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PODCAST

Creative Ops Compass

In Focus Consulting

Creative Ops Compass explores the operational challenges that cost in-house creative teams time, money, and strategic influence. Each episode digs into a specific problem, from stakeholder misalignment to capacity planning to proving ROI, and delivers practical solutions drawn from real teams at large organizations. Hosted by Jesse Krinsky, founder of In Focus Consulting and a creative operations consultant with 20 years of experience leading and advising creative teams at companies like Thermo

business marketing

All Episodes

00:26:47

Stop Taking Orders, Start Asking Questions:...

Creative Ops Compass ·

2026/02/24

Bill Shander, author of Stakeholder Whispering, explains how to shift from reactive execution to strategic partnership by uncovering what stakeholders actually need before starting work. He shares the Socratic method for guiding conversations without creating defensiveness, why bringing external expertise (not just creative talent) builds credibility with business stakeholders, and what CMOs can implement tomorrow to build cultures where strategic thinking becomes the default.About the GuestBill

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00:26:26

What Going In-House Taught Me About Stakeholders -...

Creative Ops Compass ·

2026/02/10

Why do creatives assume stakeholders don't care about good work, while stakeholders assume creatives are precious artists who can't handle feedback? That fundamental misunderstanding damages relationships, undermines creative quality, and keeps teams stuck in reactive, order-taking mode.In this episode, Jen Perry, Executive Creative Director at Vagrants, shares what she learned by doing something most creatives never do: going in-house, then returning to the agency world. That dual perspective gave

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00:19:31

How To Bridge the IT-Creative Divide and Get the...

Creative Ops Compass ·

2026/01/26

Why do some in-house creative teams thrive while others get caught in an endless cycle of being brought in-house, then outsourced, then rebuilt, then eliminated again?In this episode, Lisa M. Watts, CEO and Founder of CREE8, explains why infrastructure designed for velocity looks completely different than infrastructure designed for cost control. She shares practical frameworks for reframing conversations with IT departments, scaling distributed teams securely, and proving strategic value through

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00:23:16

How To Make DAM Management Actually Work with Phil...

Creative Ops Compass ·

2026/01/07

Why do some DAM implementations transform how teams work while others become expensive digital filing cabinets that nobody trusts?In this episode, Phil Seibel of Aldis Systems explains why the platform is never the problem. The real difference between owning a DAM and having an effective DAM system comes down to governance, resourcing, and understanding your team's actual workflows. Phil shares practical frameworks for planning DAM implementation, avoiding the side project trap, and building systems

en

00:08:36

Why Your Failed Creative Ops Initiative Deserves a...

Creative Ops Compass ·

2025/12/18

We've all heard the quote about insanity being "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." It's often attributed to Einstein, which makes it feel like scientific fact. But it's complete nonsense.In this minisode, Jesse challenges this widely misquoted phrase and explores why in-house creative teams give up too easily on initiatives that failed once. From DAM system proposals to strategic positioning efforts, creative leaders often let one "no" define the future. But

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00:24:51

Setting the Stage: In-House Studios with Lauren Jensen

Creative Ops Compass ·

2025/12/02

Most creative leaders think asking for a smaller budget will help them get approval for a studio. They're wrong. In this episode, Lauren Jensen of Provost Studio explains why that approach backfires, and shares the frameworks she uses to help in-house teams navigate the complex process of winning studio approval. From deciding whether to build in the first place through execution and beyond, Lauren reveals why this is fundamentally a transformation project about people and relationships, not

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00:25:06

Embracing Risk with Tim Bradley

Creative Ops Compass ·

2025/11/19

Jesse speaks with Tim Bradley, founder of Pennant Video, about why in-house creative teams tend to play it safe and what that caution costs them over time. Tim shares insights from running a video agency that collaborates regularly with internal teams, revealing the dynamics that keep teams stuck in risk-averse patterns and the practical steps leaders can take to break the cycle.About the GuestTim Bradley is the founder of Pennant Video, a mid-funnel focused video agency specializing in the critical

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00:10:48

The Great Mandate Debate

Creative Ops Compass ·

2025/10/30

In this solo episode, Jesse tackles a question that comes up constantly with in-house creative teams: should there be a mandate requiring stakeholders to work with you instead of external agencies? Jesse shares his honest perspective on why mandates often backfire, when they might actually make sense, and what it takes to build a team that stakeholders choose to work with rather than one they're forced to use.Key Topics DiscussedWhy mandates can signal weakness and create the perception that your

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00:21:27

Navigating Change with Priya Shah

Creative Ops Compass ·

2025/10/23

In this episode, Jesse speaks with Priya Shah, CEO and founder of Shah Squared Consulting, about one of the most frustrating challenges for in-house creative teams: getting process improvements to actually stick after implementation.Priya brings over 15 years of experience helping global companies, startups, and mission-driven organizations enhance their social media presence and operations. In this conversation, she shares hard-won insights about why implementations fail, how to get real

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00:22:30

Building Agency Partnerships with Joel Kaplan

Creative Ops Compass ·

2025/10/23

Jesse speaks with Joel Kaplan, founder of MK3 Creative, about how in-house creative teams can build stronger, more productive relationships with external agencies. Joel shares nearly 30 years of insights from the agency side, revealing what separates one-off projects from long-term partnerships and how better communication in the intake process saves both time and money for everyone involved.About the GuestJoel Kaplan is the founder of MK3 Creative, a Boston area creative agency with nearly three

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00:00:59

Trailer

Creative Ops Compass ·

2025/08/06

Welcome to the Creative Ops Compass podcast!

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11 results

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