Podcasts about process automation

A live SXSW panel on how employee complaints illuminate the path to organizational innovation.Wrong question: How can AI revolutionize productivity in my organization?Right question: What do my employees hate most about their jobs?For the Portland Trail Blazers, a winning game plan for AI implementation didn't begin with a tech-first approach — it began with a talk-first one. “The whole concept was to talk about pain points," explains David Long, VP of Digital Innovation, describing the "Lunch and Launch" sessions where employees could openly share frustrations about their daily work. “People really enjoy talking about what they hate about their jobs,” says Christa Stout, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, and as they did, they illuminated opportunities for optimization. “By getting this insight across the whole company, it is already opening our eyes [to how] we can potentially transform the business more broadly,” Stout says.In this special live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, recorded at SXSW, host Matt Abrahams leads a panel with Long, Stout, and Stanford colleague Jeremy Utley, exploring how "catharsis catalyzes change.” For any team wanting to implement new technology or rethink workflows, these experts reveal how creating space for complaints can catalyze meaningful innovation throughout an organization.Episode Reference Links:Jeremy UtleyDavid LongChrista StoutEp.77 Quick Thinks: AI Has Entered The Chat – A "Conversation" with ChatGPTEp.134 How to Chat with Bots: The Secrets to Getting the Information You Need from AI  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (04:42) - The Business Behind Basketball (06:13) - Why AI and Why Now? (07:21) - Collaborating with the Team (08:39) - The Lunch & Launch Method (11:11) - Branding AI Initiatives (12:29) - David Detractor & Kelly Kindness (16:00) - Human Connection through AI (16:45) - Auditing for Brand Consistency (18:53) - AI in National Parks (21:36) - Making AI Personal (22:58) - Using AI to Learn AI (27:27) - Encouraging AI in the Workplace (30:21) - Change Management: Iteration Over Perfection (34:07) - Start with Curiosity and Empower Action (37:50) - Communication Ingredients (39:22) - Conclusion   ********This episode is sponsored by LinkedIn. Dare to discover what's next. Explore your job potential at LinkedIn. Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.  

Did you miss listening to some expert insights featured on this show about leveraging AI and technology in your freight business? We're bringing Dhruv Gupta and Brad Hollister back on the podcast for a replay mashup episode to hear their goals in enhancing human capabilities and streamlining business processes through AI and tech!   Connect with Dhruv Website: https://www.drumkit.ai/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhruv4/ Connect with Brad Website: https://www.upwell.com/  Email: brad.hollister@upwell.com Watch Their Episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZpZbKdMoSk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exumEsL36FY  

In this episode, Alex Bezzubets joins us today to highlight the reason behind founding a platform called myMechanic and its features, benefits for truck drivers, and how it resolves inefficiencies in the trucking business!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: Inefficiencies in Trucking Repairs: Average wait time for roadside repairs is 4-4.5 hours due to siloed systems among major providers. myMechanic seeks to create a shared marketplace that streamlines access and visibility for service availability. Reduced Downtime Efficiencies: myMechanic reduces breakdown wait times by 40% by connecting drivers to available technicians in real-time, emphasizing that issues stem from poor connectivity, not a lack of mechanics. Comprehensive Service Integration: myMechanic combines diagnostics (photos/videos, fault codes) with a user-friendly interface for fleets, allowing service requests and updates without app downloads. The platform supports diverse services, from roadside repairs to preventative maintenance, and currently manages nearly 300,000 units and 1,000+ technicians.   About Alex Bezzubets Alex is the founder of a SAAS platform called myMechanic, which is designed to provide a quick and automated solution for roadside assistance for the logistics world. Alex is a tenacious, hands-on entrepreneur, experienced in sales, business development, and growth. Above all, he's a dynamic, multifaceted individual who is skilled at adding structure to ambiguity, with a keen eye for business opportunities.   Connect with Alex  Website: https://mymechanic.app/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-bezzubets-408533158/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/mymechanicinc/   Email: alex@mymechanic.app  

Editor in chief Len Vermillion is chatting with the newest inductees for 2025's Process Automation Hall of Fame in this Control Amplified mini-series. In his final interview of the series, he and industry legend Sandy Vasser discuss a lifetime in process control.

Editor in chief Len Vermillion is chatting with the newest inductees for 2025's Process Automation Hall of Fame in this Control Amplified mini-series. In this interview with John Hedenglen, they discuss how working with fellow Hall-of-Famer Thomas Edgar on process dynamics and controls kickstarted Hedenglen's career of academia, prestigious accolades and eventual induction into the Hall of Fame's class of 2025.

Editor in chief Len Vermillion is chatting with the newest inductees for 2025's Process Automation Hall of Fame in this Control Amplified mini-series. First up: Duncan Schleiss. From pioneering Emerson's DeltaV technologies to teaching at Louisiana State University, Schleiss continually recognizes the help and support of his colleagues amid all his successes.

In this episode, we sit down with Hany Fouda, Senior Vice President of Process Automation at Schneider Electric, at CERAWeek by S&P Global, to explore how the company is driving innovation in energy management and sustainability. Hany shares insights into Schneider Electric's decarbonization strategies for heavy industry, the company's pioneering work in H2 energy, and how the EcoStruxure platform is revolutionizing production, storage, and distribution in the H2 value chain. We also discuss the integration of AI and data analytics to boost system efficiency and take a closer look at the newly launched Technology Innovation Center in Houston—an ambitious step toward accelerating the global transition to sustainable energy.

Today's episode focuses on implementing automation systems in your transportation business with Revenova's co-founder, Michael Horvath! Mike talks about the integration of AI in the industry and its practical applications, highlighting its potential to automate up to 95% of a broker's daily tasks, which allows professionals to prioritize relationship-building while competing effectively without extensive staffing, the importance of data security, the need for AI capabilities to be seamlessly-integrated within existing systems, and how AI can assist with tasks such as CRM updates and research, without replacing essential human interactions!   About Michael Horvath Michael Horvath is the COO and co-founder of Revenova. The company provides CRM-powered transportation management solutions (TMS) for freight brokers, 3PLs, carriers, and shippers. Founded in 2014, Revenova customers include a wide range of midmarket and enterprise customers, including some of the largest 3PLs in North America. He is responsible for the company's overall go-to-market and product strategy. Prior to Revenova, Michael co-founded Forseva, a company that developed the first credit and collections management application suite native to the salesforce platform, and served as CMO and EVP until the company was acquired by Equifax in 2014. He built his path to entrepreneurship through successful tenures at several high-tech companies, including NCR, Quintus Corporation, AVAYA and Cortera. Michael is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.  

Open process automation is transforming the industrial landscape by moving towards open, standards-based, secure and interoperable automation. In episode 51, we sit down with Kelly Li, the Commercial Lead for Open Process Automation (OPA) at ExxonMobil and an active contributor and recently elected forum co-chair in the Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF). Kelly provides unique insights into this cutting-edge open architecture concept and its potential to revolutionize industrial operations.In this episode, Kelly delves into the core principles of open process automation, explaining how it enables greater interoperability, flexibility, acceleration of innovation and value creation, and cost-efficiency for industrial facilities. She shares ExxonMobil's journey in embracing OPA and the tangible benefits companies can expect to receive. Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the OPAF's role in driving the adoption of open process automation and Kelly's pivotal contributions to this industry-wide initiative as well as some of the challenges that can be expected and what might be coming next.Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a true expert in the field. Tune in to episode 51 to learn how open process automation is shaping the future of industrial operations, straight from the perspective of ExxonMobil's Kelly Li. Show Notes:News Story: A quantum leap forward (bit.ly/4j5ncJ8)Website: The Open Process Automation Forum (bit.ly/4j3LvXP)Website: O-PAS Certification (https://certification.opengroup.org/opas)Website: Integrated Open Process Automation (OPA) Testbed (bit.ly/3XxNDiu)Contact Us:Kelly Li (kelly.j.li@exxonmobil.com)OPAF (opaf_interest@opengroup.org)Don Mack (mack.donald@siemens.com)Jonas Norinder (jonas.norinder@siemens.com)Event Link: Shaping Tomorrow's Semiconductor Plant – a Visionary Leadership Event (bit.ly/424kEnx)

In this episode's news roundup, The Journal's Executive Editor Theresa Houck reports on issues affecting manufacturers and producers every day, including: The low percentage of risk management leaders who successfully balance data security & business goals. Projected source of most AI data breaches. Large percentage of manufacturing OT devices already vulnerable to ransomware. Projected market growth for cobots, mass flow controllers, and process automation & instrumentation. Updated ISO 10218 global standard for industrial robot safety. SME honors program for manufacturing students & young workers. And more. And as always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day. Resources from this episode: Learn more about & apply for the SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) “30 for 30” program recognizing talented young manufacturing leaders. Download Claroty's Team82 “State of CPS Security 2025: OT Exposures” report. Request the Process Automation and Instrumentation Market report from Future Market Insights. Download the 2025 edition of ISO 10218 from A3. Subscribe to The Journal's 4 digital magazines at http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.   Please share this episode with someone else who would benefit from the information. And kindly give us a 5-star rating and a review.  Automation Chat is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine. Find us on YouTube. Find us on LinkedIn. Find us on Facebook. Got a topic you want us to cover? Questions or comments? Email Executive Editor Theresa Houck at thouck@endeavorb2b.com. ** Named “Best Podcast” for 3 Consecutive Years! 2022 - 2024 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence.

Hany Fouda, Senior Vice President, Process Automation, Schneider Electric, dives deep into industrial artificial intelligence (AI), including the state of the processing sector's adoption of AI, how the industry can accelerate the adoption of digital technologies, benefits/barriers to embracing digital transformation and the future of AI, among much more.

Still sealing boxes the old-school way? That's like using a flip phone in the age of smartphones! Let's talk about how automation can save you time, money, and headaches. (For more info, visit https://casesealers.com/) Case Sealers City: Lafayette Address: P.O. Box 813 Website: https://casesealers.com

In dieser Folge spricht Patrick Heinen mit Christoph Pacher von Salesforce darüber, warum gut durchdachte Prozesse die Grundlage für jede KI-Integration sind, welche typischen Stolperfallen es gibt und wie Unternehmen Automatisierung so gestalten, dass sie wirklich Mehrwert bringt.Außerdem erfährst du, welche Technologien bereits heute Prozesse effizienter machen – und warum „AI First“ nicht immer die beste Strategie ist.Podcast „State of Process Automation“ von Christoph: https://www.stateofprocessautomation.com/Podcast „Disrupt“ vom Handelsblatt: https://www.handelsblatt.com/audio/disrupt-podcast/Kapitel00:00 - 01:13 Intro01:13 - 03:52 KI-Lebenslauf03:52 - 05:35 Wie automatisieren Unternehmen ihre Prozesse?05:35 - 07:43 Wo stehen Unternehmen in der Prozessautomatisierung?07:43 - 09:45 Was sind Herausforderungen für Unternehmen?09:45 - 11:18 AI First11:18 - 16:46 Process Automation Fly Reel16:46 - 22:47 Wie verändern sich Arbeitsweisen durch generative KI?22:47 - 26:12 Erfolgsfaktoren in Unternehmen26:12 - 33:51 Wie kann KI bei Prozessautomatisierung helfen?33:51 - 35:41 Warum hat mir das KIner gesagt?35:41 - 39:31 Wie beeinflusst Agentforce Prozessautomatisierung?39:31 - 44:42 Der Folgetipp der Folge44:42 - 46:42 OutroMehr zu Salesforce:Website: https://www.salesforce.com/de/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/salesforce/

Ian Wilson is the Safety & Logistics Practice Leader at Grantek. Ian is an experienced Project Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the industrial automation industry. Skilled in Process Control, Control Systems Design, SCADA, Engineering, and Process Automation. Ian is a proven and strong program and project management professional with a TUV focus in Machine Safety. The Industry 4.0 Podcast with Grantek delivers a look into the world of manufacturing, with a focus on stories and trends that lead to better solutions.   Our guests will share tips and outcomes that will help improve your productivity. You will hear from leading providers of Industrial Control System hardware and software, Grantek experts and leaders at best-in-class industry associations that serve Life Sciences and Food & Beverage manufactures.

