KIMRA CONVERSATIONS

In this conversation, Will Bailey discusses the evolving landscape of data and information services, focusing on the challenges and opportunities faced by legacy information providers. He emphasizes the importance of embedding intelligence into decision-making workflows and leveraging technology and AI to unlock hidden value in data.

Takeaways

• Embrace data transformation
• Focus on customer needs

Chapters

• 00:00 Navigating the Data Landscape
• 04:23 Transforming Legacy Information Providers
• 09:09 Engagement Strategies for Data Monetization
• 12:16 The Intersection of Technology and Strategy
• 24:04 Unlocking Hidden Value in Data
• 26:48 The Role of AI in Data Utilization
• 32:16 Market Pressures and Commoditization
• 39:10 Sustainability in the Information Sector

In this episode, Pratyush Prabhat Executive Vice President at Evalueserve shares his extensive journey with Evalueserve, highlighting the company's evolution over 21 years and the significant impact of AI on their operations. He emphasizes the importance of domain expertise and the need for organizations to adapt to technological disruptions while maintaining a human touch in client relationships.

Takeaways

• AI transforms workflows
• Domain expertise drives value

Chapters

• 00:00 Journey Through Evalueserve
• 05:26 Adapting to AI Disruption
• 10:00 Investing in Technology and Talent
• 12:46 Transforming Internal Operations
• 17:16 Partnering with Consulting Firms
• 20:54 The Value of Domain Expertise
• 26:43 Navigating a Crowded Market
• 29:04 Future Skills for Professionals

In this episode of the KIMRA Conversations podcast, Beth Maser, CEO of History Associates Incorporated, shares her unique career journey from history and public policy to leading a niche consulting firm focused on historical research and archival support. The conversation explores the role of corporate historians, the importance of storytelling in business, and the integration of AI in historical research.

Takeaways

• Importance of storytelling
• AI's role in historical research

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Beth Maser and Her Journey
• 02:55 The Role of a Corporate Historian
• 05:59 Storytelling in Business
• 09:09 Litigation Support and Historical Research
• 12:05 The Impact of AI on Historical Research
• 15:04 Client Expectations and AI Limitations
• 17:51 The Future of Historical Research with AI
• 21:11 Capturing Institutional Knowledge
• 24:00 Final Thoughts on History and AI

Beth Maser is a recognized senior executive and subject matter expert in knowledge management, with decades of leadership and digital media experience in both commercial and government sectors. As CEO of History Associates Incorporated (HAI), she leads the company's growth strategy across key industry segments, including government, legal, commercial, associations, and nonprofits.

Beth and her team provide specialized services in digitization, cultural heritage, litigation research, and advanced technology applications. Working with her team and strategic partners, Beth helps clients use historical information and analysis to engage diverse audiences and drive organizational value.

Beth's articles are published on Inc.com - Inc. Leadership Forum, and she has successfully helped HAI earn notable Industry Recognition from organizations such as Chambers, Inc., and the Washington Business Journal.

The conversation explores the evolving role of knowledge management in consulting, particularly in the context of AI advancements. Lianne Sherlock Director, Global Head of Knowledge Services at Oliver Wyman shares insights from her experience at Oliver Wyman, emphasizing the importance of aligning knowledge services with business strategies and the need for continuous adaptation in a rapidly changing environment.

Takeaways

• Knowledge management is strategic
• AI is reshaping knowledge services

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Knowledge Management
• 03:02 Key Takeaways from KIMRA Conference
• 06:03 The Role of Knowledge Services at Oliver Wyman
• 08:54 Optimal Operating Models for Knowledge Services
• 11:59 AI's Impact on Knowledge Management
• 15:08 Challenges of AI in Knowledge Services
• 18:05 Transforming Knowledge Functions
• 21:07 Resistance to Change in Knowledge Management
• 24:01 Future of Knowledge Services
• 26:47 Advice for Aspiring Knowledge Professionals
• 29:58 The Importance of Human Skills in Knowledge Management
• 33:09 Reflections on Transformation and Change
• 36:01 Closing Thoughts on Knowledge Services

In this episode of the KIMRA Conversations podcast, Simon interviews Luca Russignan, the Global Head of the Capgemini Research Institute for Financial Services. They discuss Luca's career journey, the role of thought leadership in financial services, and the importance of credible research in a heavily regulated environment.

