Unleashed - How to Thrive as an Independent Professional

Hosted by Will Bachman

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Jun 2026

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Unleashed explores how to thrive as an independent professional.

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June 15, 202635 min

650. Gaurav Bhosle, Master the Consulting Journey: break-in, build & thrive

Show Notes: Gaurav Bhosle talks about his coaching practice, which is split 50/50 between helping people get hired by consulting firms and coaching current consultants. He shares his background as an ex-McKinsey consultant and his MBA from HEC Paris, noting the lack of preparation structures for consulting firms in 2006-2007. Breaking into Consulting Gaurav recounts how a former HEC alum helped him prepare for consulting firms, leading to his success in joining McKinsey in Frankfurt. He explains his transition from McKinsey to coaching, driven by his passion for strategy and career development, and his decision to focus on career strategy for consultants. Gaurav discusses his realization that breaking into consulting is not the ultimate goal but thriving in it is. The Upskilling Journey He shares his journey of upskilling, including obtaining ICF certification, psychometric tools, NLP, and TA, to provide deeper career coaching. Gaurav explains his shift from helping people get into consulting to coaching current consultants on career strategies and performance improvement. He emphasizes the importance of career happiness and the need for consultants to thrive in their roles, not just get hired. The Three-step Process Gaurav describes his three-step process: foundation, parallel tracks (networking and practice), and polishing. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, skill set, and tool set, particularly the mindset of preparing to be a good consultant rather than just cracking interviews. Gaurav details the foundation phase, which includes preparing for cases, understanding fit questions, and polishing the consulting CV. Gaurav outlines the practical steps for case interview preparation, including the importance of practicing with peers and AI. He explains the three-step process for data interpretation: data sanity check, extracting insights, and communicating findings. The Value of Top-down Communication Skills Gaurav emphasizes the importance of top-down communication and preparing fit answers with headlines first. He shares tips for practicing data analytics skills, including using charts as part of case interviews and focusing on the context and problem-solving. Gaurav discusses the challenges of developing top-down communication skills, especially for those from Eastern cultures or non-consulting backgrounds. He shares his personal journey of adapting to top-down communication in McKinsey and the importance of pushing oneself to communicate insights at a higher level. Gaurav explains the STAR format for storytelling in interviews and the importance of starting with headlines. He emphasizes the need for consultants to communicate crisply and lead the conversation, rather than providing lengthy explanations Coaching Practice and Processes When asked the first step in his coaching process, Gaurav explains the importance of achieving orientation and having clear career goals beyond superficial reasons like travel or status. He shares his use of psychometric assessments and the "Why should we hire you?" question to gauge a candidate's value proposition. Gaurav highlights the need for candidates to have a clear understanding of their career motivations and the ability to articulate their unique value. Coaching Consultants on Performance Improvement The conversation turns to Gaurav's practice of coaching current consultants on performance improvement. He shares an example of a recent MBB consultant seeking promotion to engagement manager and feedback on case leadership. Gaurav explains the importance of understanding the root cause of feedback and implementing systems for continuous improvement. He emphasizes the need for consultants to seek frequent feedback, develop systems for transparency, and build checklists for effective project management. "Fit-for-consulting" Assessment Gaurav discusses the use of psychometric assessments and other tools to understand candidates' personality and fit for consulting. He shares his experience coaching a diverse range of professionals, including US Marines, public servants, and athletes, to transition into consulting. Gaurav highlights the importance of having a clear value proposition and the ability to articulate it effectively, and he emphasizes the need for consultants to have a strong achievement orientation and the willingness to adapt to the demanding nature of the role. Timestamps: 03:53: Transitioning to Coaching Current Consultants 06:01: Gaurav's Coaching Approach for Aspiring Consultants 10:58: Practical Steps for Case Interview Preparation 22:06: Developing Top-Down Communication Skills 26:50: Clarifying Career Motivations and Goals 30:48: Coaching Current Consultants for Career Growth 34:46: Gaurav's Coaching Methodologies and Tools 35:11: Gaurav's Online Presence and Contact Information Links: Company website: https://www.beingconsultant.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/consultingcareercoach/ Email: gb@beingconsultant.com This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=300254&action=edit#:~:text=https%3A//umbrex.com/unleashed/gaurav%2Dbhosle%2Dma%E2%80%A6%2Din%2Dbuild%2Dthrive/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.