In this episode we dive deep into the latest Dynamics 365 release wave, exploring exciting new features for both Finance and Supply Chain. Among the subjects for this episode:   - Process Automation in Finance - Security Governance - Available to promise improvements - Security enhancements in UK MTD VAT integration - Return order invoice support through dual-write - Asynchronous Dual-Write Gustav & Johan Links: Microsoft Dynamics 365 2025 release wave 1 plan | Microsoft Learn New and planned features for finance and operations cross-app capabilities, 2025 release wave 1 | Microsoft Learn  

Today's guest is Ken Mertzel, Global Industry Leader in Financial Services at Automation Anywhere. Automation Anywhere is a global software company that develops various automation software for major industries. Before joining Automation Anywhere six years ago, Ken spent his career in the financial sector, including 15 years at Bank of America. There, he served as CFO of the insurance division and held various leadership roles in finance, risk management, and consumer operations, ultimately leading financial operations for the bank. Before that, he was part of Accenture's Financial Services Strategy practice, advising clients on industry-leading financial strategies. Ken joins us on this week's program to explore the evolution of automation in heavily regulated industries. He explains why traditional RPA has only been able to automate a fraction of tasks and how AI is unlocking new opportunities. Ken also breaks down how agentic automation is transforming key financial processes, from AML investigations to fraud detection and underwriting. By combining AI with automation, organizations can extract valuable insights, streamline decision-making, and create more interactive, human-in-the-loop systems. This episode is sponsored by Automation Anywhere. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1.

Join us for an exclusive Fireside Chat featuring HFS Research CEO and Chief Analyst Phil Fersht, who speaks with Klarity's Founder and CEO, Andrew Antos. They discuss the platform's mission to automate documentation of work processes, the challenges of transformation in enterprises, the critical role of documentation, and future trends in automation and business understanding. Andrew also emphasizes the need for a deep knowledge of work processes and the shift toward continuous testing and documentation. Don't miss this compelling discussion. Subscribe to stay up-to-date with our visionary research, insights, and upcoming events: https://www.hfsresearch.com/subscribe/

In this episode of The Future of ERP podcast, Richard Howells interviews Jonathan Rhodes from SAP, focusing on the evolution of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems towards cloud-based solutions. Rhodes emphasizes the shift to Software as a Service (SaaS) ERP, which automates many traditional processes, enhancing efficiency and user experience. He discusses how these systems help small and medium enterprises achieve sustainable growth by providing ready-to-run processes and reducing IT burdens. The conversation also covers the importance of agility in adapting to market changes and the role of intelligent assistance in improving daily operations. Rhodes highlights that cloud ERP solutions are designed to scale with businesses, offering flexibility to meet unique needs while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.

*Hosted by Andrei Palamariu*I interviewed Pierre Khoury, Co-Founder and CEO of Shippeo. We discussed the company's journey and impact in the transport and supply chain space. Shippeo, now a global leader with 220 employees and 200 customers, focuses on visibility and risk management. Pierre highlighted the importance of real-time data, control towers, and AI in planning. He shared a success story from an automotive client, where Shippeo's platform helped mitigate production delays. He also emphasizes sustainability, leveraging granular data to improve efficiency. Through its innovative solutions, the company aims to grow globally and enhance supply chain resilience.Discover more details here.Follow us on:Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Wba8v7Twitter: http://bit.ly/2WeulzXLinkedin: http://bit.ly/2w9YSQXFacebook: http://bit.ly/2HtryLd

Send us a textIn this forward-looking episode, Kevin Metzger delves deep into the transformative potential of AI agents in service delivery. The discussion unveils how AI agents are revolutionizing business processes by breaking down complex tasks into manageable components. Kevin explains the architecture of AI agents, their practical applications in service delivery, and the significant developments in AI technology, including ChatGPT's O3 model and its implications for artificial general intelligence.Detailed AnalysisThe episode explores several crucial aspects of AI implementation in service delivery:Understanding AI AgentsKevin provides a comprehensive breakdown of AI agents, describing them as specialized LLMs (Large Language Models) equipped with specific objectives and tool-integration capabilities. These agents can interface with various platforms through APIs, enabling them to perform targeted tasks within a larger process framework.Practical Applications in Service DeliveryThe discussion outlines a practical workflow where AI agents can transform meeting management:Automated note-taking during meetingsExtraction and assignment of action itemsIntegration with task management toolsAutomated notification systemsProgress monitoring and trackingTechnical InfrastructureKevin highlights key technological developments:Salesforce's AgentForce platform for AI integrationCrew AI platform for agent implementationThe importance of API connectivityMulti-agent systems for complex task managementAddressing AI LimitationsThe episode tackles critical considerations in AI implementation:Managing LLM hallucinationsImplementation of verification systemsThe role of multiple agents in ensuring accuracyThe importance of process definition before AI implementationFuture OutlookThe discussion emphasizes the evolving nature of AI technology and its increasing accessibility through improved APIs and integration capabilities. The conversation suggests that 2025 will be a pivotal year for AI adoption in customer success and service delivery.Now you can interact with us directly by leaving a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/CustomerSuccessPlaybookPlease Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe. You can also find the CS Playbook Podcast:YouTube - @CustomerSuccessPlaybookPodcastTwitter - @CS_PlaybookYou can find Kevin at:Metzgerbusiness.com - Kevin's person web siteKevin Metzger on Linked In.You can find Roman at:Roman Trebon on Linked In.

For the twelfth & final episode of our special series with ProfitSolv, we've got a Festivus extravaganza, with all the fixin's.  But, don't worry - we found a way to smuggle in some legaltech & law firm management talk!  So, get some hot chocolate & snuggle up to this very special podcast episode. Featuring guest host Joyce Brafford & guest Scott Clasen, both of ProfitSolv. [SPONSORED BY TIMESOLV] Episode Highlights 00:15 - Legal Tech Adoption Challenges 02:12 - ProfitSolv! Product Line Overview 04:47 - Festivus Origins and Seinfeld Reference 18:52 - Importance of Software Testing Before Deployment 20:10 - Challenges with Onboarding and Software Adoption 22:58 - Underutilized Tools: Workflow and Process Automation 24:15 - Effective Use of Legal Accounting Features 31:24 - Law Firm Collection Practices and Soft Collections 36:20 - Making Credit Card Acceptances Common in Firms 38:40 - Recommended TimeSolv Features: Project Management Episode Resources Connect with Jared Correia jared@redcavelegal.com https://redcavelegal.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredcorreia https://twitter.com/RedCaveLegal www.linkedin.com/in/jaredcorreia/ Connect with Joyce Brafford and Scott Clasen joyce.brafford@profitsolv.com scott.clasen@profitsolv.com https://www.profitsolv.com/ https://www.timesolv.com/  

In this episode, I chat with Michael Greenberg about AI automation in marketing services. We discuss building AI automation agencies, opportunities in productized services, and specific AI-powered marketing workflows. Michael shares insights on content creation strategies, including social media posts, podcasts, and virtual influencers.We also explore the technical aspects of implementing AI systems and the business considerations for entrepreneurs in this space. Michael provides perspectives on the challenges of running an AI automation agency and balancing experimentation with focus in entrepreneurship. Brought to you by...Swell AI: Content Repurposing Powered by AI - https://www.swellai.com/Drafthorse AI: AI-powered programmatic SEO for blog posts - https://www.drafthorseai.com/Landing Cat: AI-Powered Programmatic SEO for eCommerce - https://www.landingcat.com/Timestamps:(00:10:20) - Process Automation in Marketing(00:18:41) - AI-Powered Ghostwriting System(00:23:32) - Generating Content at Scale with AI(00:28:23) - AI Avatars and Virtual Influencers(00:35:13) - Creating Artificial Controversy with AI(00:47:35) - Balancing Experimentation and Focus in BusinessHost LinksPersonal email newsletter - https://investorupdate.beehiiv.com/subscribehttps://twitter.com/codyschneiderxxhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/codyxschneider/https://codyschneider.com/https://inthepitpodcast.com/Guest Linkshttps://x.com/gentoftechhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/https://www.3rdbrain.co/

Enterprise workflows and tools are likely to see a dramatic shift as AI adoption and prowess grows, and the intensifying race to roll out AI could have implications for enterprise productivity, collaboration and process automation. In this episode of the Tech Disruptors podcast, Appianco-founder and CTO Michael Beckley joins Sunil Rajgopal, senior software analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, to discuss how the ground on solutions to design, automate, and optimize business processes is shifting, the role of low-code platforms and how AI is likely to alter the outlook. The two also talk about Appian's product journey, key customer verticals and competition.

In a fascinating conversation, Dr. Christian Gilcher guides us through the differences between RPA (Robotic Process Automation) and the more advanced APA approach, which uses AI agents to dynamically manage complex processes in a compliant and efficient manner. They discuss how APA not only solves cost and capacity issues in regulated industries but also provides an innovation boost within the industry. A highlight: APA's potential goes far beyond optimization, paving the way for entirely new industrial processes in the future.

Discover how John Knight the founder and managing director of BusinessDepot help business owners navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship with genuine insight and support. John shared his journey from growing up in a family business to founding Business Depot, highlighting the importance of sustainable growth over simply chasing expansion. His heartfelt desire to help others comes through as he offers practical advice for tackling today's economic hurdles, emphasizing the value of self-awareness and reviewing expenses. Passionate about connecting with fellow business owners, John also discusses the role of technology and automation in making work more efficient. On a personal note, he reflects on the lessons about wealth he shares with his children, underscoring the importance of balancing work and life. About our guest: John Knight is the visionary behind businessDEPOT, where he currently drives strategy, growth, and overall group management. As an accomplished accountant, he combines his extensive skills and experience in business strategy to provide unique services to his clients. Leading the business advisory team, John presents at conferences, facilitates workshops, consults on specialized projects, and offers one-on-one coaching. With a solid background in business valuation, he oversees all valuations while focusing on helping business owners enhance their value rather than just delivering reports. Additionally, John delivers tax advice, designs management reporting systems, manages projects, and oversees cloud system migrations with his team. He is particularly recognized in the real estate sector as a leading advisor, guiding businesses on profitability, strategy, growth, accounting processes, tax, and succession planning. Follow Our Guest: Website: https://businessdepot.com.au/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/businessdepot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessDEPOT Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@businessDEPOTgroup Follow Us On: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 01:58 - John's Journey and Background 06:27 - The Role of Communication in Business 08:28 - Tips for Struggling Businesses 10:51 - Key Challenges in Today's Business Climate 12:29 - Understanding Break-Even Points 13:43 - Reviewing Business Expenses  17:44 - Mapping Out Your Growth Journey 22:11 - Business Depot's Vision and Services 24:34 - Maintaining Culture Across Different Business Arms 28:36 - The Need for Process Automation in Service Industries 32:55 - Teaching Kids About Wealth and Money 36:45 - Defining Success Over Time 42:25 - Legacy and Impact on Others 44:31 - Steve's Next Horizon

