Ep. 51 - Jenny Leigh Morris: From Fortune 100 to Higher Ed: Lessons in AI, Innovation and Vendor Partnerships — The Signal

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jenny Leigh Morris, a technology strategist at Doctums who bridges the worlds of Fortune 100 innovation and higher education modernization. With a background in designing AI education programs for giants like Walmart, L’Oreal, and Microsoft, Jenny brings a unique perspective on how institutions can streamline technology adoption, improve vendor relationships, and accelerate decision-making.

From dissecting the pitfalls of RFPs and pilot programs to advocating for “laser focus” in project scoping, this conversation is a masterclass in cutting through institutional complexity.

Tune in to learn why communication trumps ghosting, how to avoid “kitchen sink” projects, and why the future of higher ed tech depends on courageous leadership—not just compliance.

Key Takeaways:

AI is Your Junior Consultant—Not Your Replacement:

AI can automate tasks (e.g., configuration, documentation) but requires human oversight to avoid errors (like botched time zone conversions).
The billable hour model may evolve toward value-based pricing, but expertise will remain critical.

Higher Ed Can Learn from Fortune 100 Agility:

Competition: Schools must identify and exploit their unique advantages in a hyper-competitive landscape.
Experimentation: Embrace A/B testing, rapid iteration, and “failing fast” instead of relying on assumptions or lengthy feedback cycles.

Avoid “Kitchen Sink” Scope Creep:

Involving too many stakeholders leads to bloated RFPs and projects. Prioritize mission-critical features over appeasing every voice.
Stay ruthlessly focused on outcomes—not just inclusivity.

Communication > Ghosting:

Vendors often get ghosted after lengthy RFP processes. Transparency (e.g., “We’re behind schedule”) builds trust and can reveal solvable issues (e.g., slow sandbox environments).
Adopt Intuit’s “Design for Delight” approach: streamline processes and respect partners’ time.

Pilot with Purpose:

Unstructured sandbox trials often fail due to lack of time, context, or clear criteria.
Run “together alone” sessions: schedule dedicated time for teams to test tools simultaneously with vendor support.

Vendor Selection: Focus > Scale:

Avoid vendors that “do it all.” Prioritize specialists over generalists, even if it means using multiple partners.
Newer vendors offer leverage (e.g., pricing flexibility, influence on roadmaps) but require due diligence.

Speed Up Decision-Making:

Long cycles (18–24 months) stem from siloed approvals. Empower cross-functional champions (e.g., tech-savvy marketers) to drive decisions.
Ensure projects have a “bleeding neck” problem, budget, and a decisive leader to avoid stagnation.

Manage Vendors for Performance—Not Compliance:

Hold vendors accountable to deliverables and timelines. Don’t hesitate to switch if they underperform.
Embrace tough conversations: you hired them for expertise—demand it.

Ready to modernize your approach? Learn more about Jenny’s work at Doctums https://doctums.com/ and follow her insights on blending enterprise rigor with higher ed mission.

Find Jenny Leigh Morris here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyleighmorris/

Doctums

https://doctums.com/

And find EdTech Connect here:...

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Will Consulting Be More Expensive in the Future?
(00:00:43) - A Taste of Higher Ed Technology: Jenny Lee Morris
(00:02:07) - How AI is shaping the higher ed vendor landscape
(00:03:24) - How Will AI Change the Consulting and Implementation Business?
(00:04:44) - What Higher Ed Can Learn From Other Industries
(00:09:34) - Better Technology Buying: Communication
(00:16:06) - The Best College Vending Company
(00:18:07) - Vendors: The Need to Vet Solutions
(00:20:23) - How to Build a Modernization Partnership with a Vendor
(00:23:29) - How to Streamline the Higher Ed Project Process
(00:27:10) - How to Manage Venders for Performance
(00:29:16) - EdTech Connect