June 8, 202634 min

649. Lana Newishy, Founder of Hey Intake

Show Notes: Lana Newishy, founder of Hey Intake, explains that Hey Intake is one of several startups she has founded, which focuses on improving the client experience in the initial stages of a project. The Client Intake Process Lana highlights common issues in the client intake process, such as disorganized communication, missing information, and inefficient discovery calls. She emphasizes the loss of opportunities due to inefficient intake processes and the need for a structured system. Lead Qualification and Filtering Issues Lana discusses the broken lead qualification process, where consultants often react to discovery calls without proper filtering. She points out information asymmetry, where clients don't know what to share, and consultants don't ask the right questions consistently. Streamlining the Intake Process Lana mentions the fragmentation of tools, such as emails, documents, CRM systems, and file sharing, which are not connected in a single flow. She introduces the idea of a single, structured flow from first contact to service completion to streamline the intake process. A Demonstration of Hey Intake Lana shares her screen to demonstrate the Hey Intake dashboard, which includes tabs for dashboard, submissions, contacts, form builder, email templates, automations, analytics, team settings, and support. Dashboard Lana explains the AI-driven suggestions on the dashboard, which prioritize tasks based on the current stage of the intake process. Submissions Window She demonstrates the submissions window, which categorizes submissions into lead phase, intake phase, and service phase, and provides AI scores for prioritization. Lana continues to explain the submissions window, showing how submissions are scored and prioritized based on AI analysis. Submissions Drawer She demonstrates the submission drawer, which allows users to update the phase of a contact, request documents, and send e-signatures. Lana mentions the form builder, which allows users to create custom forms with various templates and fields. She explains the flexibility of adding fields, customizing inputs, and setting AI scoring weights to prioritize requests. Integrating with CRM Systems Lana discusses the ability to integrate Hey Intake with existing CRM systems and legal project management tools. She explains that some clients prefer to keep their existing systems and connect them with Hey Intake for a seamless process. Form Builder When asked about the form builder, Lana demonstrates how to create and customize forms, including adding fields, customizing branding, and setting up automations. She highlights the importance of keeping forms simple and quick to fill out to avoid discouraging potential clients. Email Templates Library Email Templates Library Lana demonstrates the email templates library, which includes pre-built templates and the ability to edit them manually or with AI. She emphasizes the flexibility of the system to meet the specific needs of different clients and businesses. Automations Tab Lana introduces the automations tab, which shows the flows for various actions, such as sending emails, requesting documents, and following up on actions. She explains how to set up custom automations and toggle them on and off. The Vendor Setup System Lana explains how Hey Intake helps with vendor setup, including requesting documents, managing client portals, and handling e-signatures. Uploading Documents She demonstrates the process of uploading documents for e-signatures and integrating with services like DocuSign and SignWell. Lana highlights the native storage options and the ability to connect with clients' private storage facilities. She emphasizes the importance of streamlining the onboarding process to save time and reduce administrative burdens. Hey Intake Customer Base Lana discusses the current customer base, which includes law firms, accountants, photographers, home renovators, and B2B consultants. She mentions the potential to focus on specific verticals in the future based on data collection and user feedback. The conversation turns to the development process, and Lana explains that she has a development team based in Canada that helps build B2B AI-based solutions. Lana highlights the structured validation process and the importance of a framework for successful development and launch. Hey Intake Pricing Lana provides information about the pricing of Hey Intake, which starts at $16 per month for the annual plan and $19.40 per month for the monthly plan. She mentions the availability of an enterprise tier for custom solutions. Timestamps: 05:07: Demonstration of Hey Intake Dashboard 12:50: Detailed Walkthrough of Submissions and Form Builder 22:33: Integration and Customization of Hey Intake 22:57: Automations and Email Templates 26:20: Vendor Setup and Document Management 31:02: Customer Base and Future Plans 35:29: Pricing and Contact Information Links: Website: https://heyintake.com/ This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/unleashed/episode-648-lana-newishy-founder-of-hey-intake/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.

