Latest news with #SarahEdwards
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arthur D. Little Signs Five-Year Renewal with Kantata to Power Global Business Transformation
Longtime Kantata customer deepens commitment to Kantata's Salesforce-native solution to support global scale and operational excellence IRVINE, Calif. & LONDON, August 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kantata, the leading provider of professional services automation (PSA) solutions, today announced a five-year renewal agreement with Arthur D. Little (ADL), the world's first management consulting firm. The expanded relationship underscores ADL's continued focus on operational excellence, digital transformation, and global growth. A Kantata customer since 2017, ADL recently concluded a competitive RFI process and chose to reaffirm its commitment to the Kantata platform. The decision reflects the firm's strategic shift toward centralized operations, automation, and data-driven decision-making. As a pure play, partner-led management consultancy with a 135-year legacy, ADL is accelerating its operational transformation journey — one in which Kantata plays an important enabling role. "As we continue to drive innovation and scale globally, we are focused on adopting technologies that support automation and standardization across the business," said Frederic Duval, General Manager at ADL. "Kantata contributes to our overall transformation by helping streamline key processes and improve operational responsiveness." Driven to implement tools that fully reflect the firm's evolving needs, ADL has adopted Kantata as a key component of its broader digital infrastructure to help simplify operations and enable smarter ways of working. The company expects to continue unlocking a range of strategic benefits, including: Operational Efficiency and Automation at Scale – Centralized operations and increased automation are streamlining complex workflows and freeing up resources to focus more on client value. Smarter Resource and Financial Management – Faster, more responsive staffing processes and improved period closing automation are enhancing financial control and supporting better business alignment. Data-Driven Insights for Forecasting and Decision Making – Kantata supports ADL in strengthening forecasting accuracy and enabling smarter, insight-led decisions that help drive performance and ROI. "ADL's renewal highlights the value Kantata's Salesforce-native solution delivers—replacing complexity with clarity and enabling smarter, more scalable operations," said Sarah Edwards, Chief Product Officer at Kantata. "We're proud to support their transformation with purpose-built innovation that drives efficiency, automation, and better decision-making." "Our vision for technology is centered on scale, speed, and global consistency," said Jon Nicholls, CIO at ADL. "Kantata contributes to this by helping us improve productivity today and laying a foundation for leveraging future innovations in automation and AI." As ADL advances an ambitious growth agenda, the firm is committed to building a digital backbone that enables global cohesion, smarter resourcing, and real-time visibility. Kantata's purpose-built platform for professional services organizations is helping ADL achieve exactly that. About Arthur D. Little Arthur D. Little is the world's first management consulting firm, with a 135-year legacy of helping companies innovate, transform, and lead in their industries. With a partner-driven model and a presence in over 40 countries, ADL is known for combining deep industry expertise with forward-thinking strategies that drive sustainable business impact. About Kantata Kantata takes professional services automation to a new level, giving people-powered businesses the clarity, control, and confidence they need to optimize resource planning and elevate operational performance. Our purpose-built cloud software is helping over 1,500 professional services organizations in more than 100 countries focus and optimize their most important asset: their people. With Kantata, PS firms gain access to the information and tools they need to win more business, ensure the right people are always available at the right time, and delight clients with project delivery and outcomes. To learn more, visit View source version on Contacts Media ContactJen Dodos for
Leader Live
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Wrexham care home residents make decorations for Eisteddfod
With just days to go before the National Eisteddfod arrives in the city, art club members from Pendine Park's Bryn Bella home have created colourful giant heart decorations and 50 metres of bunting. Their handmade work will help decorate the entrance to the Maes at Is-y-coed, where the festival will take place from August 2 to 9. Mario Kreft MBE, owner of Pendine Park, said: "Wrexham is rightly proud to be the host of this year's National Eisteddfod and we are equally proud to be supporting the event. "It is one of the biggest cultural festivals in the world and all eyes will definitely be on Wrexham in August. "It's fantastic to think that the decorations made by our brilliant amateur artists at Bryn Bella will be adding even more joy to the occasion. "Well done to them all." Tony Ithell putting finishing touches on the giant heart centrepiece with Artist