Andrea Schnepf, founder of NEPF, joins host Michael Bernzweig to break down why most enterprise AI pilots fail and what the successful 5 percent do differently. She explains how tech-first, reactive decisions waste budget, stall adoption, and erode trust, then lays out three pillars for making AI a real business capability: clear purpose, leadership alignment, and a robust operating model. Andrea also shares examples from companies like Microsoft and Intuit, and walks through a practical three-phase roadmap—foundation, pilot-and-learn, and scale-and-embed—so executives can link AI to strategy, governance, and day-to-day work instead of scattered tools.

Key Topics:

• Why 95% of AI pilots fail — common pitfalls and missteps
• The three critical pillars for AI success: Purpose, Leadership Alignment, Operating Model
• How to design a scalable AI operating system within your organization
• The importance of connecting AI strategy to business outcomes
• Case studies: Microsoft’s shared vision approach and Intuit’s cross-functional AI councils
• Roadmap for AI adoption: foundation, pilot, scale & embed
• Managing organizational culture and avoiding technology-first traps
• How to create authentic topic-Gap analyses to fill content voids with AI

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: Why most AI pilots fail and how to avoid common mistakes
02:30 - Andrea’s framework for building AI foundation centered on purpose and vision
06:45 - Signs that organizations are approaching AI as a tech first, disconnected from strategy
10:15 - The role of leadership alignment in AI success — shared narrative and trust-building
14:00 - Critical components of an effective AI operating model — decision rights, governance, metrics
19:30 - Examples of structured AI cultures at Microsoft and Justworks
24:10 - Practical roadmap: from foundation to pilot, to scaling and embedding AI
28:50 - Managing organizational change, culture, and talent in AI transformation
34:20 - How to identify topic gaps using AI models to enhance content authority
40:50 - Capacity-based pricing: managing demand and scarcity in consulting and tech services
45:00 - Final thoughts: actionable steps to embed AI into your business DNA

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In this insightful episode hosted by Michael Bernzweig, Chris Daigle, founder of ChiefAIOfficer, explores the evolving role of AI in business, emphasizing the importance of a Chief AI Officer. He highlights the need for businesses to integrate AI into their operations, focusing on tasks rather than jobs, and the significance of creating an AI use policy. The conversation also touches on the cultural shift required to embrace AI and the potential risks of shadow usage without governance.

Takeaways

• AI is becoming essential for businesses by 2026.
• A Chief AI Officer is crucial for AI integration.
• Focus on tasks, not jobs, for AI implementation.
• Create an AI use policy for safe AI usage.
• Pilot projects should be low risk and high impact.
• Shadow usage of AI can pose risks without governance.
• AI can enhance productivity in knowledge work.
• Cultural shift is needed to embrace AI fully.
• AI should be integrated into daily business operations.
• Governance is key to successful AI implementation.

Sound bites

• AI is table stakes by 2026.
• Focus on tasks, not jobs.
• Create an AI use policy.
• Shadow usage poses risks.
• AI enhances productivity.
• Cultural shift needed for AI.
• Integrate AI into daily operations.
• Governance is key for AI.
• Pilot projects are essential.
• AI is a new business reflex.

Chapters

• Introduction to AI in Business
• The Role of a Chief AI Officer
• Focusing on Tasks for AI Implementation
• Creating an AI Use Policy
• Cultural Shifts and AI Adoption
• Governance and Shadow Usage Risks

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In this engaging conversation hosted by Michael Bernzweig, Charlie Birch of Humaniz Collective shares her unconventional journey from Jungian psychology and dance performance to becoming a brand strategist. She discusses the importance of brand identity, emphasizing that it is not just about visual identity or marketing campaigns but the internal logic and architecture of a business. Charlie highlights the significance of adaptability, internal alignment, and the role of brand identity in decision-making and growth. She also shares personal stories and insights on overcoming challenges and the importance of maintaining operational integrity and brand trust.

Takeaways

• Brand identity is the internal logic of a business.
• Adaptability is crucial for business success.
• Internal alignment predicts sustainable growth.
• Brand identity is not just visual identity.
• Operational integrity maintains brand trust.
• Entrepreneurship requires overcoming challenges.
• Personal stories can inspire and teach.
• Brand identity aids in decision-making.
• Maintaining humanity in business is vital.
• Strategic partnerships enhance business growth.

Sound bites

• Brand identity is the logic of your business.
• Adaptability is the most important life skill.
• Internal alignment predicts sustainable growth.
• Brand identity is not your visual identity.
• Operational integrity maintains brand trust.
• Entrepreneurship is about overcoming challenges.
• Personal stories inspire and teach.
• Brand identity aids decision-making.
• Maintaining humanity is vital in business.
• Strategic partnerships enhance growth.