June 3, 202626 min

648. Mathooshan Manoharan, From Individual Contributor to Manager: Lessons Learned at Umbrex

Show Notes: Mathooshan Manoharan talks about his time at Umbrex role and upcoming business school plans. Mathooshan shares his initial lack of business background and management skills when he joined Umbrex. Mathooshan explains his coffee chat strategy, including reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn and refining his message approach through A/B testing. The Coffee Chats Initiative Mathooshan details his experience with coffee chats, starting with over 150 and now over 400. He describes the types of coffee chats he had, including both virtual and in-person meetings. Mathooshan explains how he initially reached out to people on LinkedIn and refined his message to increase response rates. He talks about the importance of initiative and how anyone can replicate Mathooshan's approach. Learning from Coffee Chats Mathooshan shares that he didn't initially document his coffee chats but started after a conversation with Will. He created a spreadsheet to track response rates, positions, and sources of contacts. Mathooshan mentions the importance of follow-up calls and how he leveraged initial contacts to make more introductions. He discusses the value of documenting and learning from these interactions. The First Lesson Mathooshan outlines his first lesson: the importance of creating a project tracker to avoid forgetting tasks. He describes how he developed a system using checklists, notifications, and alerts in their CRM. Will shares his own experience of learning the same lesson in the Navy. Mathooshan emphasizes the need for a structured approach to manage tasks effectively. Prioritization and Focus Mathooshan discusses the second lesson: the importance of prioritization and focus blocking. He explains how he initially struggled with shiny object syndrome and the need to prioritize tasks. Mathooshan describes how he started blocking time in his calendar for specific tasks and aligning priorities. They discuss the importance of setting clear expectations and managing workload effectively. Managing Upwards Mathooshan shares the third lesson: the importance of managing upwards and being pleasantly persistent. He explains how he learned to follow up effectively and make it easy for Will to respond. Mathooshan discusses the concept of "unless otherwise directed" (UOD) and how it helped him take initiative. Will and Mathooshan emphasize the importance of making it easy for managers to approve or correct tasks. Learning from Mistakes Mathooshan introduces the fourth lesson: the importance of learning from mistakes. He explains how he started a lessons learned sheet to document mistakes and their context. Mathooshan describes the root cause analysis he implemented to address the root causes of mistakes. Will and Mathooshan discuss the importance of systemic changes to prevent recurring mistakes. Team Management Mathooshan transitions to lessons learned in team management. He shares his initial overconfidence in managing a team and the challenges he faced. Mathooshan explains the importance of providing clarity, checkpoints, and systems for his team. Will and Mathooshan discuss the need for effective communication and support in team management. Trusting the Team Mathooshan introduces the fifth lesson: the importance of trust but verify in team management. He shares an example of a project where he trusted his team too much and the consequences. Mathooshan emphasizes the need for regular check-ins and spot checks to ensure tasks are on track. The conversation turns to the balance between trusting the team and maintaining oversight. Empowering the Team Mathooshan shares the sixth lesson: the importance of empowering the team. He explains how he initially had an individual contributor mindset and the need to change it. Mathooshan discusses the importance of explaining the "why" behind tasks and providing guidance. Will and Mathooshan emphasize the long-term benefits of empowering the team through training and support. Timestamps: 02:54: Effective Coffee Chat Techniques 05:24: Documenting and Learning from Coffee Chats 07:53: Lessons in Self-Management 10:32: Prioritization and Focus Blocking 13:11: Managing Upwards and Being Pleasantly Persistent 15:46: Never Waste a Good Mistake 18:38: Transitioning to Team Management 21:27: Trust but Verify 23:49: Empowering the Team Links: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathooshan-manoharan/ Substack: https://mathooshan.substack.com/ This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/unleashed/episode-648-mathooshan-manoharan-from-individual-contributor-to-manager-lessons-learned-at-umbrex/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.

June 1, 202621 min

647. Mehdi Frikha, mzx.ai: Consulting-Grade AI-Generated PowerPoint Decks, in Minutes

Show Notes: Mehdi Frikha, founder at mzx.ai, explains that mzx.ai builds a crew of agents for all knowledge workers, including colleagues in the Umbrex network. Generating Brand Proposals from RFPs He introduces the first agent, Hector, which generates brand proposals from RFPs or client pitches, from as little as half a page of information. He explains that you input your output language, preferences about proposal approach, the target, the tone etc. Users can include their own PowerPoint template, and the agent will provide a proposal that is 100% branded and 100% compliant with context, objectives, and the firm's approach. Integrating Firm Knowledge Mehdi mentions that the product is more targeted towards the European and Middle Eastern markets, where long proposals are common. He confirms that the agent can integrate the firm's knowledge, CVs, credentials, and any proprietary databases to generate a full proposal. The final product is fully branded and can be up to 40-50 pages, including all necessary elements to win the RFP or project. Demonstrating the PowerPoint Output Mehdi demonstrates the 41-slide PowerPoint output, which is a technical proposal for an economic development strategy for AIDO(Abu Dhabi Investment Office) and offers to make the 41-slide PowerPoint output available for viewers. He explains how users simply send the request to the agent. The agent delivers a comprehensive 41 slide presentation based on the information sent. Mehdi demonstrates how the agent presents the context and objectives of the project including the importance of AI in translating Abu Dhabi's national ambitions into localized investment. The proposal includes global benchmarks, structural drivers, competitive windows, and institutional timing. The proposal also addresses economic and market risks, environmental spatial constraints, and demographic and talent challenges. Structuring the Proposal Mehdi explains that the overall approach to the project is laid out in phases, which can be customized based on the RFP or the firm's preferences. The agent can provide guidance on the structure of the approach, including the number of phases and steps. The detailed version of the approach in this demonstration is 11 pages and can be used as a more detailed project plan. Agent Attention to Detail Mehdi highlights the attention to detail, including real bullets, semantic selection of icons that reflect the content of the page, and consultant-compliant quality. Mehdi mentions that the agent can be trained to include details such as a placeholder slide for pricing or investment, and any necessary disclaimers in the proposal in the future. Mehdi introduces the next agent, which translates PowerPoint presentations automatically, including complex slides with timelines and Gantt charts. He demonstrates the translation feature, which translates slides and injects the content in the right place, including right-to-left languages and timelines that read right to left. It has the ability to mirror complex slides and the potential time-saving benefits. Mehdi shows how the platform can generate research reports on any topic, using the request for an overview of nuclear submarine coolant pumps as an example. The Platform Pricing Structure In the demonstration of the third agent, Mehdi explains that the entry subscription will be $20, allowing 120 slides. Enterprise offers will be available for firms that want to deploy the platform in a private cloud, ensuring data security. Mehdi provides the website for sign-up and mentions that there is a closed beta available for interested users, and he mentions that there are many agents in development and invites feedback from Umbrex members for new product ideas. Timestamps: 01:51: Details of Hector's Proposal Generation 03:47: Examination of the Proposal Example 05:34: Customization and Detailed Approach 08:56: Additional Features and Pricing 11:04: Translation and Research Report Generation 20:00 Future Developments and Pricing Structure Links: Website: https://mzx.ai/ Proposal permalink: https://umbrex.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Proposal_example_Economic_Development_Strategy_for_Al_Dhafra_Region_English.pptx Report permalink: https://umbrex.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Report_example_Nuclear_submarine_reactor_pump_manufacturers_overview.pptx This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/?p=287037 Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.