In this episode of the Eye on AI podcast, we dive into process intelligence with Manuel Haug, Field CTO at Celonis.   Manuel shares how process mining is transforming business operations by connecting directly to digital systems to map workflows, optimize processes, and boost efficiency. He explains how Celonis builds digital twins of business processes, allowing companies to visualize and resolve inefficiencies with data-driven insights.   Manuel also explores the role of AI in process optimization, discussing the integration of generative AI and AI agents in Celonis. From automating repetitive tasks to enabling strategic decision-making, Manuel details how AI agents can enhance workflows, reduce costs, and deliver measurable productivity gains across industries.   Tune in to learn how AI agents are evolving, the potential of process intelligence graphs, and how Celonis is pioneering the future of autonomous enterprises.   Whether you're in business, tech, or curious about the impact of AI, this episode offers valuable insights into next-gen process optimization.   Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more episodes on AI, automation, and digital transformation!     This episode of Eye on AI is sponsored by Citrusx. Navigating the complexities of AI risk management? Citrusx has you covered. Their innovative platform helps you make better business decisions and achieve reliable AI outcomes while staying compliant with regulatory standards. Citrusx enables you to manage AI risks effortlessly, connecting all stakeholders and providing continuous validation. Their solution can detect and mitigate vulnerabilities, biases, and errors, ensuring the accuracy, robustness, and compliance of AI models Visit https://email.citrusx.ai/eyeonai to book your free demo today!     Stay Updated: Craig Smith Twitter: https://twitter.com/craigss Eye on A.I. Twitter: https://twitter.com/EyeOn_AI     (00:00) Introduction to Manuel Haug & Celonis (01:07) Understanding Process Intelligence (07:14) Integrating AI into Process Mining (12:12) Generative AI's Role in Process Optimization (15:18) Challenges of Large-Scale Process Integration (20:24) Role of AI Agents in Process Automation (23:43) AI Maturity & Implementation in Enterprises (27:23) Real-Life AI Agent Examples (30:47) Building and Integrating AI Agents (34:53) Future of AI Agents in Enterprises (37:56) Introducing the Process Intelligence Graph (39:20) Addressing Data Privacy Concerns

Synera is the leading low-code platform for Connected Engineering, enabling full automation and algorithm-based process modeling. It integrates all data and expert knowledge into the development process, providing engineers with technical capabilities that are usually only available to software developers. Based in Bremen, North Germany, Synera supports international firms across a wide range of industries, including the automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods sectors. Would you like to learn more about Connected Engineering with Synera's low-code platform? ONLINE PRESENCE ================

On this episode of Crazy Wisdom, I, Stewart Alsop, sit down with Ben Ford and Michael Greenberg for a dynamic conversation. Ben is the founder of Mission Control Dev, and Michael is the founder of Third Brain, a company focused on automating business operations. We explore a variety of topics, including the real meaning of "artificial intelligence," how AI is impacting various industries, and whether we truly have AI today. Michael introduces his concept of "Third Brain," a digital layer of operations, while Ben reflects on his military background and how it shapes his current work. Both offer unique perspectives on where technology is headed, especially around the future of knowledge work, digital transformation, and the human element in an increasingly automated world. Check out the links to learn more about Ben's Mission Control Dev and Michael's Third Brain.Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!Timestamps00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast00:15 Meet the Guests: Ben Ford and Michael Greenberg01:04 Exploring Third Brain and Mission Control03:05 Debating Artificial Intelligence05:24 The Role of AI in Business Operations08:54 Challenges in Digital Transformation16:59 Implementing AI and Digital Operations29:12 Exploring Puzzle App: A New Tool for Documentation30:14 The Power of Graphs in Computer Science32:14 Infinite Dimensions and String Theory32:57 AI Systems and Social Media Content33:31 Wardley Mapping and Business Processes35:26 The Future of AI and Job Security35:49 AI Whisperers Meetup and Conference43:35 The Role of Subject Matter Experts in AI44:13 The Impact of AI on Learning and Careers55:09 Challenges in Implementing AI Chatbots57:10 Closing Thoughts and Contact InformationKey InsightsThe distinction between AI and true intelligence: Ben and Michael both agree that current AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), lacks true intelligence. While these systems are highly capable of pattern recognition and can execute specific workflows efficiently, they fall short of human-like intelligence due to their inability to form cognitive loops, embody real-world understanding, or have agency. AI today excels at capacity but not in truly autonomous thinking.Digital transformation is continuous, not a one-time event: The idea that digital transformation has failed was discussed, with Ben and Michael pointing out that the problem lies in the perception that digital transformation has a start and end point. In reality, businesses are constantly transforming, and the process is more about ongoing adaptation than achieving a static, “transformed” state. Success in this realm requires persistent updates and improvements, especially in operational structure.AI as an enabler, not a replacement: Both guests emphasized that AI should be seen as a tool that augments human capability rather than replaces it. AI can significantly enhance the capacity of knowledge workers, enabling them to focus on more creative or strategic tasks by automating routine processes. However, human oversight and strategic input are still essential, especially when it comes to structuring data and providing context for AI systems to function effectively.The future of work involves "AI whisperers": Stewart introduces the idea of "AI whisperers" — people skilled in communicating with and directing AI systems to achieve specific outcomes. This requires a high level of linguistic and operational understanding, suggesting that those who can finesse AI's capabilities with precision will be in high demand in the future workforce. This shift may see creative, word-focused individuals becoming increasingly critical players in business operations.Structured data is crucial for effective AI deployment: A major challenge in deploying AI for businesses is the lack of well-structured data. Many organizations lack the documentation or system integration needed to effectively implement AI, meaning much of the initial work revolves around organizing data. Without this foundational step, attempts at AI deployment—such as customer service chatbots—are prone to failure, as the AI systems are only as good as the data they're fed.Graphs as the framework for business processes: Ben and Michael both highlight the importance of graphs in modern operations. Graphs, as a way to map out relationships between different elements of a system, are key to understanding and implementing digital operations. This concept allows for the visualization and optimization of workflows, helping businesses better navigate the complexities of modern digital ecosystems.AI is accelerating, and businesses need to keep up: One of the key takeaways from the episode is the rapid pace of AI advancement and its effect on businesses. Companies that fail to incorporate AI tools into their operations risk being left behind. Ben points out that the train has already left the station, and businesses need to quickly adapt by leveraging AI to streamline their processes and maintain competitiveness in an increasingly automated world.

In this episode, we explore Agentic Process Automation (APA), a paradigm that could revolutionize digital automation by harnessing the power of AI agents. The discussion focuses on the ProAgent system as an example of APA. APA introduces a new paradigm where AI-driven agents can analyze, decide, and execute complex tasks with minimal human intervention. We'll unpack the groundbreaking Automation concept which showcases the true potential of AI agents through its innovative approach to workflow construction and execution. Key Topics Covered Introduction to Agentic Process Automation (APA) Comparison between traditional Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and APA ProAgent: A prime example of APA implementation Key innovations of ProAgent: Agentic workflow construction Agentic workflow execution Types of agents in ProAgent: Data agents Control agents Case study: Using ProAgent with Google Sheets for business line management Potential impacts and implications of APA on work and decision-making Future developments and considerations for APA technology This episode was generated using Google Notebook LM, drawing insights from the paper "ProAgent: From Robotic Process Automation to Agentic Process Automation" Stay ahead in your AI journey with Bot Nirvana AI Mastermind. Podcast Transcript All right, everyone. Buckle up, because today's deep dive is going to be a wild ride through the future of automation. We're talking way beyond those basic schedule this kind of tasks. Yeah, we're diving headfirst into the realm where AI takes the wheel and handles the thinking for us. Oh, yeah, the thinking part. Yeah. If you could give your computer a really complex task, something that needs analysis, decision-making, maybe even a dash of creativity, that's what we're talking about. And right now, your typical automation tools, they would hit a wall. Hard. They're great at following those rigid step-by-step instructions. Like robots. Exactly. But when it comes to anything that requires actual brain power. Still got to do it ourselves. Well, that's where this research paper we're diving into today comes in. It's all about something called agentic process automation, or APA for short. And let me tell you, this stuff has the potential to completely change the game. OK, for those of us who haven't dedicated our lives to the art of automation, give us the lowdown. What is APA, and why is it such a big deal? Think about your current automation workhorse RPA, robotic process automation. It's like that super reliable assistant who never complains but needs very specific instructions for every single step. Right. Amazing at those repetitive tasks, but needs you to hold their hand through every decision point. Exactly. Now, imagine that same assistant, but with a secret weapon, an AI sidekick whispering genius solutions in their ear. OK, now you're talking. That's APA in a nutshell. We're giving RPA a massive intelligence boost. So instead of just blindly following pre-programmed rules, we're talking about automation that can actually think. You got it. APA introduces the idea of agents, which are basically AI helpers embedded directly into the workflow. These agents can analyze data, make judgment calls based on that analysis, and even generate things like reports, all without a human meticulously laying out each step. So it's not just about automating tasks anymore. It's about automating the intelligence behind those tasks. You're catching on quickly. And this paper focuses on a system called ProAgent as a prime example of APA in action. All right, lay it on us. What is ProAgent? So ProAgent really highlights the potential of APA with two key innovations-- agentic workflow construction and agentic workflow execution. OK, so those are some pretty hefty terms. Can you break those down for us? Let's start with how ProAgent constructs workflows. What makes it so revolutionary? Well, with your traditional RPA, you're stuck painstakingly designing every single step of the process. It's like writing a super detailed manual for a robot. Right, like you don't want the robot to deviate at all. Exactly. But ProAgent flips the script instead of you having to lay out every tiny detail. I can just, like, figure it out. You give it high level instructions, and the LLM-- that's the AI engine-- actually builds the workflow for you. Wait, so it's like you're telling it what you want to achieve, and it figures out the how to. Think of it like having an AI assistant who understands your goals and can translate those goals into a functional workflow. OK, that is seriously cool. And then, agentic workflow execution-- that's where those agents we talked about come in, right? They're the ones actually doing the heavy lifting. You got it. ProAgent uses two types of agents-- data agents and control agents. They work together like specialized teams within your automated workflow. OK, I'm really curious about these specialist teams now. Let's start with the data agents. What's their area of expertise? Data agents are the masterminds behind complex data processing. We're not talking simple copying and pasting here. Imagine you need a report summarizing key trends from a massive spreadsheet. Yeah, that sounds fun. A data agent can analyze that data, extract the important bits, and generate a report for you all within the automated workflow. OK, so if the data agents are the analysts, are the control agents like the project managers making sure it all comes together? That's a great analogy. Control agents handle the dynamic aspects of the workflow-- those if this, then that-- scenarios. They can assess a situation and choose the best course of action just like a human would. Wow, so they're not just following a predetermined path. They're making decisions on the fly. This is light years beyond basic automation. It really is. And to really illustrate this, the researchers use a really interesting case study with Google Sheets. Imagine you're a manager, and you've got this spreadsheet with hundreds of different business lines. Hundreds of business lines. I can already feel the headache coming on. Right, and each one might have unique needs. Some need detailed reports emailed out. Others might just need a quick update on Slack. Traditionally, you'd need a human to look at each one, figure out the best way to handle it. Oh, for sure. You'd need a whole team just to manage that. But in this case study, ProAgent uses a control agent to do the reading and the decision making. So it's not just matching keywords or something. It's actually understanding the context of each business line. You got it. The control agent can actually analyze the description of a business line and say, OK, this one seems more business to customer, so it needs this kind of report. That's pretty impressive. So the control agent is like the conductor of an orchestra, making sure everything flows smoothly, and each instrument plays its part at the right time. But what about the actual report writing? That's where those data agents step in, right? Exactly. Let's say the control agent flags a business line that requires a super detailed performance report. The data agent swips in, pulls the relevant data points from the spreadsheet, crunches the numbers, and even adds in some insightful summaries. Hold on. It can actually generate insights. Like, it's not just spitting out numbers. It can analyze the data and tell me what's important. That's the really exciting part. This paper shows that ProAgent can tap into the power of LLMs to move beyond just simple reporting. We're talking about identifying trends, comparing performance across different business lines. It could probably even make suggestions based on the data, right? Exactly. This is about real data-driven insights. OK, now I'm really seeing how this could be a game changer. Even for someone like me, who doesn't necessarily geek out over all the automation jargon, this has huge implications. It absolutely does. Think about all those tasks in your work day that could be handled by a system like ProAgent. Those things that eat up your time because they involve, you know, gathering information from different places, making judgment calls. It's like those tasks that, you know, could theoretically be automated, but they require that extra bit of human touch. Precisely. APA has the potential to bridge that gap. Imagine you could be freeing up all this mental bandwidth. All that time you'd normally spend on these tedious tasks, you could be focusing on the strategic stuff, the creative stuff, the work that really needs your unique human perspective. It's like having an army of AI assistants working tirelessly behind the scenes, handling all the heavy lifting so you can focus on the big picture. And it's not just about productivity. It's about reducing that feeling of information overload. APA could help us sift through all the noise, analyze data more effectively, and ultimately make better, more informed decisions. This all sounds incredibly promising, but where do we go from here? What's next for APA and ProAgent? That's the million dollar question. What's so exciting about this research is that it's really just the tip of the iceberg. As LMS continue to evolve, we can expect to see even more sophisticated versions of APA capable of handling increasingly complex tasks. So we could be talking about even more autonomy, even more intelligence, baked into these systems. What kind of impact could that have on the way we work and live? Imagine a world where personalized automation is the norm. Systems like ProAgent could learn your specific preferences, anticipate your needs. Essentially, become an extension of your own expertise. That's amazing. We're talking about a whole new level of human AI collaboration, where technology augments our abilities instead of replacing them. This feels like a pivotal moment in the evolution of automation. It really does. And while the possibilities are incredibly exciting, it also raises some important considerations about the future of work, how we navigate this evolving landscape. Yeah, it's fascinating to think about. As we're unlocking these new levels of automation, it really makes you wonder, what does work even look like in a future where AI can handle so much of what we do today? Yeah, it's a question we'll all be wrestling with in the coming years, for sure. On the one hand, it's incredibly exciting to think about all the possibilities, right? A world with less drudgery, more time to focus on the things that truly inspire us. But like you said, there are always two sides to every coin. Absolutely. As with any really transformative technology, we need to be mindful of the potential challenges. For example, as APA becomes more and more sophisticated, how do we ensure transparency in the decision making? If an AI is calling the shots, how do we understand its reasoning? Oh, that's such a good point. It's one thing to trust an AI with scheduling emails. But when we're talking about tasks that have real world consequences, transparency becomes absolutely crucial. We need to be able to see how these systems are arriving at their conclusions. Exactly. And beyond just transparency, there's a crawl in of accountability. If an AI makes a mistake, who's responsible? Is it the developers who created the system, the users who deployed it? These are some seriously complex questions. It really highlights how we're entering this new era, where ethics and technology are becoming so intertwined. As APA and other AI-driven systems become more prevalent in our lives, it's more important than ever to have open and honest conversations about the implications. 100%. And it's not just about having these conversations among technologists and policymakers. It's about bringing everyone to the table. Exactly. Because at the end of the day, these technologies are going to impact all of us, right? They will. It's about demystifying AI, making these conversations accessible, and deciding together what role we want these technologies to play. It's not about letting AI dictate the future. It's about using these incredible tools to help us build the future that we want. Well said. I couldn't agree more. Well, on that note, for our listeners, I hope this deep dive has sparked your curiosity about agendic process automation and giving you plenty to ponder as we venture into this exciting new frontier of, well, everything. It's been a pleasure exploring these ideas with you. And as always, thank you for joining us on the deep dive. We'll see you next time for another deep dive into the world of cutting-edge technology and its impact on our lives. Thank you for joining the Bot Nirvana podcast. Appreciate if you can leave a review on iTunes or wherever you're consuming your podcast. Catch the show notes on bot nirvana.org. While you are there, feel free to explore more free digital automation resources and more. See you next time.