Chapters

• Introduction to Charlie Birch's Journey
• Understanding Brand Identity
• The Importance of Adaptability
• Personal Stories and Insights
• Maintaining Operational Integrity
• The Role of Strategic Partnerships

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In this episode, Michael Bernzweig hosts Bill Shander, an information designer and founder of Beehive Media, who discusses the importance of understanding stakeholder needs beyond their initial requests. Bill introduces the concept of 'stakeholder whispering,' a method to uncover true needs using behavioral science and the Socratic method. He shares his journey from journalism to data visualization and emphasizes the significance of focusing on user experience over features. The conversation highlights the role of fast and slow thinking in decision-making and the value of asking the right questions to guide stakeholders to better solutions.

Takeaways

• Stakeholder whispering helps uncover true needs beyond initial requests.
• Understanding user experience is more important than focusing on features.
• Fast thinking often leads to automated, less effective solutions.
• The Socratic method involves asking questions to guide stakeholders to insights.
• Bill Shander's career evolved from journalism to data visualization.
• Asking the right questions can lead to better decision-making.
• User experience should be prioritized over feature lists.
• Stakeholder whispering is applicable across various industries.
• Effective communication involves understanding subconscious biases.
• Bill Shander emphasizes the importance of teaching data storytelling.

Sound bites

• Stakeholder whispering uncovers true needs.
• User experience trumps feature lists.
• Fast thinking leads to automated solutions.
• Socratic method guides stakeholders to insights.
• Bill Shander's journey from journalism to data.
• Right questions lead to better decisions.
• Prioritize user experience over features.
• Stakeholder whispering applies to all industries.
• Understand subconscious biases in communication.
• Teach data storytelling effectively.

Chapters

• Introduction to Stakeholder Whispering
• Bill Shander's Career Journey
• Understanding User Experience
• Fast and Slow Thinking
• The Socratic Method in Consulting
• Teaching Data Storytelling

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In this episode of Consulting Spotlight, host Michael Bernzweig welcomes Jed Morley from Backstory Branding. They discuss the importance of message market fit and how it can help SaaS companies achieve growth. Jed shares insights on strategic communication, brand strategy, and the process of aligning messaging with market needs. The conversation also covers the challenges of maintaining consistent messaging across different departments and the significance of brand narrative in scaling businesses.

Takeaways

• Jed Morley emphasizes the importance of message market fit for SaaS growth.
• Strategic communication can solve mixed messaging issues in organizations.
• Brand strategy is crucial for aligning messaging with market needs.
• Consistent messaging across departments is vital for business success.
• Brand narrative helps in scaling businesses effectively.
• Jed Morley shares his journey and insights into brand strategy.
• The role of message market fit in achieving 6-22% annual growth.
• Challenges in maintaining consistent messaging across departments.
• The significance of aligning messaging with customer expectations.
• The process of refining messaging to resonate with different audiences.

Title Options

• Unlocking Growth with Message Market Fit
• The Power of Strategic Communication
• Scaling Success with Consistent Messaging
• Jed Morley on Brand Strategy
• Aligning Messaging with Market Needs
• The Journey to Effective Brand Narrative
• Achieving Growth through Message Market Fit
• Overcoming Messaging Challenges in SaaS
• The Role of Brand Narrative in Business Scaling
• Refining Messaging for Audience Resonance

Sound bites

• Message market fit is key to SaaS growth.
• Strategic communication solves mixed messaging.
• Brand strategy aligns messaging with market needs.
• Consistent messaging is vital for success.
• Brand narrative helps scale businesses.
• Jed Morley shares insights on brand strategy.
• Achieving 6-22% growth with message market fit.
• Challenges in maintaining consistent messaging.
• Align messaging with customer expectations.
• Refine messaging to resonate with audiences.

Chapters

• Introduction to Consulting Spotlight
• Jed Morley's Journey and Insights
• Importance of Message Market Fit
• Challenges in Consistent Messaging
• Role of Brand Narrative in Scaling

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In this episode, host Michael Bernzweig interviews James Hipkin from Red8 Interactive, a marketing expert on a mission to demystify marketing. They discuss the shift in marketing strategies needed to address modern buyers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, who require a different approach than previous generations. James highlights the importance of strategic personalization, creating 'people like you' pathways, and focusing on mid-funnel marketing to build trust and align with the buyer's journey. The conversation also covers the challenges of implementing new systems and the importance of aligning marketing and sales strategies with current market demands.

