Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

02:03 Lessons from the music industry’s disruption apply to law.

05:17 Legal services remain traditional despite AI tool adoption.

09:27 Treat contracts as data centers with ROI-driven management.

12:59 Shifts transform professions themselves, not only their workflows.

18:47 AI isn’t a niche; it transforms legal service delivery.

22:06 Information overload demands humane pacing, skepticism and boundaries.

24:46 AI’s societal impact parallels the sweeping industrial revolution.

28:10 Future legal work requires data literacy and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

31:07 Generalists who adapt quickly may outperform narrow specialists.

33:24 Compound progress: improve processes ten percent weekly to transform.

Resources Mentioned:

Marco Imperiale

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-imperiale/?locale=en_US

Better Ipsum | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/betteripsum/

Better Ipsum | Website

https://betteripsum.net/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

On this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu talks with Karthik Rama, CEO and Principal Consultant of Procurement Doctors. With nearly two decades of procurement experience, Karthik shares candid insights about the state of procurement today, the impact of AI and the gap between technology’s pace and procurement’s maturity. They discuss how procurement leaders can prepare for rapid change, why chasing the latest trends is a mistake and what it means to redefine procurement beyond just cost savings. 

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

03:12 Why generic frameworks and slide decks won’t survive in the AI era.

06:38 The lack of global standards keeps procurement unstructured.

07:59 How chasing shiny objects every few years undermines real progress.

13:18 The risks of defining procurement too narrowly as only about savings.

16:21 What it takes for procurement to be viewed as a strategic partner.

19:38 Lessons from an automation project that failed despite working technically.

22:09 How layered agentic bots with human support could reshape procurement.

24:45 Why centers of excellence fail when treated as side priorities.

27:39 The importance of growing in breadth before growing in length.

Resources Mentioned:

Karthik Rama

https://www.linkedin.com/in/procurementdoctor/

Procurement Doctors | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/procurementdoctors/

Procurement Doctors | Website

http://www.procurementdoctors.com

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

On this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu is interviewed by Kelly Eliyahu, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Salesforce, to celebrate Tonkean’s 10-year anniversary. In a rare role reversal, Co-Founder and CEO, Sagi, reflects on the vision that started it all, the obstacles overcome and the future Tonkean is building toward. From early product pivots to landing some of the world’s biggest enterprise logos, the episode offers founders, operators and tech leaders a real look into scaling with conviction and evolving ahead of the curve.

Key Takeaways:

(04:12) Process orchestration bridges gaps between human collaboration and technology.

(06:33) AI advancements enable better alignment between human needs and systems.

(09:02) The market now values orchestration and automation more than ever.

(12:15) Pivoting strategies is essential to meet market expectations effectively.

(14:04) Operations teams play a critical role in modern business success.

(18:45) Reframing ideas in familiar terms can unlock support and growth.

(23:29) Personal resilience often parallels entrepreneurial challenges and milestones.

(25:06) Entrepreneurs should focus on asking the right questions, not easy answers.

(33:06) Trust from leading organizations reflects the value of innovative solutions.

(37:01) The future of work lies in transforming how enterprises interact with software and AI.

Resources Mentioned:

Sagi Eliyahu

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliyahusagi/

Tonkean

https://www.tonkean.com

Salesforce

https://www.salesforce.com/

Gong

https://www.gong.io/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

Reducing operations expenses while keeping all stakeholders happy? That’s just a typical day at the office for Tommy Yionoulis, Founder at OpsAnalitica.

Tommy and host Briana Okyere discuss:

- the true costs of team members not following processes and systems

- the danger of “pencil-whipping” through checklists

- not allowing team members to let their ego or experience trump processes

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

As companies grow through acquisitions mistakes will be made. When those mistakes happen both current and new team members should have the opportunity to see leadership shine.

That’s a belief of Michael Bratsafolis, Senior Director, Strategy and Operations & Head of M&A Integration at Twilio, and one that he shared with host Sagi Eliyahu on this episode of Modern Business Operations. Indeed, Michael goes so far as to make his errors visible so that new team members feel safe making mistakes and see that leadership doesn’t try to hide them.