May 25, 202647 min

646. Lilly Minkove, Know Your KPIs: Become the CEO of Your Health

Show Notes: Lilly Minkove shares her background in brand and strategy consulting, focusing on retail, beauty, and wellness. She discusses her time at McKinsey, Tapestry, and Louis Vuitton, emphasizing her work in the luxury sector. Lilly explains her transition from the corporate world to running ArtLogica Group, a boutique consulting practice focused on customer insights. Introduction to HeraSphere Lilly talks about her interest in health and wellness, which eclipsed her work in retail and luxury. She recounts attending a longevity talk by Dr. Darshan Shah, which sparked her interest in tracking biomarkers and consumer insights. Lilly describes the inception of HeraSphere, a women's health newsletter translating healthcare innovations into plain English. She highlights the importance of women's health, especially for those in perimenopause or menopause, and how her consulting experience translates to this new focus. The Five Pillars of Health Lilly outlines the five pillars of health: exercise and muscle, sleep, nutrition, brain health, and connection. She emphasizes the importance of strength training, noting that muscle is an anti-aging metabolic organ. She discusses the benefits of muscle, including anti-inflammatory proteins, insulin resistance, and bone density protection. The Critical Role of Sleep Lilly explains the critical role of sleep in brain function, immune system, and overall health. She discusses the importance of regularity and quality of sleep, noting that even one night of sleep deprivation can significantly impact natural killer cell activity. Lilly shares tips for improving sleep quality, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding alcohol, and using a sleep tracker. The conversation turns to the impact of stress and anxiety on sleep and the importance of winding down before bed. The Impact of Sugar on the Body Lilly highlights the negative effects of sugar on the body, including inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. She explains the concept of glucose spikes and how eating fiber, protein, and fat before carbohydrates can reduce their impact. Lilly emphasizes the importance of a diverse diet, recommending consuming 30 different types of plants and vegetables weekly and highlights the challenges of hidden sugars in processed foods. Maintaining Brain Health Lilly discusses the significance of brain health, noting that the brain consumes 20% of daily calories and requires continuous stimulation. She shares her experience with learning a new skill, cardio dance, and how it improves muscle memory and cognitive function. Lilly explains the link between midlife decisions and cognitive outcomes, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle measures in preventing Alzheimer's. Lilly elaborates on the benefits of keeping the brain active through learning and new skills. Community and Health Connection Lilly highlights the importance of social connections for overall health, citing a Harvard study on the mortality risk of social isolation. She discusses the decline of extended family households and the need for intentional efforts to maintain social connections. Lilly emphasizes the role of small interactions with people in the community in reducing loneliness and improving well-being. Lilly discusses the benefits of having a support system and the impact of feeling less isolated on health outcomes. The Complexity of the Wellness Industry Lilly explains her dual objectives: sharing knowledge with consumers and using consumer insights to inform her consulting practice. She offers services to help brands distill what their customers want and convey value effectively. Lilly highlights the complexity of the wellness industry and her expertise in understanding the female consumer. Measuring Health KPIs Lilly outlines key health metrics, starting with blood pressure and hemoglobin A1C, which measure metabolic efficiency and cardiovascular risk. She discusses C-reactive protein (CRP) as an indicator of systemic inflammation and its association with various diseases. Lilly explains fasting insulin and LDL cholesterol, noting their importance in measuring insulin resistance and cardiovascular health. She highlights the importance of bone density and body composition, recommending DEXA scans for accurate measurement. A Focus on Longevity Lilly discusses VO2 max, a measure of cardiovascular capacity and longevity, and the challenges of obtaining accurate measurements. She mentions the use of fitness trackers to estimate VO2 max and the benefits of regular monitoring. Lilly shares her personal practice of conducting twice-yearly health panels to track biomarkers and ensure overall well-being. Timestamps: 02:47: Transition to Women's Health and HeraSphere 06:48: Key Health Pillars: Exercise and Muscle 13:57: Sleep and Its Importance 23:57: Nutrition and Sugar Impact 29:53: Brain Health and Lifelong Learning 36:20: Connection and Social Support 38:32: Lilly's Services and Consumer Insights 41:08: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Health 47:04: Advanced Health Metrics and Longevity Links: HeraSphere newsletter: https://herasphere.beehiiv.com/ HeraSphere website: https://herasphere.beehiiv.com/p/herasphere-24-become-the-ceo-of-your-health Consulting practice website: https://artlogicagroup.com/ This episode on Umbrex: Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.

