WEBVTT
00:00:00.380 --> 00:00:08.259
Welcome to The Human Code, the podcast where technology meets humanity, and the future is shaped by the leaders and innovators of today.
00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:15.919
I'm your host, Don Finley, inviting you on a journey through the fascinating world of tech, leadership, and personal growth.
00:00:16.469 --> 00:00:26.219
Here, we delve into the stories of visionary minds, Who are not only driving technological advancement, but also embodying the personal journeys and insights that inspire us all.
00:00:26.739 --> 00:00:37.130
Each episode, we explore the intersections where human ingenuity meets the cutting edge of technology, unpacking the experiences, challenges, and triumphs that define our era.
00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:47.350
So, whether you are a tech enthusiast, an inspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the human narratives behind the digital revolution, you're in the right place.
00:00:47.630 --> 00:00:49.590
Welcome to The Human Code.
00:00:49.990 --> 00:00:55.060
In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Mary Naylor, a seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader.
00:00:55.271 --> 00:01:02.470
Mary is the founder and former CEO of VIP desk, and currently serves as a board member and advisor to several companies.
00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:07.631
Her extensive experience spans health tech, data innovation, and supporting female entrepreneurs.
00:01:08.230 --> 00:01:09.611
Today, Mary and I will share.
00:01:10.100 --> 00:01:16.010
Her insights on the evolution of technology and its impact on business drawing from her extensive entrepreneurial journey.
00:01:16.700 --> 00:01:23.180
The importance of embracing change and continuous learning with practical tips, like the 30 for 30 approach to skills development.
00:01:23.960 --> 00:01:31.521
How AI can be integrated to enhance human potential, including practical applications and the importance of upscaling employees.
00:01:32.090 --> 00:01:41.540
Join us as we delve into these engaging topics with Mary Naylor, this episode is packed with valuable insights that will inspire you to rethink how you approach technology and innovation.
00:01:42.081 --> 00:01:45.111
In your business and personal life, you won't want to miss it.
00:01:50.856 --> 00:01:51.677
welcome back.
00:01:51.686 --> 00:01:56.566
I have Mary Naylor here who is probably becoming one of my new friends.
00:01:56.617 --> 00:02:00.837
she's just such a, got such a good heart and an incredible sense of humor.
00:02:00.867 --> 00:02:10.616
as far as our first few minutes together on the show, I would love to hand it off to her just by asking, what is it that got you interested in the intersection of humanity and technology?
00:02:11.227 --> 00:02:13.896
Don, first of all, delighted to be here with you today.
00:02:13.977 --> 00:02:17.667
So for me, it probably goes way back.
00:02:17.667 --> 00:02:26.977
I've been an entrepreneur my whole career and, started my first company in my early twenties and this is pre internet, okay?
00:02:27.046 --> 00:02:29.387
So maybe you can't even imagine that time.
00:02:29.387 --> 00:02:33.007
I'm not sure how old you are, Don, but I probably just aged myself.
00:02:33.097 --> 00:02:35.326
grew up without the internet as well.
00:02:36.241 --> 00:02:36.641
Okay.
00:02:36.931 --> 00:02:51.151
I've got some funny stories we could talk about there, but I think because of that experience and having, spanned an entrepreneurial career over 30 years, predominantly focused in a certain industry and going through the advent and you'll laugh at this.
00:02:51.151 --> 00:02:54.731
My first company, we did marketing via fax broadcast.
00:02:54.861 --> 00:02:59.442
Some of your listeners may not even know what a fax is, we had handwritten forms.
00:02:59.502 --> 00:03:01.611
I think what really has sparked, I
00:03:01.701 --> 00:03:04.972
haven't heard the term fax broadcast in decades
00:03:05.171 --> 00:03:06.222
well, there you go.
00:03:06.252 --> 00:03:26.322
So that's more of a humorous item, but I say that because, what's gotten me interested, in your kickoff question here is I've gone through three decades of technological transformation, how it impacts, My companies and how it impacts my team and the people that you're working with.
00:03:26.921 --> 00:03:42.292
so each one from, the bringing on even bringing when in my first business, which is called Capital Concierge, we placed hotel style concierge in the lobbies of commercial office buildings to provide flowers, gifts, tickets, entertainment, you name it, corporate services.
00:03:42.931 --> 00:03:46.262
We didn't even necessarily have computers at the desks initially.
00:03:46.271 --> 00:03:46.681
Okay.
00:03:47.141 --> 00:04:02.581
But imagine, bringing on all these technologies, over time from the internet, the concierge being able to use Google searches instead of having to do manual research, the advent of mobile, which now you have a concierge effect in the palm of your hand.
00:04:02.581 --> 00:04:04.312
How does that potentially impact us?
00:04:04.671 --> 00:04:08.572
My team, my people, then you fast forward to here we are.
00:04:08.921 --> 00:04:29.201
with definitely the most impactful, with AI technology, coming into our world and workplace and to your teams, how that intersection of humanity, technology, how do you make the bridges, make it comfortable and provide the people that you work with?
00:04:30.062 --> 00:04:34.021
The skills and capabilities that they too can advance and not feel left behind.
00:04:34.461 --> 00:04:44.601
So I think that's just, it's my history of witnessing, you know, all of these changes and each one comes faster than the next, and it's overwhelming.
00:04:44.701 --> 00:04:47.029
so that's, what's, has my interest.
00:04:47.029 --> 00:04:57.189
It's just my longevity from, watching all of these new technologies be layered onto the human element of how we live our lives and how we work.
00:04:57.307 --> 00:05:13.697
that's so fascinating because you've hit On a word that I love when we talk about AI and it's digital transformation, or I don't think you use digital, but like the word transformation and it's, we've gone through this process multiple times in the past Both of our careers, we've seen this happen with the internet.
00:05:13.697 --> 00:05:15.617
We've seen it with e commerce.
00:05:15.617 --> 00:05:18.656
We've seen it with just the digitization of information.
00:05:18.781 --> 00:05:18.971
on.
00:05:19.086 --> 00:05:21.976
and now AI and social media and AI, Right.
00:05:22.026 --> 00:05:25.557
there is a tremendous impact that we have in all of these areas.
00:05:26.637 --> 00:05:30.697
what is the inspiration that gets you through all of these exciting times of change?
00:05:30.716 --> 00:05:33.187
Because it can be a difficult venture.
00:05:33.206 --> 00:05:41.677
in terms of how, what gets me through these exciting times of change is one, is the excitement of being able to learn something new.
00:05:41.677 --> 00:05:52.607
And I think, one thing that I've tried in my entrepreneurial career and encourage other entrepreneurs as well, is one of the things to be an effective leader or, a team member within a company is.
00:05:52.947 --> 00:05:58.437
Wanting to stay ahead of trends and continually improve yourself, both personally and professionally.
00:05:59.047 --> 00:06:06.997
So how can we harness these new technologies for ourselves, for our businesses to be, more productive.
00:06:07.437 --> 00:06:15.197
And, I think for me, it's the ability to embrace change, be flexible, being willing to pivot your business.
00:06:15.646 --> 00:06:23.396
even areas of your personal lives and always trying to be open to new opportunities and adapting, disruptive technologies.
00:06:23.427 --> 00:06:34.817
I think it's easy to be afraid, Oh my gosh, how could this put us out of business if we don't move, if we don't adopt, but it's really just being, having the courage to.
00:06:35.086 --> 00:06:38.057
step in, especially if you're a non technical person.
00:06:38.146 --> 00:06:41.096
And there are many of us not in non technical roles.
00:06:41.596 --> 00:06:58.237
and how do you have the courage, the support, the access to create the comfort, because we've all had to learn to use new tools over time, you And if you look back, just like we went on that continuum of pre internet to, AI everywhere, all along the way, you and I both.
00:06:59.432 --> 00:07:00.482
have adapted.
00:07:00.482 --> 00:07:08.211
So of our teams and how can we leverage these to maximize what's available to us instead of having that fear factor?
00:07:08.271 --> 00:07:13.891
So that, that's, what's, motivated me and energized me throughout the course of different transformations over time.
00:07:16.276 --> 00:07:16.896
And I love it.
00:07:16.896 --> 00:07:25.747
It's curiosity, self development, self learning, and then also asking the question of like, how can this benefit the company, the team, the people that are around her?
00:07:25.747 --> 00:07:29.247
I think it's a really nice rubric to use it around.
00:07:29.247 --> 00:07:35.906
And I've noticed in my own entrepreneurial journeys that self development, has been a very forcing function in the growth of the business.
00:07:37.007 --> 00:07:42.057
If there is something wrong in the business, there's probably something wrong with my own self an area to grow.
00:07:42.387 --> 00:07:42.836
So
00:07:42.932 --> 00:07:44.052
I would agree with you.
00:07:44.132 --> 00:07:56.471
And, it's incumbent upon leaders to, I think, one of the things I've always thought is, it's so important to, as a leader, to surround yourself by different skills and people that are smarter than you.
00:07:56.512 --> 00:08:06.201
there's many, many a leader who hesitates, to hire the smarter because you want to be in the spotlight, but actually that's what creates a phenomenal.
00:08:06.581 --> 00:08:16.362
company and that one that's able to scale because you're willing to bring in diverse sets of talents and people that are smarter in other areas than you are.
00:08:16.882 --> 00:08:23.041
And, I had the fortune of participating in this entrepreneurial, development program for years.
