Advertise on podcast: Modern Business Operations: AI, Automation, Legal, Procurement, IT, and Ops

In this episode, Sagi Eliyahu welcomes back Dr. Elouise Epstein, Partner at Kearney, to explore how AI is reshaping enterprise functions, procurement and the future of work. The conversation moves from personal AI-skepticism-to-believer journeys to radically new mindsets around black-box corporate functions, personal AI productivity and governance for an agent-driven enterprise. Listeners in operations, procurement and technology leadership gain a forward-looking view of how to navigate the next decade of AI-driven transformation. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 05:05 Education systems face an impending AI-driven learning crisis. 09:20 Personal AI productivity is mandatory, not optional, for professionals. 13:55 AI job disruption creates a painful lag before new roles emerge. 17:18 Corporate functions evolve into AI black boxes managed by specialists. 18:10 Procurement shifts from transactional tasks to embedded business partnership. 27:44 New mindset favors highly personalized tools over standardized platforms. 30:56 Governance must enable experimentation while protecting core enterprise data. 34:27 Invisible personal AI agents will outlive roles and preserve institutional knowledge. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Elouise Epstein https://www.linkedin.com/in/drelouise/ Kearney | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/kearney/ Kearney | Website https://www.kearney.com/ This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

On this week’s episode, host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Jasmine Singh, General Counsel of Ironclad, to discuss her unique career journey from commercial litigation to becoming a General Counsel at the forefront of AI adoption in legal technology. Jasmine shares the pivotal moment she left big law to pursue her personal passions, which ultimately defined her approach to purpose-driven work and in-house team building. She offers fascinating insights into how the legal sector, often considered a slow adopter, is now rapidly embracing AI tools.  Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 01:00 Career alignment is necessary for a sense of purpose and fulfillment. 04:34 Transactional law offered a preferred communal and deal-making environment. 08:27 Legacy legal training builds resilience to enable learning in fast-paced tech environments. 12:22 AI reduces burnout by handling the rote work. 15:12 AI makes in-house counsel smarter consumers of outside services. 18:39 The need for technical expertise of outside counsel will continue. 28:26 Career success comes from staying true to your authentic self. Resources Mentioned: Jasmine Singh https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-singh-b4a25274/ Ironclad | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ironclad-inc-/ Ironclad | Website https://www.ironcladapp.com This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

This week, host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Fabio Bertoni, General Counsel of The New Yorker. They explore how legal leadership guides a major publication through sustained industry transformation, examining the intersection of media, law and business operations. Listeners gain actionable insights on managing complexity, maintaining editorial standards while adapting to technological change and balancing ethical responsibility with business demands in high-stakes environments. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 05:09 Media law combines passion with practical career skills. 08:09 Public decisions feel high-stakes when consequences matter. 11:45 How digital transformation accelerated publication speed and reach. 14:30 Quality focus creates a profitable, loyal readership base. 16:54 Complex challenges require thorough work without shortcuts. 20:30 AI reduces search traffic and traditional advertising revenue. 23:42 Subscription value matters more than AI-generated content. 25:51 Editorial restrictions differ from operational AI applications. 28:45 Personal ethics remain an individual responsibility throughout careers. Resources Mentioned: Fabio Bertoni https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabio-bertoni-6958554/ The New Yorker | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-yorker/ The New Yorker | Website http://www.newyorker.com/ The New Yorker Radio Hour  https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-new-yorker-radio-hour This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

Sagi Eliyahu hosts Andrea Iorio, Founder, Keynote Speaker and Podcaster of AIK | Andrea Iorio Keynotes and Author of "Between You and AI." Andrea breaks down the critical human skills professionals need to stay relevant as AI transforms the workplace. The episode explores why 95% of AI projects fail, the difference between automation and augmentation and the nine essential skills for thriving alongside intelligent technology. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 03:39 Most books on AI fail to address the development of critical human skills. 07:06 An MIT study has shown that 95% of AI projects fail. 11:54 Data sense-making prevents the spread of AI hallucinations. 16:06 The education system fails to teach question-asking skills. 20:37 Asking the right questions becomes a competitive advantage. 24:42 Automation frees time for augmentation strategies. 28:21 Human-AI collaboration scales customer service effectively. 32:15 Critical thinking is becoming the job role itself. 36:30 Adaptability remains a human competitive advantage. 38:31 Individual urgency drives professional skill transformation. Resources Mentioned: Andrea Iorio https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaiorio/ AIK | Andrea Iorio Keynotes | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/arte-de-palestrar-adp/ Andrea Iorio Keynotes | Website https://artedepalestrar.com.br/ “Between You and AI” by Andrea Iorio https://betweenyouand.ai/ This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