Michael and Sagi also discuss:

- the importance of building extensibility as the company grows 

- how to create an environment of inclusivity of thought

- How culture evolves in fast-growth situations

When Michael joined Twilio they had 300 people and now they are coming up on 8,000 so he’s had to learn everything he’s sharing through experience. Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

While it’s clear that operations has to interact with many different departments to accomplish its mission, the way those interactions happen varies.

Someone who has adapted her approach to optimize those interactions is Parisa Naseralavi, VP Operations at ServiceNow. On this episode of Modern Business Operations, she joins host Sagi Eliyahu to share her perspectives on how ops professionals can elevate their perspectives to create better outcomes for their companies.

Sagi and Parisa begin the discussion by reviewing Parisa’s path to operations, which had an early seed in her background as an engineer but grew into a love of problem-solving across many concepts and departments.

They also discuss:

- how Parisa learned to better view proposals and projects from the vantage point of the people she was pitching to

- why partial validation and iteration is a winning formula (and a future standard way of thinking)

- why execution won’t matter if you aren’t looking at completed tasks from the right perspective

You’ll also hear Parisa point out that even on the execution level, many operations teams still fall short (and why that’s low-hanging fruit to beat the competition).

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

One of the benefits of driving standardization is discovering the reasons different departments need information, and in that process learning what benefits might be missing from your value proposition.


That was an eye-opening experience for Cherry Liang, Senior Director, Global Sales Operations & Technical Solutions at TreviPay. TreviPay is a preferred B2B payment method for thousands of corporate buyers and sellers globally, processing $6B in transactions across 32 countries in 19 currencies with 90,000 active buyers.


Cherry and host Sagi Eliyahu also discuss:
- the importance of walking in the shoes of your team; “living their lives,” as Cherry calls it
- trying to make sure creatives don’t get bogged down in repetitive work
- overcoming resistance to change through explaining the value of the changes to internal stakeholders


This episode is brought to you by Tonkean


Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

All companies love to grow, but sometimes that growth can be too fast. When that happens, it’s important to have a competent ops team to make sure that a company doesn’t become a victim of its own success.

Someone who has firsthand experience helping her company navigate that fast growth is Camilla Morais, SVP of Operations at Brex. Brex is a financial service and technology company based in San Francisco that offers cash management accounts and business credit cards to technology companies.

On this episode, Camilla chats with host Sagi Eliyahu about:

- why you should think about scale in terms of 6-12 months, not the 5-10 years

- why she’s unafraid of hiring people more skilled than herself

- how to help your team navigate through periods of fast growth with the right processes

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

A system can be your best friend, but it can also be your worst enemy. Someone who knows this well is our guest for this episode of Modern Business Operations, Susan Beaver, Senior Director, Global Partner Program, Success and Operations at TIBCO. Susan and her team believe that a system is only as good as the business process that built it.   Host Briana Okyere begins the discussion by having Susan share aspects of her nearly three decades of operations experience and how she ended up there after getting a chemistry degree.

They also discuss:- The importance of consistently seeing things from your customer’s perspective- Why systems are often “frenemies”- Ideas and frameworks for fixing broken processes You’ll also hear Susan share an operational mantra of hers, “seek to understand, then to be understood” and how it influences the way she manages. 

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

‘Big data’ is a concept, and practice, that will only continue to grow as we receive more vectors to enlarge and complicate the data we aggregate.


That’s why it’s helpful to have some guidelines for understanding what big data is and how to use it. Dr. Ken Knapton, Senior Vice President and CIO at Progrexion, did his doctoral thesis on issues around big data and joins host Seth Colaner on this episode of Modern Business Operations. Progrexion has a portfolio of companies that helps people understand what’s in a credit report and what to do about incorrectly reported data.


Ken starts the episode by giving us his background. He started in software development and then progressed when he realized that he didn’t just like solving problems on his own, he also enjoyed showing others how to do the same. This led him to CTO and CIO roles across the tech, health care, nonprofit, and finance sectors.