Takeaways

• Importance of storytelling in research
• Need for critical thinking skills

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Luca Russignan
• 03:12 Career Journey and Insights
• 06:03 Thought Leadership in Financial Services
• 08:57 Research Methodology and Governance
• 12:04 Leveraging Organizational Resources
• 15:01 Balancing Regulation and Innovation
• 17:46 Synthetic Data and Its Implications
• 20:51 Redesigning Research Workflows
• 23:50 Developing Critical Thinking Skills
• 26:58 Training Junior Researchers
• 29:51 Creating Impactful Insights
• 32:53 Navigating Change in Research

In this conversation, Margo Polishchuk, co-founder of proSapient, discusses the evolution of expert networks, the integration of AI, and the challenges of scaling a business across different geographies. She emphasizes the importance of human expertise in conjunction with technology and the need for robust governance in the industry.

Takeaways

• AI enhances expert networking
• Human expertise remains crucial

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Expert Networks
• 01:55 The Genesis of proSapient
• 04:00 Challenges of Scaling and Hiring
• 09:48 The Role of AI in Expert Networking
• 16:00 Governance and Compliance in Expert Networks
• 23:51 The Future of Expert Networks and AI
• 32:01 Client Engagement and Best Practices

Margo Polishchuk is the Founder and President at proSapient, a global expert network and primary research business, powered by innovative technology. proSapient helps institutional investors and managers, as well as their consultants, gain access to critical knowledge with which they can make better informed investment decisions and complete the highest standard of due diligence. The firm's headcount has exceeded 350 people thanks to its fast growth in five global locations.

An expert network specialist by profession too, Margo started her career at Coleman Research. There, she set account management sales and revenue records within the firm’s EMEA business building a book of private equity, hedge fund, and consulting clients. Most of these are proSapient clients today. Margo is also a guest lecturer on entrepreneurship and innovation at the London School of Economics.

In this conversation, Margo Polishchuk, co-founder of proSapient, discusses the evolution of expert networks, the integration of AI, and the challenges of scaling a business across different geographies. She emphasizes the importance of human expertise in conjunction with technology and the need for robust governance in the industry.

Takeaways

• AI enhances expert networking
• Human expertise remains crucial

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Expert Networks
• 01:55 The Genesis of proSapient
• 04:00 Challenges of Scaling and Hiring
• 09:48 The Role of AI in Expert Networking
• 16:00 Governance and Compliance in Expert Networks
• 23:51 The Future of Expert Networks and AI
• 32:01 Client Engagement and Best Practices

Margo Polishchuk is the Founder and President at proSapient, a global expert network and primary research business, powered by innovative technology. proSapient helps institutional investors and managers, as well as their consultants, gain access to critical knowledge with which they can make better informed investment decisions and complete the highest standard of due diligence. The firm's headcount has exceeded 350 people thanks to its fast growth in five global locations.

An expert network specialist by profession too, Margo started her career at Coleman Research. There, she set account management sales and revenue records within the firm’s EMEA business building a book of private equity, hedge fund, and consulting clients. Most of these are proSapient clients today. Margo is also a guest lecturer on entrepreneurship and innovation at the London School of Economics.

In this episode of the KIMRA Conversations podcast, Katleen Richardson discusses her extensive experience in information and data businesses, emphasizing the impact of AI on business models, marketing strategies, and the importance of credibility in the information sector. She highlights the need for companies to adapt their strategies in response to changing buyer behaviours and the risks posed by AI-driven market dynamics.

