Tele-Whiskey: Digital Conversations that Provoke

A different kind of digital transformation podcast …

Those great conversations that only happen over a pint at the pub, a splash of bourbon before dinner, a cuppa tea during a mid-morning break, or some coffee over a tasty breakfast.

Let’s drill into those digital and technology topics in different and deeper ways; how do these transformations impact people? What is not being said in the meetings? How can we make this stick? Semi-filtered, some strong opinions, and you might not agree … but we will certainly get you thinking…

We are not here to define and solve problems. We are here to talk about stuff that most people don’t want to talk about – non-Politically Correct tech, vulnerable leadership, “inside baseball” for corporate life.

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Episode 10. Good Answer

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One last entry in the Shown The Door series.

A repeating pattern – another long calendar break between this show (#10 in the series), and the last one – and that’s unfortunate, because this was another pretty amazing conversation.

I connected with Curt Spall early in 2021, and I had intended to make this another Shown The Door story – the impact of change during your career arc, what lessons might hindsight bring.

As the conversation progressed, Curt had a lot of fascinating insights around his career moves – so much that I have had a tough time editing this down. Lots of good questions – and great answers!

Episode Resources
Music Credits
Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod
Thief in the Night by Kevin MacLeod

29 November, 2021

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Episode 9. Culture Club

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Back from hiatus! Today’s conversation is continuing a trend from previous shows; it is interesting how much of the series so far has stayed true to the simple vision laid out in the book (Don’t Think So Much).

The central idea today is your team. Think people and culture and values and engagement – your team is a critical component of your digital business – just as important as your Products and Customers. And so far in this podcast, we’ve had more people and culture and diversity and training conversations than we have had talked about data or technology. Which is the way I wanted to see it happen – we are staying consistent with the vision.

And this show is another conversation along those lines. We are going to drill into diversity, equity, and inclusion and really try to put a digital lens on these topics. This conversation with Judy Foley was recorded very early in 2021; COVID and other national and world events continues to morph their impact, but most of the topics we cover really are timeless.

Episode Resources
Music Credits
Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod
Del Rio Bravo by Kevin MacLeod

14 June, 2021

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Episode 8. Reinvention Imperative

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Another in the Shown the Door series – Lessons Learned when Leaving my Job. My guest is an accomplished CIO with a great track record of success, who pivoted to a consulting / coaching role with Gartner – lots of fascinating insights for today’s CIOs and Digital Leaders.

Episode Resources
Music Credits
Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod
Del Rio Bravo by Kevin MacLeod

16 March, 2021

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Episode 7. Rabbit Holes

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A wide-ranging conversation chopped down to size – mixing Digital Transformation with Learning and Development. In this episode, I am speaking (and drinking!) with Alecia Edmonds, a Learning & Development professional out of Boston.

We found plenty of stuff to think about where those two ideas meet – including some interesting connections between B2C and B2B business, and how the lines are starting to blur.

Episode Resources
Music Credits
Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod
Fig Leaf Rag by Kevin MacLeod

19 February, 2021

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Episode 6. Fear No Fear

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In this episode, we are looking at leadership & change from a different point of view.

My guest, Jay Rosencrantz of Pappas Delaney, comes from the world of Executive Recruiting, and has a ton of experience in defining and locating effective leaders for many types of businesses. A great conversation this evening, ranging over a lot of topics, but just so you know, this was a true Tele-Whiskey discussion, and we spent plenty of time talking brown liquor …

You might want to grab a drink and join us …

Episode Resources
Music Credits
Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod
Whiskey on the Mississippi by Kevin MacLeod
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Episode 5. Authentic

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More talk about the thread of your digital career. As you wind along the path, how are you making decisions to invest your time? Are you being true to yourself?

This podcast is the next entry in our Shown the Door series (Lessons Learned when Leaving your Job). My conversation today is with Sanjog Aul, a Thought Leader in the digital and IT space. Sanjog shares his Shown the Door story, and then challenges us to think more deeply about our path. We also get into some leadership insights – yes, it can be lonely at the top!

Pull up a chair and listen in … does this trigger some new ideas for you?

Episode Resources
Music Credits
Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod
Vadodara Chill Mix by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4576-vadodora-chill-mix
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Episode 4. SmallCo Blues

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Does the spotlight have a harsher glare in a small company? Are most tech firms just “bro cultures” with little interest in inclusion or equity? Or is it simpler than that – is your small company too busy trying to survive?

The next entry in our Shown the Door series (Lessons Learned when Leaving your Job). This episode features Laurie Swanson, a Career Strategist (and ex-programmer!) from Chicago. This was another wide-ranging conversation – we traveled a twisted path to her career story, with a ton of great material on Inclusion.

Plenty of actionable ideas in here – take a listen, and tell us what you think!

Episode Resources
Music Credits
Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod
Del Rio Bravo by Kevin MacLeod
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Episode 3. Plan B

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Two tastes that go great together … “peanut butter and whiskey?” Well, yes, but I was thinking “Supply Chain and IT!”

The third episode of Tele-Whiskey brings us another digital leader and their Shown the Door (Lessons Learned When I Lost My Job) story. We will listen to Dan Kavanaugh, Director of Business Applications at Akorn Pharma, tell the story of how he drove operational improvements through IT, then Supply Chain. There is only so much you can do before it’s time to look in the mirror …

Dan opens up about his “end game” (and lack thereof), and we call out some great Lessons Learned for digital professionals at all levels.

Episode Resources
Music Credits
Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod
Fiddles McGinty by Kevin MacLeod
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Episode 2. Tight Loop

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First in a series called Shown the Door – Lessons Learned When I Lost My Job. In these TeleWhiskey episodes, digital leaders talk about the day they were told they no longer were employed. The goal is to call out the biggest Lessons Learned, and how they have chosen to react.

A touchy subject for some? Well, that’s why our host, Jim MacLennan, decided to lead things off with his own Shown the Door story. Some thoughtful conversation on his exit from a C-Level corporate role, and thoughts on his biggest Lesson Learned.

This episode features Florian Pfefferle, Managing Partner at a portfolio investment firm in Germany, and an old colleague of Jim’s.

Be sure to listen to the very end!!

Episode Resources
Music Credits
Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod
Double Polka by Kevin MacLeod
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Episode 1. Origin Story

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The inaugural edition of Tele-Whiskey. Learn the origin story of this podcast – a bit of background on the idea behind the name. Plus, you will hear excerpts from some conversations with Really Smart People enjoying a drink (yes, that is what Tele-Whiskey refers to).

We will introduce the idea of “Digital Conversations that Provoke” by calling into question the whole idea of Digital Transformation. Is “Digital” becoming a buzzword? How can we focus on what really matters?

This episode features excerpts from conversations with Tom O’Connor (CIO and thought leader out of the UK) and Alecia Edmonds, a Learning & Development professional out of Boston. We will also introduce an upcoming series of TeleWhiskey sessions on a specific topic … one that should spark some interest.

Episode Resources
Music Credits
Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod
Thief in the Night by Kevin MacLeod
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