Beyond The Prompt - How to use AI in your company

• How IBM Used AI to Cut 40% of HR Operating Costs and Reinvest in the Company

  As Head of IBM Consulting, Mohamad Ali led one of the most ambitious enterprise AI transformations to date. By making IBM its own “Client Zero,” his team tested every AI solution internally before bringing it to market. The effort began with massive hackathons involving 150,000 employees, turning curiosity into capability and belief at scale. Mohamad shares how leadership alignment, process redesign, and broad employee engagement drove $3.5 billion in cost savings and renewed growth. Jeremy and Henrik reflect on why IBM’s model may signal the next evolution of consulting — where organizations act as their own laboratories for changeKey Takeaways:Start with Yourself: “Client Zero” WorksIBM transformed internally before advising clients, using its own systems as a testing ground. This allowed the team to validate AI tools, workflows, and cultural shifts in real conditions, creating credibility and clarity before going to market.Transformation Needs More Than TechSuccess came from a mix of technical leadership, process redesign, and cultural momentum. AI wasn’t just layered on; it was embedded into workflows, backed by leadership buy-in, and powered by 150,000 employees who participated in company-wide hackathons.Digital Labor Is Reshaping Business ModelsIBM automated most transactional HR tasks with AI tools like AskHR, driving a 40% reduction in HR operating costs — a look at how hybrid human–AI teams transform services.Measure and Share the ImpactTransformation became real when IBM tied outcomes to business metrics. By reporting $3.5 billion dollars in savings and tracking results with the CFO, IBM showed how to make AI adoption tangible, accountable, and visible to both employees and investors.LinkedIn: Mohamad Ali - IBM | LinkedInIBM: IBM00:00 Intro: HR Automation00:41 Introduction of Mohamed Ali and IBM's Transformation01:14 IBM's Enterprise Transformation01:41 The Role of AI in IBM's Success03:25 Rejoining IBM: A Strategic Decision04:33 Key Components of AI Implementation07:21 Employee Engagement and Hackathons08:59 Technical Leadership and AI10:37 Global Tax Optimization with AI11:17 Scaling AI Solutions for Clients22:00 Monetizing Digital Labor26:50 Digital Labor and Procurement Projects27:29 Unbundling and Economic Implications28:44 Technological Shifts and Market Expansion30:04 AI-Powered Business Transformations32:22 Case Study: L'Oreal's AI Integration39:13 HR Automation and Cost Reduction42:09 Creative Innovations in AI Applications43:59 Advice for Leaders on AI Integration45:43 Final thoughts📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of How IBM Used AI to Cut 40% of HR Operating Costs and Reinvest in the Company | For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelinJeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

  --------  

  53:08

  --------

  53:08
• How Do You Strategize in the AI Era? – with Martin Reeves, Head of BCG’s Think Tank

  Martin Reeves has spent decades advising CEOs on how to think about strategy. As head of BCG’s Henderson Institute, he has built a career challenging leaders to balance efficiency with imagination and to prepare for the next disruptive shift.In this conversation, Martin tells Henrik and Jeremy why AI alone will not give companies an edge and might even strip them of advantage. He unpacks the “two jobs of business”: playing the current game better than anyone else while simultaneously asking what the next game will be. He argues that AI only sharpens this paradox, forcing leaders to think faster, experiment more, and draw on human imagination in new ways.The discussion covers the risks of over-optimization, the future of consulting, and the paradoxes of AI adoption. Along the way, Reeves explains how AI can accelerate exploration, why framing the right questions is the strategist’s most important job, and why times of disruption are when number twos become number ones or disappear altogether.Key Takeaways: Strategy is the double gameLong-term success means playing today’s game efficiently while also inventing tomorrow’s. Henrik and Jeremy stress how rare it is for leaders to do both, yet this is exactly what AI demands.AI efficiency without imagination is a trapAdopting the same tools as competitors drives efficiency but commoditizes advantage. The hosts underline that imagination and unique use are what create real differentiation.The strategist’s edge is asking the right questionMartin highlights that strategy starts with framing the real question. Henrik and Jeremy note that questioning and cognitive diversity are crucial in the AI era.Disruption reshuffles winners and losersTimes of change are when number twos become number ones and leaders disappear. The wrap-up emphasizes the urgency of experimenting and adapting now.Human imagination stays essentialAI can accelerate exploration, but creativity, ethics, and originality remain uniquely human — and decisive for future leadership.LinkedIn: Martin Reeves | LinkedInBCG Henderson Institute: Home - BCG Henderson InstituteMartins books: The Imagination Machine // Like: The Button That Changed the World00:00 Intro: Two Jobs in Strategy, Today’s Game and Tomorrow’s Game01:33 Martin Reeves and the Henderson Institute04:02 Defining Strategy in the AI Era05:12 AI and Human Imagination09:20 Efficiency vs. Competitive Advantage13:18 Organizational Design for the Future23:09 The Paradox of Imagination in Business33:02 Harnessing Serendipity for Innovation35:18 Devil’s Advocacy and Meeting Optimization36:51 Where AI Helps and Hurts Organizations38:16 The Limits of AI Training Data42:56 How Martin Uses AI Day to Day47:09 What’s the Next Game for Consulting53:15 Final Reflections📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of How Do You Strategize in the AI Era? – with Martin Reeves, Head of BCG’s Think Tank For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelinJeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

