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Home>Blog>Podcast>Before the AI Wave: How to Prep Your People, Processes, and Data featuring Lisa Talbot | Episode #0013

Before the AI Wave: How to Prep Your People, Processes, and Data featuring Lisa Talbot | Episode #0013

  • 2025-06-06
  • Posted by: Brad Groux
  • Category: Podcast
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Before the AI Wave

If your organization is considering AI but your processes are a mess, your team is burned out, and your data lives in countless different spreadsheets, this episode is for you.

In Episode 0013, Brad Groux sat down with Lisa Talbot, founder of True North PM Solutions and a veteran project leader across Fortune 500 companies and growing teams alike. Together, they explored a question more business leaders should be asking:

What really needs to be in place before AI can deliver value?

The truth? AI won’t fix broken processes. It won’t unify misaligned teams. And it won’t magically clean up your data. Yet, that’s the quiet trap too many leaders fall into, investing in AI before they invest in operational clarity.

Lisa and Brad unpack the practical steps leaders can take before they dive into automation or AI implementation:

  • People:Why alignment and trust matter more than any AI feature set.
  • Processes:How even “messy” process mapping can reveal your biggest opportunities.
  • Data:Why access, ownership, and visibility are your true barriers, not the lack of tech.

They also talk about:

  • Picking low-risk, high-impact AI use cases
  • The emotional component of organizational change (and why it’s so often ignored)
  • Ways small teams can leverage AI to free up time withouta full transformation strategy

“You don’t have to build the perfect system. You just have to understand the system you already have, and make better decisions from there.”

The rise of AI is inevitable, but AI success isn’t. This episode will help you ask better questions, choose smarter entry points, and avoid costly mistakes that stem from rushing transformation before your organization is ready.

💬 What’s the #1 internal challenge slowing down your AI roadmap?

We’d love to hear what you’re working through, drop a comment or message us. Thank you to Lisa Talbot, and True North PM Solutions for taking part in this meaningful conversation.

New SSTB are released every Friday across all major podcast platforms (direct links below), with video available on Spotify and YouTube. Follow along to empower your AI journey!

Summary

In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, Brad Groux and Lisa Talbot discuss the integration of AI and automation in business processes. They explore the challenges organizations face when implementing AI, the importance of change management, and the need for proper data preparation. The conversation also touches on the innovations in healthcare driven by AI, the role of energy in AI development, and the significance of building momentum through small wins. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding processes and involving all stakeholders in the change management process to ensure successful AI adoption.

Keywords

AI, automation, business processes, change management, healthcare, energy, data preparation, pilot projects, continuous learning, technology adoption

Takeaways

  • AI can revolutionize businesses, but readiness is key.
  • Organizations often chase shiny technology without proper foundations.
  • Data quality is crucial; garbage in, garbage out.
  • Change management is essential for successful AI implementation.
  • Process mapping helps identify pain points and streamline operations.
  • Small wins build momentum for larger changes.
  • Involve all stakeholders in the change process.
  • AI and automation are interrelated but serve different purposes.
  • Continuous learning is vital in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
  • Empathy and communication are crucial in understanding team needs.
Article content
Focus Diagram (source: Brad Groux)

Titles

  • Navigating the AI Landscape: Challenges and Solutions
  • The Future of AI in Business: Insights and Innovations

Sound Bites

  • “The wins build momentum.”
  • “We’re creating the cult of AI.”
  • “AI is not a boogeyman.”

Resources

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI in Business

02:36 Challenges in Implementing AI and Automation

05:11 AI in Healthcare: Innovations and Impacts

08:05 The Energy Demands of AI

10:57 The Importance of Change Management

13:42 Process Mapping and Tech Debt

16:36 Engaging Teams in AI Implementation

19:26 Conclusion: Embracing AI for Growth

24:49 Understanding Team Dynamics in Small Businesses

27:24 The Importance of Stakeholder Involvement

30:19 Leveraging AI for Documentation and Communication

34:14 Automation vs. AI: Clarifying the Confusion

37:45 Building a Strong Foundation for AI Implementation

41:32 Creating Momentum Through Small Wins

45:16 The Role of Leadership in AI Adoption

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