The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, to explore why OKRs and traditional performance frameworks often collapse under the realities of modern work. Radhika introduces OLA, a new approach built on puzzle-solving, continuous learning, and adaptability — designed for today’s fast-moving product, engineering, and startup environments.Together, they break down the hidden “product diseases,” the dangers of vanity metrics, the myth of extrinsic motivation, and why teams need clarity instead of big, fluffy vision statements. This conversation is a mindset reset for anyone leading teams, building products, or trying to scale sustainably.⸻👤 About Radhika DuttRadhika Dutt is the author of Radical Product Thinking, an engineer by training, and a two-time founder. She built her first startup out of her MIT dorm room and has since become a leading voice on vision-driven product development. Radhika works with organizations around the world to help them escape the trap of short-term targets and build meaningful, world-changing products.Find more about Radhika’s work here:https://rdutt.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-dutt/⸻✨ Key Takeaways • Why OKRs work in theory but fail in most modern organizations • How goal-driven cultures create “performance theater” instead of real progress • The difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation • Why fluffy vision statements confuse teams instead of inspiring them • How to define real problems before jumping into solutions • The OLA framework: objectives, hypotheses, learnings, adaptations • How OLA drives alignment, clarity, and honest learning • Why founders should stop copying big-company playbooks • How to communicate results to investors without vanity metrics • Why adaptation speed is the true competitive advantage⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • How to replace rigid goal-setting with dynamic puzzle-solving • How to build a product culture that values curiosity and experimentation • How to avoid the biggest traps that kill innovation • How AI hype influences bad decision-making and how to course-correct • How leaders can create clarity without micromanaging • How to apply OLA even if your company still uses OKRs⸻⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:00 — Welcome and intro01:00 — Radhika’s early story and the mistakes that inspired Radical Product Thinking06:00 — Why motivation systems today actually kill motivation08:00 — The problem with fluffy, generic vision statements11:00 — Why OKRs create the wrong incentives14:00 — How OKRs evolved from 1940s manufacturing18:00 — Why modern work requires a different approach23:00 — Introduction to OLA and how puzzle-setting works26:00 — How to apply OLA in sales, product, and engineering34:00 — Using OLA to bring clarity and innovation39:00 — Speed, experimentation, and continuous learning44:00 — How to communicate progress to boards and investors49:00 — Why founders must drop ego and embrace honesty54:00 — Final advice and how to connect with Radhika⸻📚 Resources Mentioned • Radical Product Thinking — Radhika’s book • Free toolkits https://www.radicalproduct.com/ • OLA Toolkit (formerly OHL)

In this conversation, Jonathan breaks down the real state of AI adoption in GTM, why most revenue teams are still “stuck in the basics,” and how leaders can shift from dashboards to intelligence. He explains why CRM data hygiene is dead, how operational AI works behind the scenes, and what it truly means to run an AI native revenue team.From first principles thinking to reinvented GTM playbooks, this is a roadmap for founders, CROs, RevOps leaders, and anyone building modern revenue organizations.⸻👤 About Jonathan KvarfordtJonathan Kvarfordt is the VP of GTM Strategy & Marketing at Momentum.io. Known as “Coach” across the industry, he is the creator of GTM AI Academy with more than 10,000 participants, a university instructor, a strategic advisor, and a practitioner at the intersection of GTM, AI, and automation.He works hands-on with leaders to operationalize AI, eliminate friction in revenue processes, and build next generation GTM systems.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmkmba/⸻💡 Key Takeaways • AI adoption is overstatedDespite hype, only about 7 percent of companies operate with real “operational AI.” • CRM data entry is the most underrated automationAI driven CRM automation unlocks insights for reps, managers, and executives. • The new GTM OS lives in tools like SlackRevenue teams are moving away from 20 tabs into one unified operating layer. • First principles thinking matters more than toolsStart with initiatives and gaps, not buying random AI tools. • Human skills become more important, not lessThe future seller is a strategist, negotiator, and relationship builder. • Small teams have the biggest advantageFewer processes mean faster reinvention and cleaner AI powered workflows. • AI native pipeline reviews are strategicNot data entry sessions. Think signals, intelligence, and deal momentum.