BTG Insights on Demand

Enabling Strategic Resilience with Interim Talent

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 15:36:25 GMT

In this episode of BTG Insights on Demand, Heidrick & Struggles’ Sunny Ackerman joins Business Talent Group’s Sandra Pinnavaia to discuss how leading companies are embracing interim executives as a strategic tool—not just to fill gaps, but to drive transformation, expand leadership capacity, and meet today’s evolving business needs with greater agility.

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Transformation Leadership in Action

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:34:08 GMT

In this episode of BTG Insights on Demand, Chief Growth and Transformation Officer Dev Mukherjee joins BTG's Laura Klein and Heidrick & Struggles' Sandra Pinnavaia to discuss what’s new and challenging in business transformation today, practical tips for achieving transformation success, and insights on establishing effective transformation leadership.

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Return to Office Mandates: An HR Leader's Perspective

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 17:17:26 GMT

In this episode of BTG Insights on Demand, Diana Lee—a senior HR leader and consultant—joins BTG's Rachel Halversen to discuss the ongoing debate over return to office initiatives. Together, they'll explore the evolving expectations of employees and leaders, how organizations can navigate this transition to foster collaboration and productivity, the role of HR during moments of significant change, and more.

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Heidrick & Struggles' Sunny Ackerman on The New Workforce Mandate

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 14:53:50 GMT

In this episode of BTG Insights on Demand, BTG's Rachel Halversen is joined by Sunny Ackerman, the global managing partner of on-demand talent for Heidrick & Struggles, to discuss key trends in the human capital industry today, as well as her insights on how companies are securing the optimal mix of skills, capacity, and expertise with on-demand talent. Together they'll explore rising needs in interim leadership, skill shortages in digital functions, how companies are embracing blended workforces for moments of significant change and transformation, and more.

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The Essentials of Effective Organization Design

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 14:23:55 GMT

In this episode of BTG Insights on Demand, BTG’s Rachel Halversen is joined by Herman Vantrappen, managing director of strategic advisory firm Akordeon and co-author of "The Organization Design Guide: A Pragmatic Framework for Thoughtful, Efficient and Successful Redesigns", a comprehensive framework that enables executives and teams to have nuanced, in-depth and conclusive discussions about difficult organization design choices. Together, they’ll discuss best practices for effective organization design as well as best overarching org design principles, how leaders can identify the best fitting structure for their org, how to maintain and manage an organizational redesign, and more

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Shaping the Future of Healthcare with AI

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 16:51:38 GMT

In this episode of BTG Insights on Demand, Mal Postings—innovation expert and technology executive—joins BTG's Rachel Halversen to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence within the healthcare industry. Together, they'll explore use cases for AI in healthcare, such as personalized treatment plans, real-time monitoring, preventative care, digital user experiences, and more. They'll also discuss the benefits and challenges of AI implementation industry-wide along with emerging trends related to driving innovation and successful AI implementations that will shape the future of healthcare. Listen to the episode, read our lightly edited transcript, or jump right to a specific section of the chat below

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The Art of Intelligent Automation

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 19:16:28 GMT

In this episode of BTG Insights on Demand, Vivek Garg—an independent expert in intelligent automation and artificial intelligence—joins BTG's Rachel Halversen to discuss the art of intelligent automation and how advances in artificial intelligence are helping top companies build and scale efficiency-boosting business solutions. Together, they'll explore the evolution of intelligent automation, sectors that are ripe for implementing intelligent automation, and solutions to common challenges companies may face on their intelligent automation journey.

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Creating AI Products for Business Impact

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 19:02:36 GMT

In this episode of BTG Insights on Demand, Dr. Mohammad Ghassemi—an internationally renowned data scientist, professor of data science, national service scholar, and founder of boutique data and technology consulting firm Ghamut—joins BTG’s Rachel Halversen to discuss best practices for creating AI products that drive business impact. Together, they’ll explore three key pillars for successful AI systems, how AI can enhance human productivity, and common pitfalls companies fall into with AI product development. They’ll also discuss some emerging trends in AI that business leaders should be aware of today.

