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Prompt and Circumstance

Prompt and Circumstance

By: Mike Richardson Mark Redgrave Ryan Neimann & Tom Adams
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 It’s human-friendly banter about code, culture, and CEO reality checks—served up by Mike Richardson, Ryan Niemann, Mark Redgrave, and Tom Adams. No jargon. No hype. Just real talk from four guys who’ve seen it all, and aren’t afraid to say what everyone’s thinking.Flourish Press Inc. Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Transforming Business Operations Through AI Native Strategy and Implementation

    Transforming Business Operations Through AI Native Strategy and Implementation
    Oct 8 2025
    Most companies struggle with AI implementation, treating it as magical solution rather than strategic transformation. This episode reveals that true AI native enterprises are fundamentally redesigned around artificial intelligence at their core, not just bolting on AI features. The discussion focuses on how executives can identify strategic pockets where AI can reshape work processes, customer service, and sales operations. Key concepts include the distinction between AI-native versus AI-enabled businesses, the critical role of skunk works projects for innovation, and overcoming organizational resistance through courageous leadership. Learn why 90-95% of AI proof-of-concept projects fail to scale and how to avoid common pitfalls while creating meaningful business impact.HighlightsAI native means core business value couldn't exist without artificial intelligenceCreate physical and mental separation through skunk works projects for true innovationFocus AI implementation on back-office operations for maximum business valueShift from "why can't we" to "how can we" mindset to overcome risk barriersPrioritize AI initiatives with regular scrum meetings and executive commitmentStart with personal AI use cases to build team engagement and familiarityLead with bold vision rather than incremental goals for transformative changeImportant Concepts and FrameworksAI Native Enterprise — Organizations built from the ground up with AI as core business valueLink: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-ai-native-businesses-organisations-olena-zanichkovska-p57vf/Skunk Works — Small, autonomous teams working on advanced innovation projectsLink: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunkworks_projectProof of Concept Scaling — Process of expanding successful AI experiments to enterprise levelLink: https://www.imaginarycloud.com/blog/axiom-ai-proof-of-conceptCollective Intelligence — Shared intelligence emerging from AI and human collaborationLink: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_intelligenceVision-Led Leadership — Driving transformation through bold future-state vision rather than incremental goalsLink: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brentgleeson/2025/05/13/how-bold-leadership-vision-drives-growth-and-talent-driven-cultures/Tools & Resources MentionedCursor — AI-native coding environment built from ground up on artificial intelligenceLink: https://cursor.sh/Sprinklr — Customer experience platform positioning as AI-native solutionLink: https://www.sprinklr.com/SentinelOne — Cybersecurity platform framing detection as AI-native capabilityLink: https://www.sentinelone.comBetter.com — Mortgage lender branding as AI-first financial service providerLink: https://better.com/Amira — AI-powered reading assistant showing 4-14% proficiency gains in educationLink: https://amiralearning.com/ChatGPT — AI assistant used for rapid legal compliance research and document generationEvry — Company building AI-native products through newsletter-driven developmentCalls to ActionEstablish regular AI scrum meetings with key stakeholders to maintain momentum and accountabilityCreate physical or mental separation through dedicated innovation spaces or teamsIdentify one back-office process for AI transformation pilot within the current quarterEncourage team members to experiment with AI for personal tasks to build familiarityShift risk conversations from "why can't we" to "how can we" with legal and compliance teamsSet bold vision targets that require fundamental business model redesign rather than incremental improvementKey Quotes"AI native means the core value of the company could not exist without AI" — Mark Redgrave"Don't get hung up on whether you're native or not - focus on using AI" — Mark Redgrave"Create separation to reimagine how your business operates" — Mark Redgrave"The biggest risk is tickling AI rather than tackling it" — Mike Richardson"AI agents don't circumvent process - they require clarity" — Tom AdamsChapters00:25 — Introduction to AI Native Enterprise Transformation05:34 — The Danger of Treating AI as Magic Solution07:18 — Hollywood's Reaction to Synthetic AI Actress12:42 — Practical AI Use Case: Legal Compliance Research13:56 — AI Transforming Education Through Reading Assistance15:20 — Defining True AI Native Business Models17:34 — Why Most Companies Cannot Be Truly AI Native19:40 — EV Platform Analogy for Ground-Up AI Design24:20 — Skunk Works Approach to AI Innovation28:07 — Vision-Led Leadership for Transformative Change32:29 — Overcoming Organizational Risk and Resistance35:04 — From Tickling to Tackling AI Implementation39:10 — Executive Playbook for AI Priority and Action43:12 — Summary and Key Implementation Takeaways----------------------------------------Meet the CrewMike Richardson – Agility, Peer Power & Collective IntelligenceWebsite: https://mikerichardson.live/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agilityexpertmikerichardson/Ryan Niemann – ...
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    44 mins
  • 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.linkedin.com/pulse/fiverr-going-back-startup-mode-micha-kaufman-jfe6f/- Pragmatic Coders — Source for AI implementation statistics and research - Link: https://www.pragmaticcoders.com/resources/ai-agent-statistics- BCG AI Research — Comprehensive AI statistics and growth projections - Link: https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/artificial-intelligence/insights - https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/artificial-intelligence/ai-agents- 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/ - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pJpdH9P2ars- Arogon.ai - AI headshot generator - Link: https://www.aragon.ai/----------------------------------------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 –...
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    47 mins
  • 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 mins
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