When I started this journey, scaling the business seemed like the most daunting task. I had a core group of amazing, established clients and a decade-plus track record of winning business, delivering the work, and running the company. The one thing missing from this operational model was the ability to scale the volume of work and the staff needed to support it.
Our firm recently went through a hiring process for a new member of the team and sifted through more than 100 applicants to find the person with the best combination of skills, experience, and cultural fit. While AI and finding high-performing talent seem to be on the tip of most founders’ tongues, one item that is rarely discussed is how to best integrate them into your organization. Once new team members come aboard, how do we successfully onboard them into the firm?
The end of every year is always a natural time for reflection, with an eye toward the future. This year, there is a lot to reflect on, and I’m doing so with a lot of gratitude for my family, friends, team, clients, mentors, and everyone else in my orbit who has been part of this journey.
Over the last year, I’ve spent a good amount of time thinking about my leadership style. Essentially what kind of boss I want to be to attract, build, and empower the right team to succeed.
AI is moving fast, and for many organizations, the challenge isn't recognizing its potential; it's knowing where to start. From privacy concerns to constant platform updates, the path to adoption can feel overwhelming. In this column, I share the practical principles and strategies our team at Calkin Public Affairs is using to focus on what matters, unlock efficiency, and embrace AI while maintaining the human expertise that drives real results. Surprise! (And spoiler alert – there will be more surprises to come!)
Verdict: Surprise! (And spoiler alert – there will be more surprises to come!)
In just two days, the front runner to lead the world’s fourth largest economy became unemployed, maybe divorced, and possibly facing criminal charges. I ripped up the donation check sitting on my desk. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the victims who told their story in time to make a difference and prevented Swalwell from succeeding. I can't imagine how hard it was for them to come forward.
The governor’s race in California is deeply unsettled. It has also been deeply unsettling for the many folks who care deeply about who our next Governor will be, since as of this writing, we are roughly a month from the primary election and there is no unequivocal frontrunner. That is unprecedented for this state.
