Polymathic

Digital transformation, higher education, innovation, technology, professional skills, management, and strategy

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    Balancing Values and Revenue: Lessons from Parting Ways with a Major Client

    Balancing Values and Revenue: Lessons from Parting Ways with a Major Client

    “No one likes to lose a client, particularly when that client is your biggest one and you’ve had a great relationship with them for years.”

    Sins of an Agency: Parting Ways With Our Biggest Client

    Understanding Customer Concentration Risks

    High customer concentration at Vixen Digital posed significant risks, with one client providing a large portion of the agency’s revenue. Initially beneficial, this relationship turned problematic, demonstrating the perils of over-reliance on a single client.

    Client Relationship Dynamics

    Although Vixen Digital consistently met KPIs, their relationship with the client soured due to changing expectations and external challenges. The client’s dissatisfaction increased, leading to unilateral campaign changes and a disregard for the agency’s advice.

    Mitigation Efforts and Outcome

    To salvage the relationship, Vixen Digital revisited core values, managed expectations, collaborated with partner agencies, introduced advanced data strategies, maintained proactive communication, and reassessed the client relationship. However, these efforts did not resolve the issues, prompting a difficult decision to part ways.

    Risk vs. Benefit Analysis

    The decision entailed evaluating key risks like revenue loss, resource reallocation challenges, potential reputation damage, and internal uncertainty. Conversely, benefits included a happier team, better resource allocation, enhanced integrity, and process improvements. Ultimately, prioritizing long-term values over short-term gains was deemed more beneficial.

    Learning and Moving Forward

    This experience underlined the importance of early customer concentration risk management and value-based decision-making. Vixen Digital’s restructure now ensures no single client dominates their revenue, fostering a more stable and diversified client base.

    Key Insights

    While prioritizing values over revenue may seem contrarian, it can yield a healthier, more sustainable business environment. Vixen Digital’s story exemplifies the complex balance between sticking to core values and addressing economic realities, providing a powerful lesson for agencies navigating similar challenges.

    Conclusion

    Vixen Digital’s decision to part ways with their biggest client highlights the critical need for agencies to remain value-driven and resilient. This case serves as a guide for organizations facing similar challenges, emphasizing the necessity for strategic foresight, comprehensive risk management, and unwavering commitment to core values.

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    Disrupting the Bitterness Loop: Understanding and Overcoming the Cycle of Entitlement and Resentment

    Disrupting the Bitterness Loop: Understanding and Overcoming the Cycle of Entitlement and Resentment

    “When we’re busy looking for more reasons to be bitter, we’re not taking the time to do generative work, to connect and to find opportunities to make things better.”

     

     

    The bitterness loop

    Understanding the Bitterness Loop

    Seth’s Blog article “The bitterness loop” explores the debilitating effects of bitterness and entitlement. The core argument posits that bitterness arises from a sense of entitlement and persistently seeks validation, thereby stifling constructive efforts and connections. This cycle of bitterness not only sustains itself but intensifies unless actively confronted.

    The Cycle of Bitterness

    Bitterness, according to the article, requires ongoing justification, overshadowing other emotions and experiences. This constant search for validation disrupts productive activities and relationship building, crucial for personal and professional growth. As people fixate on bitterness, they lose opportunities for improvement and creativity, perpetuating a negative loop.

    Contrarian Insights

    Interestingly, the article subtly acknowledges a contrarian view: that bitterness can sometimes stem from legitimate grievances. This perspective implies that while bitterness may be detrimental, it is not always baseless. Recognizing this adds nuance to the discussion, suggesting that the root causes of bitterness deserve attention and intervention.

    Critical Analysis

    The article’s strengths lie in its application of psychological concepts to practical scenarios, offering insightful advice for overcoming bitterness. The assertive and clear language enhances the persuasive message, promoting proactive steps towards personal development.