Ken and Seth go on to discuss:
- Why more data isn’t necessarily better
- How short the shelf life of data can be
- Why Agile has to be implemented as a mindset from the top down: if it gets promoted by IT it can be seen as just a tool, not as a change in thinking


You’ll also hear about Dr. Knapton’s work on the Forbes Technology Council, as well as some of the work he and his peers are doing in that forum.

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean


Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

Open source is such a prevalent way of thinking across multiple industries these days. It makes it easy to forget that, not too long ago, it was an island of doing business in an ocean of proprietary-enterprise-only ways of thinking. William Cordis, Senior Director of Global Desk Deal & Buying Programs at Red Hat, is someone who has been “thinking open source” professionally for 15 years now. He joins host Briana Okyere to share his insights on this episode of Modern Business Operations. William started when there were only 1,600 team members at Red Hat. Today there are more than 20,000, so he has had a chance to observe open source thinking at work across the board; not only for his team members but also for Red Hat’s clients. Briana and William discuss different ways to use open source thinking for business, including:- having a governance and decision-making framework; a free-for-all doesn't work- how being engaged will consistently lead to opportunities- how the merger with IBM didn’t change the way they worked with Red Hat You’ll also hear why William thinks that even bad ideas can have positive results.

The pandemic may have been a recent agent of change, but it’s only one part of a major shift in all our lives in the last twenty years, since the Internet rose from a small project to a major axis on which the world turns.

Twenty-two years ago was when Kevin Fraczek, now Chief of Staff and Operations Director, first started at Intel Corporation. He brings insights and experience from two decades in Ops and HR to the latest episode of Modern Business Operations. During that time Kevin has seen the company grow from 70,000 to 120,000 employees and from $30B in revenue to $80B.

Host Sagi Eliyahu kicks off the larger conversation by asking Kevin about some of the biggest changes he’s seen in business during his time at Intel. They go on to discuss:

-  evolving attitudes to in-office work post pandemic
- characteristics of A-players in operations
- the competitive advantages of a global talent pool


You’ll also hear Kevin’s insight that the workforce he will employ in the coming years will have different demands and expectations from the workforce he currently has, and that keeping both segments happy will take thoughtfulness and planning.

Keeping track of data is challenging. That’s why no-code tools can be so helpful for those in operations who don’t have a coding language or two under their belts.

On this episode of Modern Business Operations, host Briana Okyere chats with one of our team members, Senior Manager of Revenue Operations Morgan Leech. Morgan shares how much no-code has helped her, saying that before she leveraged a no-code tool like Tonkean, she didn’t trust her data.

Briana and Morgan also discuss:

You’ll also hear Morgan’s advice to go for a quick win in automation by going after a repetitive task that you feel is taking longer than it should. Every moment gained back from such unnecessary repetition can be spent in career growth and items that will be more impactful for the business.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

Many companies overlook the untapped potential of veterans in the workforce. On this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu sits down with Lee Kirby, Co-Founder of Salute Mission Critical. Lee shares his journey from the military to the data center industry, highlighting the value of veterans in the workforce and how Salute Mission Critical helps bridge the gap between military service and technical careers.

Key Takeaways:

(03:56) Salute Mission Critical trains veterans for data center careers worldwide.

(06:33) Both the military and data center industries demand continuous learning to keep up with rapid advancements.

(09:57) AI is accelerating learning, achieving in minutes what once took centuries.

(11:04) A culture that treats mistakes as learning opportunities unlocks workforce potential.

(18:41) Military spouses also bring valuable skills in contingency planning and adaptability.

(22:44) Great leadership comes from empowering teams, not just technical expertise.

(26:38) Leadership in the military builds maturity, perspective and decision-making skills.

(28:13) Hiring veterans offers a strong ROI due to their elite training and leadership skills.

Resources Mentioned:

Lee Kirby -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leekirby-datacenterservices-veteransprograms/

Salute Mission Critical | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/inc-salute/

Salute Mission Critical | Website -

https://salutemissioncritical.com/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

As the Great Resignation continues in the shadow of a possible future recession, it’s important for operations teams to actively adapt to changing conditions and ensure that their companies navigate uncertain circumstances.