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Generative AI Benefits and Best Practices for Businesses

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 15:37:23 GMT

In this episode of BTG Insights on Demand, author, entrepreneur, and innovation expert Stephen Wunker of New Markets Advisors joins Business Talent Group’s Rachel Halversen to discuss generative AI, one of today’s most promising and disruptive technological developments. Together, they’ll explore the benefits companies may be able to unlock with generative AI, how business leaders can best begin to experiment with this rapidly developing technology, and the broader impacts it may present for the economy, labor market, and the world at large.

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FutureCasting Through Disruption and Uncertainty

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:40:23 GMT

In this time of frequent and intense disruption, it’s clear that organizations must be prepared to act nimbly and strategically on any unlikely scenario the future throws their way. Yet while executives have long sought a way to reliably plot the future, traditional forecasting techniques frequently come up short as leaders focus on dealing with immediate crises, fail to spot potential disruptors as they arise, and struggle with linking long-term scenarios to short-term actions.

As the Managing Director and Principal of New Markets Advisors, a boutique consulting firm specializing in innovation opportunities and capabilities, Stephen Wunker and Charlotte Desprat have deep experience in helping companies design distinctive strategies, craft creative business models, and create new ways to compete.

In today's episode of BTG Insights on Demand, Stephen and Charlotte join BTG's Jennifer Napier to discuss their recent working paper, "Navigating Uncertainty with FutureCasting," which lays out a rigorous, four-step process to help organizations better prepare for all types of uncertainty.

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The Independent Talent Tipping Point

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 21:38:13 GMT

Eric Gilpin, Senior Vice President of Sales at Upwork, and Jody Greenstone Miller, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Business Talent Group, have unparalleled visibility into the trends driving both the accelerating Talent Revolution and on-demand talent usage at top companies.

In this episode of BTG Insights on Demand, Eric and Jody join Adam Zellner, BTG’s Vice President of Enterprise and Corporate Development, to discuss trends they're seeing in the current independent talent market, their insights on how companies can address their biggest opportunities and challenges by using on-demand talent platforms, and some predictions for how they see the landscape evolving in the coming years.

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Business Resourcing Trends 2021: Agility, Resilience, and Leadership Liquidity

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 18:34:20 GMT

As Business Talent Group’s Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer and a true thought leader on the future of work, Sandra Pinnavaia leads BTG’s business innovation work, building and nurturing key channel partnerships and enterprise relationships with top clients. Sandra has been with BTG since the company’s launch, bringing over 25 years of experience as a business leader, management consultant, and trusted advisor to her work transforming the way clients access high-end independent talent for critical business priorities.

In this episode of the BTG Insights on Demand podcast, Sandra joins Jennifer Napier, Chief Marketing Officer for BTG, to talk about a few of the biggest leadership and resourcing trends shaping organizations today.

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The State of Enterprise Blockchain and Decentralized Finance

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 19:17:21 GMT

Peter Wokwicz is a senior IT consultant and executive who helps companies overcome complex challenges and stay ahead of industry trends. As an independent BTG consultant and executive, Peter has led client's IT departments and their technology planning, has led enterprise blockchain implementations, and helps organizations create robust blockchain, eCommerce, POS, CRM, and organizational strategies. He has been involved with blockchain since its inception, including several evolutions of blockchain tech, and writes and speaks extensively on the topic.

He joins BTG Chief Marketing Officer Jennifer Napier to talk about a few of the biggest trends shaping the market right now, including blockchain, cryptocurrency, and decentralized finance.

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the guest alone and do not reflect the opinions of Business Talent Group. This information is not legal, financial, or tax advice and is being provided for educational purposes only. Investments mentioned in this program may not be suitable for you or your organization. You should make your own independent decision regarding them or talk to a licensed accountant, lawyer, or financial advisor to see what’s right for you.