Takeaways

• Marketing to modern buyers requires a shift from traditional tactics.
• Strategic personalization is more than just using a name in emails.
• 'People like you' pathways invite rather than push buyers.
• Mid-funnel marketing is crucial for building trust.
• Aligning marketing with buyer's journey increases qualified leads.
• Modern buyers distrust pressure and prefer peer recommendations.
• Marketing should focus on proof, not promises.
• Understanding buyer's situation enhances personalization.
• Change management is key in implementing new systems.
• Aligning sales and marketing strategies is essential for growth.

Sound bites

• Marketing to modern buyers requires a shift.
• Strategic personalization is more than a name.
• 'People like you' pathways invite buyers.
• Mid-funnel marketing builds trust.
• Align marketing with the buyer's journey.
• Modern buyers distrust pressure.
• Focus on proof, not promises.
• Understand the buyer's situation.
• Change management is key.
• Align sales and marketing strategies.

Chapters

• Introduction to Modern Marketing Challenges
• Strategic Personalization Explained
• Creating 'People Like You' Pathways
• The Role of Mid-Funnel Marketing
• Aligning Sales and Marketing Strategies

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In this episode of Consulting Spotlight, host Michael Bernzweig welcomes Matt Bailey, a digital marketing expert and founder of SiteLogic. They discuss Matt's journey from real estate to digital marketing, the importance of data analytics, and how to effectively communicate data insights to stakeholders. Matt emphasizes the need for intentional data presentation and storytelling to engage audiences and drive decision-making. The episode also touches on the challenges of presenting data in a way that is both informative and persuasive.

Takeaways

• Matt Bailey's journey from real estate to digital marketing.
• The importance of self-taught skills in digital marketing.
• How data analytics can drive business decisions.
• The concept of data intentionality in presentations.
• Challenges in communicating data insights effectively.
• The role of storytelling in data presentation.
• Key performance indicators in marketing analytics.
• The disconnect between important and reported KPIs.
• Strategies for engaging stakeholders with data.
• The impact of AI on B2B relationship building.

Title Options

• Unlocking Data's Potential with Matt Bailey
• From Real Estate to Digital Marketing: Matt Bailey's Journey
• Mastering Data Storytelling with Matt Bailey
• The Art of Data Presentation in Marketing
• Engaging Stakeholders with Data Insights
• Matt Bailey on the Future of Digital Marketing
• Data Analytics: A Tool for Decision-Making
• The Power of Intentional Data Presentation
• Bridging the Gap: Important vs. Reported KPIs
• AI's Role in B2B Relationship Building

Sound bites

• Big numbers lie.
• You can't trust big numbers.
• Data storytelling creates empathy.
• Intentionality in data is key.
• Present data to engage stakeholders.
• AI levels the playing field.
• Self-taught skills drive success.
• Storytelling enhances data presentation.
• Effective data presentation drives decisions.
• Data insights must be persuasive.

Chapters

• Introduction and Welcome
• Matt Bailey's Journey to Digital Marketing
• The Importance of Data Analytics
• Communicating Data Insights Effectively
• The Role of Storytelling in Data Presentation
• Engaging Stakeholders with Data
• The Impact of AI on B2B Relationships

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In this insightful conversation, host Michael Bernzweig speaks with Eric Garrison of WTE Solutions and discusses the challenges and solutions in digital transformation for businesses, focusing on data integration and operational efficiency. Garrison emphasizes the importance of creating a 'Lake House' for data, enabling seamless communication between systems and reducing reliance on manual data entry. Garrison also highlights the role of AI in enhancing customer service and operational processes, providing examples from various industries.

Takeaways

• Eric Garrison emphasizes the need for seamless data integration across systems.
• Creating a 'Lake House' for data can enhance operational efficiency.
• AI can significantly improve customer service and operational processes.
• Manual data entry should be minimized to reduce errors and increase efficiency.
• Data normalization is crucial for accurate business intelligence.
• Real-time data access is essential for informed decision-making.
• AI-driven solutions can help reduce operational costs.
• Integrating CRM and ERP systems can streamline business operations.
• A single pane of glass approach can enhance data visibility for executives.
• Predictive analytics can provide valuable insights for future planning.

Sound bites

• Creating a "Lake House" for data.
• AI can improve customer service.
• Minimize manual data entry.
• Data normalization is crucial.
• Real-time data access is key.
• AI solutions reduce costs.
• Integrate CRM and ERP systems.
• Single pane of glass for data.
• Predictive analytics for future insights.
• Unlocking digital transformation.

Chapters

1. Introduction to Eric Garrison
2. Challenges in Data Integration
3. The Concept of a "Lake House"
4. AI in Customer Service
5. Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction
6. Future of Business Intelligence

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