Jim Lefevere's Linkedin Analytics

Microsoft released their Work Trend Index Annual Report earlier this week. I think there are some interesting highlights, although I am bit skeptical on some of the adoption numbers they have shared. 1. The “Frontier Firm” playbook is now real, not theoretical. Microsoft finds 24 % of companies have already deployed AI org‑wide, and 82 % of leaders plan to integrate autonomous agents within 12‑18 months—shifting AI from assistant to digital co‑worker and forcing a new org design grounded in human‑agent teams. My POV: I find 24% hard to believe. This may be misleading if MSFT counts auto-installing CoPilot on desktops for low or no cost. No, I do not want Copilot to re-write my sentence. 2. A widening “capacity gap” is driving urgency. 53 % of leaders say productivity must rise, yet 80 % of all workers feel time‑ or energy‑starved. AI is framed as the only scalable lever: leaders rank “upskilling” (47 %) and “expanding capacity with digital labor” (45 %) as the top two workforce moves for the next year. My POV: "Expanding capacity with digital labor" is an interesting positioning for AI. It's a tool. Like a tractor for a farmer, it helps make the work go more efficiently, but it's still work. 3. Every knowledge worker is on a path to become an “agent boss.” Within five years leaders expect their teams to build multi‑agent systems (42 %), train agents (41 %), and manage them (36 %). Yet only 40 % of employees are even familiar with agents today—a looming skills cliff. My POV: Likely and yes the skills cliff is not looming, it's already here. Other Insights: 1. Org‑chart shake‑up will start in marketing, customer success, and product. Frontier‑Firm staff already use AI for marketing tasks 73 % of the time (vs 55 % globally) and for customer success 66 % (vs 44 %). These functions have the data breadth and tolerance for experimentation that suit early agent automation. My POV: Agreed, but it's not moving very fast in pharma, life sciences and biotech. 2. The US trails AsPac My POV: Again, not surprised. Check it out for yourself: https://lnkd.in/eeXJzz-6 And let's see if this post is penalized for including an outside link to a...MSFT study. #AILeadership #OrganizationDesign #Upskilling #ProductivityInsights #HybridWork

🤖 Why Leaders Who Embrace Tech Are the Ones Who Win The future is here, and it’s powered by technology. Whether it’s AI, automation, or data analytics, being an early adopter is an advantage. I would suggest whether it's on a personal basis or through more formal business paths to always be an early adopter of technology and to know and understand it. Here’s why aligning with new tech matters: 1️⃣ It positions you as a leader. Being the go-to person for emerging tools builds influence. 2️⃣ It future-proofs your career. Staying ahead of the curve ensures you remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. 3️⃣ It drives innovation. New technologies open doors to ideas and solutions you couldn’t have imagined before. I am always looking for the influencers I can learn from because there is always going to be someone earlier than you - those are the people to learn from. Invest in learning one new tool or technology this quarter. Whether it’s AI-driven analytics or a new project management platform, small steps add up. In this case, I would focus on AI and how it can impact your work, your company, and your industry. As the old saying goes, it's better to be on the wave than crashed underneath it. 💡 How are you integrating new technologies into your work? #Innovation #EmergingTech #LeadershipTrends #AIAdoption

Ever wish your team could access and borrow a Big‑Four consultancy’s playbook and slide vault—without the six‑figure invoice? Need access to frameworks, strategy guides, playbooks and templates to level up a project you're working on or upskill your team? I did too, until I came across DemandMetric. Their toolkit library is a strategy vault: proven frameworks, step‑by‑step guides, even customizable slide templates. I wish I had known about this 10 years ago. If you work in a corporate environment, their tools can make you and your team look like rock stars. The pricing feels almost unfair relative to the treasure trove of content you get access to. If you want an intro to the DemandMetric team, DM me. #growthstrategy #demandmetric #marketingtools #marketingops

McKinsey released a report over the weekend looking at AI across top industries. The results are not necessarily surprising, but confirm what is being seen and felt. Here are a few takeaways: 1. While generative AI (gen AI) is widely used in marketing and sales, its application in other functions varies by industry. Organizations are deploying AI where it can generate the most value. 2. FinTech is ahead of Life Sciences (again). This is a familiar sight for those around during the early years of digital transformations. Financial institutions are focusing on improving their governance of gen AI, recognizing the importance of establishing robust frameworks to manage AI deployment effectively. 3. The life sciences industry is rapidly integrating gen AI into its processes, recognizing its potential to drive innovation and improve outcomes. 4. Function-Specific AI Deployment: Organizations are not adopting AI uniformly across all functions. Instead, they strategically implement AI in areas where it can deliver the most value, indicating a targeted approach to AI integration. 5. Governance as a Competitive Advantage: Industries like financial services are not just adopting AI but are also focusing on governance structures, suggesting that effective AI management is becoming a differentiator in the market. #LifeSciences #HealthcareInnovation #PharmaInnovation #GenerativeAI #DigitalTransformation