⸻🎧 What You Will Learn • Why GTM fundamentals are still broken despite AI hype • How AI changes forecasting, deal reviews, and revenue leadership • The difference between “time saving AI” and “amplification AI” • How to build AI native workflows inside your GTM stack • Why founders should start automating earlier than they think • Which sales skills matter most in the AI era • Why CRM systems might look completely different in the future⸻⏱ Episode Highlights (Timestamps)00:00 – Welcome and intro01:00 – Jonathan’s journey and new VP role03:00 – The truth about AI adoption in GTM05:00 – Where companies struggle most with AI07:00 – From dashboards to intelligence10:00 – Why AI tools fail without clear initiatives12:00 – Slack as the new operating system for GTM15:00 – Why RevOps teams over engineer tech stacks17:00 – CRM hygiene vs operational AI19:00 – Time as the highest leverage automation area21:00 – How AI shifts GTM playbooks24:00 – The rise of AI powered buyer research26:00 – The new pipeline review29:00 – The most underrated automation in GTM31:00 – Real win/loss data and bias removal33:00 – What skills sellers need in the AI era36:00 – “Let us go sell” culture and eliminating busywork37:00 – When founders should start automating39:00 – Reinvent vs optimize vs amplify41:00 – The idea behind Jonathan’s book Ignite44:00 – Will CRM even exist in the future?48:00 – Which parts of sales AI might fully replace50:00 – First principles thinking and GTM52:00 – Final advice and where to find Jonathan⸻📚 Resources Mentioned • Momentum.io • GTM AI Academy • The book Ignite your GTM With AI: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRXGSDSN

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Dr. Nico Augustin, Head of Research and Expeditions at OceanQuest, to uncover the mysteries of the deep ocean. From unexpected discoveries in the Atlantic to cutting edge underwater robotics, Dr. Nico reveals how little we know about the world beneath us and why the deep sea remains one of Earth’s last unexplored frontiers.The conversation covers the science, technology, and leadership lessons behind modern ocean exploration, along with how emerging tech like AI and digital twins are reshaping the future of the field.⸻About the GuestDr. Nico Augustin is a marine geologist, expedition leader, and the Head of Research and Expeditions at OceanQuest, a pioneering non profit foundation advancing deep ocean discovery, innovation, and capacity building. With more than 20 years of research experience across the Atlantic, Arctic, and the Red Sea, he has led large scale mapping missions, discovered new hydrothermal systems, and mentored hundreds of young scientists.Connect on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nico-augustin-971a93308/⸻Key Takeaways • The deep ocean is still one of Earth’s least explored environments. • Modern expeditions rely on mapping, robotics, data, and multidisciplinary teams. • AI will play a major role in making underwater vehicles more autonomous and safer. • The deep ocean is far more active and diverse than older textbooks suggest. • Leadership at sea is a masterclass in clarity, calmness, and adaptability. • Exploration and storytelling are essential to inspire the next generation of ocean researchers.⸻What Listeners Will Learn • How deep sea expeditions are planned and executed • Why the Red Sea and Atlantic hold surprising geological mysteries • The role of AI, digital twins, and robotics in underwater exploration • How OceanQuest is training young scientists across Africa • Leadership lessons from managing complex expeditions • Why public awareness matters in ocean science⸻Episode Highlights00:00 Introducing Dr. Nico Augustin02:00 Childhood curiosity and the path to marine geology04:00 Early expeditions and transformational moments07:00 Mapping the unknown through interdisciplinary teams08:30 Surprising discoveries from the Atlantic to the Red Sea11:00 The first visual hydrothermal systems found in the Red Sea14:00 How deep sea expeditions are designed and executed17:00 AI, robotics, and digital twins shaping future exploration22:00 OceanQuest’s Around Africa Expedition and its impact28:00 Leadership lessons from uncertainty and high stakes operations36:00 Collaboration between science and the private sector39:00 What the deep ocean still hides from us45:00 How to inspire public excitement for ocean discovery50:00 Final thoughts and how to connect with Dr. Nico⸻Resources Mentioned • OceanQuest: oqfoundation.org • OceanQuest on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Harish Chandramowli, Head of AI at Good Day Software, to explore how AI is reshaping the future of fashion, retail, and e-commerce operations.Harish shares his journey from cybersecurity engineering at Bloomberg and cloud security at MongoDB to building fashion-specific AI tools that solve real operational pain points around data chaos, messy workflows, and inventory waste.This is a deep dive into verticalized AI, workflow automation, agentic systems, and the emerging category of Retail OS.If you’re a founder, investor, or tech leader curious about applied AI or the future of retail automation, this episode is full of insight.