The Pulse - September edition

Your monthly dose of digital and?business innovation?

In this edition of?The?Pulse, we feature?the?latest episode of Connected Conversations, where we dive into how?MissionHub.ai ?is revolutionising businesses through AI-driven team alignment and problem-solving. We also explore how mission-based working can unlock value for organisations and share updates on our ‘Future of Work’ event series.

Additionally, you'll find key takeaways from our Women in Transformation and Leaders in Transformation communities, and a blog on unlocking AI potential in business. Plus, catch up on?the?latest tech news, including OpenAI's leadership changes, Jaguar Land Rover's electric vehicle drive, and LinkedIn's AI data privacy measures.

Behavioural Science meets AI: Predicting team success with MissionHub

Imagine having an AI co-pilot that transforms your entire organisation into a lean, mean, mission-accomplishing machine. That’s?MissionHub.ai . In today’s cut-throat market, you’re expected to deliver more with less. It’s a nightmare, right??

But what if you could:?

1. Align every team to your strategic goals instantly?
2. Assemble dream teams on demand, perfectly balanced for any challenge?
3. Predict and solve problems before?they even happen??

That’s exactly what?MissionHub.ai ?does. In this episode of Connected Conversations our Consulting Partner, Jacqueline Shakespeare, sits down with some of?the?team behind MissionHub to discuss?the?concept of collective intelligence and how it can be harnessed to create high-performing teams that drive success and productivity in organisations.

Watch?the?full episode here

The?Future of Work -?The?Mission is Everything

Ever wondered if?there's a better way to drive real value in your organisation?

? In today's fast-paced business world, traditional project-based methods often don't cut it anymore.?They lack?the?agility, customer focus and strategic impact that today's organisations need to thrive.?

That’s where mission-based working comes in. It's our proven approach to implementing a Product Operating Model that can deliver tangible results in just 90 days.?

We’re excited to launch?the?next two events in our ‘Future of Work:?The?Mission is Everything’?series, where we’ll take a deep dive into how mission-based working can transform your organisation. Discover how it strengthens your foundations, aligns your strategy, delivers exceptional customer value, and fosters a culture of innovation.?

With limited seats available, please see?the?links below to register your interest and we’ll be in touch to confirm your place…? ?

???London, 23rd October

Confirmed speakers:?

?? Craig Strong: Global Practice Leader - Product Operating Model Transformation, AWS ? ?? Helen Bliss: Transformation Director,?The?Guide Dogs for?the?Blind Association?

?? Adrian Stalham: Chief Change Officer, Sullivan & Stanley?

???Register here?? ?

???Manchester, 13th November

?? Keynote by Olympic legend Greg Searle MBE, known for his triumphant moments in rowing for Team GB?

?? Adrian Stalham: Chief Change Officer, Sullivan & Stanley? ?

???Register here

Can cross-functional teams deliver tangible value every 90 days??

? We hosted members of our Women in Transformation community for breakfast in London and Manchester this month.?The?events focused on mission-based working, a fresh approach to change, where cross functional teams deliver tangible value fast, and at least every 90 days.?The?interactive session was filled with insights on how to navigate and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.?

Here are?the?key?themes that emerged:?

?? Organisations should use data to challenge old methods and drive thriving, not just surviving.?

?? Teams can overcome silos and resistance by adopting client-centric language and perspectives.?

?? Identifying internal advocates and leveraging informal influence networks is crucial for driving change.?

?? Prioritising one task at a time leads to greater effectiveness in change initiatives.

?? Recognising that everyone serves someone else fosters empathy and collaboration within?the?organisation.?

?? Understanding your role's broader impact on organisational goals improves overall effectiveness.?

Leaders in Transformation talk Product Operating Models and AI

Our Leaders in Transformation community gathered at our HQ recently for an engaging discussion on three key topics shaping business today: AI implementation, product operating models, and best practices for mergers and acquisitions.?The?casual layout fostered open dialogue among leaders from diverse sectors including finance, education, media, and technology.

Our latest blog post offers key takeaways from?the?event including:?

???The?importance of having a clear vision and communicating it consistently

?? Involving HR and addressing cultural differences early in?the?process

?? Focusing on creating joint wins and shared experiences post-merger

?? Being willing to make tough decisions, including walking away from deals when red flags emerge

Read?the?full blog here

Tech Talk & Business Buzz:?The?Headlines ??

In this section of?The?Pulse, we bring you some of?the?month’s biggest headlines and must-read stories from?the?worlds of technology and business.?

?

OpenAI CTO steps down amid $150B fundraising efforts?

OpenAI CTO Mira Murati has?announced her departure ?after six and a half years, stating that she wants to explore new opportunities. Murati, a key figure in OpenAI's rise with ChatGPT, is?the?latest in a series of high-profile executive exits as?the?company seeks a new round of fundraising potentially valuing it at over $150 billion.?

Jaguar Land Rover plans ￡500m ‘factory of?the?future’ in UK electric vehicle drive

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is?investing ￡500 million ?to upgrade its historic Halewood plant, supporting?the?production of electric vehicles alongside combustion and hybrid models.?The?transformation includes new EV build lines, autonomous robots, and cutting-edge digital systems, as part of JLR’s broader strategy to electrify all its brands by 2030.?The?company aims to achieve carbon net zero across its supply chain and operations by 2039.?

LinkedIn pauses use of UK user data for AI training amid privacy concerns

LinkedIn has?paused?the?use of UK user data? for training its AI models following concerns raised by?the?UK's Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).?The?platform, owned by Microsoft, was previously using global user data to enhance its AI tools, but UK users can now opt out of this process.?The?ICO will continue monitoring LinkedIn and other companies to ensure user privacy rights are protected.?

How to Unlock AI potential in your business

We recently worked with a manufacturing client to help?them align?their Artificial Intelligence (AI) goals and create a roadmap for successful AI integration.

First, we assessed?the?client's current state, identifying challenges such as:

?? Leadership seeking AI updates but uncertain on how to leverage AI for growth

?? Data quality, governance and accessibility as critical foundations for AI

?? Individual nervousness around AI

?? Teams already experimenting with AI but facing roadblocks in scaling initiatives

Next, we explored insights from industry leaders, reflecting on key lessons and we?then moved to brainstorming future possibilities, prioritising AI use cases that offered high impact with manageable effort. A proof-of-concept AI initiative was identified to kickstart progress, with plans to scale it across regions once proven successful.

At S&S, we help organisations not only envision?their AI-powered future but also navigate?the?path to get?there.

If you're considering AI, remember:

?? Data is?the?foundation

?? Culture is key

?? Start small, think big

Dive into our latest blog ?by our Client Engagement Lead, Ellie Jarvie, to explore?these insights in more depth and learn how we can help you unlock?the?full potential of AI…

Thanks for reading. Until next time!

S&S???