Zahra Bukhari, Director of Sales Operations at Klaviyo, is finding ways to ensure her company can actively confront a possible recession. She joins Briana Okyere to share her thoughts on this episode of Modern Business Operations. Klaviyo is a unified customer platform that gives online brands direct ownership of their consumer data and interactions, empowering them to turn transactions with customers into long-term relationships at scale.

Briana and Zahra discuss:

You’ll also hear Zahra share the importance of communicating with your team members, sharing appreciation with them, and acknowledging the value of their work.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

While silos may in some cases be the best choice, in most cases they are bad for organizations.

Lindsay Selbak, Head of Strategic Operations at Airtable, is someone interested in breaking down those silos, and she joins host Sagi Eliyahu on this episode of Modern Business Operations. Lindsay loves knowing why she’s building what she’s building. That’s one of the reasons she’s now in operations after a career in entertainment technology, where she had to bring together disconnected teams to work on large projects.

Lindsay and Sagi discuss:

• how and why Agile should be used within communication paths
• decentralized and centralized communication (pros and cons)
• understanding how an organization fits together through purposeful points of connection

You’ll also hear Lindsay discuss the shutdown of Quibi, which she helped with, and how such a challenging situation was still a great opportunity to grow professionally.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

While the overall goal of operations is often to establish regularity and order, those who work in operations have to be comfortable with ambiguity and consistently realigning, reassessing, and reallocating resources.

That’s one of the messages Sowmya Srinivasan, VP of Strategy and Operations, Customer Success, Support and Renewals at Informatica, shares with host Briana Okyere on this episode of Modern Business Operations. Sowmya has been at Informatica for 15 years, starting as a support engineer, so she has seen the company grow to become the market leader in enterprise-level data management.

Briana asks Sowmya to describe an average day; Sowmya says that there is no average day but that every day prioritization drives how that day is accomplished.

Briana and Sowmya also discuss:

You’ll also hear Sowmya’s insistence on ensuring that her leaders have automated access to key data they need to make sure they are on track.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

If the quality of your data is suspect, your conclusions and reports will suffer too.

We invited Ana Herbst, Director of Partnership and Alliance Operations at Dataiku onto this episode of Modern Business Operations to talk about data quality and ways that those in operations can check the truthfulness of their data and can present it in a way that is compelling to different stakeholders. 

Ana comes from a data management background and her passion for data comes through in her discussion with host Briana Okyere.

They go on to discuss:

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

As IT continues to develop a greater role in business decisions and operations, leaders in IT have to continue to develop competencies and skills to match the greater demands that will be placed on them.

Someone who has lived that cross-disciplinary attitude in his career is Ravi Malick, Global CIO of Box.  His experience with these issues makes him a perfect guest for this episode of Modern Business Operations.  Ravi’s career includes investment banking, management consultancy, startups, financial services, and the energy market, to say nothing of IT, a role he values just as much for the technical aspects as for the opportunity to interact with customers.

Host Sagi Eliyahu begins the conversation by asking what changes Box saw in IT due to the pandemic.

Sagi and Ravi also discuss:

• The importance of studying customer interactions to improve automation
• Why CIOs need to have multiple business competencies to contribute in the C-suite
• Why shadow IT isn’t necessarily the worst thing ever

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

A recurring theme we see on episodes of Modern Business Operations is the unconventional path that many leaders take to end up in ops. Another aspect of that unconventional path is the move from technical expert to manager of those technical experts (and all the challenges that come with that shift).

Someone who can help us appreciate those challenges is Rob Meo, Director of Marketing Operations at Splunk. Rob has been at Splunk, an enterprise Saas platform, for seven years now and has been part of the company’s growth from $700M in topline revenue with a team of 1,800 to $3.5B in revenue and over 8,000 employees.

Host Briana Okyere starts the conversation by asking about how operations adapts to such rapid growth. Rob notes that it’s not so much about adapting as continually watching routines and systems get broken and rebuilding them.

Briana and Rob also discuss:

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

While technologies prior to the pandemic were already transforming the way we work, the pandemic itself accelerated the way we work and relate to each other. 

