Consulting Groups Los Angeles

AI Just Broke Your Strategy. Here's How To Fix It.

Join the ProductTank Los Angeles and PMA.LA community for an evening of insights, conversation, and connection with Martin Eriksson, one of the most influential voices in product leadership and organizational strategy. With more than 30 years of experience as a product leader, founder, investor, advisor, and author, Martin has dedicated his career to helping organizations build better products, stronger teams, and more effective businesses. From pioneering SaaS companies before the term became mainstream to advising more than 150 organizations at every stage of growth, Martin has consistently challenged conventional thinking and helped leaders unlock organizational performance. **Featured Talk: AI Just Broke Your Strategy. Here's How To Fix It.** When anyone can build anything, the competitive advantage is no longer in building. It is in knowing what to build and why. While many organizations are focused on using AI to do what they already do faster and cheaper, Martin argues that this is the wrong question. In fact, it may be quietly limiting ambition at the exact moment it should be expanding it. As the cost of development continues to fall, the primary constraint is no longer execution. The bottleneck has shifted to clarity. The challenge is no longer "Can we build it?" but "Should we build it?" Most teams are not prepared for this shift. In this thought provoking session, Martin explores how AI is reshaping strategy, decision making, and organizational advantage. Drawing on insights from his latest work, The Decision Stack, he will share how leaders can create the strategic clarity needed to thrive in an era where technology is abundant but direction is scarce. Attendees will learn why alignment matters more than ever, how to connect vision to everyday decisions, and how to turn AI from a potential threat into a powerful catalyst for innovation, growth, and organizational momentum. **About Martin Eriksson** Martin Eriksson is a board member, strategic advisor, leadership coach, and author of **The Decision Stack: How Strategic Clarity Unlocks Organizational Momentum**. Since 1994, Martin has built digital products and businesses across organizations including The Financial Times, Monster, Huddle, Covestor, Cazoo, and most recently served as Product Partner at EQT, one of the world's largest private investment firms. He is also the founder of ProductTank and co founder of Mind the Product, together the world's largest product management community spanning more than 200 cities worldwide. Through his work, writing, and leadership, Martin has helped shape the practice of product management for an entire generation of product leaders. **Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: ADP** ADP is a global leader in cloud based Human Capital Management solutions, helping organizations manage HR, payroll, talent, time, tax, and benefits administration through innovative technology and deep industry expertise. By combining powerful analytics, compliance capabilities, and business outsourcing solutions, ADP helps organizations create better workplace experiences and unlock the full potential of their people. Learn more: https://www.adp.com/ ADP. Always Designing for People. #WhatAreYouWorkingFor

Pasadena jazz concert

Free Pasadena jazz concert at 7:00 pm; We will meet early to get something to drink or eat then get some seats as a group;

Drinks with Designers (at Steinberg Hart)

​Industry professionals are navigating rapid change, from AI-driven tools reshaping project workflows to shifting expectations around speed, quality, and collaboration across teams. ​This evening will bring attendees together for an informal discussion on where the industry is headed, what's working well for teams today, and where AI can fit into that picture. The conversation will draw on practitioner experience across firms to surface practical takeaways attendees can bring back to their own teams. ​Following the discussion, attendees are invited to stay for a cocktail reception with light bites and the opportunity to connect with peers across the industry.