In this episode, Yan Kugel is joined by Will Moss founder and CEO of Seal, about the critical need for automation in GXP processes. Will shares his expertise on balancing automation with human oversight, addressing data privacy concerns, and the future of quality management in the pharmaceutical sector.

Will Lu is the cofounder and CTO of Orby AI, an AI platform to automate people's repetitive tasks. He was previously the Head of Engineering at Google and a Systems Software Engineer at Nvidia. Will's favorite book: Beyond Enterpreneurship (Authors: Jim Collins and William Lazier) (00:01) Introduction(00:07) History of RPA(01:04) Building Blocks of RPA(02:34) Drawbacks of Traditional RPA(05:06) Introduction to AI-Native RPA(06:38) Advantages of AI-Native RPA(08:14) Defining Generative Process Automation (GPA)(10:15) Explanation of Large Action Models(11:47) Role of AI Agents in Process Automation(13:11) Data for Building Large Action Models(14:44) Benchmarking Large Action Models(15:53) Risk Mitigation in AI-Native RPA(17:44) Changing Roles in the RPA Industry(19:14) Adoption of Agent Technologies(21:03) ROI Measurement in AI-Native RPA(23:05) Explainability in AI Systems(24:25) Fast Adoption Teams in Enterprises(25:15) Handling Unstructured Data(26:12) Digital Organizations and Future Automation(27:09) Exciting AI Breakthroughs(28:03) Rapid Fire Round--------Where to find Prateek Joshi: Newsletter: https://prateekjoshi.substack.com Website: https://prateekj.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prateek-joshi-91047b19 Twitter: https://twitter.com/prateekvjoshi 

Alexandre Wentzo discusses mitigating risk in the face of data overload. Alex is the CEO of iGrafx, a leader in intelligent process management. Their approach combines real-time operational intelligence through process mining, with predictive analytics, and AI-based automation. Host, Kevin Craine Do you want to be a guest? Everyday-MBA.com/guest

In this insightful episode of the Marketing Technology Podcast, hosts Elias Crum and Mark van Horik sit down with marketing technology and operations expert Frans Riemersma to discuss how B2B marketers can streamline and optimize their marketing technology stacks, data management, and process automation. Frans shares his Big Five components of best-in-class Martech stacks: CMS CRM Marketing Automation Customer Data Platforms E-commerce   Key Discussion Points: 1. Optimization of Marketing Technology Stack Best Practices for Selecting and Integrating Tools Maximizing Current Technology Emerging Technologies to Watch 2. Data Management and Analytics Effective Data Collection and Management Improving Data Accuracy and Utility Common Pitfalls in Data Management 3. Process Automation and Efficiency Key Areas for Automation Balancing Automation and Personalization Measuring Automation Success Join us as Frans Riemersma shares his wealth of knowledge and practical advice on optimizing marketing operations, making this a must-listen episode for B2B marketers looking to enhance their strategies and performance. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and don't forget to subscribe for more expert insights on marketing technology! For more information and to connect with Frans Riemersma, visit his LinkedIn profile or check out his latest projects and insights on marketing operations.

Mark Darby works extensively with gas refineries and chemical processing plants. He also serves on the advisory board at Texas Tech University.

This episode is a compilation of insightful clips from Season 2 of the OpsStars podcast, where industry leaders explore the transformative potential of AI in Revenue Operations (RevOps). Hear diverse perspectives on how AI can enhance human capabilities, drive efficiency, and unlock new possibilities in data analysis, process automation, and customer engagement. Gain practical strategies for integrating AI into your RevOps workflows while overcoming common fears surrounding its adoption.

Charli has treat for you this week listeners as Heather Cykoski joins the pod. Heather Cykoski, Senior Vice President, Industrial and Process Automation, Member of the Executive Leadership Team, leads the Industrial Automation business in North America to be our customer's digital and automation partner for sustainability and resiliency. A passionate global business leader with 25 years of international experience leading multi-divisional, multi-cultural teams across the energy value chain, Heather brings a strong track record of excellence in both business and leadership. She began her career at the Foxboro Company in 1998, as a member of the Professional Leadership Program, with roles in engineering and business development.Starting in 2005, she held several leadership roles at ABB in marketing, sales, and strategic investments. Joining as North American Manager for British Petroleum and Shell in 2007, Vice President, Group Accounts, working with The Dow Chemical Company, successfully executing chemical plants and new investments in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. In 2010, she led ABB's partnership with Dow Chemical and Saudi Aramco's joint venture in Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia. A partner from concept through lifecycle. In 2012, she managed Group Strategic Project investments including East Africa's liquid natural gas and North America's gulf coast chemical and liquid natural gas investments. Most recently, leading ABB's global Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Industry business. In August 2023, Heather returned to Schneider Electric with a clear mandate to be an “impact maker” in energy transition, harnessing the full portfolio and strength of our company, AVEVA, and strategic partnerships. In addition to her professional experience, Heather is deeply involved in the community and is a fierce advocate of women in STEM. She serves on the Board of Directors of Fluitron and the World of Affairs Council. She has been honored with the Gamechangers Progress Champion Award in 2022 and 2023; WeQual Americas Leadership Excellence Award in 2021 and named a Global Leader of Influence, World Affairs in 2021; 10 Most Influential Women in Technology 2020 and a member of the Global Women's Forum for Economy & Society, Paris France. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Distribution from the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University and IMD's Executive Leadership from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. Read up at EmpoweringPumps.com and stay tuned for more news about EPIC in Atlanta this November!Find us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email podcast@empoweringpumps.com 

Marcos Peluso served as director of development for fieldbus at Emerson. Peluso worked on many projects over the years, but his work on developing Foundation Fieldbus is the capstone to a stellar career.

Podcast: Control Amplified: The process automation podcast (LS 24 · TOP 10% what is this?)Episode: A conversation with 2024 Process Automation Hall of Fame inductee Joe WeissPub date: 2024-05-22Joe Weiss is managing partner of Applied Control Solutions Inc., and an ISA99 ICS cybersecurity pioneer and blogger.The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from ControlGlobal, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Podcast: Control Amplified: The process automation podcast (LS 24 · TOP 10% what is this?)Episode: A conversation with 2024 Process Automation Hall of Fame inductee Joe WeissPub date: 2024-05-22Joe Weiss is managing partner of Applied Control Solutions Inc., and an ISA99 ICS cybersecurity pioneer and blogger.The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from ControlGlobal, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Joe Weiss is managing partner of Applied Control Solutions Inc., and an ISA99 ICS cybersecurity pioneer and blogger.