    However, the analysis reveals some oversimplification. While it effectively highlights the self-reinforcing nature of bitterness, it overlooks the complexities of its underlying causes and potential strategies for addressing these issues. This gap points to a need for deeper exploration into therapeutic and systemic solutions to combat bitterness more comprehensively.

    Conclusion

    Overall, Seth’s Blog provides a thought-provoking examination of bitterness and entitlement. By understanding and interrupting the bitterness loop, individuals can focus on generative work and meaningful connections, fostering a more positive and productive mindset.

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    Flipped Classrooms: Small Gains with Significant Effort – An Analytical Review

    Flipped Classrooms: Small Gains with Significant Effort – An Analytical Review

    “My takeaway message is that it could be better, but only when it is appropriately designed.” – David C.D. van Alten .

    PROOF POINTS: 114 studies on flipped classrooms show small payoff for big effort

    Understanding the Impact of Flipped Classrooms

    Flipped classrooms, where students engage with lecture content at home and participate in activities during class, promise a transformative educational approach. Yet, a recent meta-analysis of 114 studies reveals only modest learning gains. This analysis underscores the need for careful and strategic implementation to realize the full potential of flipped classrooms.

    Small Gains, Big Effort

    The meta-analysis, conducted by David C.D. van Alten and his team at the University of Utrecht, illustrates that flipped classrooms yield slightly better academic performance compared to traditional methods. On average, students in flipped classrooms score slightly above their peers, akin to a minor increase on standardized tests. However, this improvement is relatively small when weighed against the significant resources and effort required to establish effective flipped classroom environments.

    Ensuring In-Person Interaction

    A critical insight from the research is the importance of preserving in-person instructional time. When face-to-face interactions were reduced, student learning suffered. The strength of flipped learning lies not merely in watching videos but in the active, collaborative learning that occurs during class sessions.

    Implementation Challenges

    Designing and implementing flipped classrooms demands substantial investments in creating multimedia content and interactive activities. These practical challenges highlight the need for collaborative efforts among educators and adequate resource allocation.

    Adapting to Remote Learning

    During pandemic-induced remote learning, the principles of flipped classrooms remain relevant. Asynchronous video instruction, combined with synchronous, interactive sessions, can foster effective learning. However, designing engaging online activities that stimulate interaction poses a significant challenge for teachers and students alike.

    Conclusion

    While flipped classrooms offer potential benefits, their success hinges on thoughtful design and adequate support. The findings encourage educators to adopt a collaborative approach, ensuring resourceful and strategic implementation to maximize student learning outcomes.

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    Overcoming “Work About Work”: Strategies for Enhancing Productivity and Efficiency

    Overcoming “Work About Work”: Strategies for Enhancing Productivity and Efficiency

    “According to Asana’s Anatomy of Work Index, 60% of a person’s time at work is spent on work about work and not on skilled work”?16:0†Positive ideas 2408?.

    How work about work gets in the way of real work

    Understanding “Work About Work”

    In our dynamic business landscape, “work about work” has emerged as a critical issue. As defined by Asana, this term refers to non-productive activities such as managing emails, chasing status updates, and switching between apps. According to Asana’s Anatomy of Work Index, these tasks consume 60% of a knowledge worker’s time. This inefficiency not only hampers productivity but also contributes to employee burnout and job dissatisfaction.

    The Impact on Productivity

    The ramifications of excessive “work about work” are profound. Globally, knowledge workers spend an astonishing 103 hours annually in unnecessary meetings and 209 hours on redundant tasks. This inefficiency leads to missed deadlines, delayed projects, and increased stress levels. The fragmentation caused by too many communication channels exacerbates these issues, making it difficult to focus on high-value tasks.

    Challenging Conventional Wisdom

    Contrary to the popular belief that more technology and collaboration tools inherently boost productivity, this article argues otherwise. It suggests that an overabundance of such tools can create chaos, rather than clarity. This perspective urges leaders to rethink their approach, emphasizing streamlined tools and clear alignment over a proliferation of disconnected efforts.