French Conversational Class

French Conversation in Pasadena is a relaxed group for adults who want to become comfortable actually communicating in French — even when they don’t know every word. Our philosophy is very simple: Don’t stop because you don’t know the perfect word. Find another way to say it. Keep talking. Communicate. This is almost the opposite of the traditional language-class mentality where people become afraid to speak until they know exactly how to construct the sentence. Here, we want you to jump in. Use the French you already have. Make mistakes. Describe the word you don’t know. Use another expression. Ask a question. Gesture if you need to. Find your way around the problem and get your point across. That ability is one of the most important skills in actually speaking another language. If you forget the French word for “umbrella,” for example, the conversation doesn’t have to stop. You can say: “The thing you use when it rains…” And suddenly, you’re still communicating in French. That’s what we practice. THIS IS ABOUT COMMUNICATION, NOT PERFECTION You are absolutely allowed to make mistakes. In fact, mistakes are expected. The objective is not to create a perfect sentence in your head before opening your mouth. The objective is to develop the confidence and spontaneity to use whatever French you know at that moment. We work on learning how to think around a missing word instead of freezing because of it. Over time, something important happens: you stop translating every sentence in your head and start finding ways to communicate directly in French. That is where real confidence begins. NOT A TRADITIONAL GRAMMAR CLASS We are not sitting around doing two hours of worksheets or correcting every sentence somebody says. Of course, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation matter, and we work on them naturally during the class. But communication comes first. A sentence that isn’t grammatically perfect but is understood is far more useful than the perfect sentence you were too afraid to say. WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY DO? The sessions are built around conversation, listening, improvisation, pronunciation, vocabulary, role-playing, games and real-life situations. We might talk about: Travel, food, relationships, work, French culture, movies, everyday life, current topics or simply what happened during your week. We also practice situations such as ordering in a restaurant, shopping at a French market, meeting someone for the first time, asking questions, telling a story, describing something when you don’t know its name, or expressing an opinion. We use conversation games and exercises specifically designed to make you react and speak spontaneously instead of preparing every sentence beforehand. You’ll also learn the French people actually use — everyday expressions, informal vocabulary and phrases that often never appear in traditional textbooks. ALL LEVELS ARE WELCOME You do not need to speak perfect French. You don’t even need to feel “ready.” If you studied French before but freeze as soon as someone starts speaking to you, this group is particularly designed for you. Beginners can learn to communicate with the vocabulary they already have. Intermediate speakers can become much more spontaneous. Advanced speakers can keep practicing and developing natural conversation skills. Everyone participates at their own level. A RELAXED ENVIRONMENT Classes take place inside a French restaurant in Pasadena, in a small and friendly group. The atmosphere is deliberately relaxed. Nobody is being tested. Nobody is expected to perform. Nobody is going to stop you every five seconds because you used the wrong tense. The purpose is to create a place where speaking French becomes normal — and where you slowly lose the fear of making mistakes. The group is led by a native French speaker, born and raised on the French Riviera, with a background in acting and performance. That background influences the class heavily: language is treated as communication, reaction, listening and expression, not simply memorization. 2-hour conversation sessions — $60 per person. If you want to stop worrying about whether your French is perfect and start becoming someone who can actually communicate with it, this is the group. Speak first. Make mistakes. Find another way. Be understood. Keep going. That’s how you become comfortable speaking French.

Scaling SaaS Right Now: Lessons from the Frontlines

Today’s environment is forcing SaaS founders and operators to rethink not just what they build—but how they build, deliver, and scale it. Join us for a candid, discussion-driven session with Bryan Walley, CEO & Co-founder of Forward Inheritance, as we explore what it takes to grow a SaaS venture in today’s rapidly shifting landscape. Bryan is has built Forward Inheritance, a platform designed to bring clarity and structure to one of the most complex and emotionally charged areas families face—inheritance and legacy planning. The idea didn’t start as a business—it started as a personal need. Faced with navigating estate planning within his own family, Bryan saw firsthand the lack of simple, secure, and transparent tools to organize information, communicate clearly, and align across generations. So he built one. Today, Forward is evolving that solution into a broader platform that helps families move from confusion and avoidance to clarity and preparedness—combining secure document management, financial tools, and guided collaboration. In this session, Bryan will share how his team is approaching: * Building and positioning a SaaS product in a nuanced, human-centered problem space * Rethinking product delivery and user experience in today’s market * Navigating the intersection of fintech, family dynamics, and long-term planning * Lessons learned while scaling in an environment that demands adaptability This won’t be a one-way presentation—it’s an opportunity to exchange ideas, compare approaches, and learn from others navigating similar challenges. Whether you're building, scaling, advising, investing—or simply interested in how SaaS is evolving—this session offers a practical and timely perspective on what’s working right now. **Networking** Come early to connect with fellow founders, technologists, creatives, and community members. Friday Coffee Meetup is as much about the people in the room as it is about the conversation on stage. *** ## **About the Speaker** Bryan Walley is CEO & Co-founder of Forward Inheritance and a technology and business leader with a proven track record of building and delivering software-driven solutions across a range of industries, including financial services. His experience spans the full lifecycle of innovation—from early concept and product development through go-to-market execution and operational scale. With a background that bridges technology, business strategy, and execution, Bryan has led initiatives across software development, product management, strategic partnerships, and business growth. At Forward Inheritance, Bryan is focused on helping families navigate inheritance and legacy planning through tools that promote clarity, communication, and proactive