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Building and Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 16:38:15 GMT

Todd Corley is an accomplished corporate officer, board member, and independent consultant with more than 20 years of experience in culture, equity, employee engagement, and diversity and inclusion. Throughout his executive career, Todd has provided strategic counsel to business unit leaders on how to reach under-served communities and interpret cultural patterns around the world, while holding C-suite leadership positions with OhioHealth, Abercrombie & Fitch, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and The TAPO Institute. He is also the author of two books and a recipient of the Claes Nobel “World Betterment” award, in recognition of his diversity leadership and ability to engage individuals in building strong corporate social responsibility platforms that promote societal change.

He joins BTG Talent Solutions Principal Elaine Leff to discuss his unique experience in building and advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives and share his advice on how leading companies can implement transformational change that improves the well-being of all people.

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How On-Demand Talent Helps Logitech Do More with Less

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 14:47:08 GMT

With products sold in almost every country in the world, Logitech has developed into a multi-brand company designing products that bring people together through music, gaming, video and computing. As Logitech's head of Global Indirect Procurement, David Latten is responsible for sourcing the software and services that help power the company's work, including professional services and now—with the addition of an on-demand talent program that David helped establish—high-end independent professionals like those in the BTG marketplace.

David joins BTG's Adam Zellner, VP of Enterprise and Corporate Development, to discuss his role building the indirect procurement function according to a modern 21st century idea of what procurement should be—as well as the role that on-demand talent play in helping Logitech complete critical work, bring expertise in-house, and do more with less.

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Exploring the Frontier of Open Innovation at NASA

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 13:33:17 GMT

NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI) is breaking new ground in harnessing the power of open innovation to solve critical problems both within the agency and across the U.S. government. With more than 450 crowd-based challenges issued via the NASA Tournament Lab to date, CoECI has agencies tackle projects ranging from designing tools and technologies to disrupt the flow of opioids into the United States to developing manufacturing processes for the lunar surface.

As the Deputy Director of CoECI, Steve Rader facilitates and promotes the use of crowdsourcing and collaborative innovation platforms in support of such federal projects. He recently sat down with BTG’s Vice President of Enterprise and Corporate Development, Adam Zellner, to discuss his work at CoECI, the benefits that the crowd-based model delivers to federal agencies, and recent news about the NASA Open Innovation Services 2 (NOIS2) contract—which expands the program to include a wide range of micro-tasking, freelance, and on-demand talent platforms, including Business Talent Group.

Listen to the podcast to hear Steve’s thoughts on why crowd-based and gig economy solutions are powerful tools for innovation, problem-solving, and engaging the public in the inspiring work performed at NASA.

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Inside Microsoft's Freelance Services Program

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 16:38:33 GMT

Freelance services, including independent specialists, experts, consultants, executives, and project managers, are a powerful resource for big companies, but most organizations haven’t implemented the workforce strategies they need to really drive results in this area. Microsoft is one company that’s far ahead of the curve in realizing the power of the gig economy as a tool to get work done. As an early adopter of the enterprise approach to freelancer engagement, Microsoft established a Freelance Services Program in 2017.

Nihat Sengul, a group sourcing manager at Microsoft who previously worked as a management consultant at A.T. Kearney, now leads the company’s Freelance Services Program. In this episode of the BTG Insights on Demand podcast, he sits down with BTG’s Vice President of Enterprise and Corporate Development Adam Zellner to discuss his role in setting the program strategy and ensuring its successful adoption and execution within Microsoft.

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Client Q&A: Ethical Decision-Making and Supply Chain Efficiency at J&J

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 19:30:54 GMT

In this time of global uncertainty, it’s more important than ever for business leaders to engage in ethical decision-making that benefits not only the company’s bottom line and shareholders, but also the communities, customers, and employees who rely on them. BTG client John O’Hara, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and leader of J&J’s Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Crisis Task Force, joins BTG Managing Director Sharon Chae Haver to discuss the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to pharma manufacturing and supply chain. They also delve into the importance of having a clear set of ethical principles by which to guide decision-making in the rapidly shifting business environment.

