Épisodes

  • Agentic AI Strategy: Navigating Business Transformation and Cost Realities

    Agentic AI Strategy: Navigating Business Transformation and Cost Realities
    Sep 23 2025
    CEOs and leaders face the critical challenge of navigating AI transformation while managing costs and organizational change. The reality is that while 80% of organizations explore AI pilots, only 40% successfully deploy them, creating a gap between ambition and execution. Agentic AI—systems that autonomously accomplish goals rather than just completing tasks—promises immense productivity gains but comes with significant cost considerations that can quickly derail budgets.The conversation reveals that businesses must avoid the "loudest voice trap" where AI investments disproportionately target sales and marketing despite back-office operations offering more demonstrable ROI. Leaders need to embrace self-disruption before external forces mandate it, as demonstrated by Fiverr's public transformation announcement to create "AI-first teams" despite painful personnel reductions. The key is moving from analysis paralysis to action through focused experiments and capability building, with companies like Accenture training 700,000 employees on agentic AI to stay competitive.Highlights- Agentic AI development costs can escalate rapidly, requiring diversified tool strategies- Better-faster-cheaper framework identifies overlapping opportunities for AI implementation- Weekly executive meetings about AI transformation double the likelihood of successful change- 95% of agentic AI projects currently fail to deliver significant business impact- Training existing staff prevents talent shortages and builds internal AI capabilitiesImportant Concepts and Frameworks- Agentic AI — Autonomous systems that accomplish goals rather than just completing tasks - Link: https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/ai/ai-agents-what-they-are-and-how-theyll-change-the-way-we-work/- Better-Faster-Cheaper Framework — Triangulating business improvement opportunities - Link: https://medium.com/initialized-capital/better-faster-cheaper-cf510c1fc32- AI-Driven Leader Methodology — Strategic approach to AI transformation - Link: https://www.aileadership.com/book- Conversation Flow to Cash Flow — Regular executive dialogue driving AI implementation - Link: https://arya.ai/blog/ai-in-cash-flow-forecastingTools & Resources Mentioned- Fiverr — Marketplace for freelancers undergoing AI-first transformation - Link: https://www.fiverr.com/- Pragmatic Coders — Source for AI implementation statistics and research - Link: https://pragmaticcoders.com/- BCG AI Research — Comprehensive AI statistics and growth projections - Link: https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/artificial-intelligence/insights- McKinsey AI Insights — Research on AI deployment and organizational impact - Link: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/how-we-help-clients- Accenture AI Training — Large-scale employee upskilling programs - Link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/training-workforce-accentures-700000-staff-talent-gap-prasad-wbbuc/----------------------------------------Calls to Action1. Conduct a better-faster-cheaper brainstorming session to identify AI implementation opportunities2. Establish weekly executive meetings dedicated to AI transformation progress3. Run focused experiments on one identified opportunity rather than attempting broad implementation4. Develop internal training programs to build AI capabilities within existing teams5. Create small, productive AI-first teams to drive organizational changeKey Quotes- "Self-disrupt before the world does it for you" — Mike Richardson- "AI is the doorway drug to agentic transformation" — Tom Adams- "Conversation flow is cash flow in AI implementation" — Ryan Neimann- "Train your people rather than waiting to hire expensive talent" — Mark RedgraveChapters00:28 — Introduction: Navigating AI Transformation Challenges02:38 — Better-Faster-Cheaper Framework for AI Implementation04:15 — Agentic AI Costs and Development Realities05:44 — Defining Agentic AI: From Tasks to Goals07:51 — The AI Awareness Gap: Inside vs. Outside Perspectives14:45 — Fiverr's Public Transformation Announcement Case Study18:00 — Self-Disruption Strategy: Leading Change Before It's Forced25:54 — BCG Statistics: AI Growth Projections and Implementation Gaps28:15 — Sales vs. Back-Office AI Investment Priorities33:36 — Accenture's 700,000 Employee Training Initiative35:29 — Building AI Capability Through Progressive Implementation38:44 — Talent Strategy: Training vs. Hiring in AI Transformation41:09 — Actionable Frameworks for Immediate AI Implementation43:31 — The Importance of Experimentation and Learning by Doing44:11 — Executive Priority Setting for AI SuccessMeet the CrewMike Richardson – Agility, Peer Power & Collective IntelligenceWebsite: https://mikerichardson.live/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agilityexpertmikerichardson/Ryan Niemann – Software CEO & Board OperatorWebsite: https://bob3.pro/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanniemann/Mark Redgrave – ...
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    47 min
  • Mastering Prompt Engineering for Better AI Conversations and Productivity