Katleen Richardson has spent 20+ years running go-to-market inside businesses where the product is trust and intelligence, including Citeline, Evaluate and The Economist Group, where she led the marketing workstream of the Group's B2B commercial transformation and the 2026 launch of Economist Enterprise. Her work across private-equity and venture-backed portfolios has one constant: aligning GTM strategy to how buyers actually decide. That has always driven growth, but the stakes are higher now. AI does not fix a broken GTM. It amplifies it. What Katleen is hired for today is the revenue-engine redesign that must happen before AI investment pays back: sequencing strategy first, then applying AI where it compounds. She is the author of The Trust Premium.  

Takeaways

• AI reshapes pricing models
• Credibility is key in information businesses

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Kathleen Richardson
• 02:24 The Importance of Credibility in Information Businesses
• 03:47 AI's Impact on Business Models
• 05:50 Transforming Go-to-Market Strategies
• 10:36 Adapting Sales and Marketing Teams
• 11:37 Identifying Risks in Information Businesses
• 15:31 Customer Judgment on Data Quality
• 17:39 Comparing Past and Present Disruptions
• 19:23 Future Predictions for Information Businesses
• 24:46 Advice for CMOs in Information Businesses

In this conversation, Ceri Hughes shares her extensive career journey in knowledge management, learning and development, and her transition into coaching. She discusses the evolution of knowledge management, the impact of AI on the industry, and the challenges leaders face in adapting to these changes. The conversation explores the evolving landscape of knowledge management, particularly in the context of AI integration and its implications for workforce development and organizational strategy. Ceri emphasizes the importance of active listening, curiosity, and community engagement for professionals in the knowledge management field.

Takeaways

• Evolution of knowledge management
• Impact of AI on leadership AI reshapes knowledge management
• Active listening is essential

Chapters

• 00:00 Ceri Hughes: A Career Overview
• 06:13 The Evolution of Knowledge Management
• 11:57 Transitioning to Learning and Development
• 18:03 Defending Knowledge Management
• 23:45 Coaching and Leadership Challenges
• 26:27 Impact of AI on Workforce Development
• 28:41 Reflections on Knowledge Management Conference
• 31:34 AI Transformation in Knowledge Management
• 33:40 Essential Skills for New Entrants
• 39:44 Staying Relevant in Knowledge Management
• 40:35 Navigating AI Governance Challenges
• 49:56 Establishing a Clear Point of View

Ceri Hughes

Ceri is an independent Executive Coach, Non-Executive Director, Speaker and Facilitator. Until 2024 she was Director of Operations for KPMG's Chief People Officer. Her career at KPMG spanned more than 24 years, latterly in Operations, but for 16 years she led Knowledge Management and Research groups at the firm in the UK and internationally, including the establishment of offshore knowledge operations in India, and then became the Head of Learning and Knowledge Management for KPMG UK in 2017. In 2020 she was part of the team leading the firm’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to working at KPMG, Ceri was the Global Head of Information and Records Management at an international telecommunications company. She began her career as a Library Association/SCONUL Graduate Trainee in the Information Centre at the Lord Chancellor’s Department.

The conversation covers the career journey of Charles Thiede, the co-founder of Zapnito, and delves into the impact of AI on community-led growth, governance, and the future of online communities. It also explores the challenges and opportunities of AI in community development, as well as the importance of engagement and community value.

Takeaways

• Community-led growth
• AI and community governance
• Engagement vs. value
• The future of online communities

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Career Journey
• 02:57 Zapnito: Building Expert-Driven Platform
• 05:58 Community-Led Growth and AI Impact
• 09:01 AI in Operations and Product Development
• 12:10 AI Opportunities and Risks
• 15:00 Governance and Risks of AI Development
• 18:09 Risks of Rapid AI Development
• 20:56 Future of Online Communities and AI Impact
• 23:54 Engagement and Community Value
• 26:48 Active vs. Passive Communities
• 30:07 The Future of Online Communities