00:08:23.041 --> 00:08:29.901
And one thing I thought there was really a light bulb game changer for me is that every person has what they call unique abilities.
00:08:30.432 --> 00:08:33.751
And those are abilities that you're energized by what you do.
00:08:33.831 --> 00:08:38.692
Other people comment that you're great at those, and then you have things you're excellent at.
00:08:38.741 --> 00:08:40.221
they certainly can do well.
00:08:40.231 --> 00:08:47.386
Like I can write a great RFP, but what energizes me is strategy sessions, product planning, ideation.
00:08:47.697 --> 00:08:54.246
And then they talk about unique ability, what energizes you, what we're excellent at, capable, competent.
00:08:54.527 --> 00:08:55.557
I can do HR.
00:08:55.576 --> 00:08:56.297
I can do that stuff.
00:08:56.326 --> 00:08:57.956
And then there's things we're incompetent at.
00:08:58.506 --> 00:09:04.606
And to be mindful, it's I cannot assemble a thing, get me an Ikea box, I can't put it together.
00:09:04.677 --> 00:09:07.817
My son can put it together without looking at the instructions.
00:09:07.876 --> 00:09:13.376
So I go to that because in terms of this leadership and as we explore new technologies.
00:09:14.182 --> 00:09:30.682
It's important to understand where you as a leader, your unique abilities are, and then go out and seek all of these different talents and these different ways of approaching that compliment and let everyone ideally work in their unique ability as much as they can, what energizes them.
00:09:31.256 --> 00:09:40.767
So that's just something that I'm pretty passionate about in terms of, addressing technology, addressing how you bring the teams along and how you build the talent out.
00:09:41.278 --> 00:09:43.249
It's absolutely fantastic to hear that.
00:09:43.288 --> 00:09:45.379
And I appreciate that as well.
00:09:45.509 --> 00:09:53.298
How do you see AI fitting into that model or how are you investing your time and efforts into making that a reality?
00:09:54.091 --> 00:09:55.491
could you repeat the question for me, Don?
00:09:55.532 --> 00:09:55.932
Just, I want to
00:09:56.047 --> 00:09:56.917
Yeah, no problem.
00:09:56.956 --> 00:10:00.807
love what you've outlined here as far as like the idea that we have strengths.
00:10:01.096 --> 00:10:04.437
We have things that we may be good at, but we don't really want to be doing.
00:10:04.437 --> 00:10:06.836
So they don't really follow our passion or our purpose.
00:10:07.562 --> 00:10:09.221
for what we have in this life.
00:10:09.591 --> 00:10:12.371
How do you see AI fitting into that model?
00:10:13.101 --> 00:10:18.091
Well, several things, I think, one of the most important things, because.
00:10:18.726 --> 00:10:31.476
I recently attended a summit put on by CEO Coaching International, which is a leading coaching group that focused on, growth oriented entrepreneurs and CEOs.
00:10:31.476 --> 00:10:38.307
And, I'm sure you may have heard of Peter Diamantis, a futurist, technologist, and serial entrepreneur.
00:10:38.356 --> 00:10:42.917
And he made a prediction of this as a keynote speaker, which was pretty daunting.
00:10:43.386 --> 00:10:47.136
He said, at the end of this decade, there are going to be two types of companies.
00:10:47.157 --> 00:10:52.047
Those that are totally utilizing new AI and those that will be out of business.
00:10:52.386 --> 00:11:10.861
And I was like, so I think, unlike other technologies, when we think about the critical importance of, you bringing All of our team members, all of our employees into the fold and equipping them with what's a critical go forward, future school skill set.
00:11:11.692 --> 00:11:23.701
And then if you look about what I just went back to, what are people passionate about, it's how can we introduce AI into the areas that they are passionate about?
00:11:24.231 --> 00:11:26.961
You have someone that's great being an analyst.
00:11:27.331 --> 00:11:28.152
How can they.
00:11:28.697 --> 00:11:32.126
Leverage AI, you've got the marketers, you've got the sales team.
00:11:32.126 --> 00:11:35.966
So I think it's looking at the skill sets and the passion sets.
00:11:36.027 --> 00:11:50.476
And then how do you start to introduce AI, first in terms of skilling, but then where they can start to get the command and comfort to accelerate what they're doing to be able to do more high value work.
00:11:50.476 --> 00:11:55.966
imagine that, I probably shared in my bio, this is something I'm just so excited about.
00:11:56.506 --> 00:12:10.657
Several months ago, I joined, as a strategic advisor, Mission Impact Academy, MIA, and they're a leading, AI learning platform, a community with a mission to upskill 1 million non technical.
00:12:11.192 --> 00:12:13.131
Women and individuals by 2030.
00:12:13.652 --> 00:12:22.841
And I think, what's come to me through that is that everyone wants to learn AI, granted there are people that are afraid of it and.
00:12:23.456 --> 00:12:33.366
That's a whole nother conversation, but, there's a stat out there that 94 percent of employees, want to gain the skills to work in generative AI.
00:12:33.366 --> 00:12:37.326
Only 5 percent of companies are actually upskilling at scale.
00:12:37.956 --> 00:12:40.856
So there's this tremendous need.
00:12:41.361 --> 00:12:53.902
To bring AI competency across all levels of the organization, not just the technical people, to keep competitive and also to work and what is going to be a truly AI integrated future.
00:12:53.932 --> 00:13:08.091
So I think, that's what I'm very passionate about and how do we address that and then bring it to the teams to equip them to, upskill and become and be at what I think is a great.
00:13:08.091 --> 00:13:23.739
Framework that they share with their learners is that AI is not a skill set, but it's a mindset that we must embrace and that to think of AI as augmented intelligence, And that in AI is a tool.
00:13:24.149 --> 00:13:31.359
it's not this massive, horrible thing, but AI is a tool that's there to enhance our knowledge, our productivity and efficiency.
00:13:31.839 --> 00:13:35.078
So we can focus on, more high value activities.
00:13:35.109 --> 00:13:37.568
So net, net long winded answer.
00:13:38.078 --> 00:13:48.589
You I think AI in this equation is brings the opportunity with that framework of, unique abilities I just laid out to actually optimize.
00:13:49.188 --> 00:14:00.359
the passion and energy that people get out of doing the things they're best at, because it's going to make them, better at that and be able to more focus on additional areas of development.
00:14:00.389 --> 00:14:14.168
So I view it as a true game changer in, how we work, how we can progress, how we can, optimize our personal and professional performance.
00:14:14.744 --> 00:14:15.844
by leveraging AI,
00:14:15.844 --> 00:14:24.094
I love those points that you're hitting on because when we talk to companies about their AI, implementations, it starts out at the boardroom level, It's like, what do you want to be doing with this?
00:14:24.823 --> 00:14:29.663
But with every digital transformation that we've gone through, it's a transformation of how you work.
00:14:30.043 --> 00:14:33.703
And so it really begins at the bottom of the organization as well.
00:14:34.144 --> 00:14:37.153
And so you need to have that group.
00:14:37.230 --> 00:14:45.009
the changes that you're going to make or digital transformations fall on their face without that, company wide buy in
00:14:45.754 --> 00:14:47.823
you are a hundred percent right on that, Don.
00:14:47.854 --> 00:15:00.754
it couldn't be when you start at the top without buy in and going through the whole organization, what I've heard best practices from other leaders and you raise a good point, I think, that quote from Peter Diamantis, you're going to be.
00:15:01.163 --> 00:15:02.793
Fully legalized now are out of business.
00:15:02.793 --> 00:15:03.724
It's pretty daunting.
00:15:03.764 --> 00:15:05.333
Companies are overwhelmed.
00:15:05.594 --> 00:15:13.094
there are many, the continuum of where companies fall in AI adoption and actual implementation and execution, it's all over the map.
00:15:13.433 --> 00:15:17.203
And, many executives, leaders I talked to, they're overwhelmed.
00:15:17.464 --> 00:15:19.134
It's moving at such a fast pace.
00:15:19.514 --> 00:15:20.634
They don't know where to start.
00:15:20.913 --> 00:15:22.744
As you say, it is a board imperative.
00:15:22.793 --> 00:15:24.573
because it's okay, what are we doing with AI?
00:15:25.104 --> 00:15:28.644
But then, I'll say, there's obviously very large companies.
00:15:29.474 --> 00:15:47.494
But, for your emerging growth, your smaller companies and many other companies, ultimately I think the AI vision has to start with the CEO, but bring in the team and best practices I've heard is to form, an AI council where you're bringing people in from cross functional areas from all over.
00:15:47.494 --> 00:15:50.594
And then I think, it's also important to
00:15:50.687 --> 00:16:07.782
and then also add in, you talked about curiosity before enabling the frontline worker to have curiosity when it comes to using the AI so that you can get the best practices because I've but I've shared with my team before, like sometimes the AI tells me what to do.
00:16:07.861 --> 00:16:12.172
And sometimes I tell the AI what to do when it comes to like software development.
00:16:12.461 --> 00:16:15.591
The AI is my best intern that I've ever had.
00:16:15.591 --> 00:16:17.581
And I'm using the general umbrella.
00:16:17.981 --> 00:16:21.152
There's different tools that we use in different areas like that.
00:16:21.572 --> 00:16:22.741
That's important.
00:16:22.971 --> 00:16:26.951
to augment the intelligence that I have in a core function that I'm good at.