⸻👤 About Harish ChandramowliHarish is the Head of AI at Good Day Software, a fast-growing platform redefining how fashion and retail brands manage operations. With experience at Bloomberg and MongoDB, he brings a unique blend of security engineering, data modeling, and real-world problem solving into the retail tech world.He previously founded FLA, a fashion operations startup, and now focuses on building AI-powered workflows and agents for e-commerce brands.Harish’s LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/scharish/⸻✨ Key Takeaways • Why retail back-office operations are still broken and dominated by spreadsheets • The rise of Retail OS and why ERP is becoming outdated • Real examples of AI reducing hours of manual work • Why agentic workflows matter more than chatbots • The biggest unseen cost in e-commerce: data integrity failures • The hidden value of vertical AI models • How founders should think about AI “moats” • Red flags Harish sees in AI startup pitches • How non-technical founders can communicate with technical teams more effectively • Why everyone is on a level playing field in this phase of AI⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • How to build AI systems for operational workflows • Why fashion and retail create perfect environments for data-driven AI • How to spot real vs fake AI innovation • How AI can automate back-office processes like purchase orders, packing lists, and inventory reconciliation • Why agent-based AI is the future • How AI changes new-market entry strategies • How founders can pitch AI in a credible, non-hyped way⸻⏱️ Episode Highlights (Timestamps)(For YouTube + Spotify chapters)00:00 — Welcome and introduction01:00 — Harish’s journey: cybersecurity, Bloomberg, MongoDB03:00 — Why retail operations are still broken04:30 — Discovering the back-office pain points in fashion06:30 — The spreadsheet problem killing profitability08:30 — Why e-commerce is a brutal margin business10:00 — Workflow chaos and data fragmentation12:00 — Retail OS vs ERP and what the future looks like14:00 — How AI powers Good Day Software15:00 — Chatbots vs real AI vs agentic workflows16:00 — Automating packing lists, PO ingestion, and email workflows17:30 — Agents detecting inventory discrepancies18:30 — Using localized data for new market expansion20:00 — Verticalized AI and the rise of industry-specific LLMs22:00 — Accounting differences across regions24:00 — What founders need to know about AI moats26:00 — Why real-world data is a superpower28:00 — Changing consumer funnels: search, ads, and GPT shopping30:00 — From engineer to business thinker: Harish’s mindset shift32:00 — ChatGPT as a tool for business communication34:00 — The biggest red flags in AI startup pitches36:00 — Why automating everything is dangerous38:00 — Final thoughts on curiosity, experimentation, and the AI era39:00 — Where to reach Harish⸻📚 Resources Mentioned • Good Day Software https://www.gooddaysoftware.com/ • MongoDB • Shopify and e-commerce back-office operations • Vertical AI applications • Agentic workflows and email-based automation

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with VC and author Ben Wiener to unpack one of the most practical, founder-friendly pitching frameworks in the startup world today. Ben is the creator of the HEART Framework and the author of the bestselling business fable Fever Pitch. He breaks down why most pitches fail, how investors actually think, and how founders can use storytelling to turn curiosity into conviction.This episode goes deep into the psychology of pitching, investor behavior, AI startup hype, and the traps founders unintentionally fall into when telling their story.If you’re a founder raising capital, a builder crafting a strong narrative, or an operator helping startups pitch with clarity, this episode is a masterclass.