Someone who has thought (and done) a lot about these issues is Wendy Pfeiffer, our guest for this episode of Modern Business Operations. Wendy is the CIO of Nutanix, which makes an OS that runs on any hardware in any public cloud. She’s responsible for all the technology of the business as well as employee productivity.

Host Sagi Eliyahu starts the conversation by asking Wendy how she sees her position, which she articulates as striving to marry technical competence with operational excellence. 

Sagi and Wendy also discuss:

• The future of work as seen from a Millennial perspective
• How Nutanix shifted to a mostly-remote business over the last two years
• The opportunity to create a more diverse workforce as a result of moving to remote

You’ll also hear Wendy’s implementation of a James Clear concept from Atomic Habits: making big changes happen by focusing on smaller steps first.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

Many companies make components and materials for our everyday lives. Sometimes we don’t even know the names of those companies that are helping us achieve our goals. 

One of those empowering companies is MathWorks, which has software embedded in chips for phones, cars, planes, and even hearing aid implants, just to name a few applications. MathWorks’ Director of Creative Services and Web Operations, Ken Hyman, recently saw began an implementation of Agile thinking and processes with his team, and that’s why we wanted him to join us for this episode of Modern Business Operations. 

Host Briana Okyere starts the conversation by asking Ken to define Agile and the reasons why MathWorks implemented it.

Briana and Ken also discuss:

You’ll also hear about Ken’s use of job satisfaction reports after the implementation of Agile to keep iterating on the best possible version of it for MathWorks.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

As automation becomes increasingly important in both business and personal, it becomes just as important to maintain boundaries and account for the human element in automation.

Someone who very much believes in that human element is Pablo Kenney, VP of Product Strategy and Operations at Zendesk. Pablo has worked in politics, in startups, and in corporate life, and brings that variety of experiences to how he thinks about the intersection of people and technology. He shares his perspectives on this episode of Modern Business Operations.

Host Sagi Eliyahu starts the conversation by asking about a pricing strategy and what information is necessary to make a thorough but rapid decision.

Sagi and Pablo also discuss:

• The challenge of working at a company that has answers to everything (Google)
• The power in being “purposely inefficient”
• How to use your CRM more intentionally to diagnose a churn problem

You’ll also hear Pablo’s advocacy for “letting humans do what they are best at.” Enjoy!

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

Legal operations is still a growing and developing role. As such, many of the leaders in the field have taken an unexpected path to their current position.

One of those leaders, and our guest for this episode of Modern Business Operations, is Danielle Antill, Director of Legal Operations at Barings. Her path to legal operations ran through the Army National Guard, followed by a B.S. in legal and paralegal studies. Danielle’s love of working with the regulatory process at her last position with a broker-dealer led her in mid-2020 to her current position at Barings.

Host Briana Okyere starts the conversation by asking Danielle what helps break the ice with team members who are still trying to figure out what legal operations is and how it can work with other departments.

Briana and Danielle also discuss:

You’ll also hear Danielle remind listeners that great tech doesn’t matter if you don’t account for the human element.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

AI is no longer just an emerging trend — it’s fundamentally reshaping procurement, decision-making and business operations at an unprecedented pace. On this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Jason Busch, Co-Founder of MetalMiner.

Jason shares his perspective on the evolution of AI, how procurement technology has transformed over the years and what businesses need to prepare for as AI-driven automation takes center stage.

Key Takeaways:



(01:14) Jason’s background and how he entered procurement technology and became an early industry expert through writing and research.

(06:45) AI-driven productivity gains could reshape industries, with autonomous agents handling most procurement and supply-chain tasks.

(13:06) Voice tech and automation are reshaping procurement and negotiation.

(17:47) Procurement technology will become more intuitive as tools evolve and users adapt to new workflows.

(20:03) Getting the best results from AI requires refining and adjusting inputs.

(28:01) AI agents will work autonomously but still require human oversight.

(34:10) Speaking up and challenging ideas drives innovation and meaningful progress.

Resources Mentioned:

Jason Busch -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-busch-96075/

MetalMiner | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/metalminer/

MetalMiner | Website -

https://agmetalminer.com/

Stealth Startup Spy -

https://stealthstartupspy.substack.com/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

While IT is a department we take for granted in business these days, it continues to develop in how it helps tie different parts of a company together so that all can collaborate smoothly and efficiently.