Victoria Guido hosts Robbie Holmes, the founder and CEO of Holmes Consulting Group. The conversation kicks off with Robbie recounting his initial foray into the tech world at a small web hosting company named A1 Terabit.net, chosen for its alphabetical advantage in the white pages. This job was a stepping stone to a more significant role at Unisys, working for the state of New York's Department of Social Services, where Robbie inadvertently ventured into civic tech and public interest technology. Robbie shares his career progression from supporting welfare systems in New York to becoming a technological liaison between the city and state, leading to a deeper involvement in open-source solutions. His journey through tech spaces includes developing websites, diving into the Drupal community, and eventually establishing his consulting business. Robbie emphasizes the serendipitous nature of his career path, influenced significantly by community involvement and networking rather than a planned trajectory. Additionally, Robbie gives insights on the impact of technology in public services and his stint with the U.S. Digital Service (USDS), where he contributed to significant projects like vets.gov. Robbie promotes the value of community engagement in shaping one's career, stressing how connections and being in the right place at the right time can lead to unexpected opportunities and career pivots. Follow Robbie Holmes on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiethegeek/), X (https://twitter.com/RobbieTheGeek), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/robbiethegeek), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/robbiethegeek), or GitHub (https://github.com/robbiethegeek). Check out his website at robbiethegeek (https://about.me/robbiethegeek). Follow thoughtbot on X (https://twitter.com/thoughtbot) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/150727/). Transcript: VICTORIA: This is the Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots podcast, where we explore the design, development, and business of great products. I'm your host, Victoria Guido. And with me today is Robbie Holmes, Founder and CEO of Holmes Consulting Group. Robbie, thank you for joining me. ROBBIE: I'm so happy to be here. It's great to talk to you, Victoria. VICTORIA: Yes. I have known you for a long time now, but I don't know everything about you. So, I thought I would start with the question: What was your first job that you ever had? ROBBIE: My first technical job, I ended up working for an internet web hosting company called A1 Terabit.net. And note the A1 because it came first in the white pages. It was a really small web hosting company run by a man named [SP] Maxim Avrutsky. I worked there for about six months before I submitted my resume to an online job forum. That's how old I am. And it ended up in the hands of Unisys, where I eventually worked for the state of New York. VICTORIA: Wow [laughs]. So, what a journey that you've been on to get from starting there, and what a marketing ploy back in the day with the white pages. So, tell me a little bit more about how you went from that first job to where you are today with having your own business in consulting. ROBBIE: Yeah, I wasn't even aware that I was jumping into the sort of civic tech space and public interest technology because the job I ended up with was working for New York State in the Department of Social Services. And welfare is federally funded and distributed to states and then states to localities. And New York City and New York State have a weird parasymbiotic relationship because over 50% of the welfare in New York State goes to the five boroughs in New York City. So, so much of my job was supporting the welfare system within the city, which was run by the human resources administration. So, that just led to this cascade of me, like, getting invested in supporting that, and then eventually jumping over to the other side where I worked for the City of New York. And at that point, I ended up becoming sort of a technology project manager and almost a tech liaison between the city and state. And I was out in the welfare centers, helping get the job centers up to a new application called the Paperless Office System, which was a client-server app that was a wrapper around welfare. All of that ended up leading to me finally making it to the network operation center for the City of New York, where I started replacing expensive solutions like HP OpenView with open-source solutions like Nagios and another open-source solution that provided an interface. And it really opened my eyes to the idea of open source. And I had really paid attention to a lot of open-source operating systems. So, I was kind of just a general tech nerd. And eventually, I started building websites, and that led me to the Drupal community in New York City, which was sort of this cascade that led me to communities. And I think that's sort of a through line for my entire career is I don't really think I ever had a plan. I think my entire career has been this sort of a lucky happenstance of being prepared when an opportunity arose and sometimes being in the right place because of my connections and community. VICTORIA: That's interesting about being involved with the people around you and seeing what problems are out there to solve and letting that lead you to where your interests lie. And then, following that, naturally led you to, like, this really long career and these really interesting, big projects and problems that you get to solve. ROBBIE: Yeah. And I think one interesting aspect is like, I feel I spent a lot of time worried about what I was going to do and where I was going to do it. I don't have a bachelor's degree. I don't have an advanced degree. I have a high school diploma and a couple of years in college. Well, 137 credits, not the right 125 or 124 to have a bachelor's degree. I have enough credits for a couple of minors though, definitely Greek art history, I think mathematics, maybe one more. I just never got it together and actually got my degree. But that was so interesting because it was limiting to what jobs I could find. So, I was in the tech space as an IT person and specifically doing networking. So, I was running the network operation center. I helped, like, create a whole process for how we track tickets, and how we created tickets, and how things were moved along. And, in the process, I started building websites for family and friends. And I built a website for our network operation center, so that way we could have photos to go with our diagrams of the network. So that way, when we were troubleshooting remotely, we could actually pull up images and say, "The cable that's in port six goes off to the router. I think that port is dead. Can we move it to the port two to its right, and I'll activate it?" And that made a really interesting solution for something we weren't even aware we had, which was lack of visibility. So many of the people in the fields were newer or were trying to figure it out. And some of us had really deep knowledge of what was going on in those network rooms and hubs. It led me to this solution of like, well, why don't we just start documenting it and making it easier for us to help when they're in the field? That led me to, like, the Drupal community because I started building sites in the Drupal CMS. And I went to, like, my first Drupal meetup in 2007, and there was, like, five of us around the table. That led to eventually me working for Sony Music and all these other things. But the year before I found my way to the Drupal community, I probably sent out, like, 400 resumes for jobs in the tech space, didn't really get any callbacks. And then, I met the community, and I started attending events, and then eventually, I started organizing events. And then, Sony I interviewed and talked to them a couple of times. And then, a friend of mine became the boss. And she contacted me and was like, "Hey, are you in the market?" And I was like, "I don't know. Why? What's up?" And she's like, "I became Doug." And I was like, "What?" And she was like, "I'm now replacing Doug at Sony. I'm running the team." And I was like, "Yeah, I'm happy to talk." And that was the big transition in my career from IT to sort of development and to delivery, right? Like, when it comes right down to it, is I became the manager of interactive media at Sony Music, which was really a job I landed because I was connected to the community, and running events, and getting to know everyone. VICTORIA: Yeah. And I think it's really cool that you had this exposure early on to what you called civic tech, which we'll get into a little bit, and then you went from the community into a commercial technology space and really getting into engineering with Drupal. ROBBIE: Yeah, it was an interesting transition because what they needed at Sony was sort of somebody who could ride the line between systems engineer, database administrator, and Drupal engineer, and also probably pre-DevOps DevOps person. So, I was responsible for all deployments and all tickets that came in. I was sort of both the technical arm of the help desk. When I joined, there was 24 websites on the Drupal platform, and when I left, there was over 200. And we upgraded it from Drupal 5 to Drupal 6 to Drupal 7 while I was there. So, I was heavily involved in all of those updates, and all those upgrades, and all of the deployments of all the new themes, and all the changes to all these sites. So, what was great was they, I believe, if I understand it correctly, they actually created a role for me out of, like, two or three jobs because they needed a me, and they didn't have a role that existed. So, all of a sudden, they made a manager of interactive media role. And I was able to work there for two years, sort of being what I jokingly say, like, a digital janitor. I used to say that I had, like, an eight-bit key ring in a push broom. And I was always mad at your kids for trying to break my stuff. VICTORIA: [laughs] That's so good. A digital service janitor [laughs]? The connection for me between that and where I met you in the U.S. digital service space [laughs] I feel like there's a lot of parallels between that and where your career evolved later on in life. ROBBIE: Yeah. What's amazing is I did all this early work in my career in civic tech and didn't realize it was civic tech at the time. I just realized what I was doing was providing this huge impact and was value. You know, I spent a couple of years in the welfare centers, and I used to say all the time that the two hardest jobs in the welfare center are the person applying for welfare and the person deciding whether or not that person gets welfare. So, being a technologist and trying to help make that as simple as possible or easier and smooth the edges off of that process was really important. And it really taught me how important technology is to delivering service. And I really never thought about it before. And then, when I was working for Phase2 technologies, I was a director of Digital Services. And I read in a blog post, I believe that was written by Mikey Dickerson, who was the original administrator for USDS, and he talked about HealthCare.gov. And he walked in the door, and he said, "How do you know HealthCare.gov is down?" And I think there was some allusion to the fact that we were like, we turn on the television and if they're yelling at us, we know it's down. And Mikey was like, "We know how to monitor things." So, like, if you don't know Mikey Dickerson, he's the person who sort of created the web application hierarchy of needs in Google. He was an SRE. And his pyramid, like Maslow's hierarchy of needs, was all over Google when I was there. I was so impressed with the idea that, like, we aren't talking about how do we solve this problem? We're talking about knowing when there's a problem. And then, if we know there's a problem, we can put some messaging around that. We can say, like, "We're aware," right? Like if the president calls the secretary, the secretary can say, "We know it's down. We're working on it," which is building up political capital. It's a really amazing process that I kept reading this blog post, and I was like, God, that's how I would approach it. And then, I was like, wow, I wonder if I could use my skills to help America, and very shortly submitted an application and was like, well, we'll see what happens. And about six months later, I walked in the door at the VA and was the eighth employee of the Digital Service team at the VA. That was a franchise team of the USDS model. VICTORIA: And can you say a little bit more about what is the U.S. Digital Service and expand upon your early experience there? ROBBIE: Yeah. So, the United States Digital Service was created after HealthCare.gov had its issues. Todd Park had convinced President Obama to reach out to get support from the private industry. And the few of the people who were there, Todd convinced to stick around and start creating a team that could support if there was this kind of issue in the future. I believe the team that was there on the ground was Mikey Dickerson, Erie Meyer, Haley Van Dyck, and Todd. And there was a few other people who came back or were very close at the beginning, including the current administrator of USDS. She has been around a long time and really helped with HealthCare.gov. It's amazing that Mina is back in government. We're very lucky to have her. But what came out of that was what if we were able to stand up a team that was here in case agencies needed support or could vet solutions before these types of problems could exist? So, USDS was what they called the startup inside the White House that was created during the 2014 administration of President Obama. The team started that year, and I joined in May of 2016. So, I would be, like, sort of the beginning of the second team of the VA U.S. Digital Service team. So, USDS supported this idea of tours of duty, where you're a schedule A employee, which meant you were a full-time government employee, but you were term-limited. You could do up to two years of duty and work, and then you could theoretically stick around and do two more years. That was how these roles were envisioned. I think there's lots of reasons why that was the case. But what's nice is it meant that you would come in with fresh eyes and would never become part of the entrenched IT ecosystem. There are people that transition from USDS into government, and I think that's a huge value prop nowadays. It's something that I don't know they were thinking about when the original United States Digital Service was stood up, but it was hugely impactful. Like, I was part of the team at the VA that helped digitize the first form on vets.gov and all the work that was done. When the VA team started, there was a team that was helping with veteran benefits, and they worked on the appeals process for veteran benefits. And I joined. And there was a team that was...eventually, it became dubbed the veteran-facing tools team. And we worked on vets.gov, which was a new front door to expose and let veterans interact with the VA digitally. And over time, all the work that went into the tools and the solutions that were built there, everything was user-researched. And all of that work eventually got brought into VA.gov in what they called a brand merger. So, we took, like, the sixth most trafficked front door of the VA and took all the modern solutioning that that was and brought it into VA.gov, the main front door. So, all of a sudden, there was an identity, a login provided on VA.gov for the first time. So big, impactful work that many people were a part of and is still ongoing today. Surprisingly, so much of this work has now fallen under OCTO, which is the Office of the CTO in the VA. And the CTO is Charles Worthington, who was a USDSer who's the epitome of a person who goes where the work is. Charles was a Presidential Innovation Fellow who helped out in the times of HealthCare.gov and, joined USDS and did anything and everything that was necessary. He interviewed engineers. He was a product person. Charles is one of the most unique technologists and civic tech people I've ever met in my life. But Charles, at the end of the Obama administration and in this transition, realized that the VA was in need of someone to fill the CTO role. So, he came over to become the interim CTO because one of the values of USDS is to go where the work is. And he realized, with the transition, that Marina Nitze, who was the CTO who was transitioning out, there was going to be a need for continuity. So, he came in to provide that continuity and eventually became the full-time CTO and has been there ever since. So, he has helped shape the vision of what the VA is working towards digitally and is now...he was just named the Chief AI Officer for the agency. Charles is a great person. He has successfully, you know, shepherded the work that was being done early by some of us into what is now becoming a sort of enterprise-wide solution, and it's really impressive. VICTORIA: I appreciate you sharing that. And, you know, I think there's a perception about working for public service or for government, state or federal agencies, that they are bureaucratic, difficult to work with, very slow. And I think that the USDS was a great example of trying to really create a massive change. And there's been this ripple effect of how the government acquires products and services to support public needs, right? ROBBIE: Yeah, I would say there's a couple of arms of the government that were sort of modernization approaches, so you have the Presidential Innovation Fellows, which are the equivalent of, like, entrepreneurs and residents in government. And they run out of...I think they're out of the TTS, the Technology Transformation Service over at GSA, which is the General Services Administration. But the PIFs are this really interesting group of people that get a chance to go in and try to dig in and use their entrepreneurial mindset and approach to try to solve problems in government. And a lot of PIFS work in offices. Like, Charles' early team when he first became the CTO included a lot of Presidential Innovation Fellows. It was basically like, "Hey, the VA could use some support," and these people were available and were able to be convinced to come and do this work. And then, you have the Presidential Management Fellows, which I think is a little bit more on the administration side. And then, we have 18F and USDS. The United States Digital Service is a funded agency with an OMB. And we were created as a way to provide the government with support either by detailing people over or dropping in when there was a problem. And then, 18F is an organization that is named because the offices of GSA and TTS (Technology Transformation Service), where it's housed, are on the corner of 18th Street and F in DC. And 18F is sort of like having a technology or a digital agency for hire within the government. So, they are full-time employees of the government, sort of like USDS, except government agencies can procure the support of that 18F team, just like they would procure the support of your company. And it was a really interesting play. They are fully cost-recoupable subcomponent of TTS, which means they have to basically make back all the money that they spend, whereas USDS is different. It's congressionally funded for what it does. But they're all similar sibling organizations that are all trying to change how government works or to bring a more modern idea or parlance into the government. I used to say to people all the time that at USDS, you know, we would set a broken bone say, and then we would come back around and say, like, "Hey, does your arm hurt anymore?" The idea being like, no. Be like, "Cool, cool. Maybe you should go to the gym, and you should eat better." And that would be, like, procurement change. That would be, like, changing for the long term. So, all the work I was doing was building political capital so we could do better work in changing how procurement was done and then changing how the government delivered these things. So, what was awesome was, like, we used to have these fights at USDS about whether or not we were a culture change or we were firefighters. And I think the reality is once we're involved, culture changes happen. The bigger question is, are we going to be there for the long haul, or are we only there for a shorter period of time? And I think there are reasons why USDS teams had both plays. And I think it really is just two different plays for the same outcome. VICTORIA: Yeah, that makes sense. And to pivot a little bit, I think, you know, our audience, we have clients and listeners who are founders of products that are aimed at making these, like, public service needs, or to give some examples, like, maybe they're trying to track Congressional voting patterns or contact information for different state representatives, and they're trying to navigate this space [laughs]. So, maybe you can give some advice for founders interested in selling their products to government agencies. What can they do to make it more appealing and less painful for themselves? ROBBIE: I wouldn't consider myself a procurement expert, but at USDS, the procurement team called themselves the [SP] procurementati. And I was a secret member of the procurementati. I often was the engineer they would call to evaluate statements of work or sometimes be on technology evaluation panels. And it was fun to be a part of that. Things that most companies don't realize is government agencies will put out things like request for information or sources sought in the government space. And this is a way for industry to influence how government tries to solve problems. If you are trying to go after government work and you're only responding to an RFP, you're probably behind in your influence that you could have on the type of work. So, you'll see if a procurement seems to be, like, specifically focused on an approach, or a technology, or a framework, it's probably because some companies have come through and said, "I think this would probably solve your problem," and they gave examples. So, that's one way to be more connected to what's going on is to follow those types of requests. Another is to follow the money. My wife is this amazing woman who helped write The Data Act and get it passed through government. And The Data Act is the Data and Transparency Act. And that led to her heading over to treasury and leading up a team that built USAspending.gov. So, there is a website that tracks every dollar, with some exceptions, of the funding that comes out of Congress every year. And what's great is you can track it down to where it's spent, and how it's spent, and things like that. For education purposes, I think that is a really good thing that business and growth people can focus on is try to see and target where competitors or where solutions that you've looked at have gone in the past. It's just a good set of data for you to take a look at. The other piece is if you're creating a solution that is a delivery or a deliverable, like a SaaS solution, in order for something to be utilized in the government, it probably needs to be FedRAMP-approved, which is a process by which security approvals have been given so that government agencies have the green light to utilize your solution. So, there's tons of documentation out there about FedRAMP and the FedRAMP approval process. But that is one of those things that becomes a very big stopping point for product companies that are trying to work in the government. The easiest way to work your way through that is to read up on it a bunch, but also find an agency that was probably willing to sponsor you getting FedRAMP approval. Most companies start working with a government agency, get an exemption for them to utilize your product, and then you get to shape what that FedRAMP process looks like. You start applying for it, and then you have to have some sort of person who's helping shepherd it for you internally in the government and accepting any issues that come along in the process. So, I guess FedRAMP approval is one that's a little complicated but would be worth looking into if you were planning on delivering a product in government. VICTORIA: Right. And does that apply to state governments as well? ROBBIE: So, lots of state-related and city and locality-related governments will actually adopt federal solutions or federal paradigms. So, I think in the state of California, I think FedRAMP as one of the guiding principles for accepting work into the state of California, so it's not consistent. There's not a one-to-one that every state, or every city, or every locality will pull this in. But if you are already approved to be a federal contractor, or a federal business, or a federal product, it's probably going to be easier to make your way into the local spaces also. VICTORIA: Right. And as you said, there's plenty of resources, and tools, and everything to help you go along that journey if that's the group you're going for [laughs]. Mid-Roll Ad: When starting a new project, we understand that you want to make the right choices in technology, features, and investment but that you don't have all year to do extended research. In just a few weeks, thoughtbot's Discovery Sprints deliver a user-centered product journey, a clickable prototype or Proof of Concept, and key market insights from focused user research. We'll help you to identify the primary user flow, decide which framework should be used to bring it to life, and set a firm estimate on future development efforts. Maximize impact and minimize risk with a validated roadmap for your new product. Get started at: tbot.io/sprint. VICTORIA: So, kind of bringing it back to you, like, you're saying you want those partnerships within the government. You want someone advocating for you or for your product or your service. Drawing that back to what you said earlier about community, like, how do you form a community with this group of people who are in the state, or federal government, or civic tech spaces? ROBBIE: Yeah, I think it's an interesting problem because so much of it feels impenetrable from the outside. Most people don't even know where to start. There are organizations out there that are pretty good community connections, an example I would give is ACT-IAC. It is a public-private partnership where people from within the government, experts in their fields, and people in the private industry who are experts in their fields will be together on community boards and engaging in panels. And so, it's a really nice way to start connecting those dots. I have no direct affiliation with ACT-IAC. But if they'd like to give me my own account, that would be great. But it is one of those organizations I've seen be successful for people trying to find their way into a community that is a little harder to find. I think, also, so much of the community engagement happens at conferences and around...so, like, if you're in the healthcare space, this last month, you've had multiple conferences that I think were really great for people to get to know one another, you know, an example is ViVE. It just happened out in LA, which is a little more on the private sector health space, but still, government agencies were there. I know that the Department of Veterans Affairs had people there and were on panels. And then, HIMSS is another conference that takes place, and that just took place down in Miami. And in Miami, HIMSS happened and a whole bunch of other social community events took place. So, I'm close with a thing called the Digital Services Coalition, which is 47 companies that all try to deliver good government based on the Digital Services Playbook that was created by USDS that lives at playbook.cio.gov and the