00:16:27.292 --> 00:16:33.932
Whereas marketing is not my strength, that's a little bit outside of my comfort zone.
00:16:33.961 --> 00:16:37.412
So the AI is kind of leading in that regard.
00:16:37.412 --> 00:16:44.581
It helps to pull the information out of me, but at the same time, I need its expertise to draw into it.
00:16:44.601 --> 00:16:46.851
So that's the augmented that I think you're talking
00:16:47.121 --> 00:16:47.831
Just be augmented.
00:16:47.841 --> 00:16:49.822
it's not AI just doesn't stand alone.
00:16:49.822 --> 00:17:09.852
It is really the equation, the critical equation of AI plus human, because it is an iterative process to get the best output and it takes our existing knowledge, It's taking your expertise and you're getting something out of it, iterating back, and so I think, that's, what's really important.
00:17:09.852 --> 00:17:11.291
And you make an excellent point there.
00:17:11.741 --> 00:17:18.501
And then I was, going back to when you said to allow people to experiment and that it has to be.
00:17:18.707 --> 00:17:35.156
starting from the bottom up, I heard another speaker, a gentleman named Rajiv Kapoor, who wrote a great book, simplicity and AI and, he was telling an audience of, CEOs that, companies should, cause some people are afraid to use AI at work.
00:17:35.207 --> 00:17:53.426
They should fund the paid versions of the tools, look at the tools they're already using and make it open for people to start to play while they work on formal training or upskilling, but provide the access and encourage the experimentation and exploration, for employees on their own,
00:17:53.781 --> 00:17:54.461
Do you know what's funny?
00:17:54.521 --> 00:18:01.912
About a third of them are, already doing the experimenting, but the company isn't actually getting the benefit.
00:18:02.011 --> 00:18:03.551
the individual is getting the benefit.
00:18:03.551 --> 00:18:10.801
The company's getting a better work product from that one person, but they're not getting that across the board.
00:18:11.201 --> 00:18:11.991
you're so right.
00:18:11.991 --> 00:18:32.501
And, there's, I've read some, reports or, articles where the team members and the employees are using it, but they're afraid to say they're using it because they're afraid it looks like they're short, taking shortcuts or not doing the work when in actuality, it can really optimize and amplify what they're doing, so to be able, I think.
00:18:32.946 --> 00:18:38.967
It's going to be incumbent on all of us leaders within our organizations to have this.
00:18:39.487 --> 00:18:47.646
encouragement that we all need to embrace AI and every company is going to have a different way and ability to roll it out and scale it out.
00:18:47.646 --> 00:19:14.596
But, another best practice is, with your team, start with identifying processes across different functional areas, like HR, what's repetitive, what's mundane, like reviewing resumes, generating marketing content, data analytics, customer service opportunities, pick a one to two, initiatives that would have high impact and are an easier lift.
00:19:14.626 --> 00:19:17.277
They're not going to require this massive amount of money.
00:19:17.596 --> 00:19:24.332
This now, and then, and CEO coaching international, what they work with companies to do is build AI roadmaps.
00:19:24.692 --> 00:19:42.321
and to have this methodology where you start small, you build, and then you've got a bigger vision of, incredible applications that can bring a great ROI, but to do those over time and to learn and adjust.
00:19:42.412 --> 00:19:46.342
so I think, like I said, AI is touching every aspect of.
00:19:46.787 --> 00:19:56.567
A professional organization, of a entrepreneur like yourself, and the employees that work with them along in our own personal lives, how we're tapping this, amazing tool
00:19:57.132 --> 00:20:02.172
What do you think are some of the most profound areas that have changed in your own personal life from AI?
00:20:02.328 --> 00:20:03.558
in my own personal life.
00:20:03.808 --> 00:20:04.209
Okay.
00:20:04.298 --> 00:20:05.058
you're going to.
00:20:05.564 --> 00:20:06.663
Get a kick out of this.
00:20:06.763 --> 00:20:10.673
Hopefully, in my personal life, a couple of things, I love to travel.
00:20:10.894 --> 00:20:22.693
My companies were concierge companies, so putting, itineraries in where I actually love to plan trips, but now I say I'm going on a five day trip to, Portugal.
00:20:22.943 --> 00:20:24.663
I love food, great wine.
00:20:24.663 --> 00:20:25.983
I want to take certain kinds of tours.
00:20:25.983 --> 00:20:26.653
I'm active.
00:20:26.653 --> 00:20:29.134
I like boutique hotels and in seconds.
00:20:29.673 --> 00:20:36.993
what would have, I would have spent hours combing websites and, Google searches to compile all this.
00:20:36.993 --> 00:20:37.723
Now it's just there.
00:20:37.753 --> 00:20:39.223
It gives me a great starting point.
00:20:39.703 --> 00:20:40.753
Then I can go in it.
00:20:41.223 --> 00:20:43.503
I use it for cooking.
00:20:43.554 --> 00:20:45.874
I use it for things.
00:20:45.874 --> 00:20:47.183
I have two teenage sons.
00:20:47.713 --> 00:20:51.213
How can I help my son address this issue?
00:20:51.814 --> 00:20:54.834
Or there's this big, assignment coming up.
00:20:54.884 --> 00:21:00.693
What might be the best way for him to study if he's, has this type of, approach?
00:21:01.108 --> 00:21:02.608
How could I support him?
00:21:03.318 --> 00:21:15.769
and then I'll say, writing toasts for weddings, I just got married, to love my life in October, my second, my second and last, marriage, Don.
00:21:16.348 --> 00:21:20.148
And, I ran various elements of the wedding program and ideas.
00:21:21.034 --> 00:21:21.723
that's a good one.
00:21:22.354 --> 00:21:30.003
So, my husband's son's getting a new dog needed to write a puppy training manual and my husband's in a training expert.
00:21:30.413 --> 00:21:32.034
I just said, take a look at this.
00:21:32.034 --> 00:21:32.284
Rick.
00:21:32.304 --> 00:21:37.584
I put it right a manual for the 1st, 12 weeks of a golden retriever puppy.
00:21:37.584 --> 00:21:39.979
And You know what she do, activities.
00:21:40.249 --> 00:21:45.058
So I use it an incredible amount in my personal life.
00:21:45.308 --> 00:21:49.328
I'm sure there's even, more ways I could do, but those are a few examples for you.
00:21:49.663 --> 00:22:03.044
so along those lines, I've used it just in the last week to write a meal plan for me based on an author's work and then produce the grocery list that is necessary for me to go and get that.
00:22:03.054 --> 00:22:03.693
So I'm with you.
00:22:03.693 --> 00:22:05.193
It's incredibly helpful.
00:22:05.463 --> 00:22:13.423
But the other one that I enjoy using is I tell it to pretend like it's Carl Young and I use it for therapy on a regular basis as well.
00:22:13.909 --> 00:22:14.778
Wow.
00:22:14.828 --> 00:22:17.828
I've read about some AI therapist tools.
00:22:17.828 --> 00:22:19.209
there's numerous ones coming out.
00:22:19.844 --> 00:22:21.854
on the marketing, one's called Rosie.
00:22:21.874 --> 00:22:29.903
Someone told me about, but as they said that some people actually prefer it because they feel less, the lens of being in another person.
00:22:29.993 --> 00:22:31.763
That is, so I find it all.
00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:41.788
I thought what it's really nice for, and it does not replace the human kind of like component of it, but that it is, and I also run it locally.
00:22:41.788 --> 00:22:46.509
I don't trust any of the companies to have that like deep thought of my own mind kind of thing.
00:22:47.388 --> 00:22:48.269
but it's there.
00:22:48.328 --> 00:22:49.048
It's right there.
00:22:49.048 --> 00:22:50.439
It's always available.
00:22:50.939 --> 00:22:58.088
So whenever I need to go in and try something, It's there and it gives good advice, I will say.
00:22:58.118 --> 00:23:01.118
And that's a really odd thing to mention.
00:23:01.499 --> 00:23:12.318
for the entrepreneurs out there, the ones who are starting from that green field, like breaking glass and figuring out where to go, what is a solid AI strategy for them to come out with?
00:23:12.693 --> 00:23:18.094
I think 1, it's 1st starts with what is their product and service and what is their value proposition?
00:23:18.094 --> 00:23:20.503
you have to know what that is.
00:23:21.084 --> 00:23:23.963
what product or service are you delivering?
00:23:24.513 --> 00:23:46.273
And then just like we talked about with a larger company, Where are the opportunities, especially for startups, just to, automate and save money on, when you start a company, cash is king and if you can preserve, not having to spend money on hiring too many people too fast to do more of the mundane, repetitive tasks.
00:23:46.848 --> 00:24:09.038
What are all the various, tools that others have developed that you could use in your building, whether it's lead gen, There's some great AI lead gen tools out there, whether it's you're in, customer service, how can you, reduce calls or inbound inquiries or emails that are not quote high value that really require human interaction.
00:24:09.038 --> 00:24:11.999
So I think, Donna goes back to.
00:24:12.949 --> 00:24:15.608
What is your product service?
00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:17.519
Look at your value proposition.
00:24:17.848 --> 00:24:20.499
Look at who your ideal customer profile is.
00:24:20.969 --> 00:24:24.598
And then I think it's really doing two maps.
00:24:24.848 --> 00:24:27.669
It's mapping all of your processes end to end.