    Mastering Prompt Engineering for Better AI Conversations and Productivity
    Sep 9 2025
    Many professionals struggle with getting meaningful results from AI tools, often settling for generic responses that don't address their specific needs. This episode reveals how strategic prompt engineering transforms AI from a simple question-answering tool into a powerful thought partner for decision-making and productivity. The hosts demonstrate how different language models respond uniquely to the same prompt, showcase custom instruction techniques in ChatGPT, and provide a structured "magic prompt" framework that forces AI to clarify requirements before delivering tailored responses. Learn practical methods to elevate your AI literacy, compare LLM capabilities, and implement enterprise-ready prompt structures that eliminate guesswork and deliver actionable insights.----------------------------------------Highlights----------------------------------------Different LLMs produce dramatically varied responses to identical prompts, revealing their underlying programming biasesCustom instructions in ChatGPT settings can transform generic interactions into structured, clarifying conversationsThe "magic prompt" framework forces AI to ask three clarifying questions before delivering refined responsesPoe.com provides access to multiple language models for comparative analysis and capability testingStrategic prompt engineering turns AI into a decision-making partner rather than just an information source----------------------------------------Important Concepts and Frameworks----------------------------------------Prompt Completion Guidelines (PCG) - A structured framework that makes AI ask clarifying questions before responding. Here's Ryan's example of a Magic Prompt as shared. Custom Instructions - Settings that personalize how AI models interact with users across conversations. Use Ryan's Magic Prompt as an example. Comparative LLM Analysis - Testing different language models against the same prompt to understand their strengthsAI Literacy - The ability to effectively communicate with and leverage AI tools for strategic thinking----------------------------------------Tools & Resources Mentioned----------------------------------------Poe.com - Platform providing access to multiple language models for comparison testingLink: https://poe.com/GitHub - Code repository platform for sharing and collaborating on technical projectsLink: https://github.com/AI Driven Leader by Jeff Woods - Book exploring AI as a strategic thinking supplementLink: https://www.amazon.com/AI-Driven-Leader-Harnessing-Smarter-Decisions/dp/B0DB8QL3ZKWarp - Terminal tool for developers that enhances coding productivityLink: https://www.warp.dev/Super Whisper - Voice-to-text tool that creates prompts based on voice inputLink: https://superwhisper.com/----------------------------------------Calls to Action----------------------------------------Start with familiar topics when testing new prompt structures to better evaluate AI response accuracyExplore the settings and personalization options in your preferred AI tools to customize interactionsCreate an inventory of effective prompts that work across different platforms and use casesChoose one business process or task to optimize using AI, applying the triangulation approach for better/faster/cheaper solutionsTest the same prompt across multiple LLMs using Poe.com to understand different model capabilities----------------------------------------Key Quotes----------------------------------------"AI is a strategic thinking supplement and thought partner for decision making" — Mike Richardson"Tiny prompts can hide big needs" — Ryan Neimann"The more I put in, the more I get out - worth spending extra minutes putting in" — Mike Richardson"Custom instructions transform how you work with LLMs ensuring impactful responses" — Ryan Neimann"Get to know your tool settings - most people use only 10% of capability" — Tom Adams----------------------------------------Chapters----------------------------------------00:00 - Introduction to AI, Code and Culture Discussions01:22 - Team Updates and Current AI Exploration Projects06:52 - Demonstrating Different LLM Responses to Identical Prompts10:52 - Comparative Analysis of GPT-3.5 vs GPT-4 Responses12:56 - Grok's Unique Thinking Process Revealed16:17 - Claude's Writer-Focused Approach to Prompt Completion18:12 - Deep Seek's Extensive Analysis and Safety Considerations21:46 - Custom Instructions and Settings Optimization in ChatGPT25:05 - Implementing the Magic Prompt Framework28:34 - Practical Business Applications of Structured Prompting32:06 - Project-Based Prompt Management Across Platforms35:39 - GitHub Explained Through AI-Generated Metaphors38:18 - Connecting Prompt Clarification to Peer Group Dynamics39:16 - Actionable Next Steps for Prompt Engineering Mastery44:02 - Closing Recommendations and Resource Access----------------------------------------Meet the Crew----------------------------------------Mike Richardson – Agility, Peer Power &...
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    45 min
  • Mastering the Art of AI Prompts

