Steven J. Smith

🔥Partnerships hiring alert🚨 When May Habib took a bet on me in 2021, we were also taking a bet on the pivotal role GSIs and consultancies -- and partnerships with these firms -- would have driving genAI transformation across enterprises. We tend to be “ahead of our time” here at Writer, including our approach to GTM and technology. A Series B company already investing in partnerships!? And your partnerships are more than just a press announcement!? Heck ya, they are — because our team is grinding and collaborating as one team with some of the best partners in the world, as our teams jointly craft the enterprise genAI playbook. 💪 Our team approaches partner development the same way one would approach a complex enterprise sales process — first you have to sell the partner on why they should be spending time with Writer and building a practice around Writer, amidst all of the genAI ‘noise’. That first part is really tough — these partner firms are wildly matrixed, with various decision-makers and approaches to consider. And then you have to convince and enable hundreds of account teams to deliver your joint value proposition in a space that’s continuously changing. Our early bet, tenacity and approach have been imperative to our success as a team — and we help our partners win, the same way they are helping us win. But there’s a lot more work to be done. And that’s why 🎉 we’re ready to hire our next Partner Leads in both the US and UK 🎉 to continue building and flying the plane. If you’re interested in joining this mission, feel free to apply directly. Any questions, hit me up! US Partner Lead: https://lnkd.in/d9M6A-uK UK Partner Lead: https://lnkd.in/duxzkkKX

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Congratulations to Governor Jared Polis on the signing of #Colorado’s Senate Bill 205 and the leadership of Majority Leader Rodriguez, Representative Titone, and Representative Rutinel is much appreciated. Workday is optimistic about the possibility for #artificialintelligence to unlock human potential while at the same time advocating for smart #AI #regulatory safeguards that build #trust and support #innovation. Toward that goal, we have looked to play a constructive role at the state level and in support of on-going multi-state conversations around AI governance requirements. Senate Bill 205 offers a first-in-the-country approach to regulating AI that balances both trust and innovation and aligns broadly with Workday’s vision for a regulatory framework supporting #responsibleAI. The newly signed law includes a nuanced risk-based approach, thoughtful recognition of both developer and deployer responsibilities, and leverages impact assessments coupled with meaningful and workable enforcement. While we agree with Governor Polis that several aspects of the law, such as its incident notification provisions, can be improved, Senate Bill 205 is an important milestone in U.S. AI governance. We hope state lawmakers will continue to work together toward a common approach to much-needed AI guardrails.

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Imagine having a guide who understands the high-pressure world of the C-suite and brings strategic foresight from decades in tech? With 20 years as a Google tech executive, leadership insights from Duke & Santa Clara MBAs, and classically trained as an executive coach, Integralis Leadership is here to empower professionals with 20+ years of work experience to Scale Joyfully. 🌟 As a strategic advisor and executive coach, I see what you're going through because your C-level struggles were my own: Navigating Your Unique Challenges 👉 Overcoming Isolation and Pressure Your Challenge: Feeling the weight of lonely leadership and having limited peers to confide in. My Solution: Through confidential coaching sessions, I create a safe space to explore your emotions and stressors, developing strategies to manage pressure and support you. 👉 Balancing Immediate Demands with Scaling Your Company Your Challenge: Managing day-to-day operations while planning long-term strategies. My Solution: My coaching helps clarify priorities and align decisions with both current needs and future aspirations, ensuring balanced, strategic decisions. 👉 Driving Innovation Without Sacrificing Human Sustainability Your Challenge: Fostering innovation while maintaining core business stability. My Solution: Embracing creative and strategic thinking, we explore innovative solutions that are both groundbreaking and practical, based on my 15 years of interviewing, hiring, and building high-performance tech teams. 👉 Attracting and Developing Top Talent Your Challenge: Securing and nurturing top talent in a competitive landscape. My Solution: Focusing on leadership development and talent management strategies, I help build and lead a high-performing team, driving business growth. Why Integralis Leadership? Sometimes what you need does not fit a label. If you need a Strategic Advisor + Partnership Consultant + Executive Coach so you can Scale Joyfully: let's chat. 💬 I built Integralis Leadership because I want to take the leadership wisdom gained over two decades of work with Google & Emerging Industries to empower you to go from lack of clarity to powerful growth. Let’s transform your leadership journey together. 💪

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I was recently interviewed by Raconteur on why CEOs need to know how to speak to the press. I advise that executives should respond naturally in written Q&As, more akin to how they would actually speak, to avoid coming across as contrived - and this is where PR professionals can be a help or a hindrance. I also highlight the fine balance C-Suite professionals should try and strike when engaging in verbal interviews, “being human while staying on-message” but “not letting it stray into over-familiarity and too far away from what you are there to actually talk about.” This is something myself and the team at O'Hear & Co work really hard on when supporting startup founders and C-Suite or other spokespeople. Leaning on my ex-TechCrunch experience, I also share tips on the best way for journalists to gain access to busy executives, such as considering whether a quick quote is needed, or a genuine dialogue to inform a long-form article. The piece also features comment from our client Cleo. Thanks for the interview and such an informative article, Rohan Banerjee! Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eVnKT5zV