00:24:27.749 --> 00:24:30.088
So, here is your customer journey.
00:24:30.628 --> 00:24:41.558
Where are all the places where we could insert tools, AI tools that would And help us scale faster without, people or dragging us down.
00:24:41.888 --> 00:24:58.588
And then the same thing is if you had to map end to end of the process flow of what your product is from inception, if you're manufacturing a product, if you're developing a service, et cetera, what are the tools you can use?
00:24:58.679 --> 00:24:59.348
And then.
00:24:59.628 --> 00:25:01.019
just taking a step back further.
00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:10.699
If you're really just, launching a business, AI is an incredible tool to actually, draft a pretty solid business plan.
00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:15.328
Like I want to do this, it will do a SWOT analysis.
00:25:15.588 --> 00:25:17.388
It will do the market research.
00:25:18.038 --> 00:25:20.959
You can, geofence it, you want to open a bakery.
00:25:21.388 --> 00:25:22.409
Who are all the bakeries?
00:25:22.439 --> 00:25:23.969
what are their differentiators?
00:25:24.409 --> 00:25:28.098
And so you can go in and, look at, I'm going to launch this.
00:25:28.128 --> 00:25:38.128
Now I'm taking a step back to not just a new entrepreneur who's launched a company, but if you are gearing up to launch an idea, you've got your product, you've got your service.
00:25:38.749 --> 00:25:40.479
it's an incredible way.
00:25:41.038 --> 00:25:54.298
To short circuit, a lot of steps gain incredible intelligence that, companies spend money on doing market research, startup entrepreneurs don't have that money to spend.
00:25:54.719 --> 00:25:59.999
And so to be able to use it, to iterate your plan and have it ask you, more information, it can.
00:26:00.483 --> 00:26:03.733
What questions should I be asking about my market?
00:26:04.044 --> 00:26:09.763
it can come up, I saw someone plug in, come up with the URL, the name of the company, the mottos.
00:26:09.814 --> 00:26:11.844
it's just blowing.
00:26:12.403 --> 00:26:14.443
for product launches, I saw someone.
00:26:15.298 --> 00:26:32.278
Do a demo and where they walk through a bunch of, executives, actually showing them how to use AI to walk through a strategy and really pressure test a new product they were bringing to launch.
00:26:32.729 --> 00:26:38.439
And they use it as part of an, as a part of an executive team planning session, and it provided.
00:26:39.023 --> 00:26:43.773
Further to consider once again, the human plus AI for their discussion.
00:26:44.163 --> 00:26:46.013
And then, Oh, but we forgot to add this.
00:26:46.013 --> 00:26:53.544
And we know this about, a competitor, or we know this about a component that we're going to need in the product that we're having.
00:26:53.973 --> 00:26:57.723
So, I think, the more people get exposed.
00:26:58.608 --> 00:27:07.939
To the endless possibilities just to expand your knowledge set and to give you, it's just a jumpstart, brainstorming sessions, strategy.
00:27:08.028 --> 00:27:11.838
I do marketing your technology, for marketers.
00:27:12.794 --> 00:27:17.794
For content, you've got to write, you're trying to come up with a compelling article.
00:27:18.134 --> 00:27:19.884
It's a first draft.
00:27:20.193 --> 00:27:23.304
You're trying to come up with some creative, blog content.
00:27:23.364 --> 00:27:32.773
You want to come up with, you're an expert in, or your quote, knowledge, expertise, thought leadership falls in these three areas.
00:27:33.384 --> 00:27:36.114
Generate lists and feed it your past.
00:27:36.868 --> 00:27:38.848
blogs or information or posts.
00:27:39.199 --> 00:27:44.509
I'd like you to generate a list of 10 topics for the next month.
00:27:45.054 --> 00:27:58.483
And it just gives you ideas, and here's my audience, as you, as we all know, the more effectively you can use it by giving it a role, by giving it context, by giving it your desired output and format, the better, your results are going to be.
00:27:59.098 --> 00:27:59.749
Absolutely.
00:27:59.778 --> 00:28:01.608
And I think you've hit on two points here.
00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:11.009
One, when you're implementing it inside the business for your product, like looking at the customer journey, looking for the use cases that would actually impact it.
00:28:11.298 --> 00:28:19.949
But then additionally, when you're doing your stuff day to day, you have got an endless field of experts that are inside of these AIs.
00:28:20.358 --> 00:28:23.788
that can help you to accomplish those tasks that are there.
00:28:24.209 --> 00:28:32.278
I think those two points are absolutely brilliant because it is, it's both an external facing like, Hey, here's how the business is going to be serving its customers better.
00:28:32.638 --> 00:28:37.138
But then on the internal, it's like, how do we utilize this knowledge and information that we have?
00:28:37.659 --> 00:28:45.048
And the way that I like have been Thinking about it is we have, we've had the internet, we've had this knowledge out there, right?
00:28:45.058 --> 00:28:52.628
But we've never had a great tool for extracting that for the specific need that we have in this moment.
00:28:53.209 --> 00:29:04.229
And that's where we're at today is we're able to garner all that knowledge and, and present it back to us in a frame that is compelling to this moment that we sit in right now.
00:29:04.784 --> 00:29:14.493
think that's an excellent, insight and way to, crystallize that, this, all this massive, world of incredible knowledge that's out there on the internet.
00:29:14.503 --> 00:29:36.594
It's been at our fingertips to be able to tap that, leverage that, whether, it's in the more, the chat GPTs of the world that are drawing all that, or companies that are feeding and, being trained on their own internal data to be able to extract, just like you said, in a useful form that is human guided in the outputs that we want.
00:29:36.663 --> 00:29:37.614
And so.
00:29:37.848 --> 00:29:41.159
I think, Don, you just, hit on a really important point.
00:29:41.263 --> 00:29:43.743
Mary, I gotta say, it's been an absolute pleasure having you.
00:29:43.743 --> 00:29:44.433
on today.
00:29:44.963 --> 00:29:47.314
Is there anything you'd like to leave the audience with?
00:29:48.243 --> 00:29:50.324
I think, I touched on it earlier.
00:29:50.324 --> 00:30:00.433
It's we all need to embrace change and be flexible and pursue opportunities that are new and not be afraid.
00:30:00.433 --> 00:30:01.730
It's never too late.
00:30:01.730 --> 00:30:03.153
You're never too old.
00:30:03.903 --> 00:30:08.443
And I read something at the start of the year that I've tried and I've applied it to AI because I knew.
00:30:08.933 --> 00:30:10.794
I need to get my own handle on AI.
00:30:10.794 --> 00:30:16.064
And I read this, tip for gaining knowledge and just continual self improvement.
00:30:16.114 --> 00:30:24.054
I don't know if you've heard of 30 for 30, but do something, cause like I said, AI and everything that's coming is so overwhelming.
00:30:24.963 --> 00:30:29.794
30 for 30, do something, learn a new skill, pick that skill.
00:30:29.804 --> 00:30:31.703
It could be a different one every month, but let's call it AI.
00:30:32.663 --> 00:30:35.044
Do it for 30 minutes for 30 days.
00:30:35.733 --> 00:30:41.334
And at the end of that, you will have spent 15 hours learning AI.
00:30:41.374 --> 00:30:43.243
It could be listening to a webinar.
00:30:43.253 --> 00:30:45.723
It could be playing around on chat GPT.
00:30:45.733 --> 00:30:56.933
It could be finding a free course, reading an article, but those micro steps compounded leave to incredible, maximum output.
00:30:56.963 --> 00:31:02.013
So I just love that 30 for 30, just makes things less overwhelming.
00:31:02.554 --> 00:31:05.324
yeah, That is a fantastic little addition.
00:31:05.344 --> 00:31:06.834
And Thank you.
00:31:06.884 --> 00:31:09.993
I think we're going to be implementing that at least at my house
00:31:10.713 --> 00:31:21.203
That can apply to a variety of things, but just think, if I told you, I need you to spend 15 hours doing a deep dive into AI or learning, how to generate X, Y, and Z.
00:31:21.523 --> 00:31:23.104
30 for 30 is not so much.
00:31:23.304 --> 00:31:23.493
And
00:31:23.544 --> 00:31:24.443
No, it really
00:31:24.683 --> 00:31:25.453
Time block it.
00:31:25.453 --> 00:31:26.104
And there you go.
00:31:26.794 --> 00:31:28.314
Oh, so fantastic.
00:31:28.473 --> 00:31:30.473
once again, Mary, thank you so much.
00:31:30.483 --> 00:31:31.784
It's been an absolute pleasure.
00:31:31.784 --> 00:31:35.574
to have you on the show today and look forward to continuing the conversation.
00:31:35.574 --> 00:31:36.943
My pleasure, Don.
00:31:36.993 --> 00:31:45.044
So again, thank you for having me and, really appreciate the opportunity to discuss, a game changing, world changing topic that we're all living in.
00:31:45.683 --> 00:31:46.624
Absolutely.
00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:53.410
Thank you for tuning into The Human Code, sponsored by FINdustries, where we harness AI to elevate your business.
00:31:53.829 --> 00:31:59.470
By improving operational efficiency and accelerating growth, we turn opportunities into reality.
00:32:00.450 --> 00:32:05.599
Let FINdustries be your guide to AI mastery, making success inevitable.
00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:08.240
Explore how at FINdustries.
00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:08.980
co.
