Host: Carrie Tuttle
Guest: Ian Tell

What happens when a chemist-turned-sales leader meets the AI revolution?

In this episode, Carrie sits down with Ian Tell, Chief Revenue Officer at Bison and Bird, to demystify the real-world impact of AI on operations, sales, and leadership.

Ian breaks down how AI agents can take on specialist roles in your organization, from summarizing emails to analyzing complex schedules. Learn why the future isn’t one all-knowing AI, but a team of specialized agents working together, like staff would do. He shares how AI support helps him be more present in human-to-human interactions and speed up contract review.

Before you go implementing the next shiny new tech, he calls out the importance of understanding organizational needs and analyzing your activities, especially repeatable tasks, to see where AI can help.

Once you start implementing, Ian suggests treating AI like a new team member. Give it context, set expectations, and get specific. He emphasizes the importance of clarity in interactions with AI and human teams, the necessity of onboarding and training AI systems, and how AI tools can enhance leadership effectiveness. The more you communicate, the better the results—just like with people.

Leaders, take note: Even if you haven’t rolled out an official AI policy, odds are your team is experimenting on their own. Ian talks about governance, security, and onboarding to keep your data safe and your team empowered.

Ian’s Top AI Tools:

• Copilot: For secure, private work environments.
• ChatGPT: For creativity and brainstorming.
• Claude: For detailed documentation and SOPs.

About Our Guest

Ian Tell is the Chief Revenue Officer at Bison and Bird, where he helps companies streamline operations, predict trends, and drive growth through cloud, AI, and tech-driven leadership. With a background in chemistry and over 25 years in sales and leadership, Ian brings a unique blend of technical know-how and people-first wisdom.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make AI work for your team—or what “data therapy” really means—this is the episode for you.

QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS:

• “The more specialized the [AI] agent is, the better it's going to be able to perform a specific task.”
• “Software isn’t the answer. It’s a gateway to better answers.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Small, specialized AI agents can drive big efficiency gains when they’re given clear roles and context.
• AI can automate administrative tasks, freeing up time for high-value work.
• Digital transformation begins with understanding your team’s roadblocks and goals
• Leaders should establish governance around AI usage to protect sensitive information
• Different AI tools serve different purposes
• Ask AI questions about it’s capabilities and limits, so AI teaches you to use AI effectively
• Effective leadership involves understanding team members' goals.
• The best leaders are those who know themselves and empower their teams to do the same.
• The fastest way to learn about AI is to start testing it and try to break it

LINKS FROM EPISODE:

Learn more about Bison and Bird @ Website: https://www.teambisonandbird.com/

Bison and Bird on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bison-bird/

Portal Mill https://www.portalmill.com/

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Host: Carrie Tuttle
Guest: Margaret Glover

In this candid conversation, Carrie interviews Margaret Glover, Fractional Chief Product Officer at Product Better and a strategic product leader with over 20 years of experience.

As former COO at Virtual Gurus, she drove a 678% revenue increase through U.S. expansion. At Poynt Corporation, Margaret led global product strategy and marketing initiatives. She played a pivotal role in securing strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Apple, Google, and Nokia.

Margaret shares the importance of data analysis, and how listening to customers through user feedback shapes successful products. She emphasizes the need for effective communication and the balance between data-driven decisions and intuition in innovation.

Margaret talks about how her no-B.S. approach has helped her leadership and balances her compassionate side. She takes pride in mentoring others. The moment when she shares the advice she would give to her younger self is gold!

QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS:

“There's a point when technology and data actually gets in the way of operations and progress because we start to rely too heavily on the data and forget that there are humans behind every interaction.”

“…as a product manager, you are bringing all of the disciplines together. So you effectively are the bridge between marketing operations, customer success, the technology team, and you're talking to customers.”

“If you're really attuned to it, there's data everywhere that you can find and figure out how to use it to your benefit.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Product management is about being the bridge between various disciplines.
• Data analysis is crucial for understanding user behavior and preferences.
• Effective communication is key to team efficiency and success.
• Customer feedback should drive product development decisions.
• Leadership involves empathy and understanding team dynamics.
• Innovation often requires a balance between data and gut instinct.
• Building rapport with clients is essential for understanding their needs.
• A good leader challenges their team to strive for excellence.
• Humility is important in leadership roles.
• Everything starts with the customer in product development.

LINKS FROM EPISODE:Margaret Glover on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretglovercampbell/

Product Better on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/productbetter/

Product Better Website: https://productbetter.ca/

Resources Mentioned:

Atomic Habits – James Clear https://amzn.to/3Ziy92q

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Like What You Heard?

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Host: Carrie Tuttle
Guest: Loreen Wales

In this episode, Carrie sits down with Loreen Wales, registered dietician, tech entrepreneur, and founder of My Viva Plan for a conversation that’s as real as it gets about healthcare, leadership, and the wild ride of building something that matters.

Loreen shares the jaw-dropping moment early in her career when patients told her, in no uncertain terms, how broken the system was. Her response? Become part of the solution by transforming clinical “if-then” logic into a digital platform that brings individualized, evidence-based health plans topatients and gives them agency over their health. Her sense of purpose is clear and so is her view on the solution.

Loreen’s journey takes us from the frontlines of public healthcare in Edmonton to the global stage, where she’s shaking up how we think about patient care and digital health. Loreen’s stories—equal parts grit, humility, and humor—are packed with wisdom for leaders who wear everything from lab coats to sneakers. Loreen shares how defining clear values has guided hiring team members and creating a culture she is proud of.

If you want to hear from a leader who refuses to accept the status quo, and how a team can thrive through uncertainty, this episode is for you.

QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS:

• “I will never fire people for making mistakes. Ever.”
• “We’re building a digital health company. …the entire team needs to be compassionate about wanting to help improve the care for patients.”
• “I definitely like to give everybody on the team autonomy and a clean slate into building out their position, whatever they want it to be, and to reach for the sky on it.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Integrated healthcare is essential for effective treatment
• Daily reflections help leaders manage stress and improve self-awareness
• Digital health solutions can personalize patient care plans
• Mental health is a crucial component of overall health
• Leadership requires humility and a focus on core values
• Mistakes are part of the learning process for the team and the leader
• Building a supportive team culture is vital for success
• Self-efficacy is key for patients managing their health
• Team culture is a priority and you have to actively work on it
• Patients often feel overwhelmed by conflicting medical advice
• Personalized care plans are crucial for individual health needs.
• My Viva Plan has proven effective in reducing burnout amonghealthcare professionals
• Global expansion is part of the vision for My Viva Plan

LINKS FROM EPISODE:

Learn more about My Viva Plan @ Website: https://discover.myvivaplan.com

My Viva on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-viva-inc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myvivainc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myvivainc/

Resources Mentioned:

Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick Lencioni https://amzn.to/3GlQBAB

Leading With Engagement program @ Team Mojo: https://www.teammojo.ca/lead-with-engagement

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Like What You Heard?

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow us on YouTube or your favorite podcast service, so you never miss an episode!

Interested in being a guest on Suits & Sneakers? APPLY HERE