There are early signals of consolidation and streamlining tech stacks with this news from Takeda. Axonal.AI can deliver an embeddable intelligence layer into existing tech stacks so you don't have to go through the time and expense of ripping out old infrastructure to leverage the power of agentic AI. If you're looking for a IT friendly, embeddable intelligence layer that can co-exist with other tools, Axonal.AI is where the conversation should start. #AIinpharma #Commercial #pharmamarketing

From Complexity to Clarity In big companies, complexity is the cost of scale. In startups, it’s the enemy of progress. What’s helped me most in working across both? Knowing when to simplify—and when not to. Sometimes the best thing you can do for an early-stage team is to bring just enough structure to cut through the noise. Not to slow them down, but to help them go faster without redoing it all later. That balance between clarity and speed is where real growth starts, and it can be very hard to find and master. Keep going... #BuilderStrategist #StartupClarity #GlobalToGroundLevel #PracticalExecution #StrategicThinking

The key to moving fast and providing excellent work is finding partners you can trust. For me, that has been DemandMetric. Their KPI scorecards, risk registers, and milestone trackers slot together like LEGO, so you can move from whiteboard scribbles to investor‑grade storytelling fast. When your credibility rides on the next slide, speed AND rigor matter. DemandMetric quietly powers the strategic decks behind more than 2,000 growth‑oriented companies; now I won’t build a plan without checking their vault first. If you want an intro to the team, DM me. #growthstrategy #demandmetric #diyconsulting #marketingplanning

Connecting the Dots Before They’re Obvious The real advantage isn’t just spotting trends. It’s connecting the ones no one else sees coming together yet. Here’s what I’m thinking about lately: AI Agents specifically trained for early-stage work such as market research, segmentation, basic prototyping — could help startups move from idea to MVP in weeks, not months. Microfunding models are starting to break the old venture capital playbook — smaller, faster checks for sharper experiments, not just huge rounds for polished decks. Put them together? Startups could build, test, and pivot before traditional funding cycles even catch up. It’s not just faster execution. It’s a whole new paradigm — and companies that can connect these dots early will move too fast for the old models to keep up. The future isn’t just about moving faster. It’s about thinking differently about how fast you can afford to move. #SystemsThinking #StartupStrategy #AgenticAI #Microfunding #StrategicAgility #BuilderOfMomentum

Some great analysis from Larry Mickelberg on value from AI. I also think implementing AI is considered one of the following: 1. A job wrecker For pharma, life sciences, and biotech, AI requires a human in the loop (HITL), and frankly, that's the right thing to do in general and especially for regulated organizations. 2. Complex and expensive AI does not have to be complex and expensive. It can be low-cost and embedded into existing tech stacks and does not require a lengthy and high-cost integration in most instances. 3. Requires a heavy lift to train people Axonal.AI does not require weeks of training. With some basic prompting, you can get high-quality results.

The Fractional Exec’s Cheat Sheet With so many people moving into fractional and project-based work, one of the biggest challenges I had before taking the plunge was being able to find proven frameworks, methodologies and being able to deliver high-quality deliverables as the big consultants. The single biggest challenge to the work is that people want to see proof of your abilities BEFORE they hire you. Throughout my career, I’ve built strategy decks from scratch more times than I can count. In past lives, the preparation for a presentation to the LT would take 3-4 weeks to create and fine tune for 10 slides and 30 minutes. I honestly laugh at the inefficiency of that now. I now have full confidence that, with my 25 years of experience, the ability to do deep research, and DemandMetric’s DIY consulting platform that there is not a business challenge that can't be solved quickly and compares to big 4 consulting methodology and deliverables. The secret? Demand Metrics 1,000+ battle‑tested templates vetted by practitioners, not theorists. It feels like an unfair advantage. If you have recently gone out on your own as a sales or marketing consultant or are a fractional executive you should do yourself a favor and check it out. If you want an intro to the Demand Metric team, let me know. #fractionalexecutive #demandmetric #marketingstrategy #consultinglife