⸻About the Guest: Ben WienerBen Wiener is a professional venture capitalist, founder of a 12-year-old early stage VC fund, and the bestselling author of Fever Pitch. His HEART Framework has become a go-to model for founders seeking a structured, effective, and persuasive way to pitch investors. Ben is known for blending storytelling, psychology, and practical experience from thousands of pitch interactions to help founders succeed.https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwiener/⸻What Listeners Will Learn • How to structure a pitch that mirrors the investor brain. • How to craft a belief statement that captures attention. • How to avoid the fatal traps of overexplaining the tech. • How to use interruptions, objections, and tough questions to your advantage. • How to turn your pitch into a narrative investors want to follow. • How to pitch at any stage, including pre-product and day zero. • How founders can build trust even without traction. • How AI founders can differentiate in a crowded landscape.⸻Episode Highlights (Timestamps)00:00 — Mehmet opens the episode and introduces VC and author Ben Wiener.01:00 — Ben on being a “professional VC and unprofessional author” and how Fever Pitch came to life.03:00 — Why Ben chose to teach pitching through a business fable instead of a traditional book.06:00 — How Guy Kawasaki ended up writing the foreword after a bold cold email.08:00 — Teaching business through fiction and why it works.09:00 — Introducing Mark, the protagonist of Fever Pitch, and why his struggle mirrors most founders.11:00 — Why founders assume investors will understand their brilliance without proper structure.14:00 — Deep dive into the HEART Framework and why order matters.20:00 — Why team traits come last and not first.22:00 — Why founders struggle to articulate their “why.”26:00 — How investors’ subconscious minds evaluate pitches and search for red flags.29:00 — Why pitch templates on the internet often mislead founders.33:00 — What investors actually look for vs what they say they want.35:00 — The danger of jumping straight into the tech.38:00 — Alternatives vs competition and why they are not the same.41:00 — Why interruptions during a pitch are a good sign.45:00 — Mehmet and Ben share personal experiences about tough investor reactions.48:00 — Pitching with no product and no traction: what founders can do.50:00 — Why warm introductions matter 100 times more than cold ones.54:00 — The 10–20–30 pitch rule and why less is more.58:00 — Why AI is a double-edged sword for founders raising today.01:02:00 — Mehmet’s reflection on using HEART as a compass for founders.01:04:00 — Ben’s closing remarks and where founders can access free tools.⸻Resources Mentioned • Fever Pitch by Ben Wiener : https://feverpitchbook.com/ • HEART Framework Tools and Free Pitch Deck Template: https://view.genially.com/682f26cc0eb98daa6299f431 • Guy Kawasaki’s work on pitching and “Start With Why” • The Venture Mindset (book reference)

In this powerful conversation, Wesley Eugene, SVP North America at HIT Global, joins Mehmet to explore a new framework for technology leadership. They go deep into human centered design, why digital transformations fail, how AI forces us to rethink what it means to work, and why empathy is now a competitive advantage.Wesley draws from years of experience in digital transformation, design thinking, and ITIL modernization. He shares the hidden gaps in traditional IT practices, the philosophical questions AI forces us to ask, and the skills leaders must build to stay relevant in the coming decade.This episode is a thoughtful, practical, and timely reminder that technology is at its best when it elevates people.👤 About Wesley EugeneWesley Eugene is the SVP North America at HIT Global, an organization focused on humanizing IT through integrated human centered design. Wesley has led major digital transformation programs, advised global enterprises, and worked alongside design pioneers including Ideal’s leadership team. He champions a future where technology is designed around people, not processes, and where AI augments human potential instead of replacing it.🔥 Key Takeaways • Most digital transformations fail because leaders lose sight of purpose and experience. • True transformation is a business transformation, not a tech project. • Technology without humanity becomes vanity and often leads to harm. • The experience layer is becoming the most important layer in the tech stack. • AI should serve as human augmentation rather than human replacement. • Leaders must invest in empathy, storytelling, creativity, and curiosity. • Regulation is not the enemy of innovation. It is the brake that lets innovation go fast safely. • The rise of AI forces society to rethink work, value, consciousness, and what it means to be human. • Creativity still happens when we disconnect. Nature remains the best CPU upgrade.