Humans Optimized: People + Technology

Creating Generative Culture and Why It's Critical to Technology Environments

Generative culture is the holy grail of any technology-driven company and the noble quest of any CIO – or any leader of people and change. Everyone wants it, but few are able to find it. Generative culture supports smart people — the right smart people — as they solve the right problems. It’s a magnet for talent that helps you recruit and retain those smart people too. It’s the essence of teams that are high-performing and innovative. Done right, it can take you into Netflix territory, defining and dominating an entire sector of the economy. 

Jeremy Duvall, founder of 7Factor Software, is committed to building a smart, flexible, human-centric team of experienced software architects, engineers, and developers who obsess about quality and will give clients honest, expert advice. 

Have a great topic to explore? Reach out to Suzanne@humansoptimized.com. 

Technology Adoption Through Incremental Change

Transformation is defined as a dramatic and complete change. It’s become part of our corporate speak and it’s meant to signify that giant leaps and monumental progress are necessary to keep pace and gain advantage. And yet, most changes happen through the accumulation of small steps that add up along the way. What if instead of taking on dramatic transformations, we approached technology adoption through incremental change? Dan Moore, co-founder of Vaporware, does just that by helping business founders pivot their business through process automation, technical modernization, and software innovation...one step at a time.

Reach out to Suzanne York at Humans Optimized to share your insights about the intersection of people and technology. 

How to Embrace Your Authentic Online Self Through 5th Dimensionality

Showing up authentically has a whole new meaning in today’s digital world. Before the internet, our physical presence and reputation could reach a fairly limited group – people we knew and perhaps a few we didn’t. Now, our online presence extends so far beyond that to the possibilities of a truly global audience. But how often are we really stopping to think about and take actions to create a deliberate and authentic presence so that our message can be truly understood? Brandi Bernoskie, digital strategist, web developer, and technology expert helps entrepreneurs and business owners elevate their online presence, enhance their digital experience, and embrace their authentic online selves which she calls their 5^th Dimension. She is the founder of Alchemy And Aim. Have a great topic to explore? Reach out to Suzanne@humansoptimized.com. 

How Automation Creates a People-Centric Onboarding Experience

A new employee’s first week on the job is critical to their longer-term success with the company and to create a sense of belonging within the culture. Many activities that week involve a myriad of paperwork and administrative tasks that need to be done by both the new hire and the human resources team. What if these tasks could be automated to allow for a truly people-centric onboarding experience? David Secunda, founder and CEO of WorkBright, shares how his company moves traditional employee onboarding to a 100% remote process that workers complete before they arrive so the first week can truly be focused on people. Enjoy the episode and contact Suzanne York at Humans Optimized to learn more about the intersection of people and technology. #humansoptimized #automation #peoplefirst 

Adaptability: Navigating a World That's Changing Faster Than Ever Before

2020 (and now 2021...) tested our ability to handle disruption, stress, and uncertainty. Everything about the way we live and work needed to be re-evaluated. Whether we intended to or not, that experience has allowed us to gain valuable skills in many of the areas that were predicted to be keys to success in the future of work. Well, that future is now. Ira Wolfe, founder of Success Performance Solutions and president of Poised for the Future Company joins me today to talk about adaptability, Googlization, and bringing forward the good from 2020. "Everything is in a state of flux, even the status quo." 

Empowering the Disempowered: How Technology Can Transform Our Outer & Inner Experiences

Many of us use technology to track our health, movements, workouts & sleep. In some cases, it’s fun and can provide motivation to change our daily habits. In other cases, it creates profound impact that goes well beyond measuring our physical activity to actually empowering the disempowered. Danielle Richards from GripAble joins me in this inspiring conversation about how her personal experience elevating women through sport sparked a passion for embodiment and how it can be amplified by technology. Reach out to Suzanne York at Humans Optimized to share your insights about the intersection of people and technology. 

Meet Less, Communicate More with Volley's Asynchronous Video Conversations

Death by meetings seems to have become the corporate way of life. We go from one discussion to the next, chasing the elusive idea of alignment and hoping for clarity on the plan. Meetings are seen as a critical form of communication and yet, we’re hard-pressed to say they are actually working. What if we could meet less and communicate more? Sound like a dream? Josh Little, founder of 4 tech companies including his latest venture, Volley.

From Complex to Compelling: How to Explain the Value Proposition for Technology Solutions

While some advancements in technology solve a problem, others create a possibility. How do companies explain their complex technology products in a way that appeals to a new audience so they will buy a solution to a problem they didn’t even know they had? Margie Agin, award-winning marketer and founder of Centerboard Marketing helps her clients craft compelling messages to showcase the value of their technology to non-tech decision makers. She is also the author of the book - BRAND BREAKTHROUGH: How to Go Beyond a Catchy Tagline to Build an Authentic, Influential and Sustainable Brand Personality. Enjoy the episode and reach out to Suzanne@humansoptimized.com for more great conversations.