May 18, 202621 min

645. Andrew Persh, Founder of Oria, an AI PowerPoint Plug-in for Management Consulting

Show Notes: Andrew Persh, co-founder of Oria, an AI-based tool for creating PowerPoint slides demonstrates Oria. Andrew provides a brief history of his experience at McKinsey and the challenges he faced with existing AI tools for creating slides. He explains the idea behind Oria: to create complex slides that do not look like they were generated by AI. Oria Demonstration Andrew demonstrates Oria as an extension for PowerPoint, focusing on the text-to-slide feature. Converting text into design suggestions He explains the process of converting text into multiple design suggestions for slides. Andrew highlights that each design option is custom-built and fits within the user's existing PowerPoint template. Complex slides with data He shows how Oria can handle complex slides with data and create visually compelling designs. Data heavy slides 3D visualizations Andrew discusses the ability of Oria to handle data-heavy slides and create 3D visualizations. Framework with icons He demonstrates how Oria can convert text descriptions into detailed slides with icons and text. Improve design Andrew explains the "improve design" feature, which allows users to specify detailed instructions for slide design. He shows how Oria can format slides and add visual elements based on user instructions. Andrew explains the ability of Oria to handle long content and extract key points for slides. He demonstrates how Oria can create a roadmap slide from a detailed text description. Roadmap slide He explains the process of using Oria with large amounts of text and how it can synthesize the content into a slide. Oria can build slides from normal human language meaning users do not need to know how to use prompts. Andrew shows how Oria can handle non-standard elements like chevrons and create fully editable slides. Screenshots to Slides Function Andrew demonstrates how Oria can handle screenshots and convert them into editable PowerPoint elements. He explains the limitations of other AI tools in handling charts and how Oria excels in this area. Sketch to slide feature Andrew introduces the "sketch to slide" feature, which converts handwritten notes into editable slides. He shows how Oria can switch between different templates for different clients and maintain consistency in slide design. Subscription Plans Andrew discusses the installation process of Oria and the availability of a free trial. Andrew explains the different subscription plans: $20 per month for basic use and $60 per month for heavy users. He mentions the option to purchase additional tokens for more complex slides. Promo code: UMBREX - 20% for 12 months. Timestamps: 03:20: Demo of Oria's Text-to-Slide Feature 06:30: Advanced Features of Oria 11:07: Handling Long Content and Complex Slides 15:29: Additional Use Cases and Features 21:41: Subscription and Pricing Details Links: https://www.oria.one/ https://marketplace.microsoft.com/en-us/product/office/WA200009750?tab=Overview This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/unleashed/episode-645-andrew-persh-founder-of-oria-an-ai-powerpoint-plug-in-for-management-consulting/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.

May 11, 202625 min

644. Zsigmond Fajth, Gridd: Smart Templates for the AI Era

Show Notes: Zsigmond Fajth is a McKinsey alum and co-founder of Gridd, a company that provides templates for the AI era, specifically for consultants. Zsigmond explains that Gridd is designed for independent consultants, leveraging his experience at McKinsey where he modernized client communication tools. Introducing Gridd Zsigmond mentions the creation of McKinsey's PowerPoint toolbar and the Pyramid add-in, which helped consultants create interactive presentations. He discusses the transition from traditional templates to AI-driven templates, aiming to serve a broader audience beyond McKinsey. Gridd's AI Templates Zsigmond describes Gridd's AI templates as having flexible layouts that auto-expand as content is added, solving issues with static PowerPoint templates. The templates include embedded AI prompts that can be copied and pasted into various AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot. He explains that the templates are designed to accommodate content in a format that can be easily integrated into the AI tools. Gridd's Basic Setup Zsigmond demonstrates both the flexible layouts and the integration with AI tools. He shows the template library, which includes 260 templates covering various use cases like boxes, matrices, process flows, funnels, pyramids, and charts. The templates are designed to look like best practice consulting charts, with 60 charts being traditional Microsoft charts and the rest in a special format. Gridd's Special Formats Zsigmond highlights the special format, which includes elements like tables with blue boxes and sub-headers, typical of consulting slides. Gridd has a variety of templates, including frameworks, text, shapes, and quantitative info charts like column charts, bar charts, and waterfall charts. Adding Rows Gridd's Flexible Layouts Zsigmond demonstrates how to insert a new page with a Gridd element, add columns or rows, and resize elements to maintain alignment. The flexible layouts allow for quick edits without manual alignment, saving time and effort. He shows how to add additional levels to a pyramid framework and delete levels as needed, making it easy to adjust the structure. The auto-expanding capability saves templates by allowing them to accommodate more content without creating multiple versions. Expanding Copy and Paste Gridd Integration with AI Tools Zsigmond explains the process of using Gridd's custom prompts with AI tools like ChatGPT to generate content for the templates. The custom prompts include instructions on the layout and content format, ensuring the AI generates content that fits the template. Rearranging Columns Generating and Integrating Prompts Zsigmond demonstrates how to copy the prompt, paste it into ChatGPT, and specify the source of information to generate an executive summary. Using AI Prompt The generated content is then copied and pasted back into the Gridd template, which formats it automatically. Paste Prompt in ChatGPT Zsigmond contrasts Gridd's approach with traditional templates, which overdetermine output or require manual edits that are time-consuming. Paste into Gridd Gridd's approach allows for quick algorithmic edits, making it faster and more reliable to add or modify content than always using AI. The built-in prompts ensure consistent output and reduce the need for long and token-intensive layout generation. Zsigmond demonstrates how to modify existing templates to specify dimensions and content, making it easier to generate accurate and detailed pages. Gridd Pricing Packages Zsigmond outlines the pricing packages for Grid templates, including a free trial, an essentials package, and a full template package. The free trial includes the add-in and 23 templates, allowing users to test the tool without commitment. The essentials package, priced at $69, includes 60 layouts and is available with lifetime access. The full package, priced at $269, includes 260 layouts and 60 charts, also with lifetime access. All packages come with a 30 days satisfaction guarantee. Zsigmond mentions a launch promotion offering 33% off for Unleashed listeners, bringing the prices down to $49 for the essentials and $169 for the full package. Promo code: UNLEASHED Timestamps: 02:42: Overview of Gridd's AI Templates 04:16: Demonstration of Gridd's Template Library 08:02: Editing and Customizing Templates in Gridd 13:02: Integration with AI Tools for Content Generation 22:55: Advantages of Gridd's Approach 23:09: Pricing and Availability of Gridd Templates Links: Gridd website: www.griddtemplates.com This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/unleashed/episode-644-zsigmond-fajth-gridd-smart-templates-for-the-ai-era/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.