One of the people helping make those connections is Patrick Danielewski, Director of Information Technology at Workrise. Patrick joins us for this episode of Modern Business Operations to share his vision for IT and where it fits among the greater trends in business and operations. 

Host Sagi Eliyahu starts the conversation by having Patrick give a bit of his background and why he got into IT in the first place (he’s been into computers since the Commodore 64 days). He went to college at UT Austin, ended up liking the city and stayed, making a name for himself helping tech businesses with their IT.

Sagi and Patrick also get into:

• What it means to think “people first” in IT (and how it makes you more agile)
• The ongoing creep of shadow IT (and how to deal with it)
• The role that AI and machine learning are going to play in digital transformation (bigger than we can currently imagine)

You’ll also hear Patrick opine about the possible future non-coding functions of IT. 

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

While the accepted wisdom might be that “everything has changed” in digital marketing, our guest for this episode of Modern Business Operations, Deepak Narisety, would beg to differ. When we read one of his articles on LinkedIn, which led with the contention that “not much has changed in terms of digital marketing technology and tactics over the last two years,” we knew we needed to learn more.

Deepak has been the VP of Experience Technology at Merkle since 2017 and brings a wealth of experience to any discussion about digital marketing.

Host Briana Okyere started the conversation by asking about Deepak’s idea that “not much has changed” since 2020 and what led Deepak to conclude that.

Briana and Deepak also discuss:

You’ll also hear Deepak’s thoughts on why content creation is undervalued. Enjoy!

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

Legal operations is still a new enough field that many of those in high-level positions have fascinating stories about how they broke into a department that didn’t exist when they first arrived at a company.

One of those pioneers is Frances Pomposo, Senior Director of Legal Operations and Chief of Staff to General Counsel at Workday, who joins us for the latest episode of Modern Business Operations. Frances leveraged an IP specialist paralegal position at Adobe to make the leap into a legal operations position that she didn't have formal experience in but was enthusiastic about diving into.

Host Sagi Eliyahu starts the conversation by asking Frances about her educational background and where she saw her career going before she landed at Adobe.

Sagi and Frances also discuss:

• What it takes to start a legal operations department from scratch
• How some might consider a job in legal operations despite not having a legal background
• How legal operations teams can gain more visibility within companies

You’ll also hear what Frances did to transition into the legal operations field before having traditional experience. Enjoy!

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

Revenue Operations is a new and growing field, with its managers often possessing cross-functional capacity from the start and a lot more technical knowledge, like the ability to write SQL and Python.

That’s why we invited Mark Znutas onto this episode of Modern Business Operations. Mark is the VP of Go-to-Market Strategy and Operations at HubSpot. He has been at HubSpot for seven years now, starting as a sales strategy and operations specialist; the concept of Revenue Operations didn’t even exist when he started.

Host Briana Okyere starts the conversation by having Mark talk a bit about the pros and cons of Denver (mountains = awesome, summertime smoke = not awesome) and his background before coming to HubSpot (which included playing minor league hockey for a year).

Briana and Mark also discuss:

You’ll also hear Mark’s hopes for the future of Revenue Operations and that he and HubSpot might contribute to a playbook for the field.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

One of the best ways to understand the “machine that builds the machine” is by chatting with someone who has worked in different divisions of the company before coming to Operations.

That’s one of the reasons we invited Tim Jones formerly of Epic Games onto this episode of Modern Business Operations. Before he became VP of Business Operations at Epic, Tim was at Google, where he worked in Sourcing and Procurement. Taking that path to Operations gave Tim a chance to understand the perspective of those departments and gave him more tools to work with all departments when he moved into Ops.

Host Sagi Eliyahu starts the conversation by asking about Tim’s background and how he ended up in Operations. 

Tim and Sagi go on to discuss:

• A proper understanding of agility
• Why “launch and iterate” works as a concept
• The problems that a poor customer experience and poor IT experience can create

You’ll also hear Tim’s advocacy for “eliminate, automate, and outsource.” Enjoy!