R LIFE Connect｜致誠置業 Community Open House • Real Estate & Connections

Welcome to the **very first R LIFE Connect Community Open House** — and the first time **R LIFE Realty** is opening its office to the public for a community gathering. This event marks the beginning of something new for us. R LIFE Connect was created to bring together local professionals, homeowners, buyers, investors, entrepreneurs, and community members who want to meet new people, exchange ideas, learn from one another, and discover new opportunities. For this inaugural gathering, we’re keeping things relaxed, welcoming, and interactive. You’ll have the opportunity to: * Meet Ronnie Chan and learn more about the vision behind **R LIFE Realty** and **R LIFE Connect** * Connect with local professionals and members of the community * Share ideas and experiences around real estate, investing, business, and personal growth * Let us know what topics, workshops, and guest speakers you would like to see at future events * Help shape what **R LIFE Connect** can become moving forward This is not intended to be a formal seminar. It is our first opportunity to open the doors, meet the community, start meaningful conversations, and introduce the kind of educational and networking events we hope to host in the future. Whether you are already involved in real estate, thinking about buying or investing, building a business, or simply interested in meeting good people and learning something new, you are welcome to join us. **Saturday, September 19** **10:00 AM – 11:30 AM** **R LIFE Realty 致誠置業** 5728 Rosemead Blvd, Suite 210 Temple City, CA 91780 For inquiries: **626-214-8813** **[www.RLifeRealty.com](http://www.RLifeRealty.com)** Come be part of the very first **R LIFE Connect** gathering — and help us build the community from the beginning. 歡迎參加 **R LIFE Connect 首次開放交流日**！ 這不只是 **R LIFE Connect 的第一場活動**，也是 **R LIFE Realty 致誠置業第一次正式開放辦公室，邀請社區朋友走進來交流、認識彼此。** 對我們來說，這是一個全新的開始。 成立 **R LIFE Connect** 的想法很簡單：希望把在地的專業人士、屋主、買家、投資者、創業家，以及對房地產、商業、投資和個人成長有興趣的朋友聚在一起，彼此交流、分享經驗、學習新知，也創造更多新的連結與機會。 第一次的聚會，我們希望保持輕鬆、自然、有互動。當天你可以： * 認識 Ronnie Chan 朗尼，了解 **R LIFE Realty** 以及 **R LIFE Connect** 背後的理念 * 認識在地不同領域的專業人士與社區朋友 * 交流房地產、投資、商業及個人成長相關想法 * 告訴我們你未來最想參加哪些主題講座、工作坊或專業分享 * 一起參與並塑造 **R LIFE Connect** 未來的方向 這不是一場正式的講座，而是我們第一次把辦公室的大門打開，和社區真正見面。 我們希望從這一天開始，這個空間不只是一間房地產公司，也能慢慢成為一個讓大家**交流、學習、建立人脈和分享資源**的地方。 無論你已經是屋主、正在考慮買房或投資、正在經營自己的事業，或只是想認識新朋友、聽聽不同的想法，都非常歡迎參加。 **9月19日 星期六** **上午 10:00 – 11:30** **R LIFE Realty 致誠置業** 5728 Rosemead Blvd, Suite 210 Temple City, CA 91780 查詢電話：**626-214-8813** 網站：**[www.RLifeRealty.com](http://www.RLifeRealty.com)** 歡迎你成為 **R LIFE Connect 第一批參與者**，和我們一起從第一場開始，把這個社群慢慢建立起來。

PMA LA - Product & Design Happy Hour

Hello PMA.LA Community! After a summer break, our team is back, and we’re looking forward to bringing the community together again. On **Tuesday, September 22**, we’re bringing LA’s Product and Design communities together at **33 Taps in Culver City** for an evening of good conversations and new connections. Keeping it casual: * No panels. * No slides. * No pressure. Just Product Managers, Designers, and fellow builders connecting over drinks and talking about the work, challenges, ideas, and opportunities shaping what we build. Whether you’re launching something new, improving an existing experience, growing your team, exploring your next move, or simply looking to meet more people across LA’s Product and Design community, you’re welcome here. **Come ready to:** • Meet people across Product and Design • Swap stories, challenges, and lessons learned • Connect with potential collaborators, hiring managers, and future teammates • Build stronger relationships across LA’s product ecosystem If you’re able, please support the venue with a drink or food purchase during the event. **Parking** Metered street parking is available, though limited. Nearby structures include: • 3846 Cardiff Ave • 3844 Watseka Ave • 9770 Culver Blvd **Stay in the loop** Join the PMA.LA mailing list for upcoming events, learning opportunities, and ways to get involved with the community.