Grow Your Tech-Centered Entrepreneurial Venture with Solid Business Structures

Tech start-ups have fueled innovation by bringing new or improved technology solutions to the marketplace. I can picture the moment when a technology expert realizes what’s possible and is so compelled by the vision that they dive head-first into bringing it to life. While a viable idea, the right skills and relentless optimism may seem like enough to jump-start a company, what happens next to harness the potential and experience wildly successful results? Here to talk with me today about the secret to building and growing businesses is Jeff Chastain, Professional EOS Implementer and founder of Admentus, Inc. Share your keys to success in growing a tech-centered business by reaching out to Suzanne York at Humans Optimized. 

How Virtual Reality Can Accelerate Team Performance

High performing teams are both productive and have strong relationships. One way to cultivate these relationships and build trust, communication and camaraderie is through shared experiences which allow people to engage with each other on multiple levels. Even before the pandemic, many teams spanned the globe and couldn’t always get together in person to gain the benefits of in-person interactions. And when they could, they wanted to make these times together really impactful. Now, teams are looking for creative ways to offer shared experiences that don’t require in person events. So how do we have shared experiences when we can’t be together? Virtual Reality creates compelling, high-impact interactions in a fun and unique way. Adam Olds, Event Production and Operations Manager at Virtual Reality Rental, joins me in this the conversation to reminisce on a VR-powered team performance workshop we led together and to explore the possibilities for bringing VR into your next team building event.

Technology Adoption For Effective Long Term Solutions

The relationship someone has with technology plays a critical role in their ability to use and adopt it. For some, that relationship is positive and for others, it’s non-existent or even negative. Without considering this relationship, we are missing a critical element for learning new technologies.

In this episode, I speak with Hazel Ortega, a leading expert in vocational counseling and training for injured workers and number one best selling author of “From Bounced Checks to Private Jets” about the role our mindset plays in taking on new challenges, including technology adoption.

Let's delve into what's possible when we look for long term solutions.

Technology Leadership: From Subject Matter Expert to High Impact Business Partner

Companies focus on their business strategies and the technology that will be needed to support these goals. However, the people development strategy is often neglected and needs to be just as robust to drive the intended results. What’s needed to take today’s technology experts and develop them into leaders who will effectively prepare us for tomorrow’s trends? To explore this topic, I talk with Ebony Smith, founder of Ebenum Equation. Ebony utilizes her extensive experience and straightforward, authentic approach to leadership development to enable leaders to lead more effectively and inclusively. Specifically, she helps tech leaders shift from serving as Subject Matter Experts to becoming highly-influential, relationship-oriented leaders within their companies. Her ability to scan the horizon and anticipate what’s coming allows her to help clients create concrete plans of action to mitigate risks and capture opportunities. Reach out to Suzanne York at Humans Optimized to keep the conversation going.

How Marketing Drives Adoption of Your Change Initiative

What would it take for organizations to truly orient around their people and unlock this massive, untapped potential? Neil Bedwell joins me in this discussion about the critical role of engaging employees to drive change adoption. As founding partner of LOCAL, a change marketing partner to some of the world’s best brands, Neil is a passionate advocate for People First leadership and a future that brings greater humanity and meaning to how people work. Together, we discuss the value of really getting to know your people and leveraging Change Marketing to drive sustainable change, including technology adoption. Let's keep the conversation going by contacting Suzanne at Humans Optimized. 

Ready-To-Use Artificial Intelligence Puts Enterprise Productivity on Steroids

How much time do you spend in your job actually doing what you LOVE? What if you got to spend most of your time doing the work that’s exciting and energizing to you while also achieving your desired results? In this episode, I talk with Tejas Kulkarni from Zestl whose flagship platform, Zvolv, unleashes team's creativity and puts enterprise productivity on steroids. I’m thrilled to have Tejas join me from Pune, India to talk about how his company brings ready-to-use Artificial Intelligence into the hands of business users. Contact Suzanne at Humans Optimized to keep the conversation going. 

How Growfilm’s Breakthrough Technology Solves Local Food Production Challenges

Federally identified Urban Fresh Food Deserts and the lack of access to fresh produce for underserved communities is creating a significant need to new solutions. What if you could grow fresh produce year-round just miles from your home without using herbicides or pesticides because they are grown completely indoors? Joining me today are Jason Green and Michael Cardenas from Heilux, the creator of Lumafilm and Growfilm. Their breakthrough technology grows plants of all types indoors for local food production. Learn more about the solution and what it will take to drive adoption in the food production industry. Reach out to Suzanne York at Humans Optimized to keep the conversation going. 