00:00:00.380 --> 00:00:08.259
Welcome to The Human Code, the podcast where technology meets humanity, and the future is shaped by the leaders and innovators of today.
00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:15.919
I'm your host, Don Finley, inviting you on a journey through the fascinating world of tech, leadership, and personal growth.
00:00:16.469 --> 00:00:26.219
Here, we delve into the stories of visionary minds, Who are not only driving technological advancement, but also embodying the personal journeys and insights that inspire us all.
00:00:26.739 --> 00:00:37.130
Each episode, we explore the intersections where human ingenuity meets the cutting edge of technology, unpacking the experiences, challenges, and triumphs that define our era.
00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:47.350
So, whether you are a tech enthusiast, an inspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the human narratives behind the digital revolution, you're in the right place.
00:00:47.630 --> 00:00:49.590
Welcome to The Human Code.
00:00:49.990 --> 00:00:55.060
In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Mary Naylor, a seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader.
00:00:55.271 --> 00:01:02.470
Mary is the founder and former CEO of VIP desk, and currently serves as a board member and advisor to several companies.
00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:07.631
Her extensive experience spans health tech, data innovation, and supporting female entrepreneurs.
00:01:08.230 --> 00:01:09.611
Today, Mary and I will share.
00:01:10.100 --> 00:01:16.010
Her insights on the evolution of technology and its impact on business drawing from her extensive entrepreneurial journey.
00:01:16.700 --> 00:01:23.180
The importance of embracing change and continuous learning with practical tips, like the 30 for 30 approach to skills development.
00:01:23.960 --> 00:01:31.521
How AI can be integrated to enhance human potential, including practical applications and the importance of upscaling employees.
00:01:32.090 --> 00:01:41.540
Join us as we delve into these engaging topics with Mary Naylor, this episode is packed with valuable insights that will inspire you to rethink how you approach technology and innovation.
00:01:42.081 --> 00:01:45.111
In your business and personal life, you won't want to miss it.
00:01:50.856 --> 00:01:51.677
welcome back.
00:01:51.686 --> 00:01:56.566
I have Mary Naylor here who is probably becoming one of my new friends.
00:01:56.617 --> 00:02:00.837
she's just such a, got such a good heart and an incredible sense of humor.
00:02:00.867 --> 00:02:10.616
as far as our first few minutes together on the show, I would love to hand it off to her just by asking, what is it that got you interested in the intersection of humanity and technology?
00:02:11.227 --> 00:02:13.896
Don, first of all, delighted to be here with you today.
00:02:13.977 --> 00:02:17.667
So for me, it probably goes way back.
00:02:17.667 --> 00:02:26.977
I've been an entrepreneur my whole career and, started my first company in my early twenties and this is pre internet, okay?
00:02:27.046 --> 00:02:29.387
So maybe you can't even imagine that time.
00:02:29.387 --> 00:02:33.007
I'm not sure how old you are, Don, but I probably just aged myself.
00:02:33.097 --> 00:02:35.326
grew up without the internet as well.
00:02:36.241 --> 00:02:36.641
Okay.
00:02:36.931 --> 00:02:51.151
I've got some funny stories we could talk about there, but I think because of that experience and having, spanned an entrepreneurial career over 30 years, predominantly focused in a certain industry and going through the advent and you'll laugh at this.
00:02:51.151 --> 00:02:54.731
My first company, we did marketing via fax broadcast.
00:02:54.861 --> 00:02:59.442
Some of your listeners may not even know what a fax is, we had handwritten forms.
00:02:59.502 --> 00:03:01.611
I think what really has sparked, I
00:03:01.701 --> 00:03:04.972
haven't heard the term fax broadcast in decades
00:03:05.171 --> 00:03:06.222
well, there you go.
00:03:06.252 --> 00:03:26.322
So that's more of a humorous item, but I say that because, what's gotten me interested, in your kickoff question here is I've gone through three decades of technological transformation, how it impacts, My companies and how it impacts my team and the people that you're working with.
00:03:26.921 --> 00:03:42.292
so each one from, the bringing on even bringing when in my first business, which is called Capital Concierge, we placed hotel style concierge in the lobbies of commercial office buildings to provide flowers, gifts, tickets, entertainment, you name it, corporate services.
00:03:42.931 --> 00:03:46.262
We didn't even necessarily have computers at the desks initially.
00:03:46.271 --> 00:03:46.681
Okay.
00:03:47.141 --> 00:04:02.581
But imagine, bringing on all these technologies, over time from the internet, the concierge being able to use Google searches instead of having to do manual research, the advent of mobile, which now you have a concierge effect in the palm of your hand.
00:04:02.581 --> 00:04:04.312
How does that potentially impact us?
00:04:04.671 --> 00:04:08.572
My team, my people, then you fast forward to here we are.
00:04:08.921 --> 00:04:29.201
with definitely the most impactful, with AI technology, coming into our world and workplace and to your teams, how that intersection of humanity, technology, how do you make the bridges, make it comfortable and provide the people that you work with?
00:04:30.062 --> 00:04:34.021
The skills and capabilities that they too can advance and not feel left behind.
00:04:34.461 --> 00:04:44.601
So I think that's just, it's my history of witnessing, you know, all of these changes and each one comes faster than the next, and it's overwhelming.
00:04:44.701 --> 00:04:47.029
so that's, what's, has my interest.
00:04:47.029 --> 00:04:57.189
It's just my longevity from, watching all of these new technologies be layered onto the human element of how we live our lives and how we work.
00:04:57.307 --> 00:05:13.697
that's so fascinating because you've hit On a word that I love when we talk about AI and it's digital transformation, or I don't think you use digital, but like the word transformation and it's, we've gone through this process multiple times in the past Both of our careers, we've seen this happen with the internet.
00:05:13.697 --> 00:05:15.617
We've seen it with e commerce.
00:05:15.617 --> 00:05:18.656
We've seen it with just the digitization of information.
00:05:18.781 --> 00:05:18.971
on.
00:05:19.086 --> 00:05:21.976
and now AI and social media and AI, Right.
00:05:22.026 --> 00:05:25.557
there is a tremendous impact that we have in all of these areas.
00:05:26.637 --> 00:05:30.697
what is the inspiration that gets you through all of these exciting times of change?
00:05:30.716 --> 00:05:33.187
Because it can be a difficult venture.
00:05:33.206 --> 00:05:41.677
in terms of how, what gets me through these exciting times of change is one, is the excitement of being able to learn something new.
00:05:41.677 --> 00:05:52.607
And I think, one thing that I've tried in my entrepreneurial career and encourage other entrepreneurs as well, is one of the things to be an effective leader or, a team member within a company is.
00:05:52.947 --> 00:05:58.437
Wanting to stay ahead of trends and continually improve yourself, both personally and professionally.
00:05:59.047 --> 00:06:06.997
So how can we harness these new technologies for ourselves, for our businesses to be, more productive.
00:06:07.437 --> 00:06:15.197
And, I think for me, it's the ability to embrace change, be flexible, being willing to pivot your business.
00:06:15.646 --> 00:06:23.396
even areas of your personal lives and always trying to be open to new opportunities and adapting, disruptive technologies.
00:06:23.427 --> 00:06:34.817
I think it's easy to be afraid, Oh my gosh, how could this put us out of business if we don't move, if we don't adopt, but it's really just being, having the courage to.
00:06:35.086 --> 00:06:38.057
step in, especially if you're a non technical person.
00:06:38.146 --> 00:06:41.096
And there are many of us not in non technical roles.
00:06:41.596 --> 00:06:58.237
and how do you have the courage, the support, the access to create the comfort, because we've all had to learn to use new tools over time, you And if you look back, just like we went on that continuum of pre internet to, AI everywhere, all along the way, you and I both.
00:06:59.432 --> 00:07:00.482
have adapted.
00:07:00.482 --> 00:07:08.211
So of our teams and how can we leverage these to maximize what's available to us instead of having that fear factor?
00:07:08.271 --> 00:07:13.891
So that, that's, what's, motivated me and energized me throughout the course of different transformations over time.
00:07:16.276 --> 00:07:16.896
And I love it.
00:07:16.896 --> 00:07:25.747
It's curiosity, self development, self learning, and then also asking the question of like, how can this benefit the company, the team, the people that are around her?
00:07:25.747 --> 00:07:29.247
I think it's a really nice rubric to use it around.
00:07:29.247 --> 00:07:35.906
And I've noticed in my own entrepreneurial journeys that self development, has been a very forcing function in the growth of the business.
00:07:37.007 --> 00:07:42.057
If there is something wrong in the business, there's probably something wrong with my own self an area to grow.
00:07:42.387 --> 00:07:42.836
So
00:07:42.932 --> 00:07:44.052
I would agree with you.
00:07:44.132 --> 00:07:56.471
And, it's incumbent upon leaders to, I think, one of the things I've always thought is, it's so important to, as a leader, to surround yourself by different skills and people that are smarter than you.
00:07:56.512 --> 00:08:06.201
there's many, many a leader who hesitates, to hire the smarter because you want to be in the spotlight, but actually that's what creates a phenomenal.
00:08:06.581 --> 00:08:16.362
company and that one that's able to scale because you're willing to bring in diverse sets of talents and people that are smarter in other areas than you are.
00:08:16.882 --> 00:08:23.041
And, I had the fortune of participating in this entrepreneurial, development program for years.