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Companies often believe appointing a senior leader will ensure smooth AI adoption, BUT this approach often falls short. This strategy frequently leads to unrealistic expectations and conflicting use cases pitched by various teams, leaving leadership uncertain about the best course of action. Here’s a new and refreshing take: Rather than centralising control, successful AI adoption occurs when ownership is distributed among teams closest to the work. My next question is - How can companies balance centralised guidance with distributed ownership in AI adoption? #AI #Leadership #BusinessTransformation

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How is Data Analytics Transforming Human Resources and Fueling Return on Investment? This USC Bovard College article breaks down some great examples of how people-centered analytics strategies can deliver a positive, and measurable, impact on core HR capabilities. Here’s a summary: - Analytics is revolutionizing HR by improving recruitment and retention, particularly in tight job markets. - By centering strategy around enhancing people’s experience, companies counter the notion that data-driven people strategies dehumanize HR processes. - The trend towards transparency in HR practices is increasing, with more disclosures about pay equity and human capital metrics. - A shift from viewing employees just as expenses to recognizing them as significant investments has been accelerated due in part to the November 2020 SEC ruling which recategorizes human capital as an intangible asset. - By leveraging analytics, HR leaders are able to credibly demonstrate how investments in human capital yield outstanding returns. - Analytics is increasing personalization in HR benefits due to demographic changes, moving away from one-size-fits-all models. - There is tremendous potential in AI and digital transformation to promote equitable and diverse workforces. #peopleanalytics #totalrewards #talentstrategy #humanresources #hrinnovation https://lnkd.in/gJpqtJd4

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Once an organization has its data properly structured and organized, AI can help employees navigate all that data effectively…makes a lot of sense.

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There are too many terrific quotes in this article to simply copy and paste. Leadership lessons around changing culture (evolution vs revolution), breaking down silos, internal problem solvers versus external, and the importance and power for and of people - employees and clients. The online version actually more than the print in both text and photos. #leadership

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"We’re excited to continue working with Guidehouse on the Mission Daybreak challenge and help enable the VA [Veterans Administration] to glean actionable insights, more quickly as they work to put and end to Veteran suicides." says Benjamin Cushing, Chief Architect at Red Hat in this session at the OpenShift Commons along with Brian Jones, DO, Partner at Guidehouse at the Red Hat Summit last week. The Challenge Develop new data-driven means of identifying veterans at risk for suicide The Solution Red Hat teamed with global consulting services provider Guidehouse and Philip Held, Ph.D. of Rush University Medical Center, to develop a new data-driven means of identifying veterans at risk for suicide running on Red Hat technologies. Results Allows providers to more easily identify and help specific veterans in need, using artificial intelligence and machine learning to sift through vast volumes of data. Offers an API-first approach that streamlines integration into existing systems, providing ready access to medical histories that are key to identify veterans at risk in support of timely interventions. Uses a managed cloud service for data scientists and developers to rapidly develop, train and test machine learning models in the public cloud before deploying to production Note #Suicide has no single cause, and no single strategy can end this complex problem. That’s why Mission Daybreak is fostering solutions across a broad spectrum of focus areas. A diversity of solutions will only be possible if a diversity of solvers answer the call to collaborate and share their expertise. John Dvorak :: Nicolas (Nick) Barcet :: Karena Angell https://lnkd.in/ebkvXzEh

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As a working mom in tech, I'm constantly juggling deadlines, childcare schedules, and the ever-present question: am I doing enough🥺? But lately, a new concern has joined the mix: bias in AI. Reading Caroline Criado Perez's "Invisible Women" opened my eyes to the different ways societal biases can infiltrate even the most cutting-edge technology. The book highlights how data, often collected from a male-centric perspective, can perpetuate gender inequality. This resonates deeply as we develop AI like Generative AI and ChatGPT – are we unknowingly building a future where these biases are baked in? Here's why this matters: 📈Flawed data leads to flawed results. AI trained on imbalanced datasets can amplify existing biases, potentially impacting everything from loan approvals to healthcare diagnoses. Imagine a world where an AI assistant prioritizes male candidates for leadership roles, simply because the data reflects a historical norm. 🦹‍♀️The "invisibility" of women's needs. Just like the book describes, AI systems might not be programmed to consider women's specific needs. Think car safety features optimized for male body types, or voice assistants that struggle to understand female voices. 🦾A missed opportunity for innovation. By excluding women's perspectives, we're limiting the potential of AI. A diverse set of voices leads to more robust solutions that benefit everyone. So, what can we do? ✅Demand transparency in AI development. Understanding how data is collected and analyzed is crucial for identifying and mitigating bias. ✅Challenge the status quo. Question assumptions and actively seek diverse perspectives when developing and using AI tools. ✅Support initiatives promoting fairness in AI. Organizations like Women in AI are paving the way for a more inclusive future. The fight for gender equality extends beyond boardrooms and political offices. It's a fight for the future we're building with AI. Let's work together to ensure this technology empowers everyone, not just the privileged few. #GenderBias #AI #WomenInTech #GenerativeAI #ChatGPT #Equality https://lnkd.in/gH99cuPQ

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$1.6T in payroll taxes were collected by the IRS in ‘23. Now imagine by ‘33 that a large percent of those ppl jobs become AI jobs. The consequence is not just more ppl out of work but a larger federal deficit. AI is early but it’s important to understand how LLMs can create more jobs.