Season 2 Intro: People + Technology

Humans Optimized believes in the power of people who are powered by technology. As the future of work becomes today’s reality, advances in technology coupled with elevated human skills are required to take advantage of the immense opportunities. Listen to the Season 2 trailer to learn more about upcoming episodes. Together with my guests, we’ll wrestle with problems, explore possibilities, and offer solutions to help move us forward. Let’s achieve new results by cultivating human-to-human and human-to-technology collaboration. Visit www.humansoptimized.com for more information and contact Suzanne@humansoptimized.com to join the conversation. 

The Impacts of Unexpected Unemployment during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Unexpected unemployment is affecting so many people and their families. In past episodes, I’ve talked with leaders who have had to make the difficult decision to layoff employees, recruiters who shared advice on how to navigate a career change during this time and now in this episode, I talk with AmandaGrace Herring about her experience with losing employment as a result of COVID-19. Contact us to share your story from the coronavirus pandemic by reaching out to Suzanne@humansoptimized.com

  

Mike Robbins' New Book "We're All In This Together" Came Right When We Needed It Most

Teamwork can be both exhilarating and challenging. Now, during the global pandemic, teams are faced with new challenges that they need to solve together while having to work apart. Well before COVID-19 was on anyone’s radar, author and keynote speaker Mike Robbins set-out to capture the elements that create high performing teams in his latest book that is so perfectly titled for this time: "We’re All In This Together: Creating a Team Culture of High Performance, Trust and Belonging". In this episode, we explore the 4 pillars of his book and how they relate to this moment in time. 

Mike is the author of five books and is a sought-after speaker and consultant who delivers keynotes and seminars for some of the top organizations in the world. His clients include Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Genentech, eBay, Harvard University, Gap, LinkedIn, the Oakland A’s, and many others.   He and his work have been featured in the New York Times and the Harvard Business Review, as well as on NPR and ABC News.  He’s a regular contributor to Forbes, hosts a weekly podcast, and his books have been translated into 15 different languages. Find out more about Mike Robbins on:

LinkedIn:             https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/

Twitter:               https://twitter.com/mikedrobbins

Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/mikedrobbins/

Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/mikerobbinspage/

Reach out to suzanne@humansoptimized.com to keep the conversation going.

Creating Stability in Chaos: How to Navigate the Extended Neutral Zone of the Coronavirus Pandemic

In recent years, the pace of change has continued to increase at a seemingly astounding rate. Advances in technology, increased consumer expectations, and the rise of the social enterprise are trends that leaders must address to stay relevant. Now, with COVID-19 creating the ultimate disruption, every aspect of the way we live and work is experiencing some form of change. Theresa Moulton, Editor-in-Chief of the Change Management Review and a thought leader in the field of organizational change management, joins me in a discussion about navigating change, ambiguity, and the extended "neutral zone". Contact suzanne@humansoptimized.com to share your stories of this unprecedented time. 

The COVID-19 Conundrum: How to Weather the Storm and Create Our Future At the Same Time

Business, charities, churches and families are all feeling the impacts of COVID-19. Paul Herring, CEO of 101 Solutions and the chair of multiple charities, shares his experiences as an entrepreneur, strategist and non-profit leader during the pandemic. We explore how he has helped his clients make the immediate transition to remote work, the challenge of balancing capital preservation for the near term with the need to invest in the future, and the importance of using this time to upskill our capabilities. Reach out to suzanne@humansoptimized.com with your story and let's keep the conversation going.

Is the Coronavirus Trying to Tell Us Something?

In the field of coaching, the concept of the "3rd Entity" helps people gain greater insight to the system and relationships around them. It's the unique and additional entity that is created when two people come together. In this episode, Laurie Close, Transformational Coach, and I explore the possibilities that the Coronavirus is an entity with a perspective worth considering as we look to make sense of this unprecedented time. Contact Suzanne@humansoptimized.com to share your story from COVID-19.

How Learning from the Cycle of Grief Offers Coping Tools For Dealing with COVID-19

When we were first confronted with the immediate need to combat the spread of the Coronavirus by staying at home, it was disorienting, concerning, and disruptive. It was an understandable roller coaster of emotions. Now that we’ve lived this way for more than 6 weeks, coming out of this time will bring with it another transition. Kathi Toll, Organizational Change Management Lead at the Parker Avery Group from Chicago, Illinois, shares her perspective about the impacts of COVID-19 on the consulting industry, retail sector, and how her personal experience with grief and loss has actually helped her navigate this time of uncertainty and transition. Reach out to suzanne@humansoptimized.com to share your stories from this unprecedented times.  