🎧 What You Will Learn • Why human centered design is the missing link in IT and AI. • The root causes of failed digital transformations across industries. • How to build a purpose driven technology strategy that unites the whole company. • Why every tech leader must become a storyteller. • How to prepare your teams for the AI era. • The ethical, environmental, and human considerations AI leaders must prioritize. • Why curiosity is the most underrated leadership skill in tech today.⏱️ Episode Highlights (Timestamps)00:00 Welcome and intro01:00 The mission behind HIT Global and humanizing IT04:00 Lessons from IDEO, design thinking, and rapid prototyping07:00 Why technology needs to be humanized now10:00 The experience layer and the future of value creation13:00 Why digital transformations fail16:00 The story of buy in and the NASA janitor18:00 Chasing tech vs transforming the business21:00 Why IT is misunderstood and how to fix it27:00 TBM and the importance of storytelling in tech30:00 The promise of AI and the threat of losing the human33:00 The seatbelt metaphor for responsible innovation38:00 AI leaders, risk, and accountability45:00 What AI forces us to confront about humanity50:00 AI as human augmentation, not replacement56:00 The skills leaders need for the next decade59:00 Creativity, nature, and switching off screens01:03 Final advice and how to learn more from HIT Global📚 Resources Mentioned • HIT Global Services: https://www.hitglobal.services/ • Human Centered Design for IT Service Management by Katrina McDermott • IDEO and the history of the Apple Mouse • TBM Council (Technology Business Management Framework) • Humanizing AI Certification at HIT Global • LinkedIn profile of Wesley Eugene: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleyeugene/

In this episode, Luv Kapur joins Mehmet to break down how composability is reshaping modern engineering. Luv is an engineering leader at Bit, working across their open source and enterprise platforms, and one of the earliest advocates for modular, reusable software as a way to unlock scale.They explore why composability matters, how modular systems speed up delivery, and the cultural shift required inside engineering teams. Luv also shares real results from enterprise adoption, including faster iteration cycles, fewer defects, and measurable ROI in the eight-figure range. The conversation closes with a deep look into HopeAI, Bit’s AI architect designed to orchestrate existing components rather than generate endless code.This is a practical and insightful episode for any CTO, engineering leader, or founder navigating the next era of platform development.⸻About Luv KapurLuv Kapur is an Engineering Lead and Solutions Architect at Bit. His background spans platform engineering, dev tooling, internal systems, and leading enterprise adoption of composable software. He has helped teams move from monolithic and fragmented architectures to modular systems that enable real speed, discoverability, and developer empowerment.He now works across Bit’s open source ecosystem and Bit Cloud for enterprise, helping organizations adopt composability and shift toward a more scalable engineering model.⸻Key Takeaways • Composability is an operating model that enables teams to build with reusable building blocks and ship faster. • Modular architectures reduce defects, improve consistency, and increase transparency across engineering teams. • Discoverability and ownership are core success factors. Without them, composability collapses into fragmentation. • AI should act as an orchestrator, not a generator. The future belongs to systems that reuse proven components. • Enterprise ROI from composability is measurable, from reduced iteration time to real cost savings in the millions. • Citizen developers will play a bigger role as AI unlocks access to complex internal systems. • Engineers will still be needed, but AI will free them to solve harder and more meaningful problems.⸻What You Will Learn • How modular software accelerates delivery • Why enterprises struggle with legacy systems and how bottom up adoption solves it • How to measure success in composability using real metrics • The cultural shift required for high performing engineering teams • How AI can guide architecture instead of generating more code • The role of discoverability, ownership, and inner source in large organizations • What HopeAI is and how it works as an AI architect⸻Episode Highlights00:00 Introduction and guest background03:00 What composability really means and why it matters06:00 Modular architectures explained with real world examples10:00 What defines high performance engineering teams14:00 Why companies fail when adopting composability17:00 The shift from top down mandates to bottom up success20:00 Tangible metrics teams can measure23:00 AI as orchestrator versus generator27:00 Why code reuse will define the next decade31:00 Inside HopeAI and how it guides architecture35:00 Enterprise results and real ROI37:00 The future of platform development41:00 Why engineers remain irreplaceable42:00 How to connect with Luv Kapur⸻Resources Mentioned • Bit (Open Source): https://bit.dev • Bit Cloud (Enterprise): https://bit.cloud • Luv Kapur on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luvkapur/