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Does your organization struggle with aligning their work processes and prioritizing tasks efficiently? Join Kim Binette from State Street at our VSM Summit in a session on Optimizing Efficiency with Value Streams. Learn how to implement Value Stream Management (VSM) to reduce noise and prioritize high-value signals, ensuring alignment and efficiency across your programs and projects. Register now to learn from Kim Binette, Brian Nathanson and other industry leaders at our VSM Summit: https://lnkd.in/dr3QuwQt #ValueOpsVSM #ValueStreamManagement #DigitalTransformation

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“Like finding hidden gems in your backyard, broadening the scope of leadership development can uncover talent that can drive your business forward.” An eye-opening perspective on leadership. Leadership potential isn’t a quality that’s only tied to traditional markers like seniority or current job title. It’s just as much about one’s ability to inspire, innovate, and navigate challenges. These are characteristics that can be found throughout all ranks of the organization, which is why we need leadership development to be more widely accessible. Not only does this give more employees a chance to shine, but it is also setting the business up to be more dynamic, innovative, and resilient. #leadershipdevelopment #diversity #leadership

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What made the biggest impact on your path to a director? For Shyam Gidumal, it was his experience as a CEO. Hear more from Shyam in his episode of Boardroom Buzz: https://lnkd.in/eFzeYg2H

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🚨 Warning: Don’t Drink the Corporate Kool-Aid 🚨 In the corporate world, it's easy to get caught up in the hype and follow trends without questioning them, like changing your wardrobe to a color you dislike. 📢But here’s why you should be cautious: 🔹 Blind Obedience: Drinking the corporate Kool-Aid can lead to blind obedience. You may end up agreeing with everything without questioning if it’s right or beneficial. 🔹 Loss of Individuality: When you conform completely, you lose your unique perspective and creativity. Companies thrive on diverse ideas and innovation. 🔹 Ethical Dilemmas: Sometimes, going along with the flow means compromising your values. Staying true to yourself is essential for personal and professional integrity. 🔹 Missed Opportunities: By not questioning and exploring, you might miss out on better opportunities or more efficient ways of doing things. 💡 How to Avoid It: • Ask Questions: Don’t accept everything at face value. Be curious and seek clarity. • Stay True to Your Values: Always align your actions with your personal and professional ethics. • Encourage Dialogue: Foster an environment where open discussions and diverse opinions are welcomed. • Continuous Learning: Keep learning and adapting. The more you know, the better decisions you can make. • Trust Your Gut: If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your instincts and investigate further. ✨ Benefits of Not Drinking the Kool-Aid: • Authenticity: You maintain your authentic self and contribute unique ideas. • Better Decision Making: Critical thinking leads to better, more informed decisions. • Professional Growth: You’ll grow by learning and adapting rather than just following. • Ethical Integrity: You’ll stay true to your values, gaining respect and trust from peers. Stay curious, stay true, and avoid the Kool-Aid! 🍹💡 #CorporateLife #CriticalThinking #ProfessionalIntegrity #Innovation #StayTrue #Remoteworker #Careers #Entrepreneurship #Personalbranding #Culture

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New research paper attempting to analyze the impact of Return-To-Office, and if it works. "Results of our determinant analyses are consistent with managers using RTO mandates to reassert control over employees and blame employees as a scapegoat for bad firm performance. Also, our findings do not support the argument that managers impose mandate because they believe RTO increases firm values. Further, our difference in differences tests report significant declines in employees’ job satisfactions mandates but no significant changes in financial performance or firm values after RTO mandates. In summary, our research contributes to the ongoing debate over RTO versus working from home and has important implications for practitioners." So, overall, it has a negative impact on the employee experience, and typically results in decreased job satisfaction and increased turn-over, without a significant gain in organizational peformance. Weird. Who could have guessed!? https://lnkd.in/eESA_z23

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I don’t think the sci-fi writers imagined a future where AIs talked to each other about work you were being paid to perform and made decisions on your behalf, that you would likely have to fix after, but this is what Zoom CEO sees as the potential benefits of #AI use. I think most people had imagined a #technology future where robots did all the work and people stayed home and read or played or watched stuff. Zoom CEO’s future reads like the stuff of nightmares with current rates of #LLM hallucinations, and I can only imagine the joy of real humans when they show up to Zoom meetings and find themselves talking to AI avatars instead of people. Or am I missing something? It’s also reads like he is trying to make Zoom redundant. If you have AI avatars talking to each other, you certainly don’t need Zoom for that, they can just talk directly through APIs… https://lnkd.in/eUc4evDE

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