way that they try to accomplish this work. And that organization, while they were in Miami, hosted a happy hour. So, there's a lot of connections that can be made once you start seeing the players and getting to know who's around. So, it's a little bit about trying to find your way to that first event, and I think that will really open up everything for you. Within a week or two, I was at an International Women's Day event at MetroStar, which is a really great company that I've gotten a chance to spend some time with. And then, I was at an event for the Digital Services Coalition talking about open source in government. So, there's a lot of stuff out there for you to be a part of that isn't super cost-prohibitive and also doesn't take a lot once you start to open the door. You know, once you peek around that corner and you find some people, there's a lot more to be done. VICTORIA: Yeah. And you touched on something at the end there that wants me to bring up some of the advantages you can have being a small business, a minority-owned business, or woman-owned business, or veteran-owned business, so thinking about how you can form those connections, especially if you have one of those socio and economic set-asides that you might want to consider if they're looking to work with the government as well. ROBBIE: Yeah. Those socioeconomic set-asides include small businesses, woman-owned small business. I think it's Native and Alaskan 8(a), which is historically underrepresented and service-disabled veteran-owned. So, there are also sub-communities of associations, like there's the Digital WOSB, the digital Women-Owned Small Business alliance that was founded by Jess Morris from Pluribus Digital, and a bunch of other companies in the Digital Services Coalition. I believe she's the president of the Digital WOSB right now. That is a sub-community of women-owned small businesses that are trying to connect and create a community that they can support one another. And that's just one example of the type of connection you can make through those types of socioeconomic set-asides. But once you have those official socioeconomic set-asides, it will allow you to get specific contracts engagements in the government that are not allowed or available for others. So, the government procurement process will have some amount of these specific socioeconomic set-asides that need to be hit. Like, 8% of all procurements need to go to this and 10% of all procurements need to go to this. So, I think the VA is probably one of the most effective at hitting any of the socioeconomic set-asides, specifically related to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. So, if you happen to be a person of color and you found a business and you are female presenting, right? You may have 8(a) woman-owned small business. If you also happen to be a veteran and you're service-disabled, all of those things stack. You don't just get to have one of them. And they can be really effective in helping a business get a leg up and starting out and trying to help even the playing field for those communities. VICTORIA: Yeah. What I really appreciated about my experience working with Pluribus Digital, and you, and people who had had that experience in the U.S. Digital Services, that there is this community and desire to help each other out and that you can have access to people who know how to move your product forward, get you the connections that you need to be competitive, and to go after the work. So, I love encouraging people to consider civic tech options. And maybe even say more about just how impactful some of it can be. And what kind of missions are you solving in these spaces? ROBBIE: Yeah, I often try to remind people, especially those who are heading towards or considering civic tech, there are very few places in this world that you can work on something that can impact millions of people. Sure, I was lucky enough. I have tons of privilege. I worked at a lot of wacky places that have given me the access to do the type of work that I think is impactful, but very little has the kind of impact. Like, when I was interviewed by Marina Nitze as, my last interview when I joined USDS, she sent me an email at the end of it and said like, "Everything was great. I look forward to working with you. And remember, every time you commit code into our GitHub, you'll be helping 8 million veterans." And then, she cc'd Todd Park. And Todd was the CTO of the U.S., and he responded back within a minute. Todd is one of the most busy people. It was amazing to me how fast he responded. But he was like, "Lemme tell you, as somebody who can talk on behalf of our president, our country needs you." And those kinds of things they're hard to comprehend. And then, I joined the Digital Service team at the VA. And one of the first things that I got to support was the 10-10EZ. It's the healthcare application for veterans. And before I got there, it was a hosted PDF that we were trying to replace. And the team had been working for months to try to build a new, modern solution. What it was is it was, like, less than six submissions were happening a day because it only worked in Adobe Acrobat, I think it was 6.5 and below, and Internet Explorer 8.5 and below. And if you think about the people that could submit utilizing that limited set of technologies, it was slowly becoming homeless veterans who were using library computers that had not been upgraded. So, there was a diminishing amount of value that it was providing. And then, on top of it, it was sort of lying to veterans. If the version of the Adobe Acrobat was out of date, or wrong, or too new, it would tell them to upgrade their browser. So, like, it was effectively not providing any value over time. We were able to create a new version of that and that was already well on its way when I joined, but we were able to get it out the door. And it was a React frontend using a Node backend to talk to that SOAP API endpoint. Within the first week, we went from 6 submissions a day to 60 submissions a day. It's a joke, right? We were all 10x developers. We were like, "Look at us. We're killing it." But about three years later, Matt Cutts came to a staff meeting of USDS, and he was the second administrator of the USDS. And he brought the cake that had the actual 10-10EZ form on it, and it said, "500,000." And he had checked with the analytics team, and there were over 500,000 submissions of that form, which means there are 500,000 possible veterans that now may or may not have access to healthcare benefits. Those are big problems. All of that was done by changing out one form. It opened up the world. It opened up to a group of veterans that no one else was able to do. They would have had to go into a veteran's office, and they would have had to fill it out in paper. And some veterans just don't have the ability to do that, or don't have an address, or don't have a...so, there are so many reasons why having a digital form that worked for veterans was so important. But this one form that we digitized and we helped make modern has been submitted so many times and has helped so many veterans and their families. And that's just one example. That's just one form that we helped digitize. But now the team, I mean, I'm back in the VA ecosystem. There's, like, 2,500 people in the general channel in the office of the CTO Slack organization. That's amazing. There's people there that are working all day, every day, trying to solve the same problems that I was trying to solve when I got here. And there's so much work being done to help veterans. But that's just one example, right? Like, at USDS, I know that the digital filing for the free version of your tax form, the IRS e-file Direct, just went live. That was something that USDS had been working on for a very long time behind the scenes. And that's going to impact everybody who submits their taxes. These are the kind of problems that you get to work on or the scope of some of the problems if you work in these types of organizations, and that's really powerful. It's the thing that keeps drawing me back. I'm back supporting the VA again through some contracts in my business. But it's funny, like, I was working for another agency. I was over working at DHS on an asylum project. And a friend of mine kept telling people to tell me, "Man, veterans need you. If only there was another one of you to help us over here, that would be great." And eventually, it led to me being like, well, veterans need me. I'm going to go back to the VA. And that was my second tour at USDS at the Department of Veteran Affairs. And now I'm back there again. So, it's a very impactful place to work. There's tons of value you can provide to veterans. And, to me, it's the kind of work that keeps bringing me back. I didn't realize just how much I was a, like, impact junkie until I joined USDS, and then it really came to a head. I cannot believe how much work I've gotten to be a part of that has affected and supported those who get benefits and services from the federal government. VICTORIA: [inaudible 33:47] impact junkie. That's funny. But yeah, no, thank you for sharing that. That's really interesting. Let me see if you could go back in time to when you first started in this journey; if you could give yourself any advice, what would you say? ROBBIE: Yeah, I think I spent so much time being nervous about not having my degree that I was worried it was going to hinder me forever. And it's pretty amazing the career I've been able to thread together, right? Like, you know, I've hit on a few of them already. But, like, I started with a small web hosting company, and then New York State in the Department of Social Services, then New York City in the Human Resources Administration, Sony Music, Zagat Survey, Google, Johnson & Johnson, IDT telecommunications, Phase2 technologies, where I got to work on an awful lot of problems in lots of awesome places like NBA.com, and Major League Soccer, and Bassmaster. And then, the United States Digital Service where I got to work on things supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security over at ADA.gov in DOJ. I helped them out. And I worked over at USDA helping get Farmers.gov off the ground. So, everything on my left leg, tattoo-wise, is something that changed my life from my perspective. And I have a Drupal tattoo on the back of my leg. I have a DrupalCon. So, anytime somebody said "Drupal" anywhere near a USDS person, I would magically appear because they would just be like, "Oh, Robbie has that Drupal tattoo." So, I got to work on a lot of dot govs that eventually landed or were being built in Drupal. So, I got to support a lot of work. And it meant that I got to, like, float around in government and do a lot of things that others didn't get to do. When CISA stood up, which is the office of security inside of DHS, it's one of the newest sub-communities or subcomponents, they built DHS SchoolSafety.gov, which is a cross-MOU'd site. And I got to sit in and help at the beginning of that because of my Drupal background. But it was really fun to be the person who helped them work with the vendors and make sure that they understood what they were trying to accomplish and be a sort of voice of reason in the room. So, I did all of that work, and then after that, I went and worked at Pluribus Digital, where I got a chance to work side by side with you. And then, that led to other things, like, I was able to apply and become the director of Digital Services and software engineering for my local county. So, I worked for Prince William County, where I bought a house during the pandemic. And then, after that contract ended, I had already started my own business. So, that's led to me having multiple individual contracts with companies and so many people. I've gotten to work on so many different things. And I feel very lucky. If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it's just, take a breath. Everything's going to be okay. And focus on the things that matter. Focus on the things that are going to help you. Focus on community. Focus on delivering value. Everything else will work itself out. You know, I joke all the time that I'm really good at providing impact. If you can measure my life in impact and value, I would be a very rich man. If you can measure it in money, I'm doing all right, but I'm never going to be yacht Robbie, you know, but I'm going to do okay. VICTORIA: Oh my god, yacht Robbie. That's great. So, just to recap, everything's going to be okay. You never know where it's going to take you. And don't be limited by the things that you think, you know, make you not enough. Like, there's a lot of things that you can do out there. I really like that advice. ROBBIE: And I think one last piece is, like, community matters, if you are a part of communities and you do it genuinely, how much that will impact your career. I gave a talk from Drupal NYC to the White House and beyond. And I talked through my entire resume and how everything changed when I started doing community engagement. When I went to the Drupal community in New York City and how that led to Sony, and that led to Zagat, which led to me getting acquired by Google, like, these things all cascaded. And then, when I moved to the DMV, I was able to join here and continue supporting communities, which allowed me to bring people into the local civic tech community from the local DC tech community. So, so many of the best USDS engineers, and designers, and product people I was able to help influence to come to government were people I met in the community or the communities I helped support. You know, I was an early revivalist of Alexandria Code and Coffee. It was a community that was started and then wavered. And then, Sean McBeth reached out to the community and said, "Do we want to help and support getting it off the ground again?" And I immediately said, "Yes." And then, that led to my friends at BLACK CODE COLLECTIVE wanting to create a community where they could feel safe and connected and create a community of their own. And then DC Code & Coffee started. And from there, Baltimore Code & Coffee kicked off. And it's just really nice that, like, it doesn't matter where I've been. All these things keep coming back to be a part of community and help support others. And you will be surprised at how much you get back in return. I wouldn't be the person I am today in my community. I wouldn't have my career if it wasn't for the people who started and helped shepherd me when I was starting out. And I feel like I've been trying to do the same for people for a really long time. VICTORIA: I love that. That's what I say, too, when people ask me for advice on careers and how to grow. And my biggest piece is always to go out and meet people. And go to your community, like, look and see what's happening. Like, find people you like hanging out with and learning from. And just that should be the majority of your time probably if you're trying to figure out where to go with your career or even just, like, expand as a person sometimes [laughs]. Robbie, I was going to ask; you mentioned that you had bought a house in Virginia. One of my other warmup questions was going to be, what's your favorite thing to put on the grill? ROBBIE: My house in Virginia definitely gets a lot of use, especially in the spring and the fall. I'm a big fan of team no extreme when it comes to temperature. But during those time periods, my grill is often fired up. My favorite is probably to make skirt steak on the grill. I'm a huge fan of tacos, especially made out of skirt steak. I'm in all day. That's one of my favorites. I also love to smoke. I have a smoker because I'm a caricature-esque suburban dude. I'm going to live into all of the possible things I could have. But I've had a smoker for a long time, and I love making sort of poor man's burnt ends. It's one of my favorite things to make. But you got to have some time. That's the kind of thing that takes, you know, 14 hours or 16 hours, but it's really fun to take advantage of it. A quick thing I love to make is actually smoked salmon. It takes longer to brine it than it usually does to smoke it. But it is one of the nicest things I've made on my smoker, you know, fresh pesto on a piece of salmon is pretty awesome, or everything bagel. Everything with the bagel seasoning is a pretty fun way to smoke some salmon. VICTORIA: Wow, that sounds so good. I'm going to have to stop in next time I'm in Virginia and get some [laughs] and hang out. Do you have any questions for me? ROBBIE: I'm excited to see where you've gone and how you've gotten here. I think this is such a cool job for you. Knowing who you are as a person and seeing you land in a company like this is really exciting. And I think you getting to be a part of this podcast, which we were joking about earlier, is I've been listening to probably since it started. I've been a big fan for a long time. So, it's cool to be here on this podcast. But it's also cool that my friend is a part of this and gets to be a part of this legacy. I'm really excited to see where you go over time. I know my career has been changing, right? I worked in government. Before that, I did all kinds of other stuff. Nowadays I have my own business where I often joke I have sort of, like, three things I offer, which is, like, consigliere services. Wouldn't it be nice to have a Robbie on your executive team without having to pay them an executive salary? You know, another one is like, you know, strategy and mentoring, but these are all things I know you do also, which I think is cool. But I've been working on contracts where I support companies trying to figure out how they modernize, or how their CTO can be more hands-off keyboard, or how their new director of business development can be more of a technical leader and taking on their first direct reports. So, I just enjoy all those aspects, and I just think it's something that I've watched you do in the company where we worked together. And it's always fun to see what you're working on and getting a chance to catch up with you. I feel like you're one of those people that does a really great job of staying connected. Every once in a while, I'll get a random text message like, "Hey, how you doing?" It always makes me smile. I'm like, Victoria is a really good connector, and I feel like I am, but you're even better at it on the being proactive side. That's how this all came about, right? We caught up, and you were like, "Why don't you come on the podcast?" So, that's really exciting. VICTORIA: Well, thank you, Robbie. Yeah, I think that's one of the great things about community is you meet people. You're like, "Oh, you're really cool. And you're doing cool stuff all the time. Like, how can I support you in your journey [laughs]? Like, what's up?" Yeah, for me, it was hard to actually leave DC. I didn't, you know, really think about the impact of leaving behind my tech community, like, that network of people. It was pretty emotional for me, actually, especially when we finally, like, stopped doing the digital version [laughs]. And I, like, kind of gave up managing it from California, which was kind of funny anyways [laughs]. Yeah, so no, I'm grateful that we stayed in touch and that you made time to be here with us today. Is there anything else that you would like to promote? ROBBIE: You know, just to remind you, you've done a great job of transitioning into where you are today, but anybody can do that, right? Like, before I moved to the DC area, I was in New York, and I was helping to organize JavaScript events. And I started looking at the DC area before I moved down here. And I found the DC Tech Community. And I found the Node School DC GitHub organization and reached out to the person who had ownership of it and said I wanted to help and support. I looked at this the other day. I think I moved on May 8th, and then, like, May 11th, when I walked in the door, somebody was like, "Are you new?" And I was like, "Yeah, I just moved here." And they were like, "Oh, from where?" And I was like, "New York." And they were like, "Are you that guy who's been bugging Josh about running Node school events?" I was like, "Yeah." And like, they were planning an unconference at the end of the month. And they were like, "Would you like to run a Node school at that unconference?" Like, 27 days later. So, it was amazing that, like, I immediately, like, fell from the New York Community where I was super connected, but I went out of my way to try to, like, see what the community looked like before I got there. And I was lucky enough to find the right people, and immediately I joked...I think I wrote a blog post that said like, "I found my new friends. By, like, going from one community to another, gave a person who was in his 40s a chance to meet new people very quickly." And it was pretty amazing, and I felt very lucky. But I did spend a little bit of energy and capital to try to figure it out because I knew it was going to be important to me. So, I think you've done a really good job. You've helped launch and relaunch things that were going on in San Diego and becoming a part of this connection to more people. I think you and I have a very similar spirit, which is like, let's find a way to connect with humans, and we do it pretty effectively. VICTORIA: Well, thank you. That really boosts my confidence, Robbie [laughs]. Sometimes, you show up to an event you've never been to before by yourself, and it's like a deer in headlights kind of moment. Like, oh God, what have I done [laughs]? ROBBIE: Oh, and the last thing I need to mention is I also have a podcast. I have my podcast about film. It's called Geek on Film. I used to record it with my friend, Jon. He's a little busy right now. But I used to pitch it as a conversation show about the current films that were going on. Now, it's one lone geek's ramblings about what he just saw. It's a great podcast for me because it gives me an opportunity to think a little more critically about film, which is one of the things that I probably have almost enough credits to get a minor in. But I absolutely love cinema and film in general. And it's given me an opportunity to connect with a lot more people about this subject and also to scratch the itch of me being able to create something around a community and around a thing I really love. VICTORIA: That's super cool. Yeah. You're top of mind because I also like films. I'm like, what's Robbie up to? Like, what's the recommendations, you know [laughs]? Do you have a top film recommendation from the Oscars? Is that too big of a question? ROBBIE: So, the one I will say that didn't get enough spotlight shined on it was Nimona. So, I'm a huge fan of the Spider-Man movies. I think Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse are both masterpieces. But Nimona is an animated film that was picked up by Netflix, and it is amazing. I don't know that I laughed or cried or was more moved by a film last year. And I don't know that it gets enough credit for what it was. But it did get nominated for best-animated film, but I don't know that enough people paid attention to it. Like it may have gotten lost in the algorithm. So, if you get a chance, check out Nimona. It's one of those beautiful, little gems that, if you travel down its story, there's all these twists and turns. It was based on a webcomic that became a graphic novel. One of the production companies picked it up, and it wasn't going to see the light of day. And then, Netflix bought its distribution rights. There's going to be a great documentary someday about, like, Inside Nimona. But I think the movie itself is really charming and moving, and I was really impressed with it. So, that was the one that got me, like, just before the Oscars this year, where I was like, this is the little animated movie that could, in my opinion. It's so charming. VICTORIA: I will definitely have to check that out. Thank you for giving us that recommendation. ROBBIE: Totally. VICTORIA: Final question. I just wanted to see if you had anything to share about being an advisory board member for Gray and for Hutch Studio. Could you tell us a little bit more about that? ROBBIE: Yeah. So, Gray Digital was founded by a friend of mine. We met through United States Digital Service. And his organization...I had been supporting him for a while and just being behind the scenes, talking to him and talking through business-related issues. And it was really nice. He offered to make me an official advisory board member. It was a great acknowledgment, and I really felt moved. There's some great people that are supporting him and have supported him. They've done really great work. Gray is out there delivering digital services in this space. And I think I was really lucky to be a part of it and to support my friend, Randall. Hutch is different. Hutch is an organization that's kind of like if you think about it, it almost is a way to support entrepreneurs of color who are trying to make their way into the digital service delivery space. Being an advisory board member there has been really interesting because it's shaping how Hutch provides services and what their approach is to how to support these companies. But over the last year, I've convinced the person who's running it, Stephanie, with a couple of other people, to open the door up or crack the door so we could talk directly and support the individual companies. So, it's been really great to be a Hutch advisory member to help shape how Hutch is approaching things. But I've also been a part of, like, many interview processes. I've reviewed a lot of, like, [inaudible 48:01] who want to join the organization. And I've also created personal relationships with many of the people who are part of Hutch. And, you know, like, you know me personally, so you know I run a Day of the Dead party. We'll just party at my house every year. I have a huge amount of affection for Mexican culture and, in general, the approach of how to remember people who are a part of your life. So, this is, like, the perfect way for me to bring people together at my house is to say, like, "Hey, my dad was awesome. What about your family? Who are your people?" What's really nice is that has given me an opportunity to host people at my house. And I've had Hutch company owners at my house the last couple of years and the person who runs Hutch. So, it's a really great community that I look at that is trying to shape the next emergent companies that are helping deliver digital services across the government. And it's really fun to be early on in their career and help them grow. Again, it seems silly, but it's the thing I care a lot about. How do I connect with people and provide the most value that I can? And this is a way I can provide that value to companies that may also go off and provide that value. It's a little bit of an amplifier. So, I'm a huge fan of what we've been able to accomplish and being a part of it in any way, shape, or form. VICTORIA: Well, I think that's a really beautiful way to wrap it up. ROBBIE: Really glad to catch up with you and be a part of this amazing podcast. VICTORIA: Yeah, so much fun. Thank you again so much. It was great to be here with you today. You can subscribe to the show and find notes along with a complete transcript for this episode at giantrobots.fm. If you have questions or comments, email us at hosts@giantrobots.fm. You can find me on thoughtbotsocial@vguido. This podcast is brought to you by thoughtbot and produced and edited by Mandy Moore. Thanks for listening. See you next time. AD: Did you know thoughtbot has a referral program? If you introduce us to someone looking for a design or development partner, we will compensate you if they decide to work with us. More info on our website at: tbot.io/referral. Or you can email us at: referrals@thoughtbot.com with any questions.