Pasadena Tech Happy Hour

**Join us on the 3rd Thursday of every month for an evening of networking and community building in the heart of Pasadena.** We're fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem that's accessible to everyone, regardless of background or experience. **Here's what you can expect:** * **Connect with fellow tech professionals:** Meet entrepreneurs, investors, designers, developers, and more. * **Showcase your talent:** Whether you're seeking funding, looking for collaborators, or simply want to connect with like-minded individuals, this is the place to be. * **Access valuable resources:** Discover opportunities, learn about local events, and find support for your tech endeavors. **Part of a Larger Community** The Pasadena Tech Happy Hour is part of Innovate Pasadena, a thriving Los Angeles tech community dedicated to learning, networking, and achieving shared goals. **What to Bring:** * **Business cards or a LinkedIn profile** (optional, but highly recommended!) **Come ready to connect, collaborate, and grow within Pasadena's dynamic tech scene.**

Los Angeles Launch a Scalable AI Ebook Empire

**Write, Publish, Earn — with AI** Use AI to write and publish ebooks that sell, without the usual months of work. Complete registration below — RSVP is just the first step. ### [REGISTER NOW](https://blanket.aiventurelab.org/product/AIEbookBusiness?city=Los%20Angeles&groupurlname=meetup-group-ybrjhzay&startgmtdatetime=2026-09-06T01:00:00Z) - Full ebooks written with AI in hours - A publishing pipeline that runs on autopilot - Profitable niches found with AI research tools One session. Real progress on your business.

🇧🇦 A–Z Dining Adventure: B is for Bosnia!

FREE: The Grammy Museum . . . for Smithsonian Day. (other museums too!!!!)

Museum Free Day from the Smithsonian is a nationwide thing. [Smithsonian Day](https://nationaltoday.com/smithsonian-day/) is always September 17th Here is the expected full list: * Japanese American National Museum * The Grammy Museum * LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes * California African American Museum * Autry Museum of the American West * The Wende Museum * USC Pacific Asia Museum * Descanso Gardens * The International Printing Museum in Carson * Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach * Los Angeles Maritime Museum * Point Fermin Lighthouse Historic Site and Museum * Photo: @sfwineblog * Latino Art Museum in Pomona * Heritage Museum of Orange County * Dr. Willella Howe Waffle House and Medical Museum in Santa Ana * The Santa Ana Fire Museum * Yanks Air Museum in Chino * Laguna Art Museum * Fillmore Historical Museum Some of these museums are normally free. And others may be closer to you. BUT . . . for the moment . . . the plan is The Grammy Museum. . . FOR FREE!!!! On Wed the 17th. What a win. To attend this event #1 **RSVP on this event with the red RSVP button** *AND THEN* #2 **[Fill out the event form](https://forms.gle/FW4aozDwU1ngkqVu6)**[ https://forms.gle/FW4aozDwU1ngkqVu6](https://forms.gle/FW4aozDwU1ngkqVu6) This way you get the reminder as they update the new list with the 2026 info (spoiler alert: ***if you do not fill out the form you will not get accurate or updated event info)(Meetup messages is not reliable or efficient at getting out info. Too many have notifications turned off)*** **Got questions?** **[Click Here](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881)**[ to send a Direct Message to Marc (screen name Oddie)](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881) (be sure to mention the what event you are talking about) NOTICE: For our events we do not discriminate by Age, Gender, Gender Preference, Ethnicity, National Origin, Race, Color, Religion, or even Belly Button Lint. **[CLICK HERE](https://www.meetup.com/ccccc-c/join)**[ To see all our other events and join in on them.](https://www.meetup.com/ccccc-c/join) Art makes for great social fun. Over the course of the year we a bunch of arty events. If you have any suggestions or if you wish to post an event the group or lead an event: **[Click Here](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881)**[ to send a Direct Message to Marc (screen name Oddie)](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881)

Cohort: Dialogue & Debate on a Timely International Issue or Problem Set...