Part 2 of my thoughts on the Central Indiana Innovation Ecosystem. We are the Crossroads of America, and ironically, I think the region is at its innovation crossroads. The stakes are rising: ⚠️ NIH funding cuts looming ⚠️ New players entering the market ⚠️ Other regions are organizing faster and smarter In this follow-up to my original article, I share what I’ve learned, what’s at risk, and why the answer might be hiding in plain sight. #IndianaInnovation #HealthTech #EcosystemLeadership

Keep Pushing Some days, it feels like you’re pushing the same boulder up the same hill. You see where the industry is going. You spot the patterns before they’re patterns. You connect dots no one’s ready to acknowledge yet. And still, you have to explain it. Re-explain it. Wait for others to catch up...wait some more. It’s not glamorous. It’s not fast. It’s not for everyone. But you keep building anyway. Because someone has to move the next thing forward. It’s not ego. It’s wiring. And if that’s you, just know this: -You’re not crazy. -You’re early. Keep going. #BuilderMindset #PatternRecognition #StrategicPatience #EarlyMover #QuietLeaders #RealWork

From Global Strategy to Ground-Level Execution... I used to shape multi-country and regional strategies. -Systems Thinking -Enterprise Thinking -Target Operating Models -Flexible Frameworks -Alignment Now I help pre-revenue and seed-stage startups figure out their next five moves. It’s a much different pace, but I am using the same muscles. You still need to think in systems. You still need to know what matters now and what can wait. What changes? There is no room for complexity that doesn’t drive action. There is no patience for theory without traction. What are the next best actions...today? That kind of agility sharpens your thinking. And if you’ve worked in both worlds, you know how to bring just enough structure to move without getting stuck. #StartupExecution #EnterpriseStrategy #BuilderOfMomentum #FractionalExec #PracticalStrategy

The Right Wiring for the Right Work Some people are wired to build what's next, not manage what's already there. In fast-moving environments, especially early-stage companies, there isn’t time for endless meetings or perfect conditions. You need people who: Spot patterns early. Build systems that don't just work today, but flex tomorrow. Ask the questions that save you from weeks or months of wasted effort. That kind of wiring can feel "too fast" or "too intense" in the wrong environments. But in the right ones? It’s the edge that gets you to traction faster—and keeps you moving when others stall out. If you’re building something new and need people who think like builders, not maintainers—those instincts aren't a risk. They can be your biggest advantage. #StartupGrowth #BuilderMindset #StrategicExecution #LeadershipEdge #EarlyStageSuccess #FractionalLeadership

Since leaving my last company and a global role and spending time getting connected in my backyard, I have some thoughts on the Central Indiana ecosystem. Indiana doesn’t just need accelerators. It needs a few ingredients and a talent flywheel that spins opportunity from undergrad to exit. Full thoughts below. #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #InnovationEcosystem #Founders #MicroFunding #IndianaInnovation #MidwestStartups #HeartlandInnovation #Indianapolis #FlyoverFuture #FederatedLearning #AIInfrastructure #RealWorldEvidence #DataDrivenInnovation #AIForGood

High performers often become invisible. Until they leave. Here’s something I’ve learned: when you consistently deliver, people stop checking in. -They assume you’ve got it. -They stop asking if you're stretched too thin or if you’re still motivated by the mission. -They confuse competency with contentment. Most high performers don’t burn out because of the work. They burn out because of misalignment, underutilization, or lack of recognition. If you’re in a leadership role, look around. That person who “has it all under control?" Your "go-to," they might be the one quietly building their exit strategy. A good leader has the pulse of their team at a minimum every week. Check in before you lose the people you can’t afford to lose. #LeadershipTruths #ExecutivePresence #RetentionMatters #HighPerformers #OrganizationalHealth #LeadershipWisdom

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too intense,” “too fast,” or “too strategic,” you’re not alone. I have been lucky enough to find roles and opportunities that allowed me to lead and drive change. However, there have been times when that was not the case. Some people are wired to build, then rebuild. To zoom out, then dive in. To ask “what’s next?” while others are still figuring out what happened. That’s not a flaw. That’s your edge. The key is finding an environment (or building one) that doesn’t try to tamp it down. If you’re wired that way too, let’s connect. Builders recognize each other. #LeadershipTruths #HighPerformers #BuilderNotMaintainer #ExecutiveEdge #FractionalLeadership #ClarityOverChaos