In this powerful conversation, Christina Richardson — serial founder, resilience researcher, and founder of Foundology — joins Mehmet to unpack the real psychological journey of entrepreneurship.Christina shares the story behind her 2 AM wake-up call that wasn’t a heart attack but a full nervous system collapse. That moment led her to study over 400 founders, uncover patterns of burnout, and build a framework that helps founders perform at their best without destroying themselves.We dive deep into the myths of hustle culture, the neuroscience of performance, the four pillars of resilience, the importance of early warning signs, and why founders must learn to scale themselves as fast as they scale their startups.This episode is essential listening for anyone building under pressure.⸻👤 About Christina RichardsonChristina Richardson is the founder of Foundology, a global resilience platform helping founders navigate stress, uncertainty, and the emotional demands of building a company. Through evidence-backed founder circles, community support, and tools like the upcoming Founder Fuel Gauge, Foundology equips founders with what most startup ecosystems overlook: human performance.Christina is also an Associate Professor at University College London, where she teaches founder development, leadership, and performance psychology. As a serial entrepreneur with a small exit and a very real burnout story, her work sits at the intersection of research, resilience, and lived experience.⸻💡 Key Takeaways • Why hustle culture and “9-9-6” thinking are biologically flawed • What really causes burnout, panic attacks, and chronic overwhelm • The emotional burden founders carry — team, family, investors, expectations • Why founders stop performing well long before they burn out • The four pillars of founder resilience: • Why loneliness is a silent performance killer • How to scale your leadership as the company scales • Why equanimity is the most underrated founder skill • How AI helps founders — and how it also fuels unhealthy pressure • Why human connection will remain irreplaceable in the AI era⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • How to spot the first early-warning signs of burnout • How to build a daily rhythm that supports clarity and flow • Why recovery is as important as output • How to replace guilt-driven work habits with resilient thinking • Why founders perform better with structured peer circles • How to avoid the trap of meddling as your team grows • How ecosystems and investors can support founders — the right way⸻⏱️ Episode Highlights (Timestamps)00:00 – Introduction and Christina’s story  02:00 – The 2 AM “heart attack” that changed everything05:00 – The symptoms founders ignore: irritability, migraines, digestion issues07:00 – The myth of the grind and the danger of ecosystem bravado08:30 – Your brain under stress: the science of performance and recovery11:00 – What the 400-founder resilience study revealed13:00 – The four pillars of resilience17:00 – The rise of founder circles and why they work20:00 – Loneliness as a toxic performance blocker22:00 – How founders can scale themselves alongside the company25:00 – Leadership at scale: equanimity and coaching mindset28:00 – The fine line between support and pressure from investors34:00 – Why some people cross the entrepreneurial chasm and others don’t38:00 – How AI helps and hurts founders41:00 – Why human connection will always matter42:00 – What’s next for Foundology43:00 – Where to find Christina and Foundology⸻🔗 Resources Mentioned • Foundology – Supporting Founder Resiliencehttps://foundology.org • Founder Fuel Gauge (Early Access)https://foundology.org/founder-fuel • Join the Founder Fuel Community (Free)https://foundology.org/community • Christina Richardson on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christinarichardson13/

