Leaders share real stories from organizational (org) design, workforce transformation, and managing structure change. We highlight the challenges and breakthroughs seen first hand helping organizations become places people love. This is for any leader who is creating organizations of the future. Join host Amy Springer and the co-founders of Functionly, Tim Brewer and Damian Bramanis, on their quest to make work work better.
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Discover how to harness the power of AI without losing the human touch. Hosted by Mike Montague, Founder of Avenue9, this podcast delivers actionable insights to help small and mid-sized businesses market like big brands. With expert interviews, relatable success stories, and practical tips, we show you how to amplify your marketing efforts with AI tools that enhance—not replace—human creativity and connection. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or curious about the future of AI, thi ...
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AI's Impact on Org Charts and the Death of the 3-Year Plan with Tim Brewer and Damian Bramanis
42:51
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42:51Send us a text In this episode of Human-First AI Marketing, host Mike Montague sits down with Tim Brewer and Damian Bramanis from Functionly to unpack one of the most urgent questions facing modern leaders: how do you structure a business when AI changes what people actually do? Spoiler alert: it’s not about mass layoffs or robot takeovers. It’s ab…
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Using AI to Actually Grow Your Small Business with Dilip Dubey
32:10
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32:10Send us a text In this episode of The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Dilip Dubey, founder of Sutra.AI, to explore how small and mid-sized businesses can finally unlock the real promise of AI, without needing massive budgets or technical teams. Dilip shares what he calls the “three big shifts” AI is making possible fo…
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Hitting the high notes 🎶 - the art of people-centric org change with Lisa Taylor
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15:25In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, hosts Amy Springer and Damian chatted with Lisa Taylor from Taylor Stein Consulting (L.T. Consulting), who shares her unexpected journey into the world of organizational design. Starting with a background in music and a series of adventures that led her to teach English in Taiwan, Lisa discusses her transi…
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The AI Merchandising Revolution with Vinod Kumar
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38:03Send us a text In this episode of Human-First AI Marketing, Mike Montague sits down with Vinod Kumar, founder of Syntheum.ai, to explore how AI is transforming one of the most overlooked but essential roles in retail and e-commerce: merchandising. They dig into how AI tools are finally giving merchandisers the support they deserve, freeing them fro…
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BONUS: TSP industry transformation and org design with James Davis of The TSP Advisory
35:51
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35:51In this **bonus** episode of the Org Design Podcast, host Amy Springer welcomes James Davis from The TSP Advisory to discuss the evolving roles and responsibilities within the Technology Services industry. James shares insights on the transformation of Managed Services Providers (MSPs), Systems Integrators (SIs), and Value Added Resellers (VARs) as…
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Ethical AI and Accessibility with Warren Wilansky
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32:49Send us a text Ethical AI isn't just a philosophy; it’s a practical framework for building better digital experiences. In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Warren Wilansky, founder of Plank and the Ethical Web Collective, to explore what ethics actually look like in web design and development. From a…
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The Time Trap in Org Design: A shared struggle for academics, consultants, and CEOs with Andreas Wenger
17:49
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17:49In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Tim Brewer and Amy Springer welcome Andreas Wenger, a partner at Transforma Consulting, to discuss the intricacies of organizational design. Andreas shares his journey into the field, highlighting how his academic background in organization science laid the foundation for his practical consulting experienc…
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Sentiment Analysis and AI Market Research with Alexandra Gonzalez
34:57
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34:57Send us a text Forget clicks. What your customers feel matters more than what they say or do. In this episode, Alexandra Gonzalez of Savvy Marketers joins us to explore how sentiment analysis, facial recognition, and biometric data can reveal the emotional truth behind your marketing. We dig into why 93% of communication happens beyond words, how t…
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AI-Powered Marketing Analytics with Zeke Camusio
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37:12Send us a text In this episode of the Human First AI Marketing podcast, host Mike Monague sits down with Zeke Camusio, founder of Data Speaks AI, to explore how small and mid-sized businesses can unlock the true potential of their marketing data. With decades of experience in both marketing and data science, Zeke breaks down how AI-powered analytic…
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“I Had No Idea Org Design Was Even a Thing!" — Liz Ferguson’s Real-Talk Journey Through Org Change
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22:22In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, hosts Tim Brewer and Damian Bramanis welcome Liz Ferguson from Wiley's research publishing group. Liz shares her journey into organizational design, which began unexpectedly as she took on a new leadership role managing a large team. Faced with the challenge of restructuring to better align with industry c…
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Infailable AI and Digital Acceleration with Chris Hood
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35:23Send us a text Are you feeling pressure to “keep up with AI”? You’re not alone and you’re not crazy for being skeptical. In this episode of Human-First AI Marketing, Mike Montague sits down with former Google strategist and author of Infailable, Chris Hood, to talk about what AI can actually do for small businesses and what it can’t. Spoiler: it’s …
