STORIES & SOLUTIONS FOR THE MODERN BUSINESS USER

We are closing in on three years since the launch of ChatGPT, a pivotal moment in the history of technology, arguably more transformative than the dawn of the personal computer or the internet.

A travel-inspired tale of integrating Workday with Snowflake for analytics that don't miss their flight.

When you think about what makes a public safety department successful, data might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, behind every effective operation—whether it’s workforce deployment, incident response, or community engagement—clean and reliable data is a driving force. Transparency and accountability start with information leaders can trust. 

If I had to describe life in one word, that word would be CHANGE. Constant and inevitable, change is woven into every experience, shaping our perception of the world and what’s happening around us. Each new experience is a testament to the relentless and inescapable nature of transformation. While change is ever-present, it is not always easy to manage. 

In large-scale transformation projects, the success of organizational change management (OCM) hinges on maintaining a clear focus on people readiness. However, when OCM team members become overly absorbed in the technical aspects of a project, such as system debugging or technical troubleshooting, people readiness activities are commonly deprioritized.  

Waiting for data is like waiting at the gate with no plane in sight.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept. It’s here and is reshaping the way organizations operate and deliver value. In higher education and government, where innovation is expected but resources are stretched, AI creates opportunities to streamline operations and elevate outcomes. But unlocking the full potential of AI requires more than just tools. It requires strategy, alignment, and the right partner.

Even the most successful partnerships face challenges early on. Before winning six NBA championships, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls endured years of playoff disappointments and internal clashes. Similarly, Steve Jobs didn’t transform Apple into one of the world’s most valuable companies overnight—he actually resigned in 1985 due to internal tensions, only to return in 1997 and lead a historic turnaround.

Often, organizations complete lessons learned sessions after a project, but don’t always know how to leverage these as they move to the next initiative. They can get lost in the shuffle, quickly forgotten, or overshadowed by other concerns. I once heard a client call them “lessons documented” since many times they are captured but not learned.

For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working in management consulting. Today, I help lead a data analytics and AI practice focused on empowering our clients with meaningful insights. One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey is connecting directly with customers at conferences like NACUBO, where conversations on the expo floor often reveal the real, urgent challenges institutions face.