00:08:23.041 --> 00:08:29.901
And one thing I thought there was really a light bulb game changer for me is that every person has what they call unique abilities.
00:08:30.432 --> 00:08:33.751
And those are abilities that you're energized by what you do.
00:08:33.831 --> 00:08:38.692
Other people comment that you're great at those, and then you have things you're excellent at.
00:08:38.741 --> 00:08:40.221
they certainly can do well.
00:08:40.231 --> 00:08:47.386
Like I can write a great RFP, but what energizes me is strategy sessions, product planning, ideation.
00:08:47.697 --> 00:08:54.246
And then they talk about unique ability, what energizes you, what we're excellent at, capable, competent.
00:08:54.527 --> 00:08:55.557
I can do HR.
00:08:55.576 --> 00:08:56.297
I can do that stuff.
00:08:56.326 --> 00:08:57.956
And then there's things we're incompetent at.
00:08:58.506 --> 00:09:04.606
And to be mindful, it's I cannot assemble a thing, get me an Ikea box, I can't put it together.
00:09:04.677 --> 00:09:07.817
My son can put it together without looking at the instructions.
00:09:07.876 --> 00:09:13.376
So I go to that because in terms of this leadership and as we explore new technologies.
00:09:14.182 --> 00:09:30.682
It's important to understand where you as a leader, your unique abilities are, and then go out and seek all of these different talents and these different ways of approaching that compliment and let everyone ideally work in their unique ability as much as they can, what energizes them.
00:09:31.256 --> 00:09:40.767
So that's just something that I'm pretty passionate about in terms of, addressing technology, addressing how you bring the teams along and how you build the talent out.
00:09:41.278 --> 00:09:43.249
It's absolutely fantastic to hear that.
00:09:43.288 --> 00:09:45.379
And I appreciate that as well.
00:09:45.509 --> 00:09:53.298
How do you see AI fitting into that model or how are you investing your time and efforts into making that a reality?
00:09:54.091 --> 00:09:55.491
could you repeat the question for me, Don?
00:09:55.532 --> 00:09:55.932
Just, I want to
00:09:56.047 --> 00:09:56.917
Yeah, no problem.
00:09:56.956 --> 00:10:00.807
love what you've outlined here as far as like the idea that we have strengths.
00:10:01.096 --> 00:10:04.437
We have things that we may be good at, but we don't really want to be doing.
00:10:04.437 --> 00:10:06.836
So they don't really follow our passion or our purpose.
00:10:07.562 --> 00:10:09.221
for what we have in this life.
00:10:09.591 --> 00:10:12.371
How do you see AI fitting into that model?
00:10:13.101 --> 00:10:18.091
Well, several things, I think, one of the most important things, because.
00:10:18.726 --> 00:10:31.476
I recently attended a summit put on by CEO Coaching International, which is a leading coaching group that focused on, growth oriented entrepreneurs and CEOs.
00:10:31.476 --> 00:10:38.307
And, I'm sure you may have heard of Peter Diamantis, a futurist, technologist, and serial entrepreneur.
00:10:38.356 --> 00:10:42.917
And he made a prediction of this as a keynote speaker, which was pretty daunting.
00:10:43.386 --> 00:10:47.136
He said, at the end of this decade, there are going to be two types of companies.
00:10:47.157 --> 00:10:52.047
Those that are totally utilizing new AI and those that will be out of business.
00:10:52.386 --> 00:11:10.861
And I was like, so I think, unlike other technologies, when we think about the critical importance of, you bringing All of our team members, all of our employees into the fold and equipping them with what's a critical go forward, future school skill set.
00:11:11.692 --> 00:11:23.701
And then if you look about what I just went back to, what are people passionate about, it's how can we introduce AI into the areas that they are passionate about?
00:11:24.231 --> 00:11:26.961
You have someone that's great being an analyst.
00:11:27.331 --> 00:11:28.152
How can they.
00:11:28.697 --> 00:11:32.126
Leverage AI, you've got the marketers, you've got the sales team.
00:11:32.126 --> 00:11:35.966
So I think it's looking at the skill sets and the passion sets.
00:11:36.027 --> 00:11:50.476
And then how do you start to introduce AI, first in terms of skilling, but then where they can start to get the command and comfort to accelerate what they're doing to be able to do more high value work.
00:11:50.476 --> 00:11:55.966
imagine that, I probably shared in my bio, this is something I'm just so excited about.
00:11:56.506 --> 00:12:10.657
Several months ago, I joined, as a strategic advisor, Mission Impact Academy, MIA, and they're a leading, AI learning platform, a community with a mission to upskill 1 million non technical.
00:12:11.192 --> 00:12:13.131
Women and individuals by 2030.
00:12:13.652 --> 00:12:22.841
And I think, what's come to me through that is that everyone wants to learn AI, granted there are people that are afraid of it and.
00:12:23.456 --> 00:12:33.366
That's a whole nother conversation, but, there's a stat out there that 94 percent of employees, want to gain the skills to work in generative AI.
00:12:33.366 --> 00:12:37.326
Only 5 percent of companies are actually upskilling at scale.
00:12:37.956 --> 00:12:40.856
So there's this tremendous need.
00:12:41.361 --> 00:12:53.902
To bring AI competency across all levels of the organization, not just the technical people, to keep competitive and also to work and what is going to be a truly AI integrated future.
00:12:53.932 --> 00:13:08.091
So I think, that's what I'm very passionate about and how do we address that and then bring it to the teams to equip them to, upskill and become and be at what I think is a great.
00:13:08.091 --> 00:13:23.739
Framework that they share with their learners is that AI is not a skill set, but it's a mindset that we must embrace and that to think of AI as augmented intelligence, And that in AI is a tool.
00:13:24.149 --> 00:13:31.359
it's not this massive, horrible thing, but AI is a tool that's there to enhance our knowledge, our productivity and efficiency.
00:13:31.839 --> 00:13:35.078
So we can focus on, more high value activities.
00:13:35.109 --> 00:13:37.568
So net, net long winded answer.
00:13:38.078 --> 00:13:48.589
You I think AI in this equation is brings the opportunity with that framework of, unique abilities I just laid out to actually optimize.
00:13:49.188 --> 00:14:00.359
the passion and energy that people get out of doing the things they're best at, because it's going to make them, better at that and be able to more focus on additional areas of development.
00:14:00.389 --> 00:14:14.168
So I view it as a true game changer in, how we work, how we can progress, how we can, optimize our personal and professional performance.
00:14:14.744 --> 00:14:15.844
by leveraging AI,
00:14:15.844 --> 00:14:24.094
I love those points that you're hitting on because when we talk to companies about their AI, implementations, it starts out at the boardroom level, It's like, what do you want to be doing with this?
00:14:24.823 --> 00:14:29.663
But with every digital transformation that we've gone through, it's a transformation of how you work.
00:14:30.043 --> 00:14:33.703
And so it really begins at the bottom of the organization as well.
00:14:34.144 --> 00:14:37.153
And so you need to have that group.
00:14:37.230 --> 00:14:45.009
the changes that you're going to make or digital transformations fall on their face without that, company wide buy in
00:14:45.754 --> 00:14:47.823
you are a hundred percent right on that, Don.
00:14:47.854 --> 00:15:00.754
it couldn't be when you start at the top without buy in and going through the whole organization, what I've heard best practices from other leaders and you raise a good point, I think, that quote from Peter Diamantis, you're going to be.
00:15:01.163 --> 00:15:02.793
Fully legalized now are out of business.
00:15:02.793 --> 00:15:03.724
It's pretty daunting.
00:15:03.764 --> 00:15:05.333
Companies are overwhelmed.
00:15:05.594 --> 00:15:13.094
there are many, the continuum of where companies fall in AI adoption and actual implementation and execution, it's all over the map.
00:15:13.433 --> 00:15:17.203
And, many executives, leaders I talked to, they're overwhelmed.
00:15:17.464 --> 00:15:19.134
It's moving at such a fast pace.
00:15:19.514 --> 00:15:20.634
They don't know where to start.
00:15:20.913 --> 00:15:22.744
As you say, it is a board imperative.
00:15:22.793 --> 00:15:24.573
because it's okay, what are we doing with AI?
00:15:25.104 --> 00:15:28.644
But then, I'll say, there's obviously very large companies.
00:15:29.474 --> 00:15:47.494
But, for your emerging growth, your smaller companies and many other companies, ultimately I think the AI vision has to start with the CEO, but bring in the team and best practices I've heard is to form, an AI council where you're bringing people in from cross functional areas from all over.
00:15:47.494 --> 00:15:50.594
And then I think, it's also important to
00:15:50.687 --> 00:16:07.782
and then also add in, you talked about curiosity before enabling the frontline worker to have curiosity when it comes to using the AI so that you can get the best practices because I've but I've shared with my team before, like sometimes the AI tells me what to do.
00:16:07.861 --> 00:16:12.172
And sometimes I tell the AI what to do when it comes to like software development.
00:16:12.461 --> 00:16:15.591
The AI is my best intern that I've ever had.
00:16:15.591 --> 00:16:17.581
And I'm using the general umbrella.
00:16:17.981 --> 00:16:21.152
There's different tools that we use in different areas like that.
00:16:21.572 --> 00:16:22.741
That's important.
00:16:22.971 --> 00:16:26.951
to augment the intelligence that I have in a core function that I'm good at.
