In this episode, we pull back the curtain on Symplicity Communications and explore the vital roles of our team members who are transforming complex data into actionable insights. Join us as we dive into a conversation with John Mansar, our Senior Data Insights Analyst, and Drew Adomaitis, our Platform Developer, who share their journeys and the impact of their work.

We discuss turning scattered data and business problems into useful dashboards, platform features, and workflow improvements and share how they collaborate, what makes data useful, and why understanding the real problem matters more than jumping straight to a technical solution.

Chapters

00:00 Meet the people turning data and ideas into useful tools

03:03 How sports stats and election maps led Jon into analytics

06:38 Drew’s path from teenage coding to platform development

10:09 Creating roles around business needs and customer impact

13:12 What a typical day looks like for analytics and development

16:12 Connecting systems to reveal project revenue and performance

18:20 Define the data and process before designing a dashboard

20:23 Choosing meaningful metrics and preparing data for AI

23:12 A 1,500-technician visualization finds patterns in field operations

28:40 From vague pain point to prototype, build, and launch

31:34 Why an existing Odoo app beat building an intranet from scratch

33:24 Quick picks, future AI possibilities, and what makes the work rewarding

41:53 Let employees describe the problem, then collaborate on the solution

Kathleen Vogelsang joins us for a Symplicity Conversation, where she shares her inspiring journey from first-generation college student to successful investment leader, emphasizing resilience, leadership, and purpose. This episode highlights the importance of taking risks, embracing failure, and giving back. Kathy shares her insights for women pursuing their own paths to brilliance, and we discuss the Brilliance Awards and the upcoming Brilliance Summit on November 5th.

Key Topics

Kathleen Vogelsang's journey from first-generation college student to CIO

The importance of resilience and risk-taking in leadership

Lessons learned from building a billion-dollar endowment

The role of mentorship and soft skills in leadership

Balancing personal sacrifices with professional success

The significance of giving back and community involvement

Overcoming challenges and embracing failure as growth

The impact of health and personal experiences on leadership perspective

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kathleen Vogelsang's Journey

02:13 Winning the Woman of the Year Award and Its Significance

03:56 The Role of Humility and Gratitude in Success

06:08 Lessons from Building a Billion-Dollar Endowment

08:04 The Importance of Soft Skills and Experience in Leadership

09:55 Balancing Sacrifices and Achievements in Education

12:05 Leadership, Resilience, and Building a Strong Team

14:00 Reflecting on Success and the Power of Stopping to Celebrate

16:06 Handling Personal Challenges and Their Impact on Perspective

18:07 The Value of Mentorship and Supporting Other Women

19:48 The Importance of Health and Living Life Fully

21:58 Taking Risks and Embracing Career Pivots

24:07 The Role of Purpose and Giving Back in Leadership

26:07 Advocating for Organ Donation and Heart Health Awareness

27:51 The Power of Light and Sharing Brilliance with Others

30:05 Final Thoughts: Success is Not a Single Path

In this episode, we explore the journeys of two remarkable women, Latricia Trice of LTrice Marketing and Consulting and Kirsten Pipp of Bloom Social, as they share their experiences with community building, vulnerability, and creating impact. Discover how their stories and insights can inspire you to lift others and foster authentic connections.

Key Topics

The significance of community and vulnerability in leadership

How the gift of lift can transform communities and careers

The importance of authenticity and vulnerability in social media

Stories of overcoming challenges and turning personal experiences into community support

The role of intentional relationships and connections in personal and professional growth

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the series and guests

01:27 Recognition at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards

03:01 The meaning of impact and recognition

04:22 The ripple effect of community and impact

08:49 Latricia's journey as a connector and the gift of lift

13:03 The philosophy of using influence to elevate others

18:10 The creation of Black Women Connect and community needs

22:09 Kirsten's story of vulnerability and creating Bloom Social

26:22 Turning personal challenges into community support

30:45 The importance of authenticity and vulnerability in social media

34:29 What makes a community and fostering belonging

37:40 The value of being uncomfortable for growth

42:14 The reality of social media and authentic storytelling

45:51 The energy and impact of the Brilliance Summit

46:47 What does brilliance mean to you?