Shows
Looking ForwardLF12 Countdown to 2025: Resolutions & PredictionsAs we wrap up Season 1 of Looking Forward, we’re reflecting on the most exciting moments in AI and tech from 2024 and looking ahead to what’s on the horizon in 2025. From groundbreaking advancements by Google DeepMind and Tesla to the rise of AI-powered education and sustainability solutions, this episode dives into the transformative impact of technology on people, businesses, and the world.
Join Jen and Alejandro as they share their tech resolutions for the new year, make bold predictions about adaptive learning, generative design, and AI in entertainment, and seal their insights into a 2025 time capsule. It’s...
2024-12-1114 min
Looking ForwardLF11 From Insight to Action: The Rise of Agentic AIIn this episode of Looking Forward, we discuss the transformative world of agentic AI—where AI doesn’t just analyze or create but takes actionable steps to solve real business challenges.
Join hosts AJ and Jen as they explore the profound implications of this next-level technology with two special guests:
Doug, who unpacks the strategic potential of agentic AI and its ability to reshape workforces and business operations.
Brian, who shares the inside story of building Sandy, their proprietary agentic AI solution, offering a glimpse into its architecture, unique features, and future potential.
Dis...
2024-11-2621 min
Looking ForwardLF10 AI Made This Pod: Sort OfIn this unique episode of Looking Forward, Alejandro and Jennifer dive into the role of agentic AI in content creation and beyond. From discussing the tools they use, like Descript, to exploring how AI-driven assistants support their workflow, they peel back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes process. The conversation highlights how agentic AI could evolve and potentially shift industries, with real-world examples from JPMorgan Chase, Amazon, and Google’s DeepMind. They debate the limitations and ethical implications of AI taking on a more independent, creative role.
Key takeaways include:
1. Cu...
2024-11-1115 min
Looking ForwardLF09 Cracks in the Foundation: The Rise & Fall of Middle ManagementIn this episode of Looking Forward, Alejandro and Jen dive into a powerful trend reshaping industries: the changing role of middle management. Once the backbone of corporate structure, middle management is now facing a crossroads due to tech advances, flatter hierarchies, and new approaches to team dynamics.
Tune in as we explore:
The history and evolution of middle management, from the Industrial Revolution to today
How companies like Amazon, Google, and Netflix are leveraging technology to streamline operations and reduce management layers
The opportunities and risks associated with a leaner management structure, including impacts on employee...
2024-10-2913 min
Looking ForwardLF08 Looking Forward to 2025: The Signals Amidst the NoiseIn this episode of Looking Forward, Alejandro Jagerman, CEO of Ampersand Consulting, and Jen, Director of Operations, discuss key strategies for planning 2025 amidst the noise of today's business landscape.
They explore three essential questions:
How to equip teams with the skills they need for the future
How AI can enhance creativity across all levels of an organization
How to synergize human expertise with AI to solve complex challenges.
Alejandro and Jen share practical insights on fostering a culture of AI literacy, breaking down silos, and embracing bold, innovative goals for the year ahead.
...
2024-10-1819 min
Looking ForwardLF07 Unlocking Product Maturity: A Conversation with Beth HedgerIn this episode of Looking Forward, Beth Hedger, Principal of Digital Innovation at Ampersand Consulting, dives into the concept of product maturity and why it’s essential for organizations navigating today’s fast-paced tech landscape.
Together with Jen and Alejandro, Beth discusses how product teams can stay nimble, embrace AI disruption, and prepare for the next wave of innovation. They break down key strategies to future-proof your organization, from enhancing team capabilities to optimizing processes for growth.
Whether you’re leading a product team or strategizing for the next big tech shift, this episode offers action...
2024-10-1124 min
Looking ForwardLF06 Pragmatic Optimism: Real Talk From A Small ConsultancyIn this special episode of Looking Forward, Alejandro and Jen take a step back from the usual business tech topics to have an honest conversation about the realities of running a small consultancy in today’s economy. As Ampersand Consulting continues to face challenges in a post-pandemic world, they share candid insights into the highs and lows of their journey, including dealing with inflation, rising interest rates, and navigating the professional services industry.
They also explore how new technologies like generative AI are leveling the playing field for smaller firms, offering hope and a ro...
2024-10-0425 min
Looking ForwardLF05 AI Adoption: Consumers, Integrators & Creators | with Doug SmithIn this episode of Looking Forward, Doug, Principal D&A Consultant at Ampersand Consulting, breaks down the three types of AI adoption—Consumers, Integrators, and Creators—and shares how organizations can determine where they fit along the AI spectrum.
Alongside Jen and Alejandro, they explore real-world examples of AI integration, the evolution of generative AI, and the shifting landscape of tools like Salesforce.
Whether you're just starting to explore AI or are refining your existing strategy, this episode provides valuable insights to help you navigate the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.
2024-09-1622 min
Looking ForwardLF04 Return On AI: Operational Efficiency, Revenue Growth, and Cost SavingsJoin Jen, Director of Operations at Ampersand Consulting, and Alejandro, CEO, as they dive into the critical question facing today’s leaders: How can you truly measure the ROI of your AI investments?
This episode of Looking Forward unpacks the tangible and strategic returns of AI across three focal areas—operational efficiency, revenue growth, and cost savings.
With insights from recent studies and real-world applications, discover how businesses can harness AI for not only immediate benefits but also long-term strategic gains.
Whether you’re looking to refine your A...
2024-08-3023 min
Looking ForwardLF03 From Surviving to Thriving: Essential Strategies for Economic ResilienceCan your business thrive during an economic downturn? Learn the secrets of success from industry giants as we uncover the strategies that helped Apple and Amazon not only survive but flourish through past crises. Join us on "Looking Forward" with hosts Jen and Alejandro as we dissect the critical importance of continuing to invest in innovation and employee training, even when times are tough. Backed by compelling data, we'll show you how companies that prioritize these areas consistently outshine their competitors when the economy rebounds.
From cultivating a culture of creativity to navigating the complexities of implementation...
2024-08-2124 min
Looking ForwardLF01 Unlocking the Hybrid Work Puzzle: Strategies for Efficiency and Team CohesionUnlock the secrets to a more productive and satisfying work environment as Jen and Alejandro from Ampersand Consulting dissect the ins and outs of hybrid work frameworks on this episode of "Looking Forward."
Get ready to explore the hub-and-spoke model, where centralizing resources at main hubs can streamline efficiency and management but also presents challenges like resource disparities and coordination complexities across locations.
We’ll also talk about the financial implications of maintaining multiple office spaces, especially in bustling urban settings. You'll leave this episode with a thorough understanding of how this model offers employees th...
2024-08-1322 min
Looking ForwardLF02 Revolutionizing Customer Satisfaction with AI: The Future of Business EngagementWhat if the key to skyrocketing your business's customer satisfaction lies in cutting-edge technology? Join us as we unpack transformative solutions to the pressing issue of declining customer satisfaction in today's digital era.
I'm Jen, Director of Operations at Ampersand Consulting, alongside Alejandro, our CEO. Together, we'll reveal how AI chatbots, personalized recommendation engines, and sentiment analysis tools are reshaping customer engagement. Hear firsthand experiences, real-world case studies, and expert insights that promise to elevate your customer interactions beyond mere transactions.
Master the balance between automation and human touch as we...
2024-08-1309 min