in Residence Sarah Edwards (Image: Rick Matthews) Pendine Park is marking its 40th anniversary this year and is sponsoring one of the main choir competitions at the Eisteddfod. The decorations are part of the care organisation's wider support for the event. Great work from Lynn Kelly (Image: Rick Matthews) Sarah Edwards, Pendine Park's consultant artist in residence, led the workshops where residents crafted the bunting and decorations featuring heart motifs and the word Croeso. She said: "Our residents have themselves made about 20 metres of bunting and we've also had some fabric bunting made by our soft furnishing team. "I designed the main pattern and our art club enthusiasts have added their own individual touches to them." Artist in residence Sarah Edwards having a laugh with resident Wendy Powell during the session (Image: Rick Matthews) Resident Tony Ithell contributed two large heart decorations. Mr Ithell said: "I started by painting the white background first then overlaying the colours onto it. "It's taken me about four days in all, but it's been worth it." Mark Cartwright puts the finishing touches to a dragon (Rick Matthews)Each heart is around three feet tall and will be displayed at the entrance to the festival. Ms Edwards praised the effort and creativity shown by residents and activity coordinators. She said: "They have worked really hard on this, as we all determined to give the National Eisteddfod visitors a really big welcome to our home turf." The bunting includes simple designs with green-outlined hearts and red centres on a white background. Carole Ball, a resident and keen artist, said: "It's a simple design but it's surprisingly effective." Gareth Bellis pleased with his bunting creations. (Image: Rick Matthews) She also contributed a traditional Welsh dragon design. Ms Ball said: "We've naturally been using a lot of red, green and white in our paintings as those are the national colours of Wales. "It's always good to know that our artwork will go on show and be seen by the wider public." READ MORE: Lesley Griffiths MS for Wrexham looks ahead to the National Eisteddfod Other residents, including George Ullman and Wendy Powell, also took part in the project. Ms Powell decorated the word Croeso with music-themed motifs using coloured pencils. This year's honorary Eisteddfod president is Mark Lewis Jones, the acclaimed actor from Rhosllannerchrugog. The event's first schedule of competitions and activities is now available on the Eisteddfod's website, with more details to be released.
NZ Herald
24-07-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
After I retired, my drinking skyrocketed - here's how I finally quit
For the last 30 years of my working life, I worked as a project manager in a multinational finance corporation. I was mainly based in London but there were often work trips abroad – mainly to the USA, Singapore and Hong Kong. Expenses weren't really monitored so we ate and drank well, often staying up late and drinking at the hotel bar. You wouldn't have fitted in if you didn't drink. In fact, it never even occurred to me to cut down on drinking or that my drinking was a problem. I would have been laughed out of the office if I'd opted for a soft drink. I met Johnnie, when I was 24, in a bar. Our relationship was built around having fun and that always included alcohol. I didn't think about the health impacts at all. I was healthy, fit and active so why would I? I retired when I was 62. I loved it at first, filling my time with art, tennis, golf, piano, bridge, French classes – everything I had always wanted to do. But the structure had been removed, as had the boundaries, the scrutiny and the accountability. There were no longer 9am meetings to consider. I didn't have to worry about anyone smelling alcohol on my breath. I could start drinking earlier. When I was working, I'd drink a bottle of wine every evening. Once I retired, that swiftly escalated. Once I'd emptied that first bottle I'd often add a shot or two of vodka or gin, and occasionally I would open a second bottle of wine. It was becoming hard to get the hit I loved. The more you drink, the tougher it is to reach the old high. Evenings were difficult, particularly in the winter. I'd start watching the clock from around 4pm. I had a rule that I wouldn't open the wine until 6pm but that soon slipped back to 5pm. Johnnie had also retired but he wouldn't have his first drink until 6.30pm and some nights he didn't drink at all. We'd eat together but we slipped into watching TV in separate rooms. When he wasn't drinking he'd sometimes go up to bed early so I was on my own. The majority of evenings I wasn't even aware of being drunk. That dinner with Johnnie's friends was a major trigger. I saw myself through their eyes and it wasn't pretty. I might have thought I was the life and soul of the party but I'm sure I was actually the biggest bore. Things that are funny when you're young are just tedious in later life. It was more than just embarrassment. I saw my 98-year-old mother (a heavy drinker in her past) with dementia and macular degeneration – she is almost blind. It's hereditary but drink certainly speeds up the process. I could see the risks. Routine blood tests from the GP showed high cholesterol, liver and kidney issues. My drinking was affecting my health. "I didn't have an off