On this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu speaks with Gabriel Buigas, Executive Vice President of Contracts, Compliance and Commercial Services at Integreon. Gabriel shares his unique perspective on legal transformation, drawing on senior leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard, UnitedLex and now Integreon. The discussion explores how generative AI is reshaping the legal function, why disruption rarely comes from incumbents and how forward-looking in-house leaders can self-fund transformation while preparing their teams for the future. Gabriel also highlights the importance of embracing change, investing in young, tech-native talent and learning the business to be an effective legal partner. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 03:53 Incumbents rarely drive industry disruption. Change often comes externally. 07:16 GenAI is transforming legal with rapid, widespread adoption. 10:29 Legal departments should create safe spaces for responsible AI experimentation. 16:10 Forward-thinking legal teams can self-fund transformation through cost savings. 22:06 Start automating routine workloads now before the major changes coming within five years. 25:03 Hiring lawyers who embrace technology accelerates organizational growth and readiness. 28:31 Embracing change and business context makes stronger, future-ready legal professionals. Resources Mentioned: Gabriel Buigas https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-buigas-902953/ Integreon | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/integreon/ Integreon | Website http://www.integreon.com This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

In this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu talks with Marc Mandel, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Exos. Marc shares his perspective on applying high-performance coaching principles to corporate operations, building efficiency in lean legal teams and adopting AI in ways that deliver practical results. He also explores how AI is changing contracts, legal operations and the very definition of value in professional services. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 04:50 Legal teams increase agility through methodology and tech. 08:51 AI rapidly reviews contracts for insurance compliance. 10:05 AI pre-screens terms, saving non-legal staff time. 12:49 Culture celebrates mastery, autonomy and purpose, fueling innovation. 14:34 AI adoption is accelerating across all industries. 16:09 Creativity is key in AI-driven legal work. 18:40 Law firm pay is shifting to value-based models. 25:17 Future contracts may self-adjudicate using AI. 32:27 AI may influence judicial systems and machine-driven contract interpretation. Resources Mentioned: Marc Mandel https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcmandel/ Exos | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/exos/ Exos | Website http://www.teamexos.com This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

Bob Pulver, Founder and Principal of Elevate Your AIQ, joins host Sagi Eliyahu. Bob draws on decades of enterprise transformation at IBM and NBC to share how AI adoption is less about tools and more about changing behavior and adopting a responsible strategy. Bob dives into what makes AI transformation unique, how leaders can balance hype with readiness and why building AI literacy across the workforce is critical for long-term success. Key Takeaways: 01:53 Early exposure to IBM Watson showed Bob the disruptive potential of AI. 04:26 Process reengineering should come before automation or AI adoption. 09:28 Transformation is more about people and behavior change than technology. 12:25 AI literacy and readiness are essential for organizational survival. 17:13 AI is as disruptive as past shifts but broader in scope. 19:58 The pace of AI advancement outpaces people’s ability to adapt. 23:14 Leaders must critically assess black box AI solutions for risks. 29:18 Responsible adoption requires testing, governance and ethics oversight. 31:25 Knowing your business and fostering collective intelligence drives better decisions. Resources Mentioned: Bob Pulver https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobpulver/ Elevate Your AIQ | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevateyouraiq/ Elevate Your AIQ | Website https://elevateyouraiq.com This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

In this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu sits down with Marco Imperiale, founder of Better Ipsum, to discuss legal innovation, leadership, and building inclusive business models. The conversation addresses operationalizing vision, the role of empathy in leadership and practical change management for future-ready organizations. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 02:03 Lessons from the music industry’s disruption apply to law. 05:17 Legal services remain traditional despite AI tool adoption. 09:27 Treat contracts as data centers with ROI-driven management. 12:59 Shifts transform professions themselves, not only their workflows. 18:47 AI isn’t a niche; it transforms legal service delivery. 22:06 Information overload demands humane pacing, skepticism and boundaries. 24:46 AI’s societal impact parallels the sweeping industrial revolution. 28:10 Future legal work requires data literacy and cross-disciplinary collaboration. 31:07 Generalists who adapt quickly may outperform narrow specialists. 33:24 Compound progress: improve processes ten percent weekly to transform. Resources Mentioned: Marco Imperiale https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-imperiale/?locale=en_US Better Ipsum | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/betteripsum/ Better Ipsum | Website https://betteripsum.net/ This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