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

That’s why we wanted to invite Jeff Wang onto this episode of Modern Business Operations. Jeff is a general partner at Lunatic Capital, which specializes in the cryptocurrency LUNA. He also writes a newsletter for Robert Kiyosaki called Rocket Fuel Crypto, and has two blockchain patents pending as well. So, suffice it to say, he’s got some interesting perspectives to offer. When Jeff isn’t doing all the things we already mentioned, he is VP of Product, Crypto at TomoCredit. He was once a Solutions Architect here at Tonkean, so it wasn’t hard to get him to sit down to chat about crypto and its effects on operations.

Host Sagi Eliyahu kicked off the conversation by asking Jeff about composability and why it’s such a driver of value and change in the software and crypto sectors. Composability is a system design principle that deals with the interrelationships of components. Something that is highly composable provides components that can be selected and assembled in various combinations to meet specific user requirements.

Jeff and Sagi also discussed:

• A brief history of crypto, its first big jump with Bitcoin, and its more recent jump in 2020
• Where crypto is heading
• The implication for digital organizations and operations in structures like DAOs

You’ll also hear Jeff’s tips for thinking “composability-first” in your business. Enjoy!

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

One of the fascinating aspects of business operations is how often those who thrive and excel in the field didn’t necessarily start there or even know about their talents in operations.

This was one aspect of our recent conversation with Venketesh Iyer, Head of Analytics, Business Planning, and Operations at Meta. Venketesh has seen both the sales and product sides of operations and has been part of scaling at more than one large company, which is precisely the sort of experience we love to see on Modern Business Operations.

Host Briana Okyere starts the episode by asking Venketesh about his background, including how he grew in his career at Salesforce before coming to Meta.

Briana and Venketesh also discuss:

You’ll also hear Venketesh’s stakeholder-centric thinking through various strands of the conversation, driving home the importance of how this way of thinking can bring operational success. Enjoy!

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

It’s not often that someone can say they were hired by Google to create an entire department from scratch, but that’s precisely what Mary O’Carroll, Chief Community Officer of Ironclad, Inc., had to do back in 2008 for the legal operations department.

Host Sagi Eliyahu starts the conversation with her on this topic, learning how much that field has evolved over the years and how much change it has forced in a field (law) that is fairly resistant to change. At a basic level, legal operations is about having policies, procedures, and tracking tools in place. But those basics enable much more advanced functions—like strategic and financial planning, project management, and technical expertise.

In this episode, Mary and Sagi also discuss:

• How the growth of legal operations has begun to affect the legal educational process
• How change management in the legal field is much more about the people and processes than the technology
• Why “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” is a deadly attitude for legal teams at companies
• How the velocity of business continues to increase and legal operations has to match that speed

You’ll also find out a little about Mary’s current role at Ironclad, and her belief that you can’t excel in any field on your own; you need help from those around you.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

Operations is where Lindsay Crittendon currently works at Headspace, but that’s not where she started her career, and she thinks that’s a good thing. One of the themes she and host Briana Okyere discuss in the podcast is the importance of having a generalist and multi-disciplinary background. Lindsay still draws on her lessons from market research and consumer insights, which was where she began her career.

Lindsay points out that you can’t progress in operations by simply staying in your lane: you’ve got to put yourself in the shoes of the people you are working with and you can’t do that without having a cross-functional and multidisciplinary attitude. 

She also emphasizes the importance of those in operations taking the time to share what it is that they are working on. Most ops people shy away from sharing, thinking that, “it’s not about me.” But without sharing that work, others in the company may not understand what it is that operations truly does day-to-day and week-to-week. 

In this episode, Lindsay and Briana also talk about:

You’ll also hear one of the key ways that Lindsay thinks front-line contributors get energy: from hearing how leadership is improving the company.

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses the building blocks to orchestrate any process with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

On Modern Business Operations, we’ll bring you weekly interviews with leaders from some of today’s largest and fastest growing companies. We discuss the future of business operations and how enterprises are learning to adapt to our rapidly-changing world.