button," Sarah Edwards says of her previous lifestyle. Photo / 123rf Cutting down wasn't going to be enough, I realised: I had to stop altogether. But it's hard when alcohol is such a major part of your life. I needed help. I stumbled across sober coach Sandra Parker on social media. Her description of an active, fully functional person who drank too much was spot on for me. I joined her Just the Tonic programme and started one-to-one coaching with her, alongside listening to her online modules and joining group Zoom calls. I didn't go cold turkey on the booze at the start; I just cut it down. Then, after about six weeks, I went on to the 30-day challenge of no alcohol at all. There were many other retired professionals on the programme, some in their 70s and beyond. It was such a relief to realise I wasn't alone. Some were drinking more because they finally could. Others were bored after decades of purposeful work. Many were navigating loss or health scares. But we all had the same goal – to make the most of life without alcohol holding us back. That sense of shared purpose was a huge motivation – here were accomplished people who refused to let alcohol ruin their retirement. The programme totally changed my mindset. You cannot give up anything with just self-control: it wanes and it doesn't last. I needed to see alcohol for the illusion it is. It's marketed so brilliantly as a party drink; as a confidence-boosting wonder liquid. It's not. It's highly addictive and dangerous and we all need to be aware of that and be warned of its consequences. We learnt the facts about what alcohol actually does to our brain and our body – sleep, health, looks. Sandra taught me not to blame myself – it's not a personal weakness or faulty gene; it's the addictive nature of alcohol doing exactly what it's designed to do. She worked on changing the desire itself. Instead of reaching for that glass of wine I have learnt to ask: 'What do I actually need right now?' Usually it's to feel relaxed, to feel rewarded or to connect. Then you find something that really delivers – without the 3am wake-up and morning regret. I journal every day and post on the programme's WhatsApp group most days: the support from others is huge and the accountability really helps. I've now progressed into the follow-up programme, and still have coaching. Within a couple of months of giving up alcohol, my blood tests showed the difference – my liver, kidneys and cholesterol levels were all normal. These days I wake up clear-headed at around 6am and journal and meditate. I exercise five times a week and my golf and tennis have improved – a nice bonus. I don't fear dinners or parties any more – I remember every conversation and can drive home. I drink alcohol-free lager or prosecco when I'm out but I'm perfectly happy with water at home. My friends are supportive on the whole and any that aren't I just don't see so much. I would never want to be judgmental and wouldn't ever suggest anyone drink less – this alcohol-free route is purely for me. My family has definitely noticed a huge difference. I can't believe how much better my relationship with my husband is without alcohol. He's 100% supportive and is drinking less himself. Our daughters (33 and 30) are delighted. They never spoke about my drinking but I knew they hated it. They always clocked when I'd had even one drink and would leave the kitchen when I was drinking. Now we all hang out together and chat. They're both so supportive and we have a much better, more present and open relationship. I have so much more energy during the day now and I'm so much happier, so much more relaxed without alcohol. I've become someone who is simply not bothered about alcohol, rather than someone who's constantly resisting drinking: it's true freedom. I want to live my retirement, not exist in it. I am 70 this year – on to another chapter of my life. I intend to make it one of the best in so many ways. These are the practices that I found really helpful:
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Are Your Projects Sprinting Toward Failure? Five Lessons From Running
Sarah Edwards is the Chief Product Officer at Kantata, a leading provider of Professional Services Automation (PSA) solutions. Imagine a marathon in progress. Runners flash by, muscles flexing, pushing for speed as they go the distance. But here's the real secret of marathon winners: The most important quality a runner can develop is not speed—it's consistency. In my almost 20 years of running and decades spent in project management (PM) leadership roles, I've learned a paradoxical piece of PM wisdom: Reaching the finish line for a race or a project isn't about the speed of the run. You sometimes have to go slow to go fast (and far). Here's how to shift your thinking to adopt this counterintuitive mindset. 1. Why Focusing On Speed Sacrifices Performance This 'consistency over speed' concept flies in the face of our corporate obsession with rapid execution. In the rush to deliver quick wins, a common casualty is the foundational work that ensures long-term success. The fastest project execution isn't always the best project execution. Quality outcomes require consistency and the wisdom to know when to pull back before your team falters just before the finish line. Runners know that sustainable outcomes and the best overall performance come from steady, reliable training runs, rather than sporadic bursts of intense training. The same logic applies to project management. The overarching goal in my own work is to focus on enabling our professional services customers to deliver high-quality projects to their customers, not to simply crank out projects as fast as possible. So, how do you make sure you build out a project to support consistency instead of rewarding speed? It's all about planning the right "route" from the very beginning. 