On this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu talks with Karthik Rama, CEO and Principal Consultant of Procurement Doctors. With nearly two decades of procurement experience, Karthik shares candid insights about the state of procurement today, the impact of AI and the gap between technology’s pace and procurement’s maturity. They discuss how procurement leaders can prepare for rapid change, why chasing the latest trends is a mistake and what it means to redefine procurement beyond just cost savings.  Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 03:12 Why generic frameworks and slide decks won’t survive in the AI era. 06:38 The lack of global standards keeps procurement unstructured. 07:59 How chasing shiny objects every few years undermines real progress. 13:18 The risks of defining procurement too narrowly as only about savings. 16:21 What it takes for procurement to be viewed as a strategic partner. 19:38 Lessons from an automation project that failed despite working technically. 22:09 How layered agentic bots with human support could reshape procurement. 24:45 Why centers of excellence fail when treated as side priorities. 27:39 The importance of growing in breadth before growing in length. Resources Mentioned: Karthik Rama https://www.linkedin.com/in/procurementdoctor/ Procurement Doctors | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/procurementdoctors/ Procurement Doctors | Website http://www.procurementdoctors.com This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

On this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu talks to Freya Hurwitz, Director of Procurement at Tripadvisor. Freya shares how she brought a product management mindset to procurement and helped digitize and streamline internal processes from the ground up. She also breaks down the tension between automation and culture, the limitations of AI in negotiation and how procurement leaders can evolve into strategic business partners. Key Takeaways: (04:43) Use product management thinking to improve internal workflows. (05:38) Digitize contract processes before introducing new technology. (09:51) Reduce resistance by giving teams better process visibility. (13:51) AI tools can’t yet replace human negotiation skills. (15:40) Expect AI to reshape, not replace, procurement roles. (20:08) Strategic procurement requires moving upstream in decision-making. (23:30) Traditional sales roles are fading in software procurement. (27:04) Tech advances faster than most teams can adopt. (31:51) Stay flexible — career paths and tools will keep evolving. Resources Mentioned: Freya Hurwitz https://www.linkedin.com/in/freyahurwitz/ Tripadvisor | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/tripadvisor/ Tripadvisor | Website https://www.tripadvisor.com This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

Host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Dr. Larry Richard, Founder and CEO of LawyerBrain LLC, to explore the psychological traits that define lawyers, and how those traits are colliding with today’s business environment. Larry shares insights from assessing more than 25,000 lawyers, revealing data-backed patterns in skepticism, resilience, sociability and more. The conversation covers how these personality traits can both help and hinder lawyers as they adapt to changes like AI, remote work and the mental toll of constant uncertainty. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 02:12 Reevaluating career fit leads to greater job satisfaction. 03:09 Pursuing true passion is a path to deeper expertise. 07:09 Urgency as a trait can enhance productivity and outcomes. 12:03 Low sociability may hinder effective team communication. 16:09 Low resilience is widespread, impacting workplace performance. 18:27 Declining empathy among professionals negatively affects collaboration.. 22:27 Millennials display lower empathy, influencing generational work dynamics. 26:48 Focusing on AI risks may limit innovation opportunities. 32:33 Leadership teams must drive adaptation during rapid change. 40:06 Intentional stress relief supports sustained professional effectiveness. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Larry Richard https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyerbrain/ LawyerBrain LLC | LinkedIn http://www.lawyerbrain.com/ LawyerBrain | Website http://www.lawyerbrain.com/ This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

Host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Ben Murray, Co-Founder of Extend and Founder of The SaaS Academy. Ben shares insights from his work as a fractional CFO and finance educator supporting early- and growth-stage SaaS companies. They discuss the evolution of the CFO role, the realistic pace of AI adoption in finance and how SaaS businesses are reassessing growth strategies, pricing models and tech stacks in today’s market. Key Takeaways: (02:52) The transition from traditional SaaS to agent AI is the next business model shift. (04:59) Modern CFOs manage 10–15 tools just to operate their back office. (06:14) AI adoption is often pushed by boards and C-level execs, not just IT. (07:52) Finance and accounting functions are slower to adopt AI due to precision requirements. (09:21) The rule of 40 may fade, but financial discipline stays essential. (12:20) Not every SaaS company needs to be AI-first to deliver long-term value. (14:14) Pricing models are shifting, but predictability and ARR clarity still matter. (16:53) SaaS metrics may not fully map to AI businesses with uncertain retention. (20:42) AI integration could reshape org charts by replacing specific manual tasks. (22:22) Leaders build trust by avoiding assumptions and seeking clarity in conflicts. Resources Mentioned: Ben Murray https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray/ Extend | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/tryextend/ Extend | Website https://www.tryextend.com/ The SaaS Academy | LinkeIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-saas-academy/ The SaaS CFO | Website https://www.thesaascfo.com/ This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Tania Seary, Founder of Procurious, to discuss the role of procurement in today’s dynamic business environment. With decades of experience as a procurement entrepreneur, Tania shares why now is the moment for ops leaders to work hand in hand with procurement, prioritize supplier collaboration and embrace AI as a strategic tool, not just a back-office fix. From AI adoption to cross-functional alignment, the conversation offers a forward-looking take on how procurement and ops can partner to drive enterprise performance. Key Takeaways: (03:02) Procurement must shift to agile, bite-sized, community-based learning methods. (06:12) Encourage teams to test AI weekly and share actionable use cases. (10:15) Automation frees teams to build relationships and identify real-world inefficiencies. (14:10) Supplier trust and relationships are essential, even with modern technology. (16:03) Learn enough about AI to ask smart questions and assess risks. (18:41) Staying in the business flow is key to career longevity. (22:22) You are the constant in your career — take ownership of your growth. Resources Mentioned: Tania Seary https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniaseary/ Procurious | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/procurious/ Procurious | Website https://www.procurious.com/ This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

On this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Ron Klain, Chief Legal Officer of Airbnb and former White House Chief of Staff under President Joe Biden. They discuss the operational parallels between the public and private sectors, how Airbnb sees itself as part of civic infrastructure and the role of AI in legal operations. Key Takeaways:  (03:28) Both public and private operations demand strong crisis response and global coordination. (06:06) Airbnb provides surge housing for emergencies and large-scale cultural events. (08:36) Legal teams use AI to organize documents and improve institutional memory. (09:51) Lawyers remain essential for creativity, reasoning and strategic storytelling. (12:21) Global compliance requires local legal teams that are familiar with regional regulations. (15:29) A diverse society benefits from diffused power despite slower processes. (17:16) Peer networks often have a more lasting impact than traditional mentorships. Resources Mentioned: Ron Klain https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-klain-3016b71/ Airbnb | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/airbnb/ Airbnb | Website https://www.airbnb.com/ This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations

Host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Kevin Keller, Senior Vice President - General Counsel of Forward Networks, Inc. Kevin shares his career path from electrical engineering to law and tech, unpacking what it means to lead with curiosity, data and process in high-growth environments. With legal and operational leadership experience at Amazon, Instacart, Facebook and startups, Kevin offers insights into building adaptable teams, operationalizing AI and redefining efficiency for the modern workplace. Key Takeaways: (01:05) Kevin’s background and his pivot from engineering to law. (09:36) Process-driven, analytical thinking is essential for continual improvement and efficiency. (10:33) Breaking down processes and identifying areas for automation or improvement is a critical leadership skill. (12:09) Root cause analysis and taking ownership of mistakes are vital for organizational health and growth. (23:42) Leveraging AI starts with breaking down team processes and empowering those closest to the work to identify opportunities. (24:36) Hiring for intelligence, emotional intelligence and curiosity is more valuable than focusing solely on credentials. (35:21) Mentoring and connecting with early-career professionals keeps leaders fresh and fosters a two-way learning environment. Resources Mentioned: Kevin Keller https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkeller/ Forward Networks, Inc. | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/forward-networks/ Forward Networks Inc. | Website https://www.forwardnetworks.com/ This episode is brought to you by Tonkean. Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast. #Operations #BusinessOperations