Why Your Operating Model Matters More Than Your AI Strategy

 Most organizations are trying to fit AI into operating models that were designed long before AI existed. In this episode, Brian Betkowski and Ed Haines are joined by Sean Woolley to explore a different approach: designing the organization around AI instead of layering AI onto existing processes. Together, they discuss how leaders should rethink workflows, management structures, decision-making, and organizational design to fully realize AI's potential. The conversation offers a practical framework for executives looking to move beyond experimentation toward true enterprise transformation. 

In this episode of Jabian's Strategy That Works podcast, Brian Betkowski and Ed Haines are joined by Fred Jewell, a people and engagement expert, and author of We Can't Do It Alone. Fred created the Jabian Engagement Framework, a six-driver model that helps leaders diagnose and address what's really going on with their people, and in this conversation he applies it directly to the AI adoption challenge.The discussion covers why so many employees freeze when faced with AI, why security and autonomy are the most disrupted engagement drivers right now, and what leaders can actually do about it. Fred and the team also tackle the ROI measurement problem, the fear of being found out once productivity gets tracked, and what it means to manage AI agents the same way you'd manage a junior employee.If you lead people through change, or you're trying to figure out why your AI rollout isn't gaining traction, this episode gives you a practical framework and a refreshingly honest conversation to work from.

AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, but adoption inside organizations is lagging behind. In this episode, Brian Betkowski and Ed Haines sit down with Will Funderburg to unpack why. Drawing from real executive conversations, Will outlines the top reasons companies hesitate to fully embrace AI, from ROI uncertainty and data challenges to workforce concerns and organizational inertia. The discussion reframes these barriers not as irrational fears, but as real, human-centered challenges and offers practical ways leaders can move forward with confidence. 

Supply chains have always faced disruption, but today’s environment is fundamentally different. In this episode, Brian Betkowski and Ed Haines are joined by Greg Giesecke to explore why volatility is no longer episodic, but structural. They unpack how demand, supply, and pricing volatility are reshaping business models, and why traditional planning approaches are no longer sufficient. The conversation highlights a critical shift: success in modern supply chains depends less on perfect forecasts and more on speed, frequency, and the ability to continuously adapt using data, analytics, and AI. 

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Brian Betkowski and Ed Haines sit down with Dr. Kofi Smith to explore the journey from self-doubt to impactful leadership. Kofi shares his experiences overcoming early struggles with confidence, navigating pivotal career moments, and building high-performing teams through trust and service. The conversation goes beyond business, touching on purpose, mentorship, faith, and the responsibility leaders have to create impact beyond themselves. It’s a powerful reflection on what it truly means to lead. 

 AI is advancing at a pace that is overwhelming even the most experienced executives. In this episode, Brian Betkowski and Ed Haines explore a growing pattern: leaders aren’t resisting AI, they’re freezing. Faced with rapid change, fragmented tools, unclear ROI, and unfamiliar technology, many organizations are choosing inaction. The discussion unpacks why this happens, the risks of waiting, and how leaders can shift from hesitation to progress by focusing on experimentation, process transformation, and managed risk rather than perfect solutions.  00:00 – Intro: The Reality of AI Pressure on Executives 01:30 – The “Freeze Response” in Leadership Decision-Making 03:30 – Why Waiting Is Riskier Than Acting 05:30 – Falling Behind: Skills, Data, and Competitive Gaps 07:30 – Learning by Doing: The Unicycle Analogy 10:00 – Iteration vs. Big-Bet Implementations 12:30 – The ROI Problem: Focusing on Outcomes, Not Tools 15:00 – Process vs. Technology: Where AI Actually Creates Value 18:00 – Human Barriers: Fear, Displacement, and Resistance 21:00 – Productivity Gains and the Reality of Adoption 24:00 – Managing Risk: Discreet vs. Indiscreet Systems 27:00 – Designing Guardrails and Human-in-the-Loop Models 30:00 – Treating AI Like a Team Member 32:30 – Final Thoughts: Move Forward, Don’t Freeze 

AI adoption is accelerating, but most organizations are underestimating the human side of the change. We are joined by Karen Dernavich to unpack why AI transformations stall, how leaders build trust and curiosity, and what it takes to move teams from fear to ownership. 

Mergers and acquisitions are still active, but the logic behind them is evolving. In this episode, we are joined by Dan Hickey to explore how the next decade of deals will be less about financial engineering and scale, and more about building position, influence, and ecosystem advantage. They unpack the rise of modular “string of pearls” acquisitions, cross-industry convergence, the growing role of data and AI in deal strategy, and how leaders should rethink both buying and selling in a more volatile environment. 

In this episode of the Strategy That Works Podcast, hosts Brian Betkowski and Ed Haines are joined by Brittany Christian, leader of Jabian’s Customer Acquisition and Retention service area, to explore how AI is reshaping customer experience. The conversation digs into why automation without culture leads to fragmented experiences, how AI can enable true orchestration across channels, and what the future of omnichannel, human-centered customer experience may look like over the next decade.

Join Brian Betkowski and Ed Haines on Strategy That Works as they welcome Will Funderburg, leader of Jabian’s Charlotte office and Operational Excellence Service Area. In this episode, Will breaks down how to tackle the $14 trillion U.S. operational cost pool with tactical frameworks, from the hit list/wish list approach for AI and RPA opportunities to SPOT360’s rapid diagnostic across 12 core functions. Discover how to align strategy, people, process, and technology; overcome siloed mindsets; and reinvest savings into growth initiatives. With real-world case studies, learn to turn blind spots into growth drivers.