Digital transformation isn’t about technology — it’s about leadership, culture, and execution. In this episode, veteran CTO and transformation expert Tory Bjorklund joins Mehmet to debunk hype-driven transformation, explain why most initiatives fail, and share his proven framework for executing technology-driven change that sticks.Whether you’re scaling a startup or modernizing a large enterprise, this conversation brings clarity and practical wisdom to one of the most misunderstood journeys in tech.⸻👤 About the GuestTory Bjorklund is a serial entrepreneur, CTO, and transformation advisor with decades of experience leading large-scale technology and organizational change across manufacturing, fintech, and enterprise software. He is currently building Victoria Fide, focused on helping organizations succeed with transformational change, and is the author of The Digital Transformation Guidebook.⸻🔑 Key Takeaways • Digital transformation fails when technology leads instead of business goals • Why “go-live” is the beginning, not the finish line • The role of leadership and communication in successful transformation • AI reality check: where companies are going wrong • How to reset a failing transformation before it’s too late • Why ERP and enterprise tools remain underutilized • Building a culture that embraces change, not fears it⸻📘 What You’ll Learn • A 3-stage framework for transformation: Prepare → Execute → Sustain • How to align executive teams and technology leaders • Why transformation is continuous, not a project • Practical steps for avoiding costly technology mistakes • How to think about AI beyond the hype cycle⸻🧠 Episode Highlights0:00 — Intro1:20 — Tory’s journey across tech, manufacturing & consulting4:30 — Tech push vs business pull: who drives innovation?7:05 — Why 70% of digital transformations fail10:40 — How to course-correct a failing initiative14:20 — Defining success and ROI from day one18:30 — The Prepare → Execute → Sustain model22:40 — Who should own transformation inside the company26:00 — AI reality: personal productivity vs enterprise value32:00 — Why ERP & existing tools are still underutilized37:20 — Industrial AI & the real disruption39:40 — About Tory’s book42:00 — Closing thoughts⸻🔗 Resources Mentioned • Victoria Fide – https://victoriafide.com • Tory’s upcoming book: The Digital Transformation Guidebook • Connect with Tory on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torybjorklund/

In this episode, we sit down with Liam O’Neil, Managing Director at BPMD, to explore how modern organizations can use process intelligence, AI, and change design to build scalable, resilient systems.We go deep into process mining, task mining, the future of process teams, breaking organizational silos, and how AI is reshaping enterprise transformation.Whether you’re a CTO, operator, or founder, this episode demystifies what “process” really means in the AI era — and why it’s more strategic than ever.⸻👤 About Liam O’NeilLiam O’Neil is the Managing Director of BPMD, helping companies transform how they operate through process intelligence, workflow design, automation, and AI-driven change.He has led transformation programs across industries, guiding teams through ERP shifts, hyperautomation, and data-driven operational design.⸻🔑 Key Takeaways • Why process ≠ bureaucracy — and how to reframe it • Moving from siloed teams to connected “change maker functions” • Process mining vs task mining (and when to use each) • AI’s role in accelerating process intelligence & automation • Why CTOs must partner with process functions to drive value • How to spot early signs of underperforming transformation programs • Where process teams sit in modern org structures • Innovation vs stability — and when not to automate • Using upstream fixes to unlock downstream efficiency • The real reason RPA stalled — and what AI does differently⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • The evolution of process work in the AI age • Real-world examples of process intelligence saving time & cost • How to structure process teams for speed, not bureaucracy • Tools and frameworks shaping enterprise workflow (Signavio, Celonis, SAP, etc.) • How generative & agentic AI is changing execution and adoption • Why culture, communication, and accountability still matter most⸻🕒 Episode HighlightsTimestampTopic00:00Welcome & guest intro01:20Liam’s journey into process & automation03:10Why smart teams get stuck in silos04:50Fixing upstream issues to remove downstream pain06:10Why process has a “bureaucracy problem”09:00How modern process teams look today11:50Process mining vs task mining — explained simply15:20Real enterprise examples & outcomes17:10Where AI accelerates process work20:00Why change dies without ownership & communication24:15Balancing innovation vs experience27:00Capability modeling for tech investment decisions29:00Signals CTOs should watch for in transformation32:40Where to start tomorrow if you lead technology34:30The next evolution of process with AI38:00RPA vs AI — why adoption looks different41:20Closing thoughts & where to find Liam🔗 Resources Mentioned • Liam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/l-oneill/ • Liam’s company: http://bpm-d.com/ • Celonis • WalkMe / digital adoption platforms • LeanIX / enterprise architecture • RPA vs next-gen AI workflows