Top 10 CollabTalk Podcast Episodes in 2024

When I moved the CollabTalk Podcast from an occasional post to a weekly schedule, I knew that I was signing up for a lot of work – finding topics and guests, scheduling recording sessions, building outlines and questions, conducting the interviews, post-production, and promotion – but one of my goals for 2024 was to prioritize and expand the podcast. Over the course of the year, the numbers have been growing. While listening through Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple, and elsewhere has slowly grown, views and engagement on YouTube have exploded as I’ve been trying to improve and align with the algorithm.

The focus of the CollabTalk Podcast is, broadly, about collaboration. It’s NOT just about Microsoft technology. Maybe 1/3 of the content is focused on Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Azure, Copilot, and so forth. The remainder of the content covers technology, process, and cultural topics surrounding building and managing teams. I am working on some rebranding plans for later this year, once I have time, to help with my promotions, including a newsletter and standalone website, and a topic/guest suggestion form for anyone interested in joining my show.

Of the 47 episodes published in 2024 (new episode every Thursday), here were the Top 10 topics and guests from 10th to 1st:

10. Overcoming Digital Debt with AI (Episode 151)

No guest – just me, exploring the growing challenge of digital debt—technical inefficiencies that hinder workplace productivity—and how organizations can harness the power of AI to overcome these obstacles. I share my thoughts on how individuals and organizations alike can reduce their digital debt with the help of the latest AI technologies. From task automation to actionable insights, I share strategies for fostering innovation, enhancing efficiency, and future-proofing the workplace.

9. The Future of Gamification (Episode 154)

Joined by Hussein Hallak, Founder and CEO of Next Decentrum, a pioneering tech firm focused on leveraging AI and immersive technology to transform business engagement, discussing how AI and immersive technologies such as AR and VR are transforming business and education through sophisticated gamification strategies. The discussion covered real-world applications, the integration with emerging technologies, and the ethical considerations of employing AI in gamification. The episode looked ahead at future trends, offering actionable strategies for organizations to implement these technologies.

8. Overhauling Meetings to Drive Efficiency and Collaboration (Episode 140)

Joined by Kristy Hissa, General Manager at Kairos, a company focusing on meeting performance and organizational momentum. Our conversation focused on transforming meetings to enhance efficiency and collaboration within organizations. The discussion explored many of the common challenges companies face with ineffective meetings, the negative impact on productivity and employee morale, and practical strategies for improvement. We also explored how tools and feedback loops can help ensure meetings add value, while addressing future trends and ways to adapt meeting practices for remote or hybrid teams.

7. In-Person Insights from Microsoft Ignite 2024 (Episode 153)

Joined by fellow MVPs Galen Keene from Lion Tech consulting, and Shari Oswald from PowerUp Learning sharing their in-person perspectives on attending Microsoft Ignite 2024 in Chicago. We highlighted the importance of in-person events like Microsoft Ignite for fostering networking, serendipitous connections, and real-time engagement, which virtual formats struggle to replicate. We discussed the value of the Community Hub for intimate discussions, the role of agents in enhancing productivity, and the significance of governance and best practices for AI adoption, emphasizing the evolving conference model, balancing hybrid and in-person experiences to maximize accessibility and community building.

6. The Future of Work with Personal and Team Automation (Episode 136)

Joined by fellow MVP Laura Rogers, CEO at IW Mentor, a SharePoint training company, discussing how automation is transforming personal productivity and team collaboration using tools like the Microsoft Power Platform. We highlighted the cultural impacts and management strategies necessary for successful automation integration, emphasizing the importance of fostering a culture of continuous innovation. Additionally, we shared insights on ethical considerations, future trends, and practical steps for adopting automation in organizations.

5. Removing Friction with Persuasive Communication (Episode 150)

Joined by Ryan Chute, an Entrepreneur, Marketer, and Partner with Wizard of Ads, a marketing services company. We explored the importance of persuasive communication in building stronger brands and teams. We discussed core principles of persuasion, techniques for crafting compelling messages, and shared some of our real-world experiences utilizing these skills in the workplace.

4. What Is Workplace Productivity? (Episode 149)

Joined by fellow MVP Shari Oswald, Owner and Principal of PowerUp! Learning, a Microsoft technology training company, exploring what workplace productivity means in today’s evolving digital landscape. We discussed how technology, especially Microsoft tools like Microsoft 365 and Power Platform, plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity at the individual, team, and organizational levels. The conversation also included practical strategies for leveraging automation, tracking productivity impact, and aligning productivity improvements with broader business objectives.

3. Power Platform Takeaways from Ignite (Episode 155)

Joined by fellow MVP Norm Young, a Power Platform Solutions Architect at AvePoint, focusing our discussion on the evolving Power Platform ecosystem and what this year’s Microsoft Ignite announcements mean for organizations looking to mature their governance, security, and application lifecycle management strategies.

2. The Evolution of Fundraising (Episode 148)

Joined by Josh Bloomfield, Founder and CEO of Givecloud, a digital fundraising platform focused on non-profits, discussing the evolution of fundraising, focusing on the digital transformation of donor engagement and the rise of community-driven models. We discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by data, technology, and shifting donor expectations, and examine the nuances between for-profit and nonprofit fundraising approaches. Concluding with insights into future trends, we highlight strategies for building meaningful, long-term relationships with modern donors.

1.  The Need for Better Internal Storytelling (Episode 144)

No guest – just me, focusing on the importance of internal storytelling within organizations, emphasizing how it can build emotional connections and foster a sense of purpose among employees. I explore the common pitfalls of current internal communication methods, which are often impersonal and data-heavy, and highlights the transformative power of storytelling in HR, leadership, and support teams. I also shared practical strategies for embedding storytelling into everyday operations are discussed, offering insights into how organizations can humanize their message and align internal narratives with company values.

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I hope you found this post useful. If you’d like to be a guest on the podcast, or have suggestions for topics, please drop me an email at cbuck @ collabtalk dot com. And be sure to subscribe to my channel!