    Strategic Solutions

    To mitigate these challenges, the article proposes several practical solutions. Aligning team objectives with the company’s mission and using integrated work management platforms can significantly reduce inefficiencies. The case of ClassPass exemplifies these strategies, demonstrating how consolidating tools and reducing unnecessary meetings led to a 25% reduction in meeting time and a 20% increase in efficiency.

    Future Considerations

    In conclusion, while technology and collaboration are essential, their application must be strategic and deliberate. By simplifying tools and aligning them with organizational goals, companies can empower their employees to focus on meaningful work. This approach enhances productivity and fosters a more engaged and satisfied workforce, paving the way for sustained success.

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    The Future of Hiring: Why AI Skills Are Outpacing Industry Experience

    The Future of Hiring: Why AI Skills Are Outpacing Industry Experience

    “AI is democratizing expertise across the workforce. Our latest research highlights the opportunity for every organization to apply this technology to drive better decision-making, collaboration — and ultimately business outcomes.”?12:3†source?.

    71% of leaders prefer hiring candidates with AI skills over those with the relevant industry experience

    AI Skills Dominate the Job Market: A New Paradigm

    The 2024 Annual Work Trend Index by Microsoft and LinkedIn reveals a significant shift in employer preferences. A striking 71% of executives now prioritize candidates with artificial intelligence (AI) expertise over traditional industry experience. This pivot offers early-career professionals a promising foothold while challenging seasoned experts to adapt swiftly.

    Employer-Employee Training Gap

    Despite the pronounced preference for AI skills, a critical gap exists between employer expectations and employee training. Only 25% of companies plan to provide generative AI training, highlighting a disconnect as 75% of workers independently adopt AI tools. Leaders acknowledge AI’s potential for maintaining competitiveness, yet they struggle with measuring productivity gains and defining clear implementation strategies.

    Workforce Anxiety and Job Security

    The rising integration of AI stirs concerns about job security. The report indicates that 45% of professionals fear AI could replace their roles. Instances like Klarna’s AI assistant performing tasks of 700 employees and Amazon AWS hinting at a reduced need for coding roles underscore these anxieties. However, these technological shifts also pave the way for evolving skill sets, ultimately benefiting organizational innovation.

    Upskilling: The Key to Future-Proof Careers

    To navigate this evolving landscape, professionals must proactively upskill in AI. Platforms such as Datacamp, Udemy, and Coursera offer accessible pathways for AI education. By taking control of their learning journeys, individuals can bridge the gap between current capabilities and future requirements, securing their relevance in an AI-dominated job market.

    Conclusion

    As AI continues to reshape the employment landscape, the emphasis on upskilling becomes imperative. By embracing AI tools and taking charge of personal development, professionals can stay ahead, ensuring sustained competitiveness and career longevity. The future favors those who adapt, innovate, and strategically position themselves in this dynamic job market.

  • The Biggest Education Trends Of The Next 10 Years

    The Biggest Education Trends Of The Next 10 Years

    “In today’s fast-moving world, a model where we graduate in our youth prepared for a lifelong career is simply no longer valid.”

    The Biggest Education Trends Of The Next 10 Years

    Transforming Education: Key Trends for the Next Decade

    The landscape of education is poised for profound transformation over the next decade, driven by cutting-edge technologies and changing societal needs. As the traditional model of lifelong career preparation becomes outdated, ongoing education, upskilling, and reskilling are becoming essential. Here, we delve into the pivotal education trends forecasted to shape our future by 2035.

    Immersive Virtual Learning Environments

    Revolutionary advancements in virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) promise to blur the lines between physical classrooms and digital learning spaces. By 2035, students will engage in highly immersive simulations and scientific experiments, regardless of geographical barriers. This democratization of education, however, must address concerns about social isolation and extended screen time impacts on young minds.

    AI-Driven Adaptive Learning

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to personalize education like never before. AI-powered systems will create hyper-personalized curriculums by assessing individual learning styles and abilities. These systems can even offer emotional support and adapt teaching strategies based on biometric data. Despite these benefits, issues of data privacy, potential biases, and the evolving role of human educators necessitate careful consideration.