May 4, 202632 min

643. Scarlett Jiang, COO at Vantage Global AI Shares 3 Live Client AI Use Cases

Show Notes: Scarlett Jiang from Vantage AI, an AI product and services firm based in London, provides a one-minute overview of Vantage AI, highlighting their focus on data foundations and AI transformation. Vantage AI helps companies consolidate data from various systems into a single source of truth. Scarlett mentions the firm's experience with hospitality franchise clients, such as Burger King, KFC, and McDonald's. Mock Demo of Chatbot Scarlett introduces a mock demo of a chatbot designed for hospitality franchise owners. The chatbot can handle real-time queries about sales data, labor costs, and other key metrics. Scarlett explains the process of using the chatbot to query data, including translating natural language questions into SQL, which means users do not need to know SQL. Custom Dashboard Scarlett introduces the custom dashboard with data intelligence analyst chatbot functionality, allowing users to query via human natural language and retrieve insights from pre-ingested data warehouses. Sales Performance The chatbot can provide summaries of sales performance, labor data, and other operational metrics. Sales Performance Rank Scarlett shows how the chatbot can handle more complex queries, e.g.: If I had to focus on 3 stores to improve performance this quarter, which would you recommend and why? (chatbot showcase the capability to synthesize sales, reviews, and trend data into recommended action) Performance Graph The chatbot can provide detailed insights into top and bottom performers, including specific metrics like net sales and transaction counts. Scarlett discusses the benefits of using a chatbot for specific questions, rather than pre-built dashboards. The chatbot can also provide reasoning behind its answers, showing the steps it takes to generate insights. The Process of Building AI Tools Scarlett explains the process of building AI tools, starting with a diagnostic phase to understand the client's data journey and use cases. After the diagnostic, a strategic roadmap is created to prioritize use cases. A quick prototype is then developed, followed by data foundation transformation. The process can range from a few days to several months, depending on the complexity and scope of the project. Accounts Payable Month-end Reconciliation Demo Scarlett demonstrates a workflow automation tool for account payable month-end reconciliation. Accounts Payable Reconciliation This demo presents a finance use case built around month-end accounts payable reconciliation - a process every finance team navigates. Supplier invoice data sits across two systems: the AP subledger, which holds granular invoice-level detail, and the general ledger control account, which carries a single summary balance that should match. In practice, the two rarely align - late-posted invoices and manual journal entries that bypass the subledger are the most common culprits. This demo showcases an AI agent that pulls data from both sources, identifies and reconciles the gap automatically; and surfaces discrepancies to human reviewers for sign-off or overwrite - eliminating hours of manual investigation at close. Converting PDF Purchase Orders into CSV Files Scarlett demonstrates a tool that converts PDF purchase orders into CSV files. Snowflake Tables The tool extracts key information from the PDF, such as contract terms, payment schedules, and expenditures. The tool can transform the extracted data into a chart format for easier analysis. Reconciliation Report Payment Breakdown The tool is designed to automate the process of working with large amounts of unstructured data, reducing manual effort. Cost and Development Time Scarlett discusses the cost and development time for AI tools, noting that prototypes can be developed quickly. The bulk of the work involves data cleaning, ingestion, and transformation to ensure data accuracy. The development time can range from a few days to several months, depending on the complexity and scope of the project. The cost varies based on the specific requirements and the level of automation needed. Demonstration Videos: Pre-recorded Demo 1: Data Intelligence demo https://www.vantageglobal.ai/insights/demo-pages/data-intelligence-analyst Pre-recorded Demo 2: Accounts payable month-end reconciliation agent https://www.vantageglobal.ai/insights/demo-pages/ap-month-end-reconciliation-agent Pre-recorded Demo 3: Parsing unstructured data to structured data https://www.vantageglobal.ai/insights/demo-pages/purchase-order-explorer-agent Timestamps: 02:24: Demonstration of AI Chatbot for Hospitality Franchise Owners 07:14: Advanced Query Capabilities of the Chatbot 13:06: Process of Building AI Tools at Vantage AI 17:40: Case Study: Account Payable Month-End Reconciliation 28:03: Case Study: PDF to CSV Transformation 34:42: Cost and Development Time for AI Tools This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/unleashed/episode-643-scarlett-jiang-coo-at-vantage-global-ai-shares-3-live-client-ai-use-cases/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.

