Margaret Smith

As some may know, I've been on leave for several months to spend time with my family while my mom battled multiple myeloma that had stopped responding to treatments. She died on December 18th. Thank you to Accenture and my colleagues for making it possible for me to be with my family. I'm incredibly grateful for the support and compassion. I look forward to returning to work on Monday and returning to posting about infrastructure and capital projects, but before I do, I'd like to be human and share just a little bit about how impactful my mom was to me. Amongst many other things, she taught me: - to be well researched and to question deeply  - toughness often wins - that “they” might have a lot to say, but I ultimately know best for myself - it’s ok to have deep and powerful emotions  - it was ok to be exceptional  - talking with intention and compassion can solve pretty much anything no matter how hard  - things will always look better in the morning - how to fight for what I believe in - if you want a vision to become reality you have to take action, even if you’re scared to start - it’s important to make peace with what other people did or didn’t do to you - the joy of making and listening to music  - to be proud of who I am  - how to listen to animals and understand what they’re communicating  - that there is nothing better than a hug from mom  - how to navigate migraines and to listen to my body better to avoid them - the importance of drinking water  - that my siblings will be my lifelong best friends  - sometimes when people grow, things don’t align as well as they might have before  - to love reading - to be curious  - that salt goes a long way to elevating the enjoyment in food - it’s ok to be more sensitive than others  - it’s ok to cry - you can make every house better than what it is when you buy it  - to appreciate the stars - to seek quiet  - the beauty of the sky and how enjoyable watching clouds and lightning can be  - to respect the power of nature  - the right way to string lights on a Christmas tree. No dark spots allowed  - to always dream  - that art and beauty can recharge and rejuvenate you  - how to paint houses  - how to lay flagstone patios - how to plant plants  - you have to eat everything in a handful of trail mix, not just pick out what you like - carob sucks and should never be described as being like chocolate  - to have high expectations of myself and others  - how to take time to open gifts  - how to not take myself too seriously  - about dangling participles  - to protect my skin from the sun and she taught me that cancer can destroy anyone, no matter how healthy, no matter how strong. ❤️ RIP Ma https://lnkd.in/grga4Gk6

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Join myself and my esteemed colleagues (and friends) for an exclusive live "Ask Us Anything" session on Leveraging Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) to Identify and Address Chronic Talent Shortages. Get ready to dive deep into strategies and real-world examples that will transform your approach to talent management. 🔗 Registration: https://lnkd.in/gbnNr8iw Speakers: - Nick Kennedy - Alicia Roach - Adam Gibson Topics We'll Cover: 🔍 Identifying and Analysing Talent Gaps: - Techniques for conducting a thorough talent gap analysis. - Using data to forecast future talent shortages in critical roles. - Case studies of organizations effectively identifying and addressing talent gaps. - Tools for ongoing monitoring and assessment of talent needs. 🚀 Developing Robust Talent Pipelines: - Strategies for building and maintaining a strong talent pipeline. - Collaborations with educational institutions and industry associations to source talent. - Internships, apprenticeships, and other early-career programs as pipeline feeders. - Leveraging employee referrals and networks to attract top talent. 🌱 Enhancing Retention and Employee Development: - Implementing effective retention strategies to minimize turnover. - Career development programs and succession planning to grow internal talent. - Creating a culture of continuous learning and development. Don’t miss this opportunity to interact with experts and get your questions answered on how to effectively manage talent shortages and develop a resilient workforce strategy. 📅 1 August 2024 ⏰ 07:00-08:00 BST 🔗 Registration: https://lnkd.in/gbnNr8iw Prepare your questions and join us for an insightful session that promises to equip you with the knowledge and tools to elevate your workforce planning strategies. See you there! #AskUsAnything #StrategicWorkforcePlanning #TalentManagement #SWP #TalentPipeline #EmployeeDevelopment #RetentionStrategies

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Are you interested in what others are thinking about executive pay in 2025? If yes, then check out the latest report from our team at Pearl Meyer

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Big thanks to the incredible team at NBCU Advertising & Partnerships for sitting down with Bose Corporation CMO Jim Mollica and me to discuss the transformative strategies and insights that are driving the future of Sound, Bose, Music, and Marketing.   While technology sparks innovation, it’s the human touch that defines its true potential. Our Accenture Song partnership with Bose is exemplifying this, as we continue to leverage tools like gen AI to push creative boundaries, deliver personalized customer experiences, and maintain brand momentum across every stage of the buyer journey. For me, one of the most exciting parts about working with a brand like Bose is not just what’s going on within their ecosystem, but also the new AI tools powering creativity for musicians and artists to deliver the music that their fans love.   Catch the full interview here to learn how Accenture and Bose are navigating the evolving marketing landscape and setting new industry standards. https://lnkd.in/gYVt62Hc Chetna Khemka, Cara Quigley,Sean Lyons, Baiju Shah, Laura Peterson #CMONOW #CannesLions2024

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Institutional change is taking a more “ direct” approach. The recent shake-ups at Disney and other big players prove that activist shareholders are a force to be reckoned with. It's all about recognizing where improvements are needed and working together, even if it gets a little heated. The success stories at GE and Procter & Gamble show that when management and activists team up, big changes can happen. It's like turning lemons into lemonade—leadership agility and teamwork make all the difference in turning challenges into growth opportunities. If we want need to make significant change happen quickly we must be willing take on different demons in different ways. #leadershipagility #changeprogress

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Transformations with a human-centered approach can more than double success rates. My colleagues, Errol Gardner and Liz Fealy highlight how prioritizing emotional support, clear vision, and leadership collaboration are all key to driving sustainable change.