00:16:27.292 --> 00:16:33.932
Whereas marketing is not my strength, that's a little bit outside of my comfort zone.
00:16:33.961 --> 00:16:37.412
So the AI is kind of leading in that regard.
00:16:37.412 --> 00:16:44.581
It helps to pull the information out of me, but at the same time, I need its expertise to draw into it.
00:16:44.601 --> 00:16:46.851
So that's the augmented that I think you're talking
00:16:47.121 --> 00:16:47.831
Just be augmented.
00:16:47.841 --> 00:16:49.822
it's not AI just doesn't stand alone.
00:16:49.822 --> 00:17:09.852
It is really the equation, the critical equation of AI plus human, because it is an iterative process to get the best output and it takes our existing knowledge, It's taking your expertise and you're getting something out of it, iterating back, and so I think, that's, what's really important.
00:17:09.852 --> 00:17:11.291
And you make an excellent point there.
00:17:11.741 --> 00:17:18.501
And then I was, going back to when you said to allow people to experiment and that it has to be.
00:17:18.707 --> 00:17:35.156
starting from the bottom up, I heard another speaker, a gentleman named Rajiv Kapoor, who wrote a great book, simplicity and AI and, he was telling an audience of, CEOs that, companies should, cause some people are afraid to use AI at work.
00:17:35.207 --> 00:17:53.426
They should fund the paid versions of the tools, look at the tools they're already using and make it open for people to start to play while they work on formal training or upskilling, but provide the access and encourage the experimentation and exploration, for employees on their own,
00:17:53.781 --> 00:17:54.461
Do you know what's funny?
00:17:54.521 --> 00:18:01.912
About a third of them are, already doing the experimenting, but the company isn't actually getting the benefit.
00:18:02.011 --> 00:18:03.551
the individual is getting the benefit.
00:18:03.551 --> 00:18:10.801
The company's getting a better work product from that one person, but they're not getting that across the board.
00:18:11.201 --> 00:18:11.991
you're so right.
00:18:11.991 --> 00:18:32.501
And, there's, I've read some, reports or, articles where the team members and the employees are using it, but they're afraid to say they're using it because they're afraid it looks like they're short, taking shortcuts or not doing the work when in actuality, it can really optimize and amplify what they're doing, so to be able, I think.
00:18:32.946 --> 00:18:38.967
It's going to be incumbent on all of us leaders within our organizations to have this.
00:18:39.487 --> 00:18:47.646
encouragement that we all need to embrace AI and every company is going to have a different way and ability to roll it out and scale it out.
00:18:47.646 --> 00:19:14.596
But, another best practice is, with your team, start with identifying processes across different functional areas, like HR, what's repetitive, what's mundane, like reviewing resumes, generating marketing content, data analytics, customer service opportunities, pick a one to two, initiatives that would have high impact and are an easier lift.
00:19:14.626 --> 00:19:17.277
They're not going to require this massive amount of money.
00:19:17.596 --> 00:19:24.332
This now, and then, and CEO coaching international, what they work with companies to do is build AI roadmaps.
00:19:24.692 --> 00:19:42.321
and to have this methodology where you start small, you build, and then you've got a bigger vision of, incredible applications that can bring a great ROI, but to do those over time and to learn and adjust.
00:19:42.412 --> 00:19:46.342
so I think, like I said, AI is touching every aspect of.
00:19:46.787 --> 00:19:56.567
A professional organization, of a entrepreneur like yourself, and the employees that work with them along in our own personal lives, how we're tapping this, amazing tool
00:19:57.132 --> 00:20:02.172
What do you think are some of the most profound areas that have changed in your own personal life from AI?
00:20:02.328 --> 00:20:03.558
in my own personal life.
00:20:03.808 --> 00:20:04.209
Okay.
00:20:04.298 --> 00:20:05.058
you're going to.
00:20:05.564 --> 00:20:06.663
Get a kick out of this.
00:20:06.763 --> 00:20:10.673
Hopefully, in my personal life, a couple of things, I love to travel.
00:20:10.894 --> 00:20:22.693
My companies were concierge companies, so putting, itineraries in where I actually love to plan trips, but now I say I'm going on a five day trip to, Portugal.
00:20:22.943 --> 00:20:24.663
I love food, great wine.
00:20:24.663 --> 00:20:25.983
I want to take certain kinds of tours.
00:20:25.983 --> 00:20:26.653
I'm active.
00:20:26.653 --> 00:20:29.134
I like boutique hotels and in seconds.
00:20:29.673 --> 00:20:36.993
what would have, I would have spent hours combing websites and, Google searches to compile all this.
00:20:36.993 --> 00:20:37.723
Now it's just there.
00:20:37.753 --> 00:20:39.223
It gives me a great starting point.
00:20:39.703 --> 00:20:40.753
Then I can go in it.
00:20:41.223 --> 00:20:43.503
I use it for cooking.
00:20:43.554 --> 00:20:45.874
I use it for things.
00:20:45.874 --> 00:20:47.183
I have two teenage sons.
00:20:47.713 --> 00:20:51.213
How can I help my son address this issue?
00:20:51.814 --> 00:20:54.834
Or there's this big, assignment coming up.
00:20:54.884 --> 00:21:00.693
What might be the best way for him to study if he's, has this type of, approach?
00:21:01.108 --> 00:21:02.608
How could I support him?
00:21:03.318 --> 00:21:15.769
and then I'll say, writing toasts for weddings, I just got married, to love my life in October, my second, my second and last, marriage, Don.
00:21:16.348 --> 00:21:20.148
And, I ran various elements of the wedding program and ideas.
00:21:21.034 --> 00:21:21.723
that's a good one.
00:21:22.354 --> 00:21:30.003
So, my husband's son's getting a new dog needed to write a puppy training manual and my husband's in a training expert.
00:21:30.413 --> 00:21:32.034
I just said, take a look at this.
00:21:32.034 --> 00:21:32.284
Rick.
00:21:32.304 --> 00:21:37.584
I put it right a manual for the 1st, 12 weeks of a golden retriever puppy.
00:21:37.584 --> 00:21:39.979
And You know what she do, activities.
00:21:40.249 --> 00:21:45.058
So I use it an incredible amount in my personal life.
00:21:45.308 --> 00:21:49.328
I'm sure there's even, more ways I could do, but those are a few examples for you.
00:21:49.663 --> 00:22:03.044
so along those lines, I've used it just in the last week to write a meal plan for me based on an author's work and then produce the grocery list that is necessary for me to go and get that.
00:22:03.054 --> 00:22:03.693
So I'm with you.
00:22:03.693 --> 00:22:05.193
It's incredibly helpful.
00:22:05.463 --> 00:22:13.423
But the other one that I enjoy using is I tell it to pretend like it's Carl Young and I use it for therapy on a regular basis as well.
00:22:13.909 --> 00:22:14.778
Wow.
00:22:14.828 --> 00:22:17.828
I've read about some AI therapist tools.
00:22:17.828 --> 00:22:19.209
there's numerous ones coming out.
00:22:19.844 --> 00:22:21.854
on the marketing, one's called Rosie.
00:22:21.874 --> 00:22:29.903
Someone told me about, but as they said that some people actually prefer it because they feel less, the lens of being in another person.
00:22:29.993 --> 00:22:31.763
That is, so I find it all.
00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:41.788
I thought what it's really nice for, and it does not replace the human kind of like component of it, but that it is, and I also run it locally.
00:22:41.788 --> 00:22:46.509
I don't trust any of the companies to have that like deep thought of my own mind kind of thing.
00:22:47.388 --> 00:22:48.269
but it's there.
00:22:48.328 --> 00:22:49.048
It's right there.
00:22:49.048 --> 00:22:50.439
It's always available.
00:22:50.939 --> 00:22:58.088
So whenever I need to go in and try something, It's there and it gives good advice, I will say.
00:22:58.118 --> 00:23:01.118
And that's a really odd thing to mention.
00:23:01.499 --> 00:23:12.318
for the entrepreneurs out there, the ones who are starting from that green field, like breaking glass and figuring out where to go, what is a solid AI strategy for them to come out with?
00:23:12.693 --> 00:23:18.094
I think 1, it's 1st starts with what is their product and service and what is their value proposition?
00:23:18.094 --> 00:23:20.503
you have to know what that is.
00:23:21.084 --> 00:23:23.963
what product or service are you delivering?
00:23:24.513 --> 00:23:46.273
And then just like we talked about with a larger company, Where are the opportunities, especially for startups, just to, automate and save money on, when you start a company, cash is king and if you can preserve, not having to spend money on hiring too many people too fast to do more of the mundane, repetitive tasks.
00:23:46.848 --> 00:24:09.038
What are all the various, tools that others have developed that you could use in your building, whether it's lead gen, There's some great AI lead gen tools out there, whether it's you're in, customer service, how can you, reduce calls or inbound inquiries or emails that are not quote high value that really require human interaction.
00:24:09.038 --> 00:24:11.999
So I think, Donna goes back to.
00:24:12.949 --> 00:24:15.608
What is your product service?
00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:17.519
Look at your value proposition.
00:24:17.848 --> 00:24:20.499
Look at who your ideal customer profile is.
00:24:20.969 --> 00:24:24.598
And then I think it's really doing two maps.
00:24:24.848 --> 00:24:27.669
It's mapping all of your processes end to end.