April 27, 202628 min

642. Saurabh Gupta, Co-founder Binocs, AI Driven Commercial Due Diligence

Saurabh Gupta, founder of Binocs, and provides a brief background on his career at KPMG and Verizon. Saurabh explains that Binocs uses generative AI to accelerate commercial due diligence, industry analysis, and company analysis. The tool is designed to support private equity clients, particularly in analyzing private companies. Saurabh mentions that the focus of the demo will be on industry analysis and investment memos. Binocs Home Page A Demonstration of Binocs Saurabh navigates to the commercial due diligence section of Binocs, highlighting four main areas: industry analysis, investment memos, growth strategy, and valuation analysis. Industry analysis Saurabh explains the process of conducting an industry analysis, including selecting a geography, industry segments, key players, and uploading documents. The tool allows for detailed analysis at various levels, from country to state, and is used globally by clients in different regions. The inputs required for an industry analysis, include industry name, geography (state, country or region), and optional focus area description and project code. How Binocs Generates Industry Reports Saurabh demonstrates how to input data for an industry analysis, selecting Colorado as an example geography. Geography Input The report generated includes an executive summary, industry overview, industry segments, key industry trends, customer overview, industry market size, and more. The report also includes references and sources used in the analysis, which can be linked to for further information. Company Snapshot Saurabh explains that the system builds a knowledge base each time a report is run, searching the web for relevant information and creating a detailed issue-tree based approach to identify the right references. Product Report Exporting Reports When asked if the reports can be exported and shared with listeners, Saurabh confirms that they can be downloaded as PowerPoint presentations or PDFs. The system allows users to share the report link without requiring a login, making it accessible to others. The extensive amount of information in the report, including various topic areas and subcategories is highlighted. Saurabh mentions that the report can take 30 minutes to 60 minutes to run, depending on the granularity of the analysis. Building Market Models Saurabh explains that the system not only compiles information but also performs cognitive work, such as building market models and triangulating market sizes. The system can calculate market sizes by analyzing various factors, giving an example of market sizing of Building Materials Distribution market size through the US value of construction, material share, and distribution margins. The detailed logic and assumptions used by the system allows users to audit and adjust the results. Market Size Estimation Saurabh provides an example of how the system triangulates market sizes and builds multiple market models for accuracy. Competitive Positioning Saurabh discusses how the system can analyze competitive positioning using social media reviews, G2 reviews, and comparative literature. The system can also perform financial benchmarking by connecting to public filings and comparing public competitors' revenue growth, profitability, and operating efficiency. It is noted that the system currently does not allow downloading data into Excel but mentions it is on the roadmap. Saurabh highlights the potential inorganic opportunities identified by the system and the detailed competitor profiles available in the appendix. The Company Profile Section Saurabh introduces the company profile section, which includes an investment memo for conducting a deep dive into a company. Investment Memo The system can generate an overview of the company's geographical footprint, products and services, distribution channels, and key purchasing criteria. The report also includes industry analysis and financial benchmarking, if financial data is available. Pricing Structure The conversation turns to the pricing of the reports, and Saurabh explains that unlimited access to the portal, which includes industry analysis and commercial due diligence reports costs $2,500 per month for three seats, while individual industry reports cost $500 each. The system allows users to purchase credits and run analyses as needed. Saurabh provides an overview of the current user base, which includes consulting firms, private equity companies, investment banks, and corporates. The system is used for various purposes, such as pre-LOI research, growth strategy, and industry analysis. Additional Features Saurabh mentions additional features like a chatbot that can answer questions and build proposals, interview guides, and expert interview notes. The system can connect to proprietary data sources and subscriptions, enhancing the depth of the analysis. The comprehensive nature of the tool and its potential to save time and resources for consultants and investors is a major benefit. Umbrex Members Discount: Saurabh is offering a 20% discount to Umbrex members. They recieve a discount coupon on the payment page when they sign up using a referral link. Disclaimer: The Binocs reports have been entirely generated by Artificial Intelligence. The research and insights provided are based on information we consider reliable at the time of generation. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information. This report is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for making investment decisions. Readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence or consult with professional advisors before taking any action based on this content. Please note that any reliance on this report is at the reader's own risk, and we disclaim all liability for any potential errors or omissions. Timestamps: 02:22: Demo of Binocs: Industry Analysis and Investment Memos 05:29: Generating an Industry Analysis Report 07:13: Exporting and Sharing Reports 09:49: Cognitive Work and Market Modeling 13:45: Competitive Positioning and Financial Benchmarking 17:06: Company Profile and Investment Memo 26:18: Pricing and User Base 29:10: Additional Features and Future Plans Links: Website: https://binocs.co/ Permalinks: PowerPoint: IR Building Product Distribution Binocs Concise PowerPoint: IM Hammertech Binocs PowerPoint: IR Building Product Distribution Binocs Disclaimer: The Binocs reports have been entirely generated by Artificial Intelligence. The research and insights provided are based on information we consider reliable at the time of generation. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information. This report is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for making investment decisions. Readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence or consult with professional advisors before taking any action based on this content. Please note that any reliance on this report is at the reader's own risk, and we disclaim all liability for any potential errors or omissions. This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/unleashed/episode-642-saurabh-gupta-co-founder-binocs-ai-driven-commercial-due-diligence/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.