In this episode, I am joined again by my friend Srini Munagavalasa to discuss his new book Business Process Automation with Salesforce Flows. We talk about the importance of Flows within process automation and their benefits, Debugging and Testing, Using Apex within your Flows, and AI and Process Automation.

Here we are again with another episode of our AI audio conference session, a Business Infrastructure Podcast special. The last time we were here, we were able to witness how AI can help you decide a name for your business or innovation, and how it can make your life easier when taking down notes whenever you are in a meeting. Now, let's find out how AI can help us in making slides to streamline client presentations and trainings. Are you spending hours digging through information and meticulously crafting slides, only to feel like the process is holding you back from focusing on revenue-generating activities? Let's transform how you educate and engage your clients with AI technology, reducing research time and streamlining your presentation creation process. Our special guest Terica Pearson, the CEO of Pearson Consulting Group will show us her innovative approach to leveraging AI technology, particularly Gemini to provide tailored solutions to small and mid-sized businesses, highlighting the importance of tech-savviness in today's digital era. She is the testament to the power of continuous learning and adapting in the business world. At the end of this episode, you will be able to: ·       Discover the benefits of using AI tool for creating compelling presentations, ·       Learn the strategies for taking advantage of AI tools to optimize productivity, and ·       Explore the different side of AI and its possibilities. This episode contains a demo of Gemini. Listen, take notes, and take advantage of this innovative AI tool on how to optimize productivity when making a presentation for your clients.  