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Strategic planning is evolving—are you keeping up? Join Kathryn Clubb, CEO of BTS North America, and Alexandra Amsden as they explore how co-created strategies lead to greater resilience and adaptability. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to make strategy personal and actionable. #StrategyMadePersonal #Leadership #Culture #ChangeManagement

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Foster resilience amidst ever growing disruptive events and crisis scenarios Disruptions are now a matter of “when” not “if” in a dynamic and connected world. The increase in catastrophic events driven by factors such as the weather, pandemics, political/social unrest, cyber threats, and non/nation state conflict means that organizations should expect to face a crisis. The experience and resources required to develop a technical and organizational wide crisis management program can be daunting. Find out more to navigate inevitable incidents with greater preparation, speed, and collaboration to maintain mission continuity and reduce impact in times of crisis. https://lnkd.in/gaJaVQuj #JTMS #DoD #SDDC #Helene #AirMobilityCommand #MilitarySealiftCommand #Crisis #Continunity #COOP #MissionImpacts #Planning #Response #Digitilization #Cyber #CyberSecurity #Defense #PowerProjection #NaturalDisaster

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Completely agree, Heather Stockton - the emphasis on choosing yourself resonates deeply with our values at Deloitte. Achieving a sustainable #WorkLifeBalance is key to driving both personal and professional growth. I believe creating an environment where prioritising well-being is a strength, not a limitation. https://deloi.tt/3ATPO7x #Leadership #EmployeeWellbeing 

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CEOs across an array of sectors gathered recently to discuss AI, geopolitical risks, high interest rates, sustainability, and other global disruptions to their business. My colleague David Michels breaks down six key trends top of mind for these executives in his latest Forbes blog. https://dy.si/Dfu6gd2

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I’m excited to share PwC’s first ever Workforce Radar Report that I've been "nerding out" over lately. The report includes research of companies, clients and data across the PwC network, including perspectives from more than 18,000 employees, 2,600 business leaders and 1,300 HR leaders. Whether you've begun a #workforce #transformation already or aren't quite there yet, now is the time to dive in to discover levers you can act on in the next few years to drive business outcomes. Check it out!

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How to succeed in #sustainability? focus on the work that is most impactful!

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Join this virtual roundtable, along with our expert analysts and your #GBS peers, for a collaborative discussion on how GBS teams are adapting to acquire next-gen skills, including: 👉Evaluating future skill requirements/needs in GBS organizations and current skill gaps in the market 👉Implementing targeted programs to upskill/reskill their workforce in next-gen technologies 👉Understanding the role of technology in learning and development 👉Assessing the scope of partnerships with industry/academia in niche skill capability building Request to attend: https://okt.to/PnSJIK

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As you all know, I am passionate about employee experience and this research will move the needle on that important component......By integrating innovations in #Data, #AI and #BehavioralScience into your change programs, you can create better employee experiences, achieve higher market returns, and achieve faster outcomes.  Our new blueprint for continuous, meaningful, successful change identifies the six capabilities that set organizations apart.  Check out our latest research, co-authored by Karalee Close and Jack Azagury https://lnkd.in/gdV_ddu3 Tim Good Yaarit Silverstone Gastón Carrión Allison Horn Michael Benyamin Eric Pliner Elena Pienkowski Jessica Van Singel Paul Jeruchimowitz

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As we navigate through rapid changes in the workplace, from shifts in technology to global volatility, the demand for #Leadership that can empathetically and proactively guide their teams has never been higher. This article highlights why embracing these leadership qualities is more than a good practice—it's a business strategy necessary for success. Embracing both proactive and empathetic leadership not only drives performance but also significantly enhances employee morale and engagement. The article delves into effective strategies that organizations can leverage: https://lnkd.in/eGj6cx_U

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Great #leadership takeaways here from Raymond Watt, Global Chairman of YPO. I've worked with Raymond on many projects, and his approach continues to inspire! Raymond demonstrates that honesty, #community, and lifelong learning are key to success. By embracing vulnerabilities and seeking support, leaders can create stronger, more impactful organizations. https://lnkd.in/gzQjCBKg #LifelongLearning

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Equitable access to high-quality education is foundational to breaking systemic barriers and, for that reason, is a key focus area of the purpose work we’re focused on at Deloitte. As we approach back-to-school season, I want to share some incredible work behind UnboundEd’s merger with Pivot Learning and its transformative impact on improving instruction in school districts, especially for racially and ethnically diverse students. It’s a story of meaningful collaboration in so many ways: our Monitor Institute, with its deep understanding of social impact-focused organizations, and Deloitte’s commercial M&A practice combining forces on a pro bono basis to support bringing these two organizations together. And UnboundEd and Pivot Learning themselves, serving as an example of amplified impact through collaboration. As a result of the merger, the new integrated UnboundEd is now the largest K-12 educator development organization in the United States—helping to make their equity-centered approach one of the strongest forces in the industry. Read more about their story: https://deloi.tt/3yLyq43

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My friend and colleague Laura Shact and I recently shared our perspectives with InformationWeek on keeping the essential role of humans at the center when designing and deploying AI solutions. The article features research from Deloitte's 2024 Human Capital Trends report to help organizations navigate the tricky (but critically important) goal of ensuring AI programs are creating a mix of business and human outcomes. Check it out and let us know what you think! https://lnkd.in/gymrvRQN

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