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AI-Powered Membership Communities with Nathalie Doremieux
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31:53Send us a text If you're building or thinking about building a membership community, this episode will change the way you approach it. Nathalie Doremieux, co-founder of The Membership Lab, joins Mike Montague for a human-first conversation on what really makes membership communities thrive. Spoiler: it's not content volume or fancy platforms; it's …
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Why Leaders Need to Embrace Chaos (and Love It) with Carlos Valdes-Dapena
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28:30Send us a text In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, we sit down with Carlos Valdes-Dapena, a seasoned expert in organizational design and development. Carlos shares his insights on the evolving nature of organizational structures, the importance of adaptability in leadership, and the human aspects of organizational change. Carlos discusses th…
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Friction by Design: Why Your Org Chart Might Be the Real Problem with Herman Vantrappen
29:53
29:53
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29:53In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, host Tim Brewer welcomes Herman Vantrappen, a seasoned management consultant and author, to discuss the intricacies of organizational design. Herman shares his journey into the field, beginning with his early experiences in management consulting at Arthur D. Little. He emphasizes the importance of having a…
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Understanding Time & Relationships in the AI Era with Greg Wasserman
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33:09Send us a text Mike Montague sits down with Greg Wasserman, a self-proclaimed "relationship broker," to explore how AI is changing the way we build trust, make introductions, and grow our businesses. They unpack why automation isn’t enough, how referrals and warm intros still outperform cold leads, and why understanding context beats simply generat…
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Leveraging AI for Creative Storytelling with Tim Kalinowski
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40:18Send us a text What makes a story resonate? Tim Kalinowski, founder of Lore Creative, joins Mike Montague to unpack the storytelling strategies that actually connect with real people and how SMBs can use AI to amplify them without losing the human heartbeat of their brand. From five-star reviews as a narrative starting point to the “aha moments” th…
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Why True Collaboration is Rare and How to Fix It with Abby Allen
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19:26In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, hosts Tim Brewer and Amy Springer welcome Abby Allen, an organizational development practitioner with over 20 years of experience. Abby shares her insights on the evolving nature of organizational design, emphasizing the importance of understanding both people and systems in order to foster effective colla…
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Crafting Your "Hell Yes!" Offer with Jessica Miller
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31:45Send us a text Most marketing teams pour time, money, and AI tools into tactics, email sequences, content engines, and funnel hacks without realizing their core offer is the real problem. In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with Jessica Miller, award-winning host of It’s Your Offer, to unpack how to create "Hell Yes" offers that act as the mos…
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Scaling Trust, Not Clicks for B2B Growth with Eric Eden
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38:09Send us a text Mike Montague interviews Eric Eden, CMO at Workforce and host of the Remarkable Marketing Podcast, about how CROs and B2B leaders can cut through the noise of vanity metrics, bots, and fake engagement, and use AI to scale trust, not just clicks. Eric shares how he uses over 25 AI tools to create a full podcasting and content engine a…
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Strategy First, People Always: Balancing Tough Decisions and Empathy in Org Design with Nicole Gee
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25:13In this insightful episode of the Org Design Podcast, Amy Springer and Rory Mustan from Functionly are joined by Nicole Gee from Geenius Consulting to explore the nuanced journey of organizational design.Nicole candidly shares her early struggles in org design, emphasizing the pivotal role of confidence and clarity. She highlights that successful o…
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AI Marketing Optimization with Badri Veera and John Karl from Crigloo
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34:35Send us a text The Unified Marketing Playbook CMOs Shouldn't Ignore In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Badri Veera and John Karl from Crigloo to explore how CMOs and marketing leaders can stop managing disjointed channels and start orchestrating unified campaigns with contextual AI. They dive into …
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Search Ranking in a Post-Google World: AI Optimization with Michael Buckbee
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34:45Send us a text In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Michael Buckbee, founder of Knowatoa, to explore how the rise of AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity is reshaping the rules of discoverability. Michael challenges the idea that SEO is dead and instead reframes it as evolving—fast. The…
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Honor the past while embracing the future in your org design with Ramona Elena-Cherciu
22:21
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22:21Join us on the Org Design Podcast as we dive into a captivating conversation with Ramona Elena Curciu, Head of Coherence, live from the EODF conference in Milan. In this episode, we explore the essence of org design, the journey from personal challenges to professional triumphs, and the importance of approaching organizational change with humility …
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Stacking AI Marketing Tools Like a Pro with Lisa Oda
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32:01
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32:01Send us a text Lisa Oda, founder of HiveStir and Director of AI at Infinite Marketing, explores how AI is transforming modern marketing practices. Mike and Lisa dive into practical applications, including content repurposing, funnel optimization, prompt engineering, and persona-driven strategies. They also discuss how to effectively stack AI tools …