In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Hans Thalbauer, a seasoned professional from UiPath, (and a former colleague of mine from SAP) who has spent over 25 years in the supply chain sector. Hans brought to the table a wealth of knowledge on AI's potential to revolutionise sustainability within supply chains globally. We explored the pivotal role of AI in automating business processes, highlighting its capacity to significantly impact carbon footprint reduction, circular economy promotion, and the advancement of social responsibility. Hans underscored the urgent need for businesses to address these areas by leveraging AI, particularly in tackling scope three carbon emissions and advocating for more circular approaches in product lifecycle management. Our conversation shed light on the complex challenges businesses face, from regulatory pressures to the intricate dynamics of global supply chains, and how AI-driven solutions offer a path towards more sustainable and efficient operations. Hans's insights into the necessity of integrating sustainability into the DNA of supply chain processes were thought-provoking, emphasising the critical need for innovation in product design and the sourcing of materials. It's clear that the journey towards sustainability is both a challenge and an opportunity for companies worldwide. Join us as we delve into these pressing issues and explore how embracing technology can lead to a more sustainable future for all.Don't forget to also check out the video version of this episode on YouTube Elevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain' podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Lorcan Sheehan Krishna Kumar Olivier Brusle Alicia Farag Joël VANDI Luis Olavarria Alvaro Aguilar And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Digital Supply Chain episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on Twitter/LinkedIn. If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

852: Technology executives within an organization are no longer solely regarded as a support function having had their responsibilities grow into key business decision-makers with a seat at the table. According to Total Quality Logistics (TQL) CIO Ryan Kean, tech execs are “business leaders first and technology leaders second.” In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Ryan about the massive growth TQL has experienced over the past few years and the elements of his strategy that have helped facilitate that growth. Ryan discusses the broader modernization of the logistics industry, the focus he has placed on people and talent development, and the importance of having a sound data strategy. He also shares the work being done to improve the business user experience for the clients TQL serves, the company's shift toward a product-oriented approach, and the interplay between automation and process innovation at the company. Ryan dives deeper into the Hackathons TQL hosts to bring about innovative ideas within the company, the advancements in AI that have come from those events, and the emphasis placed on celebrating the successes of talent within the company. Finally, Ryan looks ahead at the broader impacts of trends in emerging technologies and reflects on the keys to his career success.

852: Technology executives within an organization are no longer solely regarded as a support function having had their responsibilities grow into key business decision-makers with a seat at the table. According to Total Quality Logistics (TQL) CIO Ryan Kean, tech execs are “business leaders first and technology leaders second.” In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Ryan about the massive growth TQL has experienced over the past few years and the elements of his strategy that have helped facilitate that growth. Ryan discusses the broader modernization of the logistics industry, the focus he has placed on people and talent development, and the importance of having a sound data strategy. He also shares the work being done to improve the business user experience for the clients TQL serves, the company's shift toward a product-oriented approach, and the interplay between automation and process innovation at the company. Ryan dives deeper into the Hackathons TQL hosts to bring about innovative ideas within the company, the advancements in AI that have come from those events, and the emphasis placed on celebrating the successes of talent within the company. Finally, Ryan looks ahead at the broader impacts of trends in emerging technologies and reflects on the keys to his career success.

The next session from our AI audio conference is here! It's all about Momento FM (now known as Momento FM) – a slick video content automation AI tool.    And there's no better person to tell us about it than Beate Chelette, the Growth Architect behind Chelette Enterprises and the wildly popular The Women's Code.    Overcoming a series of natural disasters and being on the brink of financial ruin, Beate humbly reached out to the President of the U.S. for help. And he answered! Not only did she strategize her way out of debt, but 18 months later, she sold her photography business to Bill Gates. Ever since, she's been an advocate for woman entrepreneurs and like us, she's passionate about helping other entrepreneurs create scalable and sustainable businesses.    One major way she helps other business owners is through her own podcast, the Business Growth Architect show. In this episode, Beate shares how she restructured her show's business infrastructure because of Momento FM. Discover how she:  Asks herself a series of questions to drive innovation and problem-solving in business, Uses Momento's AI to automatically generate 30-40 pieces of short video content, Automates customer touch points through engaging and entertaining video, and Embraces the adoption of technology to enhance business operations through more efficient and accurate data.   This episode also contains a demo of Momento FM.   Listen now and learn from this master of her craft on how to best leverage AI to streamline your team as well as your content generation and promotional processes and watch your profits soar!  

We're back with another session from our AI audio conference. It features Esker, a French-based tech company that's created a revolutionary AI solution that automates key back-office processes.     One of those processes that Esker's AI can automate is Order-to-Cash – the cycle from the moment a customer places an order to delivering the order and providing additional support.    Here to share exactly how this AI tool works is Aurélien Coq, a product manager at Esker. His nearly 20 years of experience at Esker has led to his deep understanding of customer interactions and payment cycles and how to radically improve both through AI.   In this episode, Aurélien shares how Esker Synergy AI can help you: Enhance customer satisfaction and increase cash flow by effectively managing customer inquiries and seamless payment processes. Improve cost savings and relationships with suppliers and vendors through a streamlined Source-to-Pay process. Streamline your Order-to-Cash process by integrating with existing accounting and CRM software. Empower your team to support customers faster and with more accurate data.    This episode also contains a demo of Esker Synergy AI.   Listen now and prepare to take your customer's experience with your business to the next level.  

We're back with another episode of our first ever AI audio conference. In the last episode, you heard about using Perplexity AI as a research assistant. Now, you will discover another AI tool to take ideas to implementation through writing.   You know the importance of promoting your business. In the age where content is king, consistently writing and posting about your products or services is necessary for your business's survival.    But carefully planning and writing that content takes time. A lot of time. This is what our next speaker, Neha Naik, discovered as she grew her two tech-based recruiting businesses – RecruitGyan and The Profitable Recruiters Blueprint.   Neha even hired a content writer, hoping that would lead to increased efficiency and productivity in developing, writing, and publishing content. Instead, they both found themselves still drowning in the administrative burden of these tasks. This inefficiency led Neha to Jasper AI – a digital writing technology that has transformed her company's content marketing processes, streamlined the work of her content writer, and supercharged the productivity of her team of 40 people.     In this episode, Neha explains she uses Jasper as a digital writing assistant to: Enhance customer engagement through catchy phrases, witty questions, and attention-grabbing headlines, Translate industry jargon and complex ideas and concepts into words that even a child can understand,  Jumpstart social media polls and email campaigns, and much more!   Not a recruiter? Don't dismiss this episode! We promise you will learn things about Jasper that you can immediately apply to revolutionize your digital marketing processes. So, be prepared to take notes and your writing to the next level with words that will not only captivate but convert your online viewers and visitors alike into paid customers!  This episode also contains a demo of Jasper AI.  

Explore the future of HVAC technology with our guest, Shelby Breger, co-founder of Conduit Tech. Shelby, an expert in energy efficiency and residential HVAC, discusses her journey in the HVAC field. The conversation will cover her contributions to energy efficiency, grid stability, and improved homeowner comfort and how these efforts benefit homeowners and contractors.We will delve into software development for the HVAC industry, focusing on the creation of an interactive 3D model. Shelby will share her experiences in assembling a software development team and the engineering challenges involved. The discussion will include future plans for integrating the product with field service software, emphasizing process efficiency and potential automation using webhooks.The importance of user feedback in shaping software development will be highlighted, along with the role of communication between users and developers. Shelby will provide insights into the development of a user-friendly and effective software platform for field service professionals, discussing approaches to remote user research and technician support. Features of Phyno Technician and the use of technologies like home energy assessments on iPads and LiDAR will also be discussed.Join us to understand how Conduit Tech is influencing the HVAC industry and what the future holds in this domain.https://getconduit.com/ Support the showhttps://www.amazon.com/Simple-Steps-Sell-More-Stereotypes-ebook/dp/B0BRNSFYG6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OSB7HX6FQMHS&keywords=corey+berrier&qid=1674232549&sprefix=%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Side-AI-Sales-Frankenstein-ebook/dp/B0BX6G5THP/ref=sr_1_3?crid=16J189ZUCE8K6&keywords=corey+berrier&qid=1678457765&sprefix=corey+berrier%2Caps%2C111&sr=8-3https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPl4lUyKV7hZxoTksQDsyghttps://www.facebook.com/corey.berrier https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreysalescoach/