AI Knowhow

Only 5% of companies are getting real value from AI—so what are they doing differently? Courtney, David, and Mohan unpack the "AI value gap," spotlighting what it actually takes to move from spinning up pilots to driving measurable outcomes, while Pete Buer checks in on Michael Burry's billion-dollar bet against the AI boom. P ete also sits down with Coframe CEO Josh Payne, who reveals how compounding intelligence and self-improving systems are quietly reshaping customer experiences—and what most companies miss when trying to replicate that success. Learn how to escape the hype, go deep instead of wide, and make AI count where it really matters: your P&L. Download the Meeting Cadence Playbook: www.knownwell.com/meetingcadence Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BbaBu-QCWwc 

Is it time to redefine the consulting playbook with AI as your new operating partner? From Cognizant's bold move with Anthropic to the shifting role of human consultants, the team looks at how embedded intelligence is reshaping strategy execution and value creation in professional services. This week, Pete Buer breaks down why Cognizant's enterprise-scale rollout of Claude AI to each of its 350,00 team members AND co-selling it is more than just a tech headline. It's a blueprint for AI as a transformational tool for how services are delivered.  Pete and Courtney also dig into what Digg founder and VC investor Kevin Rose's blunt take on which AI wearables he'll consider investing in signals acrosss the broader AI ecosystem.  And in our weekly roundtable segment, David and Mohan join Courtney to explore how an AI Operating Partner for professional services companies might not replace consultants, but rather elevate them, shifting their focus from analysis to storytelling, judgment, and client empathy. The real challenge? Avoiding the trap of AI-enabled mediocrity. What happens when analysts live in the cloud and consultants lead with wisdom? Tune in to this week's show to find out.  Download the Meeting Cadence Playbook: www.knownwell.com/meeting-cadence  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iyL9G2bHZ0U 

AI pilots were hot in 2024—but by 2025, nearly half are being scrapped before they ever hit production. So how do you know when your AI initiative is a breakthrough in waiting… and when it's time to walk away? Courtney Baker returns with Knownwell's David DeWolf and Mohan Rao to unpack the signals leaders should watch for. From the 426-AI-projects horror story to the psychological traps that sabotage momentum, they explore how to stay strategic in a sea of experiments. Mohan invokes Seth Godin's The Dip to draw the line between temporary struggles and real structural limits—while David warns against corporate "busy work" that masquerades as innovation. Courtney also welcomes back a past guest for a second try at a ChatGPT voice interview—this time, with much better results. Has the model improved? Is the Scarlett Johansson drama behind us? You'll want to hear how the bot handles a hot-seat question about its own failures. 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/15eYlofcyDk  📘 Download the Commercial Relationship Playbook: www.knownwell.com/relationship-playbook 

The classic tech debate—build or buy—gets a high-stakes upgrade in the age of AI. Courtney Baker sits down with David DeWolf and Mohan Rao to unpack why two-thirds of vendor-led AI projects succeed while most in-house efforts fall short. Spoiler: it's not just about speed or cost—it's about compounding intelligence. You'll learn why the real question isn't "build or buy," but "what problem are we solving?" Plus, insights from new MIT research, a $2.8T infrastructure forecast, and you'll hear how one of David's AI predictions seems to be coming true.  Try Knownwell free for 30 days: www.knownwell.com/30days  Watch episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JR_iftK-afw 

What if your business could actually get smarter the more it uses AI? Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao unpack what it takes to build a true learning organization—one that compounds intelligence, adapts fast, and reshapes its structure around speed, not silos. Forget one-off AI wins. This is about systems that evolve. Pete Buer kicks things off with a sharp take on the decline of college degrees in an AI-first economy. If skills like adaptability and problem-solving are the new currency, how should leaders rethink hiring, training, and culture? Plus, a standout interview with Jason Mlicki on how professional services firms can still build authority when AI owns the search bar. Want to get found in a no-click world? Jason shares the five ways to break out of the walled garden. This episode is your cheat code for staying relevant—and getting ahead. 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J_KPe2tsGc 📘 See your AI readiness at: https://www.knownwell.com/experience

Best practices once drove growth. But in the AI era, they might be your biggest barrier to progress. Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao break down why rigid frameworks like Lean, Agile, and NPS are no match for real-time transformation. They explore how AI is rewriting the rules—and why success now depends on constant reinvention, not static playbooks. David steps into "AI in the Wild" to unpack a headline-grabbing statement from Walmart's CEO: every job—2 million of them—is about to change because of AI. What does that mean for leaders everywhere? Later, Courtney sits down with Andy Sitison, CTO of Share More Stories, to talk about human-centered transformation. They dig into practical AI ethics, how to protect authenticity in a world of generative noise, and what it really takes to build trust with technology. 📘 Download The New Retention Playbook: Knownwell.com/playbook 💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/knownwell  🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tYS_O8ByXCI

What if the biggest threat to next year's revenue isn't churn—but the quiet erosion of loyalty you never saw coming? With 85% of professional services revenue riding on existing clients, old tools like NPS and gut instinct just won't cut it anymore. In this special edition, we're taking you inside the Knownwell platform itself—no roundtable, no guests—just a front-row seat to how real-time commercial intelligence is changing the game. Knownwell Chief Marketing Officer Courtney Baker and Chief Product and Technology Officer Mohan Rao walk through the platform live, showing how executives can go from blind spots and firefighting to confident, data-backed decisions in minutes. Watch as they simulate a Monday morning at a fictional agency—and reveal how Knownwell helps leaders prep for surprise client calls, uncover hidden growth opportunities, and balance energy across a full portfolio. This isn't just a product demo. It's a blueprint for how high-performing teams are staying ahead of risk, strengthening client relationships, and winning renewals—without the guesswork. 👉 See Knownwell in action. Book your personalized demo now: https://www.knownwell.com/demo  You should definitely watch this episode on YouTube to see Knownwell in action:  https://youtu.be/aZa85STT33k 

We're celebrating 100 episodes of AI Knowhow and asking: what have the last two years of AI actually taught us? Courtney, David, and Mohan rewind the tape to trace how far AI and executive thinking have come since episode 1 of the show all the way back in September 2023. What began as a curiosity is now a boardroom priority. But while the tech has sprinted ahead, the biggest barriers aren't technical: they're cultural, organizational, and deeply human. The team shares what's surprised them (Wendy's drive-thru, anyone?), what still hasn't landed (where's the breakout AI-native device?), and what leaders need to carry into the next two years.  And Pete Buer joins to reflect on some of his favorite conversations and the people shaping the future with care, not just code. It's a candid, insightful, and sometimes humorous look back, and a launchpad for what's next. 00:00 Introduction and Milestone Celebration 01:33 Reflecting on Two Years of AI 02:12 Lessons Learned and Future Outlook 06:26 AI in Everyday Life 08:46 Unmet Expectations and Surprises 16:13 Reflections on 100 Episodes 21:09 Looking Ahead to the Next 100 Episodes Make sure to check out www.knownwell.com. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/awG-DWpnGEc 

AI is fast becoming a utility—accessible to everyone, everywhere. But if the tools are the same, where does competitive advantage come from? Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao explore the new sources of differentiation when AI is no longer scarce: proprietary data, clean pipelines, workflow integration, and a culture that learns faster than rivals. They even tackle whether generalists or specialists are better positioned to thrive in this new era. Pete Buer sits down with Kleio CEO Philippe Wellens to unpack why 95% of AI pilots fail, how to orchestrate AI agents with guardrails, and the right way to measure ROI and time-to-value when agents are taking real action inside your business. All of that PLUS Pete has a breakdown on why nimble AI-native boutiques are outpacing the Big Four—and what that means for leaders trying to steer enterprise giants. Curious how AI is reshaping leadership and redefining what it means to manage? Try rethinking your organization's leadership journey from the ground up. Visit www.Knownwell.com/experience to explore real-time commercial intelligence—and join the conversation on LinkedIn to tell us how you think we should train the next generation of leaders. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wwp9X_oqw9k 

Will AI replace middle managers, or will it make them more human than ever? In this episode, Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker, CEO David DeWolf, and Chief Product and Technology Officer Mohan Rao unpack AI's real impact on middle management. Is the leadership pipeline about to be disrupted? Or will we see a resurgence of mentorship, critical thinking, and apprenticeship models? Pete Buer continues his conversation with philosopher, author, and Forbes columnist Dr. Pia Lauritzen. They dive deep into the existential risks of AI and why existential, ethical, and epistemological questions must never be left to AI All of that PLUS Pete joins Courtney to review some AI news. This week they discuss a Wired article on how scientists are using AI to invent bizarre, yet effective experiments. The takeaway? AI isn't just about automation—it's about creative collaboration.  Don't miss insights on what leadership training might look like in an AI-first world, why critical thinking beats arithmetic, and how "question culture" could be the secret to better business decisions. Curious how AI is reshaping leadership and redefining what it means to manage? Try rethinking your organization's leadership journey from the ground up. Visit www.Knownwell.com/experience to explore real-time commercial intelligence—and join the conversation on LinkedIn to tell us how you think we should train the next generation of leaders. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NG3fNH3aia8 

AOL finally shut down its dial-up service—but the real story? Many companies are still treating AI like it's 1999. In this episode, the team explores what it takes to move from experimentation to transformation in the age of ambient AI. Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker, CEO David DeWolf, and Chief Product & Technology Officer Mohan Rao dive into the biggest challenge facing leaders today: AI isn't just a tool—it's becoming the environment we work in. So why are so many organizations still "sneaking downstairs" to test it in isolation? Then, Pete Buer speaks with philosopher Dr. Pia Lauritzen. She explains that the real existential risk of AI is not extinction, but losing what makes us human. She argues that blindly optimizing for speed and output might cost us the deeper questions that drive true progress. All of that PLUS Pete has another edition of AI in the Wild. This week, he breaks down the latest MIT report on AI's impact on jobs: most displacement is happening in offshore and outsourced roles—for now. Plus, only a sliver of AI investments are delivering ROI, and that's mostly through efficiency, not innovation. If you're still piloting AI in a silo, this episode is your wake-up call. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2eoNu4WvsFc  Growing existing clients is 95% more profitable than chasing new deals. Get the Commercial Relationship Playbook and turn relationships into your most reliable growth engine: knownwell.com/relationshipplaybook

What do corporate boards really want from AI initiatives—and how can executive teams prepare to deliver? Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker is joined by CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product & Technology Officer Mohan Rao for a revealing discussion on how boardroom expectations around AI have evolved. From ROI to risk and organizational readiness, discover the three big priorities every board member is tracking—and how to ace the conversation before it even starts. Then, Pete Buer interviews David Evans, founder of ArcSyne, about using AI to forecast complex futures. They explore how AI-powered scenario modeling is helping leadership teams navigate market volatility, rethink org structures, and avoid strategic blind spots. From trade policy to pricing strategy, Evans shares real-world use cases and insights that professional services leaders won't want to miss. Stop chasing new logos—start unlocking exponential growth with the clients you already have. Download Knownwell's Commercial Relationship Playbook and turn retention into your biggest revenue driver at Knownwell.com/relationshipplaybook. Show Notes Visit the ArcSyne website Connect with ArcSyne Founder David Evans on LinkedIn Connect with David DeWolf on LinkedIn Connect with Mohan Rao on LinkedIn Connect with Courtney Baker on LinkedIn Connect with Pete Buer on LinkedIn Get a guided Knownwell demo Follow Knownwell on LinkedIn

It's that time again—budget season. But how do you plan AI spending for a future that keeps shifting? Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker is joined by CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product & Technology Officer Mohan Rao to unpack how leaders can budget for AI in 2026 without wasting spend or missing out. The takeaway? Don't budget for "AI"—budget for solving real business problems. From aligning with KPIs to adopting a 70/20/10 allocation model, they outline how to move from pilots to scalable, ROI-focused AI investments. Next, Pete Buer sits down with Alex Kelleher, CEO of Quantum Rise, who makes the case for thinking in products, not projects. He explains why agility, measurable KPIs, and shared risk models are redefining how consulting delivers AI value—and how your business can adopt the same mindset. Plus: A new segment, "What's Your Password (And Why Is It 123456)?", reveals how even global giants like McDonald's are still failing cybersecurity 101—and what AI-powered defenses can help you do better. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z8-16tvNw50  Visit Knownwell.com to see how your own company's data could be working harder for you.

It's easy to launch an AI proof of concept. It's hard to turn it into a solution people actually enjoy using and continue to use over the long haul. In this episode, Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker teams up with CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product & Technology Officer Mohan Rao to unpack the real-world challenges of operationalizing AI. From starting with the right problem to mastering change management and workflow integration, they share practical strategies for bridging the gap from prototype to production. Pete Buer kicks things off with a look at a Columbia University/New York-Presbyterian AI breakthrough that detects hidden heart disease with 77% accuracy—and how early detection applies to industries far beyond healthcare. Then, Pete sits down with Jim Garrity, Chief Client Officer at SingleStone, to explore his delightfully BORING AI framework. They discuss why targeting unglamorous but business-critical processes can unlock major value, how insurance underwriters are speeding decisions with AI, and why professional services retention is all about avoiding single-threaded relationships and spotting growth opportunities early. Explore how to stop flying blind and start harnessing AI for what it does best before it's too late. Visit www.knownwell.com to get a guided tour of the platform. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/U8KG0iPUPNU 

Why do firms silently bleed customers, and how can AI help stop it? In this revealing episode of AI Knowhow from Knownwell, CMO Courtney Baker, CEO David DeWolf, and Chief Product and Technology Officer Mohan Rao lift the curtain on the biggest Knownwell platform update yet. They explore how AI can detect hidden signals across departments, sometimes before the metrics even move, and why ignoring 90% of the noise is just as critical as surfacing the right 10%. Using a playful analogy involving Courtney and Mohan's beloved Oura Rings, the team illustrates how contextual clues in client relationships can predict major issues before they explode. David and Mohan explain how Knownwell's new features proactively identify fires, budget pressures, and executive turnover to help firms avoid disaster. In this week's "AI in the Wild," Pete Buer breaks down a controversial Microsoft memo that makes AI usage mandatory and raises deeper questions about critical thinking, tool diversity, and performance reviews. Plus, in part two of his interview, Matt Stauffer, CEO of Tighten, shares why AI hasn't radically changed his software team's structure—and how seeing AI as a junior developer helps separate hype from reality. His take? AI shines in grunt work but still needs human oversight to deliver excellence. Explore how to stop flying blind and start harnessing AI for what it does best before it's too late. Visit www.knownwell.com to get a guided tour of the platform. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9MYYHhcU3cA 

Client churn may be inevitable, but what if your relationships were strong enough to resist it? Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker is joined by CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product and Technology Officer Mohan Rao to dissect how AI can help build resilient, multi-threaded client relationships. They explore why single-threaded accounts are risky, how AI can map relationship networks, and the ways it enables proactive value delivery through real-time insights and signals. Special guest Matt Stauffer, CEO of Tighten, sits down with Pete Buer to share how professional services firms can responsibly integrate AI. Matt warns against AI maximalism and discusses the real ROI behind building AI tools—advising companies to start with the business problem, not the shiny tech. All of that, PLUS Pete unpacks insights from LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky on how to AI-proof your career.  Want to turn insights into action? Download Knownwell's white paper, "AI-Powered Strategies for Scaling Professional Services," at www.knownwell.com/scalingwhitepaper.  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/geeqPMhGRcY 

Another CEO memo on AI is making waves - this time from Amazon's Andy Jassy, who outlines the tech giant's aggressive AI strategy and hints at workforce reductions. While some may see it as ominous, others view it as a rallying cry for change. The AI Knowhow team dives deep into what this latest corporate proclamation really means. First, NordLight CEO Pete Buer and Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker unpack Jassy's memo, especially its stark honesty about AI's impact on jobs—and what it means for your own upskilling strategy. Then Courtney is joined by Knownwell's CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product and Technology Officer Mohan Rao to unpack how leaders at all levels—not just the C-suite—can take initiative, align teams, and prove they're a few steps ahead before the next memo lands. From strategic intent to narrative discipline and modular operating systems, they break down the practical moves that position you to lead with action, not just reaction. Also, Pete Buer chats with Jeff McKay, founder of Prudent Pedal, to explore how AI is transforming organizational structures in professional services firms. They examine McKay's "IC Triad" model and how marketing, sales, and delivery must evolve to remain competitive in the AI era. Check out the Knownwell platform to see how your own company's data can unlock next-level decision-making at www.knownwell.com.  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/inqzp0KmoWg 

Accenture just rebranded its core services as "Reinvention Services." But is this just corporate posturing or a sign of something bigger happening in professional services? First, Pete Buer returns with a breakdown of the business impact of Accenture's move. He asks: Is AI finally becoming an operating system for enterprises, not just a toolkit? He dives into how Accenture's internal reorganization reflects broader pressures in the consulting industry, including margin compression, commoditization, and the urgent need to differentiate. Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker is joined by Knownwell CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product and Technology Officer Mohan Rao to further unpack the implications of Accenture's bold repositioning. They explore why this move might signal a shift from episodic transformation to continuous reinvention and how smaller firms can adapt and stay relevant. David shares how positioning—not just performance—is now critical for service firms trying to escape the zero-sum game. Mohan offers a grounded analysis of how AI collapses silos and demands a rethinking of not just tools, but organizational architecture. If your business is still treating AI as a "next quarter" concern, this episode is your wake-up call. Visit Knownwell.com to see how your own company's data could be working harder for you.

What if your next wave of growth isn't about chasing new logos—but mining gold from the clients you already have? In this cepisode, CMO Courtney Baker challenges the traditional growth mindset with Knownwell's CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product and Technology Officer Mohan Rao. Together, they break down why net revenue retention (NRR) is the real growth lever, especially for professional services firms. They explore the inefficiencies of over-investing in new sales and reveal how failing to rigorously manage and measure existing relationships is holding companies back from true scalability and predictable growth. Meanwhile, Pete Buer dives into the latest AI in the Wild: Meta's audacious push toward artificial general intelligence, led by Scale AI's Alexander Wang. Is this the next paradigm shift or just Metaverse 2.0? And back by popular demand—it's the return of the AI Snake Draft! Courtney, David, and Mohan face off with their must-have AI tools for 2025. Which apps have become indispensable? Which tools are heading to the D-League? Find out who steals the draft with surprises, strategy, and a little smack talk. Plus, download the new Knownwell playbook for AI-powered strategies to scale your professional services firm: www.knownwell.com/scalingwhitepaper  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/N8b_AtMIM2E 

What happens when you give every employee access to the paid version of ChatGPT? At Knownwell, it wasn't just a tech decision—it was a culture shift. Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker, CEO David DeWolf, and Chief Product & Technology Officer Mohan Rao explore the real-world implications of a strategic move: providing company-wide access to ChatGPT. They share what sparked the decision and how a structured rollout strategy transformed productivity, communication, and innovation across the team. They also dive into what smart deployment looks like, from setting enterprise controls to embedding AI within your company's OKRs. Pete Buer kicks off the episode with an eye-opening look at Apple's latest research into large language model reasoning and why businesses must approach AI tools with both optimism and caution. He unpacks the importance of human-AI collaboration and encourages leaders to ditch the "magic wand" mindset. Also in this episode: Part two of Pete's interview with Ardy Tripathy, AI lead at OpsCanvas. Ardy reveals how AI can help eliminate "zombie resources" in cloud infrastructure, streamline CI/CD pipelines, and enhance visibility across systems. He also offers practical tips for CEOs on how to lead AI experimentation without losing control. This episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating the AI learning curve, and for teams wondering what enterprise-wide access really unlocks. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NneA_LgHEYc  Curious what your company's data looks like on Knownwell? Schedule a demo at www.knownwell.com.