Sarah Scala Talks About Optimism, Resilience & Grit: Tools for Navigating the Challenging Times of COVID-19

From Fortune 500 to mid-size companies, small businesses and solopreneurs, everyone has needed to adjust their focus, ways of working and perspective during COVID-19. In this episode, Sarah Scala, founder and principal consultant at Sarah Scala Consulting, shares how she has been working with her clients to refocus their initiatives and to more effectively navigate this time of uncertainty. We discuss helpful concepts from the field of Positive Psychology and offer concrete tools to navigate this time. Learn more about Sarah at www.sarahscala.com. Let's keep the conversation going - reach out to Suzanne@humansoptimize.com and help us identify the stories worth sharing. 

Career Transitions During COVID-19: Personal Clarity, Transferable Skills, and the Value of Networking

With the ripple effects of COVID-19 bringing unemployment numbers to more than 22 million, it would be easy to feel discouraged or concerned about our future careers. In this episode, Lauren Celano, co-founder and CEO of Propel Careers, (and fellow Gettysburg College alum!) shares her view of the trends and opportunities within the Life Sciences industry as well as practical advice for anyone to use this time to prepare for potential career shifts. Learn more about Lauren and her organization at https://www.propelcareers.com/#/

 

Leading through Difficult Decisions brought on by COVID-19 with Mike Zani

Inspiring employees comes much easier during times of prosperity and growth. The true mark of a leader is determined by how they show up during times of uncertainty and fear. In this episode, Mike Zani, CEO of the Predictive Index shares about how he and his leadership team navigated difficult decisions that have come with the pandemic, including the need to restructure and layoff part of their valued and valuable workforce. Reach out to Suzanne@humansoptimized.com to identify other stories worth sharing so that together, we can come back stronger than before.   

The Class of 2020 Will Forever Remember The Memories They Didn't Get to Make

When we look back on our lives, there are certain moments that stand out among the rest. For the class of 2020, COVID-19 means missing out on creating the traditional memories that come with final sport seasons, proms, and graduation. High school senior, Brenna Kennedy, shares with us what this pandemic has been like and how this experience will influence the next chapter of her life. Her optimism demonstrates how this generation will come back stronger through their creativity and resilience. Let's uncover the stories worth sharing so that together, we can learn more about how we will come back stronger - contact me at suzanne@humansoptimized.com

 

How Schools Transformed Immediately to Online Learning during COVID-19

COVID-19 created the seemingly impossible task for many companies and institutions to transform immediately without disruption. Schools, in particular, needed to move quickly from in-person instruction to online learning while supporting its students and faculty during a difficult time. In this episode, I’m joined by high school principal Josh Romano from Douglas High School in Massachusetts to give us a view into what it has been like to quickly lead teachers, students, and families into the digital learning era on a moment’s notice. Let's keep the conversation going and uncover the stories worth sharing from this time - contact me at Suzanne@humansoptimized.com. 

 

Understanding our Reactions to the Pandemic with the Art of Growth

Joel Hubbard and Jim Zartman from the Art of Growth join me in a discussion about human responses to the pandemic through the lens of the Enneagram, a psychometric tool that deepens our awareness of ourselves and each other. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities that are surfacing as we navigate the unchartered territory of COVID-19. Contact Suzanne York at Humans Optimized to share your stories of this unprecedented time: Suzanne@humansoptimized.com

  

Helping Small Businesses Pivot during COVID-19 with Dolores Hirschmann from Masters in Clarity

Dolores Hirschmann, founder of Masters In Clarity, works with small business owners to clarify their message and grow their business. In the midst of COVID-19, she is helping her own company and clients make the necessary pivots to address the needs of our new reality while also preparing for the future. She reflects on her own leadership style during this time and what she plans to carry forward after the pandemic is over. Keep the conversation going and share your story. Reach out to suzanne@humansoptimized.com.

   

Get to Know Suzanne York, The Podcast Host and Founder of Humans Optimized LLC

In this episode, the mic gets turned on the host of Humans Optimized! Jim Zartman from the Art of Growth interviews Suzanne York to learn more about the inspiration behind Humans Optimized, her background in organizational change management, and her passion for team performance coaching. She discusses how teams can approach working together differently during the unprecedented times of COVID-19. Keep the conversation going with Suzanne and reach out at suzanne@humansoptimized.com