Strategy That Works Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:14:19 -0400 https://jabian.com/resources/podcast en-us © 2026 Jabian Consulting yes 43e5a193-37aa-5098-aeb8-ed91d106f6ac carlos.saldana@jabian.com Jabian Consulting episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Business, Strategy, management consulting, consulting, management, Jabian Jabian Consulting carlos.saldana@jabian.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/6616r5vzksn3o39fvlofsble0se3?.jpg Strategy That Works https://jabian.com/resources/podcast The Human Side of AI: Employee Engagement, Adoption, and Leading in the Age of Agents The Human Side of AI: Employee Engagement, Adoption, and Leading in the Age of Agents 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Jabian Consulting Buzzsprout-19089707 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400 2596 AI, Human capital, people strategy, engagement full false The Real Reasons Companies Aren’t Moving Faster on AI The Real Reasons Companies Aren’t Moving Faster on AI 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. 

]]> 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. 

]]> Jabian Consulting Buzzsprout-18933254 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0400 2357 full false AI, Volatility, and the Future of Supply Chain Decision-Making AI, Volatility, and the Future of Supply Chain Decision-Making 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. 

]]> 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. 

]]> Jabian Consulting Buzzsprout-18933216 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0400 2074 full false Leadership Through Service: Building Trust, Teams, and Impact Leadership Through Service: Building Trust, Teams, and Impact 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. 

]]> 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. 

]]> Jabian Consulting Buzzsprout-18933166 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0400 2649 full false Navigating AI as an Executive Navigating AI as an Executive  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 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 

]]> Jabian Consulting Buzzsprout-18874476 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0400 1031 full false The Human Side of AI Transformation The Human Side of AI Transformation 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. 

]]> 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. 

]]> Jabian Consulting Buzzsprout-18713967 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500 1736 AI adoption, generative AI, change management, organizational culture, trust, psychological safety, workforce upskilling, reskilling, leadership, transformation, ROI, pilots, governance, ethics, responsible AI, employee engagement, retention, experimentat full false From Synergies to Systems: The Next Era of Deal Making From Synergies to Systems: The Next Era of Deal Making 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. 


]]> 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. 


]]> Jabian Consulting Buzzsprout-18713913 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0500 1261 M&A, Corporate Strategy, Ecosystem Strategy, Business Growth, AI in M&A, Deal Strategy full false From Automation to Orchestration: Rethinking CX with AI From Automation to Orchestration: Rethinking CX with AI 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Jabian Consulting Buzzsprout-18578475 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500 1466 Customer experience, CX strategy, artificial intelligence, generative AI, AI in customer service, AI orchestration, customer journey, omnichannel experience, personalization at scale, agentic AI, customer-centric culture, sales and service alignment, B2B full false Unlocking Hidden Value: Strategies for Seamless Operations Unlocking Hidden Value: Strategies for Seamless Operations 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Jabian Consulting Buzzsprout-17445027 Thu, 03 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0400 2016 Operational Efficiency, Business Strategy, AI in Business, Jabian Consulting, Process Improvement, Automation Strategy, SPOT360, Leadership Podcast, Change Management, Corporate Innovation, Cost Optimization, Profitability Tools, AI Automation, Business T full false Technology and Operational Impacts on the Future of Hospitality Technology and Operational Impacts on the Future of Hospitality In this episode of Strategy That Works, hosts Brian Betkowski and Ed Haines talk with Ryan Briley about how AI, personalization, and sustainability are reshaping the travel and hospitality industry in a post-COVID world. 

]]> In this episode of Strategy That Works, hosts Brian Betkowski and Ed Haines talk with Ryan Briley about how AI, personalization, and sustainability are reshaping the travel and hospitality industry in a post-COVID world. 

]]> Jabian Consulting Buzzsprout-17305498 Wed, 18 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0400 1385 AI, Artificial Intelligence, Hospitality, Future, Technology, Hotels, Innovation, Tech, Customer Experience, CX full false What Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace Really Means What Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace Really Means Today we're talking about the Diversity and Inclusion; what it means and how businesses are adapting their practices to see positive results in employee satisfaction, retention, and profitability. We're joined by Jabian senior managers, Amber Baird and Erin Smith, and Jabian director, Winston Powe.

]]> Today we're talking about the Diversity and Inclusion; what it means and how businesses are adapting their practices to see positive results in employee satisfaction, retention, and profitability. We're joined by Jabian senior managers, Amber Baird and Erin Smith, and Jabian director, Winston Powe.