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Navigating a New Reality: Commercial Strategy and COVID-19

Thu, 07 May 2020 14:06:35 GMT

As pharma and biopharma researchers race to develop treatments for COVID-19, commercial leaders must prepare now to ensure success in the market. Independent biopharma consultant Marc Cooley—who helps companies bring commercial planning efforts into the R&D process—joins us to discuss the commercial considerations that life science companies should keep in mind as they develop COVID-19 vaccines and therapies.

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Navigating a New Reality: Pharmaceutical Detailing in a Digital World

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:06:48 GMT

The COVID-19 pandemic has left many executives scrambling to figure out how to work from home. It has also sidelined the field reps that pharma and biopharma sales organizations typically rely on to conduct in-person promotions with healthcare providers. Independent healthcare marketing strategist Martine Taylor—who’s held senior leadership roles both at agencies and in industry—joins Business Talent Group’s Leah Hoffmann to discuss how companies can use eDetailing to pull through the immediate crisis and rethink long-term strategies for engaging with physicians.

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Navigating a New Reality: Life Science and Pharma Supply Chains in the Era of COVID-19

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 22:01:02 GMT

Sandy Torrekens is a life science supply chain, strategy, and turnaround expert who served as the Lead Strategist for the UK Department of Health during the “Swine Flu” pandemic in 2009. In this episode, he joins BTG's Leah Hoffmann to discuss how major life science and pharmaceutical companies can respond to coronavirus (COVID-19) supply chain disruptions.

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Navigating a New Reality: Stabilizing Your Supply Chain

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 16:38:33 GMT

Global supply chains were among the first to register the business impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and they remain severely strained across a broad range of industries. Supply chain and manufacturing specialist Rosemary Coates joins Business Talent Group’s Leah Hoffmann to discuss how companies can address the disruption, stabilize their supply chains, and build more resilient operations.

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Navigating a New Reality: Maintaining Business Continuity in the Time of COVID-19

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 15:23:07 GMT

Kathleen McGrorty is a business continuity expert who has worked at Deloitte, Bank of America, and other Fortune 100 financial services and technology firms. In this episode, she joins Business Talent Group's Leah Hoffmann to discuss what executives should be doing to mitigate risk, create resilient business models, and protect their operations in the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

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Navigating a New Reality: How to Adapt Your Business Strategy to the Coronavirus Pandemic

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 19:45:23 GMT

Steve Wunker is an innovation expert who led the development of one of the world's first smart phones, worked with the late Clayton Christensen, and now advises companies on creating and executing bold plans for growth. In this episode, Business Talent Group's Leah Hoffmann speaks with Steve about how companies should think about adapting business strategies to the Coronavirus pandemic and all the upheaval that it has brought.

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Best Practices for Installing an On-Demand Talent Program at Enterprise Scale

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 16:13:26 GMT

George Post recently retired as the Director of World Headquarters Procurement at life science giant Johnson & Johnson.

There, as part of his broader mission to optimize procurement and consulting services, he founded an on-demand talent program called Specialists on Demand, or SOD. SOD is designed to bring J&J executives access to specialized independent professionals, consultants, experts, and executives for targeted engagements across the enterprise.

Business Talent Group is a preferred partner in the program, offering business leaders a low-cost, high-value option for solving complex strategic and operational issues.

On this episode, BTG's Leah Hoffmann speaks with George about:

Why J&J decided to build a program to harness the power of on-demand talent at the enterprise level
The program's initial goals and structure, and how they evolved over time
His best practices for engaging business leaders, differentiating the program from other sources of human capital, and tracking and analyzing the program's performance

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