2. Strategic Prep: Route Planning For Projects Before every run, I need to take several variables into account. Is it raining? (In London, where I live and run, the answer is often "yes.") Am I going to tackle a hilly route? Or work on distance over flatter terrain? What's the right challenge for my personal capacity today? Asking these kinds of questions about my environment and the goal of the run and gauging my bandwidth mirrors the critical preparation phase that separates successful projects from costly failures. Just as runners map their route to avoid unnecessary hills or dangerous intersections, project leaders must anticipate obstacles and plan alternative pathways. Of course, every project is different, depending on the team, the client and other variables. The key is developing workable plans that account for the deviations that are inevitable, while maintaining focus on the ultimate destination. To prepare for a run, I draw from my past experience and results to set realistic yet challenging training goals. In the same way, effective project management requires learning from past initiatives and applying those insights to improve forecasting accuracy—a skill that becomes increasingly valuable as projects grow in complexity and stakeholder expectations rise. 3. The Recovery Imperative Perhaps the most overlooked parallel between running and project management is the critical importance of recovery. Just as pushing too hard in running can lead to injury, overextending project resources results in team burnout and lower quality outcomes. Sustainable project delivery requires building in recovery time, both between projects and during project execution. This isn't about being lax about inefficiency; it's about maintaining the capacity for consistent, high-quality output over time. It's also helpful to build in a "reflection phase" that follows both completed runs and finished projects. This serves a dual purpose: It allows for recovery/rest while capturing lessons learned that can improve future performance. Organizations that skip this critical step often repeat costly mistakes and miss opportunities for efficiency gains. 4. Real-Time Performance Monitoring Modern runners rely on sophisticated tracking devices to monitor heart rate, pace, distance and overall condition. This data helps me to recognize patterns and adjust my training plan before problems (i.e., injuries) arise. This same principle applies to project "health" monitoring. Too often, project and portfolio health have been measured solely by timelines and budgets. But that's an incomplete picture. Truly healthy projects don't just deliver on time, they preserve the well-being of the teams delivering the work and sustain strong client relationships in the process. This is something I've been particularly focused on: how to bring that same real-time visibility runners rely on into the world of project management. Just as a smartwatch gives you constant feedback as you run, I've been leading efforts at Kantata to deliver tools that give professional services leaders a steady stream of insights to audit the impact of their projects—how clients and teams are feeling along the way. By monitoring project health metrics continuously, teams can pivot appropriately before hitting their equivalent of "the wall" that runners fear. 5. The Long Game Perspective Professional services organizations understand that client relationships are marathons, not sprints. That's why it's essential to keep your focus on quality, efficiency and outcomes. No matter how much PM technology or strategies change, one thing remains the same: Sustainable success depends on long-term client satisfaction. This perspective shift is crucial for executives leading major initiatives. The pressure to show immediate results often undermines the steady, consistent effort required for transformational change. Like distance running, successful project management requires maintaining an optimal pace that can be sustained throughout the entire journey. Lacing Up And Taking The First Step To apply these principles to your project planning, make sure you have the right technology to support your project goals, which includes the ability to audit your organization's approach to project pacing. Are teams being pushed to sprint when they should be settling into a sustainable rhythm? Is adequate time being allocated for the preparation and recovery phases? Most importantly, remember that consistency in project execution requires commitment to long-term thinking over short-term gains. Make sure stakeholders understand the importance of both. Leaders who master this balance will help their organizations ultimately complete projects faster, while also delivering better outcomes and more sustainable team performance. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