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AI Entrepreneurship with Måns Näsman: Building Bigger Impact with Collective Intelligence
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33:32Send us a text What if your AI could do more than just answer questions? In this episode, Måns Näsman shares a powerful new vision of “dualistic AI,” where multiple humans and AI agents collaborate in real time to solve bigger problems, scale communication, and build startups faster than ever before. Instead of relying on narrow, task-based AI tool…
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Inclusion in Org Design and creating conditions for EVERYBODY to thrive with Amri B. Johnson
29:35
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29:35In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, hosts Tim Brewer and Amy Springer welcome Amri B. Johnson from Inclusion Wins. Amri shares his journey into organizational design, revealing how his background as an epidemiologist shaped his understanding of leadership and management. He discusses the importance of creating organizational structures that …
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Human Touch in a High-Tech World: Duct Tape Marketing with John Jantsch
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31:30Send us a text Marketing legend John Jantsch from Duct Tape Marketing brings his experience and unique insights, unraveling the complex relationship between traditional marketing, the human touch, and the rise of AI technology. We explore how AI is revolutionizing marketing strategies while underscoring the timeless value of leadership and strategi…
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How AI and Blockchain Is Reshaping the World with Heather Leigh Flannery
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44:36Send us a text Heather Leigh Flannery, the visionary founder and CEO of AI Mindsystems Foundation, joins us for an insightful conversation about the future of AI and humanity's integral role within it. We navigate the complex terrain of privacy, data rights, and ethical data usage in our increasingly digital-first society, highlighting the tension …
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Mastering the Cube: A Deep Dive into Organizational Design with Dallin Whitfield
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15:32In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Tim Brewer and Amy Springer sit down with Dallin Whitfield, a volunteer at the Org Design Festival and an expert in organizational design. Dallin shares his unconventional journey from aspiring lawyer to becoming an organization design consultant, highlighting the importance of understanding systems and pe…
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Authentic Marketing in the Age of AI with Emanuel Rose
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32:03Send us a text Emanuel Rose, founder of Strategic eMarketing, shares his unique insights into the rapidly shifting landscape of marketing influenced by AI technologies. Together, we unpack the delicate balance between automation and authenticity, emphasizing that while AI tools like ChatGPT are revolutionizing content creation, the human touch in s…
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The Intersection of AI Creativity and Purpose with Dan Cumberland
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31:44Send us a text Dan Cumberland, founder of The Meaning Movement, opens up about his captivating transition from ministry to entrepreneurship. In our conversation, Dan shares his personal journey through a quarter-life crisis that led him to study theology and psychology, ultimately sparking his interest in entrepreneurship. He discusses the foundati…
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From Science to Strategy: Effective Org Design with Beth Gunderson
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28:28Join us on the Org Design Podcast as we dive into the fascinating journey of Beth Gunderson in our episode, From Science to Strategy: Effective Org Design with Beth Gunderson. Beth, a key figure at the University of Southern California's Center for Effective Organizations, shares her unique path from material science to becoming an influential org …
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AI Digital Safety and Cybersecurity with Burton Kelso
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29:58Send us a text Burton Kelso, technology expert at Integral, joins us in unraveling the complexities of AI cybersecurity. Burton's infectious enthusiasm and expertise shine as we explore the intersection of digital safety and human interaction with AI. We talk about the art of translating advanced tech concepts into relatable terms, tackling everyth…
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Send us a text Susan Frew, a leading voice in AI innovation for businesses, shares her transformative journey of integrating AI into her plumbing business. Susan opens up about how a personal health scare became a catalyst for change, leading to significant cost savings and efficiency improvements. Her philosophy of competing on "awesome" rather th…
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Bringing Soul Back to Work: Designing for Dignity, Creativity, and Connection with Jardena London
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18:38In this conversation, Jardena London—an Agile practitioner and author—discusses the concept of creating “soulful” organizations. Drawing on her background in software development, Jardena noticed that the real challenges weren’t purely technical; instead, they stemmed from how people and teams work together.She highlights three core conditions for …
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Navigating the AI-Powered Sales Landscape with Jordan Ledwein
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27:02Send us a text Jordan Ledwein, the AI Sales Guy, joins us for a look into the world of AI-enhanced sales. We explore the human-first approach, where AI serves to amplify human interaction, not replace it. Discover how AI can sharpen vital skills like listening and alleviate mundane tasks, allowing sales professionals to forge authentic relationship…
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Robots vs. Humans: Marketing Analytics with Jim Gordon
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40:18Send us a text With our special guest, Jim Gordon from Jimalytics, we navigate the evolving landscape of digital commerce, exploring how companies can harness AI to transform their marketing strategies. The episode dives into the intriguing challenge of distinguishing humans from AI-generated traffic, a critical issue as AI agents become more preva…
