[Editor’s Note: We thought we’d give Mark a break. This month’s newsletter is from IA’s co-leader and Managing Partner Kimberly Carroll.]  

Next month, we’ve got something exciting coming up – IA’s Annual Company Retreat! It’s the “perfect time” to step away from our daily grind, breathe, reconnect as a team, and get a fresh look at the bigger picture. 

We are all busier than ever, grateful to be working with amazing clients on exciting projects, and with that pace of work, it’s easy to get caught in the cycle of deadlines and deliverables. Our annual retreat provides that necessary pause and reflection – a moment to collectively catch our breath while strengthening the bonds that make IA such a special place to work. 

We’ve structured the week with balance in mind. Business-focused meetings will help us reflect on where we are, creating space for us to evaluate progress, align on what’s next, and make sure we are all on the same page. These sessions ensure our time away from the office translates into tangible benefits when we return. 

But here’s is the best part: in the middle of all the meetings, we’ve set aside an entire day for FUN! No agendas, no laptops – just pure enjoyment and connection. When we engage with fellow IA’ers outside of a video conference, we discover new dimensions of each other.  Whether we’re bonding over ATV rides or grabbing lunch together, it’s these moments that often spark the best ideas and strengthen the bonds between us. 

There’s something transformative about seeing IA’ers in a different light. We are a fully remote team and seeing each other in person only when we have the chance to work on a project together certainly helps but isn’t enough. These personal connections make us stronger, help us collaborate better, and bring out the best in each other – whether we’re working on a project or just sharing a laugh.

There’s plenty of research that backs up the idea that teams who share experiences outside of work build stronger communication and bounce back better when challenges arise. But honestly, the real magic happens when we step away from our daily routines. It’s in those unscheduled moments, not the formal meetings, where the best ideas often pop up.

This retreat is more than just a fun break—it’s an investment in all of us and in IA’s future. We can’t wait to make the most of it together!

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size shouldn’t matter

A troubling pattern emerges when transformation providers categorize organizations by size rather than complexity. While SMBs collectively invest billions in digital transformation, they often receive simplified solutions that ignore their unique challenges. This disconnect stems from providers who offer cookie-cutter approaches and SMB leaders who believe they don’t merit sophisticated support. The truth is that organizational complexity, not size, should drive transformation strategy. For successful partnerships, both sides must embrace thorough requirements analysis, rigorous selection processes, and mutual respect—recognizing that meaningful transformation support benefits organizations of every size.