  --------  

  1:06:01

  --------

  1:06:01
• The AI Playbook Every Leader Needs: A Chat With Adam Brotman & Andy Sack

  Adam Brotman and Andy Sack sit down with Henrik and Jeremy to unpack their book AI First and the framework they have developed for leaders. They argue that AI is not just another technology wave but a leadership reset that demands new playbooks, new structures and new ways of thinking.They explain why AI should be seen as an augmentation of human intelligence, an “Ironman suit” for leaders, and how mindset, experimentation and governance are essential to adoption. The conversation also explores organizational redesign, the role of executives in fostering AI literacy and the urgency of adapting quickly as the technology advances.This episode offers a practical and forward-looking discussion on how leaders can integrate AI across their organizations, build cultures of experimentation and future-proof their businesses in a rapidly changing landscape.Key Takeaways: AI is a leadership reset, not just a technology shift.Adam and Andy argue that AI demands a new playbook for leaders. It is not simply another tool, like mobile or digital before it, but a force that changes how companies are structured, how decisions are made, and how leaders must think about competition.AI should be treated as a co-intelligence tool — an “Ironman suit” for leaders.Instead of replacing humans, AI augments their capabilities. Leaders who embrace AI can make smarter, faster decisions and guide their organizations more effectively. The metaphor of the Ironman suit captures this idea of augmentation rather than substitution.Culture and experimentation matter more than the tools.Mindset, governance, and a willingness to experiment are the foundations of becoming AI-first. Adam and Andy stress that companies need structures like AI councils, experimentation frameworks, and a culture that celebrates rapid prototyping in order to integrate AI across the organization.The urgency is real: companies that delay will fall behind.Jeremy and Henrik underline this in their closing reflections — businesses cannot treat AI as optional or wait for perfect clarity. The pace of change is accelerating, and organizations that don’t engage now risk losing ground permanently, while those that act can reinvent themselves and secure long-term advantage.Forum3: Digital Strategy for the AI Era | Forum3AI First book: AI First Book | Forum3Andy LinkedIn: Andy Sack | LinkedInAdam LinkedIn: Adam Brotman | LinkedIn00:00 Intro: The Urgency of AI00:19 Meet the Authors & The Premise of AI First03:43 Defining an AI-Forward Leader05:02 Adoption, Resistance & the AI Wake-Up Call08:01 Why Mindset Matters More Than Tools09:39 Experimentation, Governance & AI Culture14:09 Re-architecting Organizations for AI28:42 Balancing Innovation and Safety35:45 The Evolution of AI Safety37:46 Open Source vs. Closed Source Debate40:07 AI’s Role in Organizational Agility41:32 Human Augmentation & Co-Intelligence42:34 The Future of AI and Autonomous Agents46:14 Prototyping, Vibe Coding & Rapid Innovation54:02 The Future of Organizational Design & Final Reflections📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of The AI Playbook Every Leader Needs: A Chat With Adam Brotman & Andy Sack For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelinJeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

  --------  

  1:04:59

  --------

  1:04:59
• How Entrepreneurs Can Compete in the Age of AI: Henrik Werdelin & Nicholas Thorne on Their New Book Me, My Customer and AI

