32:20 โ€“ Biggest Challenge
    ๐Ÿ“ 33:08 โ€“ The Data Challenge
    ๐Ÿ“ 34:22 โ€“ Best Data Science Use Cases in Finance
    ๐Ÿ“ 36:14 โ€“ What Do Clients Miss on AI?
    ๐Ÿ“ 38:09 โ€“ Predictions

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-mcgarry/

    Website: https://www.ibm.com/

    #MakingDataSimple #DataScience #AIinFinance #TechSales #WallStreet #IBM #Innovation #FinancialServices #Leadership #ContinuousLearning #AI

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    ๐Ÿš€ The Coaching Discussion Reprise with Katie McLuckie and a special guest!

    In this episode, we dive into the value of coachingโ€”what it takes to find the right coach, the ups and downs of the journey, and what to watch out for. If you're considering a business coach, this one's for you!

    ๐ŸŽง Episode Breakdown:
    โฑ๏ธ 01:33 โ€“ Meet Katie McLuckie
    โฑ๏ธ 04:11 โ€“ Transitioning from Urban Planning
    โฑ๏ธ 07:02 โ€“ Finding a Coach
    โฑ๏ธ 13:34 โ€“ A Silly Coaching Example ๐Ÿค”
    โฑ๏ธ 21:10 โ€“ The Coaching Folder ๐Ÿ“‚
    โฑ๏ธ 23:33 โ€“ The Show After the Show ๐ŸŽญ
    โฑ๏ธ 27:05 โ€“ Corporate vs. Individual Coaching
    โฑ๏ธ 29:17 โ€“ Red Flags ๐Ÿšฉ
    โฑ๏ธ 30:50 โ€“ The Echo Chamber ๐Ÿ”„

    ๐Ÿ”— Connect with Katie: linkedin.com/in/katiemcluckie

    ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Want to be a guest on Making Data Simple?
    ๐Ÿ“ฉ Email us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next!

    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadershipโ€”all while keeping it simple & fun.

    Al's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-martin-ku

    Katherine the "Special Guest" LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katemayne

    #MakingDataSimple #Podcast #Coaching #BusinessCoaching #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Innovation #CorporateCoaching #CoachingJourney #TechAndLeadership

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    In this special replay episode of Making Data Simple, Al Martin sits down with Matt Cowell, CEO of QuantHub, to dive deep into data literacy, upskilling, and solving learning challenges. Matt shares his expertise on defining data fluency, the best ways to learn, and how organizations can close the data skill gap. From client use cases to leadership insights, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for businesses and individuals navigating the data-driven world.

    Show Notes & Chapter Markers:

    โณ 2:25 โ€“ From SVP of Products to Data Learning Business
    ๐Ÿ“Š 3:48 โ€“ Defining Data Literacy
    ๐ŸŽ“ 5:50 โ€“ Teaching the Products
    ๐Ÿšง 7:36 โ€“ Whatโ€™s Out of Scope?
    ๐Ÿข 12:50 โ€“ Client Use Case
    ๐Ÿ’ก 18:07 โ€“ Solving Learning Problems
    ๐Ÿ“– 21:14 โ€“ What Does a Learning Plan Look Like?
    ๐Ÿ” 25:08 โ€“ Defining Micro
    ๐Ÿง  30:20 โ€“ Best Ways to Learn
    ๐Ÿ“ˆ 33:14 โ€“ Measuring Success
    ๐Ÿ’ฐ 34:47 โ€“ Venture Capital Funding
    ๐ŸŒŸ 36:10 โ€“ Fundamental Leadership Belief
    ๐Ÿ”‘ 38:24 โ€“ The Most Valuable Leadership Skill

    ๐Ÿ”— Connect & Resources:

    QuantHubMatt Cowell on LinkedInBooks Mentioned: Monetizing Innovation, Ultra LearningConnect with the Team:๐ŸŽค Host: Al Martin๐ŸŽฌ Producers: Kate Mayne

    ๐Ÿ“ฉ Want to be a guest?

    Reach out to [email protected] and tell us why you should be next!

    ๐Ÿ“ข Hashtags:

    #MakingDataSimple #DataLiteracy #Upskilling #AI #BigData #TechPodcast #Leadership #LearnData #QuantHub

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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    The master of Artificial Intelligence: Ruchir Puri, Chief Scientist of IBM Research, an IBM Fellow, and Vice-President of IBM Corporate Technology. AI questions you were afraid to ask, from hallucinations to watsonx. #makingdatasimple #watsonx

    Welcome to the enlightening world of AI with Ruchir Puri, the Master of Artificial Intelligence and esteemed guest on our podcast. Join us as we embark on a captivating journey, delving deep into the realms of AI that you've always been curious about but hesitant to ask. From hallucinations to WatsonX, we leave no stone unturned in our quest for knowledge. Ruchir Puri, Chief Scientist of IBM Research and IBM Fellow, as well as Vice-President of IBM Corporate Technology, shares his expertise and insights, unraveling the complexities and potential of AI. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of AI's capabilities and its impact on our lives. Prepare to have your questions answered and be amazed by the wonders of AI.

    02:17 Meet Ruchir Puri the "Maker"09:24 A day in the life 14:22 The AI hype 24:21 Why now?27:36 The AI triangle35:57 Why IBM 40:58 Deciding factors43:57 Is bigger better?47:59 Hallucinations 49:53 watsonx52:33 Who are you betting on?54:23 First steps

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruchir-puri-b117021a

    Website: https://www.ibm.com/watsonx

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

    Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.