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Empathy Meets Strategy: How Leaders Transform Organizations with Pallavi Srivistava
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25:55In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, host Amy Springer engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Pallavi Srivastava, an associate partner at The OrgSmith. They explore the often misunderstood concept of organizational design, emphasizing its importance beyond mere restructuring and cost-cutting measures. Pallavi shares insights on the …
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Send us a text Can AI genuinely enhance our human experience, or is it merely another tool in our digital toolbox? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Jacki Leahy, Head of Go-To-Market at Activate the Magic. Jacki is not just integrating AI into her strategic vision; she's redefining it by keeping a human-first approach at the forefront. L…
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Send us a text Unlock the secrets of storytelling and Human-First AI marketing with Dustin Reichmann from 7-Figure Leap. Explore Dustin’s fascinating journey from selling meat sticks to building a seven-figure brand builder, all through the power of personal storytelling and strategic podcast guesting. Learn how his new app, Dustin AI, offers a per…
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Cultivating Love-Driven Success in Business with David Henzel
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17:52In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, the hosts chat with David Henzel, the founder of Love Not Fear and an accomplished entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio of businesses.David shares his journey from being a recovering introvert to a successful leader, emphasizing the transformative power of making decisions out of love rather than fear. He…
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Using AI to Boost Your Brand with Mark de Grasse
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31:36Send us a text Unlock the secrets to transforming your brand with AI as we sit down with Mark de Grasse, CEO of the AI Branding Academy and former president of Digital Marketer. Discover Mark's inspiring journey of personal transformation, overcoming long-term health challenges, and shedding a corporate identity to embrace genuine human expression.…
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From Ancestry to the Future of AI with Paul Allen
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33:44Send us a text Can the rapid rise of AI technology truly uplift humanity without compromising our core values? Join us as we explore this question with Paul Allen, CEO of SOAR AI and former co-founder of Ancestry.com. Paul takes us on an insightful journey from his initial skepticism about business to becoming a successful entrepreneur, all while m…
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Leading change with curiosity, clarity and human-centricity with Elizabeth Venter and Ross Libby
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25:52Send us a text In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, we're joined by Elizabeth Venter and Ross Libby to explore the human side of organizational change. Our guests share invaluable insights on how to implement structural changes while keeping people at the heart of the transformation process. Key discussion points include: The importance of in…
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Welcome to the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast with Mike Montague
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11:27Send us a text Ready to unlock the secrets to harnessing AI as a catalyst for human creativity and storytelling in marketing. Ever wondered if AI could transform you into a superhero of your marketing roll? Join me, Mike Montague, on the new Human First AI Marketing Podcast as we explore thought-provoking perspectives from pioneers in artificial in…
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Beyond the Day-to-Day: Transforming Technical Experts into Strategic Leaders with Jodie Goulden
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21:27In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, organizational design expert Jodie Goulden shares valuable insights on leadership transitions and organizational effectiveness. She discusses the concept, shared by Beth Gunderson at the 2024 ODF conference, the challenges leaders face when moving from operational roles (& the dance floor) to strategic pos…
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Humanizing Leadership: How Modern Organizations Can Build Trust and Drive Growth with Vinisha Rathod
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25:28Send us a text In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Vinisha Rathod, founder of P3 Studios (People, Partnerships, Purpose), shares her expertise on organizational scaling and leadership development. She introduces her framework of "Five Hindrances to Scaling" which includes focus, family, financials, feedback receptiveness, and funnel efficien…
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Clarity is at the Heart of Org Structure: Mastering Clarity Breaks with Lisa Cooper
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23:19Send us a text In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Lisa Cooper, an experienced organizational design consultant, shares valuable insights on building effective organizational structures. Key takeaways include: The importance of designing structures for the business rather than for specific individuals The need to consider future goals when c…
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Aligning Teams and Decoding Resistance: Brandon Curry's Guide to Leadership
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17:16In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, Brandon Curry shares insights on organizational design and leadership. Key points include:- The importance of understanding roles and their interrelations in an organization- Recognizing resistance as a sign of engagement and progress in organizational change- The value of specific questions and conversati…
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Scaling with Intention: How to Address Growing Pains in Your Organization with Alix Prassas
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26:53In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, host Tim Brewer interviews Alix Prassis, an organizational design expert and founder of Culture Elevation Consulting. Alix shares her unique journey into org design, from growing up in a family business to her diverse experiences in HR, learning and engagement, and DEI roles. She discusses the importance o…
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