AI + you: BFFs in delivering exceptional experiences

A journey through the changing landscape of design in the time of AI. We will look at what AI will do for our industry and how designers can navigate by leveling up and evolving our skillsets. We will see some examples of how we can build AI to work in harmony with design and help us build amazing products in the future.

Welcome to "How to 'Business': Speaking the Stakeholder Language." As designers, it's not just about making things look pretty anymore—we need to show the real business impact of our work. This chat is all about breaking down how we can prove the ROI and value of design in terms everyone in the boardroom will understand. We'll explore practical ways to express the financial and strategic benefits of design, turning us from mere creators into crucial business influencers. Ready to get savvy about connecting design success with business outcomes? Let's dive in!

In this interactive session, we'll dive into the core principles of Product-Led Growth (PLG) and explore how successful products leverage network effects and key product loops to drive exponential user growth and retention. We'll discuss how PLG shifts the traditional marketing-driven growth strategies to a product-first approach, where the product itself is the main driver of acquisition, expansion, and retention. By the end of this session, participants will have a solid understanding of how to apply PLG strategies in their own products, harnessing network effects and designing effective product loops to drive sustainable growth.

Times are a-changin' for the modern job seekers, people managers, and leaders across all industries and stages of their careers, where confronting the storms of change and complexity are now a regular occurrence rather than the rare occasion and exception. Those who can embody and embrace their inner "chaos pilots" will be the ones who can navigate their way through the waves of uncertainty and unclarity--not just for themselves in their own careers, but also to help shape the work and professional growth of others as people managers, mentors, and leaders to help them thrive even in the midst of challenges. From Kim's early career experiences pivoting from legal and corporate affairs to PR SaaS/tech and marketing consulting; to building and launching multimillion-dollar, go-to-market strategies in new territories and expansion markets for highly-regulated organizations and entities across the U.S. and globally, Kim will share real-life career and leadership stories "from the trenches" that anyone can apply regardless of industry, job title, or level. As a former psychology major, Kim is also passionate about tapping into the human potential through the science of neuropsychological behaviors and mindsets from a multi-disciplinary perspective, especially in the age of AI and automation--including applying the business theory of Blue Ocean strategy in a tough job market, unstable economic conditions, and a turbulent election year that seems to be increasingly at odds against our individual and collective successes, as well as leveraging philosophical, cultural concepts such as kintsugi for career satisfaction, leadership innovation, and deep personal/professional transformation.