    Mastering the Art of AI Prompts
    Aug 26 2025
    In this episode of Prompt and Circumstance, Tom Adams, Mike Richardson, Mark Redgrave, and Ryan Niemann dig into the art and science of prompting. They share stories of building real tools without coding, debate the importance of prompt discipline, and outline frameworks that every CEO should know as AI becomes core to business strategy.The crew covers:- Tom’s no-code apps built in Warp for personal healthcare tracking and in Claude Code for field reps.- Mark’s perspective on compute costs and why clarity in prompting equals clarity in leadership.- Ryan’s frameworks—from “Act as a / I will / You will” to the six-component model of prompts.- Mike’s experiments with Plaud AI recorders and his new Surface AI laptop.They close with doable actions for CEOs: treat prompting as a core business skill, solve small recurring problems with AI, and form internal councils to experiment with AI capabilities.----------------------------------------Show Links----------------------------------------TOOLS & PLATFORMS- PromptWorks Pro (six-component prompt builder) – https://promptworks.pro- ChatGPT (OpenAI) – https://chatgpt.com/- Claude Code (Anthropic) – https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/overview- Microsoft Copilot – https://copilot.microsoft.com/- Perplexity AI – https://www.perplexity.ai/- Warp (AI terminal) – https://warp.dev- Plaud AI (recorder) – https://www.plaud.ai/- Whisper (speech-to-text by OpenAI) – https://openai.com/research/whisperCONCEPTS & FRAMEWORKS- Prompt Engineering – https://www.promptingguide.ai/- “Act as a / I will / You will” structure- Iterative prompt refinement (“Improve my prompt” technique)- Agentic AI and conversational vs. product prompting – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_agent- Six-Component Prompt Framework: Role, Task, Context, Reasoning, Format, Success- “Think harder about this” (leveraging GPT-5 reasoning toggle)- "The Frontier Firm" How Intelligence on Tap will rewire business (from Microsoft’s Worklab research and Work Trend Index Annual Report)----------------------------------------Key Quotes----------------------------------------Mike Richardson- “If you are able to keep up with me, you’ll be kind of keeping up with them … I’ll do my best to hang on to their coattails.”- “I got myself one of these Plaud AI recording devices … I’ve just started experimenting with keeping it on all day.”- “I’ve had more glitches to work through with a brand-new laptop than ever before.”- “Doing conversational prompts in ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude … that’s good training. We’ll reap the benefits of that when we move to agentic stuff.”- “Whether you’re using Plaud AI or Copilot … I urge you to get in the habit of using AI companions for every meeting you have.”Mark Redgrave- “Before 2010, AI compute doubled every 21 months. Now it’s every 5.3 months … one estimate has the cost surpassing the entire US GDP by 2037.”- “If you can’t describe what you want, maybe you don’t have the clarity you need … prompting becomes a proxy for whether you understand what you want.”- “You should be prepared to sit and take time to write a great prompt … I force myself to slow down, even when I want to just hit enter.”- “Prompting is gonna be table stakes … every team member is going to need to know how to prompt effectively.”Ryan Niemann- “Act as a … I will … You will.”- “If you provide a prompt and then say, would you improve my prompt before proceeding? … it will.”- “You can also say, ask me three questions before you proceed … it really improves the results you get back.”- “Role, task, context, reasoning, format, and success — those six components can help improve your prompts.”- “Try different LLMs … put the same prompt in ChatGPT, then Claude, then Perplexity, and see the different styles you get back.”- “Think harder about this … you can trigger that in GPT-5 to get deeper reasoning.”Tom Adams- “Basically what I built without knowing how to code … was an app that allowed her to voice her challenges … it transcribes it, sends it to AI … and then we’ve been actually taking that to our medical appointments.”- “We got this problem, like my field reps don’t say something when they see something. And I said, let’s build an app called When You See Something, Say Something.”- “I don’t know how to code … and yet I’m able to come up with this stuff in hours, maybe even minutes.”- “Often how we have to converse with a person that we’re asking to do a specific thing … that’s what’s so profound about this — teaching a machine in the way we’d teach a human.”- “I literally spend all my day just talking … prompts all the time.”----------------------------------------Doable Actions----------------------------------------- For CEOs (Mark): Treat prompting as a core business skill. Start building ...
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    41 min
  • The Launch Episode - Navigating the AI Revolution

