Karma Insights: Recent Episodes

Karma Advisory

Learn to be more agile in the changing environment that all of us are facing. Karma Insights features conversations about technology strategy, execution, and optimization with the Karma Advisory team. At Karma, we live at the intersection of business, technology, and organization, so we can help you make the most out of the technology you have now and in the future.

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In this episode, we reconnect with Jeff Roth, a longtime friend and public policy expert. From working in New York City's mayor's office to writing a book about his experiences, Jeff shares his insights into shaping urban policy, reflecting on the complexities of city government, and discussing the personal values that have guided him through his career. Tune in to hear stories from his journey, including lessons learned from managing large-scale projects and navigating New York's political landscape.

To read Jeff's Book:
Fire's Floods and Taxicabs: Taking a Bite Out of Big Apple Bureaucracy by Jeffery Roth

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In this episode of Karma Insights, host Krishan Patel and his colleague Marc Nielsen explore the critical role of rapport in achieving organizational success. They delve into the definition of rapport, its value within teams and businesses, and how it serves as the foundation for effective communication and trust. Through insightful examples and practical advice, they introduce the concept of the "Life Cycle of Rapport," emphasizing the steps of listening, clarifying, and getting things done. Tune in to learn how building and maintaining rapport can transform your organization's dynamics and drive long-term success.

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Join host Krishan Patel and guest Jessica Otunuya, Director at Karma Advisory, as they delve into the complexities and solutions of digital transformation in higher education. In this episode, they explore the intricate data landscape of educational institutions, discussing the challenges of managing decentralized data systems, ensuring data integrity, and enhancing the overall student experience. Discover practical insights on data governance, student life cycle management, and strategies to create a cohesive digital environment in academia. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or tech enthusiast, this episode provides valuable perspectives on modernizing higher education through effective data integration.

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Join Swaye Banigo, Principal Consultant at Karma Advisory, and Krishan Patel, Founder and Director, as they dive into the intricacies of grant management technology in this insightful episode of Karma Insights. Discover how grant management systems are evolving to streamline workflows for administering grants, from disaster relief to infrastructure projects.

Explore the diverse landscape of technology providers offering grant management solutions, from dedicated systems to versatile workflow and case management platforms. Learn about the importance of user experience, data security, and flexibility in selecting the right system for your agency's needs.

Discover how integrating third-party applications can enhance the application process while maintaining data security and user consent. Delve into the role of low-code solutions in customizing grant management systems swiftly and effectively.

Look ahead to the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in grant management systems, from chat-based interfaces for applicant queries to AI-powered analytics for internal operations. Gain valuable insights into the future of grant administration and the technological innovations driving efficiency and responsiveness.

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In this episode we explore the complexities of overhauling systems handling vehicle management, vendor relations, rider services, and more.

Our approach involves deep requirements gathering and strategic design amidst diverse systems and stakeholders. We employ a Hybrid-Agile and Waterfall blend to navigate these challenges, ensuring our vision aligns with practical needs while fostering future adaptability.

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Selecting a Grant Management System for government agencies is no easy task. This a large and growing industry. Finding providers and selecting the right system is critical to ensure a successful grant distribution and fiscal governance that provides meaningful help for those who need it. While this podcast discusses technology solutions, a proper solution will require expertise not only in selecting and implementing the solution itself but also integrating policy into the solution and designing the business processes to leverage the strengths of the technology. Karma Advisory has extensive experience designing wholistic solutions for grant management.

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In the second of our Karma Framework series, we will discuss Guiding Principles and their value to an organization, engagement, or project. For an overview of the Karma Advisory Digital Transformation Framework, visit our site for the first part of the series.

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Balancing flexibility and discipline is key to effectively delivering projects. In this episode, the Karma Advisory team discusses a hybrid-agile waterfall methodology that allows them to do just that. In both business and technology contexts, a hybrid approach can be the framework to help guide projects -- enabling some sense of certainty with scope and schedule, while also creating the spaciousness for things to change. Listen now to learn how you can meet changing requirements while maintaining a disciplined project management approach.

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Sustaining "business as usual" after a disruption is always a challenge. Cyberattacks, natural disasters, and technology failure may be on your radar. But, what about losing an employee? Listen to this episode to learn how you can plan for disruptions and keep your operations moving smoothly.

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Hussain Bandukwala is the chief coach at Parwaaz Consulting and helps PMO leaders succeed. Through coaching, workshops, and other resources, Hussain arms aspiring and first-time project management office (PMO) leaders with experiential learning, to gain confidence to achieve PMO triumph systematically and effectively. In this episode, we ask Hussain: What are the challenges you are seeing with delivering products and initiatives?

Where you can find Hussain's work:

Setting up a PMO in 100 days: https://www.parwaazcc.com/setting-a-pmo-for-the-first-time-do-it-in-100-days/

LinkedIn Learning Courses: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/hussain-bandukwala

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Were you just notified that one of your best and most experienced employees is departing? Then listen to this episode to learn how to transform their individual knowledge into shared knowledge throughout your organization.