  In a shift from the usual format, Henrik Werdelin steps into the guest seat—alongside Nicholas Thorne—for a live conversation with Jeremy Utley about their new book Me, My Customer, and AI. They explore what it takes for entrepreneurs to compete in the age of AI — from redefining resourcefulness to thinking like founders, even inside a job.The discussion dives into the book’s central frameworks, including the Five Ps (powers, passions, possessions, positions, and potentials) and the “it sucks that…” approach to identifying real problems worth solving. Along the way, they reflect on how AI is changing the leap from idea to execution, why more people may need to think entrepreneurially, and the shift from operating to orchestrating.They also share lessons from the writing process itself—how they tried to use AI, where it fell short, and why Me, My Customer, and AI ends when it does.This episode isn’t just about launching a book. It’s about rediscovering agency, and the questions we all need to ask when starting something new.Key Takeaways: This isn’t a book about AI—it’s a book about you.Henrik and Nicholas share how the real questions emerging from AI are deeply human ones. The book focuses first on self-understanding, then on the customer, with AI as the third piece—not the center.The Five Ps framework helps you figure out what to build—and why.Powers, passions, possessions, positions, and potentials offer a structured way to explore personal founder-market fit. It’s a tool for generating ideas, but also for stress-testing them.Real problems often hide in plain sight—it just sucks that no one’s solved them.Using the phrase “it sucks that…” makes it easier to spot problems worth solving. It’s simple, emotional, and sharp enough to cut through vague ideas and find what really matters to people.Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just for founders anymore.In a world shaped by AI agents and fluid roles, more people will need to act like entrepreneurs—taking initiative, connecting dots, and orchestrating rather than operating.Book site: Me, My Customer and AI - The New Rules of EntrepreneurshipBuy the book: Amazon.com: Me, My Customer, and AI: The New Rules of EntrepreneurshipAudos: AudosAudos Instagram: Direct • Instagram Nicholas LinkedIn: Nicholas Thorne | LinkedIn00:00 Intro: The Human Questions Behind AI00:37 Personal Reflections on AI01:26 The Book’s Unique Perspective02:55 AI and Human Resourcefulness05:46 Entrepreneurship in the AI Era13:05 The Five Ps Framework23:53 Identifying Real Problems25:39 Why Identifying and Reframing Problems Matters26:27 The Concept of “It Sucks That”27:23 Historical Context and Practical Applications28:22 The Role of Language in Problem-Solving29:43 AI’s Influence on Writing and Creativity31:47 Challenges and Limitations of AI in Writing35:38 The Future of AI in Creative Processes43:30 Entrepreneurial Skills for the Modern Era48:26 Audience Interaction and Final Thoughts📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of How Entrepreneurs Can Compete in the Age of AI: Henrik Werdelin & Nicholas Thorne on Their New Book Me, My Customer and AI For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelinJeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

  --------  

  49:33

  --------

  49:33
• Inside Zapier’s Code Red: How CEO Wade Foster Hit Pause to Reinvent for AI

  Wade Foster, co-founder and CEO of Zapier, joins Henrik and Jeremy to talk about how AI is changing the company from the inside out. He shares the moment Zapier declared a “code red” on AI and the steps they took to turn urgency into action — encouraging more experiments, removing tolerance for inaction, and celebrating wins along the way.Wade discusses his own AI use cases, the importance of internal examples in driving adoption, and why duplication of efforts can speed up learning. He reflects on the leadership challenge of guiding a 14-year-old company through cultural transformation, balancing productivity gains with employee well-being, and preparing for a future where AI agents work with each other.This episode offers a clear, practical look at what it takes to embed AI into an established organization, and keep it moving forward.Key Takeaways:A “code red” can be a catalyst for real change.When Zapier declared a company-wide “code red” on AI, it wasn’t just a signal. It pushed people to experiment more, act faster, and rethink established ways of working.Culture is harder to change than technology.The real challenge wasn’t getting the tools in place, it was getting people to use them. Zapier’s approach focused on rewarding curiosity, sharing internal examples, and removing tolerance for inaction.Duplication can drive innovation.Instead of centralizing all AI projects, Zapier encouraged parallel efforts. When multiple teams tackled similar problems, they often uncovered different and better solutions more quickly.Leadership in the AI era is about speed and sustainability.Henrik and Jeremy highlight how Wade’s approach blends urgency with care for the people doing the work. Productivity gains matter, but so does avoiding burnout and making AI adoption last.Zapier: Zapier: Automate AI Workflows, Agents, and AppsLinkedIn: Wade Foster | LinkedIn00:00 Setting Company Culture: Rewards and Tolerances00:43 The Rise of AI at Zapier02:19 Wade's Social Media Presence05:06 Challenges in AI Adoption07:32 Personal Use of AI: Health Tracking10:21 Business Applications of AI13:34 Automating Repetitive Tasks20:35 Voice of Customer Program24:26 Customer Brief Generator33:27 Code Red: Embracing AI35:32 Subtle Encouragement and the Impact of GPT-436:38 Code Red: A Turning Point36:51 Embracing AI: From Fear to Familiarity38:13 The Journey to AI Adoption39:11 Challenges in Organizational Change40:41 Managing Resistance and Encouraging Experimentation43:55 Building a Remote Culture with AI46:29 The Future of Work and AI48:33 Agent-to-Agent Communication51:32 The Importance of Duplication in Innovation56:43 Final Thoughts 📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of Inside Zapier’s Code Red: How CEO Wade Foster Hit Pause to Reinvent for AI For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelinJeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

  --------  

  1:03:23

  --------

  1:03:23

Meer Zaken en persoonlijke financiën podcasts

Trending Zaken en persoonlijke financiën -podcasts

Over Beyond The Prompt - How to use AI in your company