    The Launch Episode - Navigating the AI Revolution
    Aug 9 2025

    In the inaugural episode of 'Prompt and Circumstance,' four seasoned business leaders—Tom Adams, Mike Richardson, Mark Redgrave, and Ryan Niemann—gather around a virtual roundtable to discuss the tumultuous and exciting world of AI.

    They introduce themselves, share their backgrounds, and dive into how AI is rapidly transforming industries, impacting CEO decision-making, and fundamentally altering business landscapes.

    From AI skepticism to its groundbreaking potential, they highlight personal anecdotes, industry insights, and the importance of hands-on experimentation with AI technologies.

    Join them for a no-hype, real-talk discussion about code, culture, and the future of AI in the business world.

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    Show Links
    TOOLS & PLATFORMS
    - ChatGPT (OpenAI’s conversational AI) – https://chatgpt.com/
    - Claude Code (Anthropic’s AI coding assistant) – https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/overview
    - Microsoft Copilot (AI assistant across Microsoft 365) – https://copilot.microsoft.com/
    - Replit (online coding platform with custom .md instructions) – https://replit.com
    - Warp (AI-enhanced terminal) – https://warp.dev
    - Plaud (AI-powered transcription tool) – https://www.plaud.ai/
    - Limitless (AI pendant) – https://www.limitless.ai/new
    - Cursor (AI code editor) – https://cursor.com/

    CONCEPTS & FRAMEWORKS
    - Prompt Engineering – https://www.promptingguide.ai/
    - Iterative Prompt Improvement (“improve my prompt” technique) - https://www.promptlayer.com/glossary/prompt-iteration
    - Vibe Coding (experimenting with AI without formal coding background) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibe_coding
    - Gartner Hype Cycle – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hype_cycle
    - Dunning–Kruger Effect – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning–Kruger_effect
    - VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VUCA

    KEY QUOTES
    - “I really don’t like that fellow… I must get to know him better.” - Paraphrased Mark Twain
    - “I’m willing to be the slow guy in the room… but keep up with me, and you’ll be fine.” - Mike Richardson
    - “This is under-hyped.” – Keith Strier (AMD)
    - “I’m not a brilliant person. But with AI, I can do brilliant things.” – Claire Gibbon (AWS)
    - “Circumstances are the direct result of prompt effectiveness.” – Tom Adams

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    Meet The Crew

    Mike Richardson - Agility, Peer Power & Collective Intelligence
    https://mikerichardson.live/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/agilityexpertmikerichardson/

    Ryan Neimann - Software CEO & Board Operator
    https://bob3.pro/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanniemann/

    Mark Redgrave - Agility, People and Performance
    https://www.shift-transform.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/mredgrave/

    Tom Adams - Executive Coach, Advisor & Trail Blazer
    https://tomadams.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomadamscoach/
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    44 min