April 6, 202629 min

641. Lauri Euren, Operating.app: An AI-powered platform to run a consulting firm from resource planning to month-end close

Show Notes: Lauri Euren, founder of Operating.app, explains that Operating is a tool for consulting firms or professional services that are growing and need help with staffing, internal resourcing, and month-end closes. The tool handles the workflow from time sheets to invoicing, supporting delivery across multiple projects. Operating.app Explained Lauri emphasizes that Operating is not a CRM system and can integrate with existing CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive. Lauri explains that Operating is not for actual sales execution but for back-end processes like staffing, time sheets, and invoicing. The tool also monitors project health, margins, and financials, providing tracking and insights into project burn rates and utilization. Operating.app Demonstration Lauri demonstrates the main dashboard, which includes tabs for staffing, personal schedules, projects, and reports. Lauri describes the main entities in Operating: projects, people, and positions, and how they intersect to manage staffing and project assignments. Lauri explains the different sections and their functions. The dashboard includes pinned views for saved and shared views, time sheets for tracking hours, and various reporting options. Lauri highlights the importance of tailoring the use of Operating to different roles within the organization, such as consultants, COOs, and staffing managers. The invoicing feature generates invoices based on the invoicing schedule and billing type of the project. When saved, the invoice saves automatically to the accounting software used. Lauri explains that projects often come from CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce and are enriched with metadata using AI tools like Copilot or GPT using the Operating MCP server and AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot. Operating can handle different pricing structures, including per hour and fixed price models, and can model various types of work within the fixed price model. Planned vs Forecast Revenue Revenue Recognition The tool also includes revenue recognition features, allowing finance teams to track and recognize revenue accurately. Lauri mentions that Operating integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks or NetSuite for billing and financial management. Clients Operating Serves Lauri discusses the ideal client size for Operating, typically starting from 10 people and scaling up to large firms with hundreds of consultants. The tool replaces spreadsheets and other point solutions for time tracking and resource planning. Lauri explains how Operating handles external consultants, tagging them differently in the system and managing their permissions and utilization. The tool allows for robust customization of permissions, ensuring that each user sees and edits only what they are allowed to. Managing a Project in Operating Lauri explains the end-to-end process of managing a project in Operating, from staffing to invoicing. The process includes adding a project, allocating team members, setting budgets, and tracking time sheets. Operating provides real-time profitability calculations and margin effects for projects. The tool allows for the creation of invoices based on time entries and integrates with accounting tools for final billing. AI Integration with Operation Lauri highlights the AI integration with tools like Claude, allowing users to query and manage projects using natural language. The MCP server in Operating acts as an AI agent, consuming data and executing queries based on user permissions. Customers can build automated tasks and health checkers using Cloud Code and AI, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. The tool's flexibility and customization options make it suitable for various roles and project management needs. Pricing Model Lauri explains the current pricing model for Operating, which is $22 per person per month for the full module and $11-$13 for individual modules. The tool is designed to be more affordable than enterprise competitors, making it a scalable solution for growing consulting firms. Lauri provides information on how interested parties can start a free trial or book a demo on the Operating website. Timestamps: 0:02: Introduction and Overview of Operating App 02:44: Features and Functionality of Operating 06:39: Detailed Walkthrough of Operating Dashboard 08:15: Integration with CRMs and AI Tools 13:39: Client Segment and Implementation 18:26: End-to-End Project Management in Operating 26:03: AI Integration and Customization 27:57: Pricing and Availability Links: Operating Website: https://www.operating.app/ MCP Server (Use directly in Claude, ChatGPT...): https://www.operating.app/blog-posts/ai-consulting-mcp-server Lauri's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eurenl/ This episode on Umbrex: Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.