]]> Hosted by Robert Amberg with special guests Amber Baird, Winston Powe, and Erin Smith Buzzsprout-1872976 Tue, 15 Oct 2019 14:00:00 -0400 1340 full false What is Omnichannel Customer Experience? What is Omnichannel Customer Experience? Today we’re talking about customer experience and specifically, an omnichannel approach to CX. We’ll discuss what it is, how it’s different than omnichannel marketing, and how companies can put it into practice for improved results. We’re joined today by Callie Wheatley and Steven Lubel, both management consultants with Jabian Consulting. 

]]> Today we’re talking about customer experience and specifically, an omnichannel approach to CX. We’ll discuss what it is, how it’s different than omnichannel marketing, and how companies can put it into practice for improved results. We’re joined today by Callie Wheatley and Steven Lubel, both management consultants with Jabian Consulting. 

]]> Hosted by Jabian Consulting with special guests Callie Wheatley and Steven Lubel Buzzsprout-1453564 Tue, 30 Jul 2019 10:00:00 -0400 1613 CX, customer experience, omnichannel, omni-channel, marketing, omnichannel marketing, omni-channel marketing, customer 1 5 full false The People Side of Business Transformation The People Side of Business Transformation Today we're talking about the people side of business transformation, which of course is the cornerstone of any successful transformation effort. To discuss what works and what doesn't, we're joined by Fred Jewell, senior strategic advisor, Jabian Consulting, and author of the people strategies book titled "We Can't Do It Alone." We're also joined by Tracy Reznik, a director and human capital lead at Jabian Consulting.

]]> Today we're talking about the people side of business transformation, which of course is the cornerstone of any successful transformation effort. To discuss what works and what doesn't, we're joined by Fred Jewell, senior strategic advisor, Jabian Consulting, and author of the people strategies book titled "We Can't Do It Alone." We're also joined by Tracy Reznik, a director and human capital lead at Jabian Consulting.

]]> Hosted by Jabian Consulting with special guests Fred Jewell and Tracy Reznik Buzzsprout-1308496 Tue, 30 Jul 2019 10:00:00 -0400 1326 HCM, business transformation, HR, human resources, change management, human capital, people strategies, transformation full false RPA (Robotic Process Automation) Best Practices Explained. RPA (Robotic Process Automation) Best Practices Explained. This episode is all about Robotic Process Automation, or RPA - what it is, how it's useful, and some best practices for companies looking to implement it. Our guests are Will Funderburg, a director in Jabian Consulting's Charlotte office, and Jed Manfull, a manager with Jabian, also in Charlotte. 

]]> This episode is all about Robotic Process Automation, or RPA - what it is, how it's useful, and some best practices for companies looking to implement it. Our guests are Will Funderburg, a director in Jabian Consulting's Charlotte office, and Jed Manfull, a manager with Jabian, also in Charlotte. 

]]> Hosted by Jabian Consulting with special guests Will Funderburg and Jed Manfull Buzzsprout-1274014 Tue, 30 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0400 1829 RPA, robotic process automation, process, efficiency, business, management, consulting full false Making Personality Profiles Work in Your Organization Making Personality Profiles Work in Your Organization This episode is all about personality profiles, specifically the DISC profile system, and how leaders can help their teams recognize and work within profiles for better communication, efficiency, and teamwork.  Our guest is Bill Jagrowski, Jabian Consulting’s current chief operating officer and longtime management consultant.  

]]> This episode is all about personality profiles, specifically the DISC profile system, and how leaders can help their teams recognize and work within profiles for better communication, efficiency, and teamwork.  Our guest is Bill Jagrowski, Jabian Consulting’s current chief operating officer and longtime management consultant.  

]]> Hosted by Jabian Consulting with special guest Bill Jagrowski Buzzsprout-1273999 Tue, 30 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0400 1327 DISC, personality profile, consulting, management, teamwork full false Business Transformation Best Practices Business Transformation Best Practices This episode is everything you wanted to ask about business transformation, which on the surface can sound like an overwhelming effort, but it doesn't have to mean worldwide scale change. To help us understand it better, we're speaking with Gokhan Guley, a director in Jabian Consulting's Charlotte office and an expert on business transformation strategies.

]]> This episode is everything you wanted to ask about business transformation, which on the surface can sound like an overwhelming effort, but it doesn't have to mean worldwide scale change. To help us understand it better, we're speaking with Gokhan Guley, a director in Jabian Consulting's Charlotte office and an expert on business transformation strategies.

]]> Hosted by Jabian Consulting with special guest Gokhan Guley Buzzsprout-1297051 Mon, 15 Jul 2019 14:00:00 -0400 1455 Business transformation, transformation, business, consulting, management, change full false