    Neurotechnology and Accelerated Learning

    Forward-looking innovations in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) could accelerate learning processes and aid students with disabilities. By enhancing cognitive functions, BCIs might revolutionize education. However, ethical and security implications will play a crucial role in shaping their integration into mainstream learning environments.

    A Lifetime of Learning

    The notion of a “job for life” is becoming obsolete. Future graduates must embrace continuous education and adaptability. Companies like Amazon are spearheading this change with degree-level apprenticeship programs. Expect a surge in online, modular, and micro-learning opportunities. Soft skills development, crucial for staying relevant amid AI and automation, will gain prominence alongside traditional STEM education.

    In embracing these trends, we can pave the way for an innovative, inclusive, and lifelong learning journey that meets the evolving demands of our fast-paced world.

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    Jasper is a useful tool for developing employee training.

    Jasper is a useful tool for developing employee training.

    The article discusses various aspects of employee training and development, providing insights and recommendations on how to incorporate industry trends, cater to different learning styles, evaluate program success, create interactive training methods, and implement best practices. The author emphasizes the need to align training programs with specific business goals, adapt to employee demographics, and ensure engagement and participation. Additionally, they suggest utilizing metrics, data analysis, and innovative approaches such as gamification and simulations to enhance effectiveness. Effective communication, feedback, employee participation, and monitoring are also highlighted as crucial throughout the implementation process.

    https://www.jasper.ai/prompts/developing-employee-training

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    The IMF Warns About AI’s Impact on Inequality

    The IMF Warns About AI’s Impact on Inequality

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could worsen inequality among nations if not properly addressed by policymakers. The IMF states that AI is likely to affect around 60% of jobs in advanced economies, with some workers benefiting from the integration of AI while others risk losing their jobs. The IMF urges countries to establish social safety nets and provide retraining programs to protect vulnerable workers and curb inequality. The IMF’s analysis coincides with discussions on AI at the World Economic Forum in Davos. China has already introduced national regulations on AI development and deployment.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67977967

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    It’s going to take a century for artifical intelligence to be able to perform most human jobs. But there are going to be some key developments during the next decade.

    It’s going to take a century for artifical intelligence to be able to perform most human jobs. But there are going to be some key developments during the next decade.

    According to a survey of leading AI researchers, all human tasks may become highly automatable by 2116. While this prediction seems far off, it is worth noting that it has been moved up by 50 years from the original estimate of 2164. Short-term developments are also expected to reshape IT and business professionals’ jobs within the next five to 10 years. The survey highlights several capabilities that AI will achieve in the near future, including finding and patching security flaws, building websites, offering phone banking services, writing Python code, finetuning large language models, and conducting machine-learning studies and writing papers. The researchers attribute the development of AI to the drop in computing costs.

    https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-is-what-ai-will-produce-during-the-next-decade-and-beyond/

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    Many businesses are not yet prepared to fully reap the benefits of AI.

    Many businesses are not yet prepared to fully reap the benefits of AI.

    AI has become a ubiquitous technology, with companies exploring its applications for revenue growth and improved customer and employee experiences. However, most businesses are unprepared to leverage AI to its fullest extent, limiting its potential. Only a small number of companies are successfully applying AI to improve their operations and create new value. AI-powered automation, when combined with specialized and generative AI, can boost productivity, eliminate errors, and achieve faster results. Successful examples include Cathay Pacific, British Airways, and Intel. To fully deliver on its promise, AI initiatives must be part of a larger business strategy and be governed, trusted, and actionable.

    https://www.businessinsider.com/sc/how-to-unlock-ai-true-business-value

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About Me

Digital transformation, including agile and devops, across many industries, most recently in higher education. Designed and built the Emory faculty information system. Working in continuing education to improve and expand career-focused learning, esp. in workforce development. Expanding the role of innovation and entrepreneurship. Designed, built, and launched the Emory Center for Innovation.

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