00:24:27.749 --> 00:24:30.088
So, here is your customer journey.
00:24:30.628 --> 00:24:41.558
Where are all the places where we could insert tools, AI tools that would And help us scale faster without, people or dragging us down.
00:24:41.888 --> 00:24:58.588
And then the same thing is if you had to map end to end of the process flow of what your product is from inception, if you're manufacturing a product, if you're developing a service, et cetera, what are the tools you can use?
00:24:58.679 --> 00:24:59.348
And then.
00:24:59.628 --> 00:25:01.019
just taking a step back further.
00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:10.699
If you're really just, launching a business, AI is an incredible tool to actually, draft a pretty solid business plan.
00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:15.328
Like I want to do this, it will do a SWOT analysis.
00:25:15.588 --> 00:25:17.388
It will do the market research.
00:25:18.038 --> 00:25:20.959
You can, geofence it, you want to open a bakery.
00:25:21.388 --> 00:25:22.409
Who are all the bakeries?
00:25:22.439 --> 00:25:23.969
what are their differentiators?
00:25:24.409 --> 00:25:28.098
And so you can go in and, look at, I'm going to launch this.
00:25:28.128 --> 00:25:38.128
Now I'm taking a step back to not just a new entrepreneur who's launched a company, but if you are gearing up to launch an idea, you've got your product, you've got your service.
00:25:38.749 --> 00:25:40.479
it's an incredible way.
00:25:41.038 --> 00:25:54.298
To short circuit, a lot of steps gain incredible intelligence that, companies spend money on doing market research, startup entrepreneurs don't have that money to spend.
00:25:54.719 --> 00:25:59.999
And so to be able to use it, to iterate your plan and have it ask you, more information, it can.
00:26:00.483 --> 00:26:03.733
What questions should I be asking about my market?
00:26:04.044 --> 00:26:09.763
it can come up, I saw someone plug in, come up with the URL, the name of the company, the mottos.
00:26:09.814 --> 00:26:11.844
it's just blowing.
00:26:12.403 --> 00:26:14.443
for product launches, I saw someone.
00:26:15.298 --> 00:26:32.278
Do a demo and where they walk through a bunch of, executives, actually showing them how to use AI to walk through a strategy and really pressure test a new product they were bringing to launch.
00:26:32.729 --> 00:26:38.439
And they use it as part of an, as a part of an executive team planning session, and it provided.
00:26:39.023 --> 00:26:43.773
Further to consider once again, the human plus AI for their discussion.
00:26:44.163 --> 00:26:46.013
And then, Oh, but we forgot to add this.
00:26:46.013 --> 00:26:53.544
And we know this about, a competitor, or we know this about a component that we're going to need in the product that we're having.
00:26:53.973 --> 00:26:57.723
So, I think, the more people get exposed.
00:26:58.608 --> 00:27:07.939
To the endless possibilities just to expand your knowledge set and to give you, it's just a jumpstart, brainstorming sessions, strategy.
00:27:08.028 --> 00:27:11.838
I do marketing your technology, for marketers.
00:27:12.794 --> 00:27:17.794
For content, you've got to write, you're trying to come up with a compelling article.
00:27:18.134 --> 00:27:19.884
It's a first draft.
00:27:20.193 --> 00:27:23.304
You're trying to come up with some creative, blog content.
00:27:23.364 --> 00:27:32.773
You want to come up with, you're an expert in, or your quote, knowledge, expertise, thought leadership falls in these three areas.
00:27:33.384 --> 00:27:36.114
Generate lists and feed it your past.
00:27:36.868 --> 00:27:38.848
blogs or information or posts.
00:27:39.199 --> 00:27:44.509
I'd like you to generate a list of 10 topics for the next month.
00:27:45.054 --> 00:27:58.483
And it just gives you ideas, and here's my audience, as you, as we all know, the more effectively you can use it by giving it a role, by giving it context, by giving it your desired output and format, the better, your results are going to be.
00:27:59.098 --> 00:27:59.749
Absolutely.
00:27:59.778 --> 00:28:01.608
And I think you've hit on two points here.
00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:11.009
One, when you're implementing it inside the business for your product, like looking at the customer journey, looking for the use cases that would actually impact it.
00:28:11.298 --> 00:28:19.949
But then additionally, when you're doing your stuff day to day, you have got an endless field of experts that are inside of these AIs.
00:28:20.358 --> 00:28:23.788
that can help you to accomplish those tasks that are there.
00:28:24.209 --> 00:28:32.278
I think those two points are absolutely brilliant because it is, it's both an external facing like, Hey, here's how the business is going to be serving its customers better.
00:28:32.638 --> 00:28:37.138
But then on the internal, it's like, how do we utilize this knowledge and information that we have?
00:28:37.659 --> 00:28:45.048
And the way that I like have been Thinking about it is we have, we've had the internet, we've had this knowledge out there, right?
00:28:45.058 --> 00:28:52.628
But we've never had a great tool for extracting that for the specific need that we have in this moment.
00:28:53.209 --> 00:29:04.229
And that's where we're at today is we're able to garner all that knowledge and, and present it back to us in a frame that is compelling to this moment that we sit in right now.
00:29:04.784 --> 00:29:14.493
think that's an excellent, insight and way to, crystallize that, this, all this massive, world of incredible knowledge that's out there on the internet.
00:29:14.503 --> 00:29:36.594
It's been at our fingertips to be able to tap that, leverage that, whether, it's in the more, the chat GPTs of the world that are drawing all that, or companies that are feeding and, being trained on their own internal data to be able to extract, just like you said, in a useful form that is human guided in the outputs that we want.
00:29:36.663 --> 00:29:37.614
And so.
00:29:37.848 --> 00:29:41.159
I think, Don, you just, hit on a really important point.
00:29:41.263 --> 00:29:43.743
Mary, I gotta say, it's been an absolute pleasure having you.
00:29:43.743 --> 00:29:44.433
on today.
00:29:44.963 --> 00:29:47.314
Is there anything you'd like to leave the audience with?
00:29:48.243 --> 00:29:50.324
I think, I touched on it earlier.
00:29:50.324 --> 00:30:00.433
It's we all need to embrace change and be flexible and pursue opportunities that are new and not be afraid.
00:30:00.433 --> 00:30:01.730
It's never too late.
00:30:01.730 --> 00:30:03.153
You're never too old.
00:30:03.903 --> 00:30:08.443
And I read something at the start of the year that I've tried and I've applied it to AI because I knew.
00:30:08.933 --> 00:30:10.794
I need to get my own handle on AI.
00:30:10.794 --> 00:30:16.064
And I read this, tip for gaining knowledge and just continual self improvement.
00:30:16.114 --> 00:30:24.054
I don't know if you've heard of 30 for 30, but do something, cause like I said, AI and everything that's coming is so overwhelming.
00:30:24.963 --> 00:30:29.794
30 for 30, do something, learn a new skill, pick that skill.
00:30:29.804 --> 00:30:31.703
It could be a different one every month, but let's call it AI.
00:30:32.663 --> 00:30:35.044
Do it for 30 minutes for 30 days.
00:30:35.733 --> 00:30:41.334
And at the end of that, you will have spent 15 hours learning AI.
00:30:41.374 --> 00:30:43.243
It could be listening to a webinar.
00:30:43.253 --> 00:30:45.723
It could be playing around on chat GPT.
00:30:45.733 --> 00:30:56.933
It could be finding a free course, reading an article, but those micro steps compounded leave to incredible, maximum output.
00:30:56.963 --> 00:31:02.013
So I just love that 30 for 30, just makes things less overwhelming.
00:31:02.554 --> 00:31:05.324
yeah, That is a fantastic little addition.
00:31:05.344 --> 00:31:06.834
And Thank you.
00:31:06.884 --> 00:31:09.993
I think we're going to be implementing that at least at my house
00:31:10.713 --> 00:31:21.203
That can apply to a variety of things, but just think, if I told you, I need you to spend 15 hours doing a deep dive into AI or learning, how to generate X, Y, and Z.
00:31:21.523 --> 00:31:23.104
30 for 30 is not so much.
00:31:23.304 --> 00:31:23.493
And
00:31:23.544 --> 00:31:24.443
No, it really
00:31:24.683 --> 00:31:25.453
Time block it.
00:31:25.453 --> 00:31:26.104
And there you go.
00:31:26.794 --> 00:31:28.314
Oh, so fantastic.
00:31:28.473 --> 00:31:30.473
once again, Mary, thank you so much.
00:31:30.483 --> 00:31:31.784
It's been an absolute pleasure.
00:31:31.784 --> 00:31:35.574
to have you on the show today and look forward to continuing the conversation.
00:31:35.574 --> 00:31:36.943
My pleasure, Don.
00:31:36.993 --> 00:31:45.044
So again, thank you for having me and, really appreciate the opportunity to discuss, a game changing, world changing topic that we're all living in.
00:31:45.683 --> 00:31:46.624
Absolutely.
00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:53.410
Thank you for tuning into The Human Code, sponsored by FINdustries, where we harness AI to elevate your business.
00:31:53.829 --> 00:31:59.470
By improving operational efficiency and accelerating growth, we turn opportunities into reality.
00:32:00.450 --> 00:32:05.599
Let FINdustries be your guide to AI mastery, making success inevitable.
00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:08.240
Explore how at FINdustries.
00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:08.980
co.