Keeping up with the changes in legal operations takes strategy, flexibility and a willingness to embrace new technology. In this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu sits down with Micki Nute, Senior Director, Head of Legal Strategy and Operations at Pure Storage, to talk about how the field of legal operations is shifting, the role of AI in legal work and why process transformation matters. Micki shares lessons from her career, offering a candid look at the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating technology into legal teams.

Key Takeaways:



(02:49) Legal expertise can streamline procurement with technology.

(06:18) Leading change isn’t just about solutions — it’s about team buy-in.

(06:51) Implementing legal tools takes time and team alignment.

(09:26) Generative AI automates tasks, allowing lawyers to focus on high-value work.

(19:23) AI outputs are only as good as the questions asked — learning to query is key.

(20:45) Understanding AI’s data sources is key to ensuring accuracy.

(21:39) AI-powered search tools help legal teams work smarter.

(24:13) Clear communication prevents knee-jerk reactions.

Resources Mentioned:

Micki Nute -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/micki-nute-1645371/

Pure Storage LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/purestorage/

Pure Storage Website -

https://www.purestorage.com/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

Procurement is evolving, and those who embrace technology and adaptability will lead the way. Mathew Schulz, Founder of Matchat, talks to Sagi Eliyahu about his journey via the military and government to procurement, how he built a thriving media company and why AI is reshaping the profession. Mathew also explores the role of automation in driving efficiency and how procurement leaders can stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.

Key Takeaways:

(2:15) The power of consistent content creation in procurement and career growth.

(4:43) Pivoting from public to private sector shaped a unique procurement perspective.

(9:03) COVID’s lasting impact on supply chains and procurement strategies.

(14:03) Automation enables lean procurement teams to manage massive operations.

(18:48) Tech literacy and strong relationships drive procurement success.

(20:40) Understanding AI tools early drives better adoption and competitive advantage.

(23:45) Curiosity and adaptability are key traits for modern procurement professionals.

(26:03) Trust is essential for scaling relationships in procurement.

(26:39) AI agents and automation are reshaping business operations.

(29:45) Building networks and gaining diverse experiences are crucial for growth.

Resources Mentioned:

Mathew Schulz -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathewschulz/

Matchat | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/meetmatchat/

Matchat | Website -

https://matchat.io/

Forrester -

https://www.forrester.com/

Tonkean -

https://www.tonkean.com/

OpenAI -

https://openai.com/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

Healthcare innovation thrives at the intersection of technology and empathy. In this episode, Alistair Erskine, Board Member of Graphite Health and SVP and Chief Information and Digital Officer of Emory Healthcare, shares his journey from practicing medicine to leading healthcare innovation. He discusses the evolution of healthcare technology, the role of AI in patient care and the importance of integrating human connection with cutting-edge tools. 

Key Takeaways:



(01:41) Fixing inefficiencies in electronic health records inspired Alistair's career shift.

(02:00) The CMIO role bridges clinical workflows and technology.

(10:05) Effective change management requires three lenses: technical, emotional and cultural.

(12:43) Streaming rounds help leaders connect with frontline realities.

(16:25) Trickle feedback provides timely, actionable insights.

(22:14) Ambient listening improves patient interactions and saves physician time.

(23:28) AI-powered tools prevent patient falls and enhance care quality.

(34:26) Hospitals using Apple products improve efficiency and cybersecurity.

Resources Mentioned:

Alistair Erskine -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/transformatics/

Graphite Health -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/graphite-health/

Emory Healthcare | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/emory-healthcare/

Emory Healthcare | Website -

https://www.emoryhealthcare.org/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

Mentorship and market trends are shaping the future of careers in ways we can’t ignore. On this episode, Matt Schwartz, US Finance Practice Group Leader at DLA Piper, dives into the state of the current market, the evolution of mentorship and actionable career insights for young professionals. Matt also shares with host Sagi Eliyahu his journey as a transactional attorney and his leadership role in the Legal Mentor Network, the first formal mentoring hub for lawyers and law students. 

Key Takeaways:

(04:11) The “fork in the road” creates opportunities for some, challenges for others.

(04:58) Debt markets play a vital role in fluctuating equity cycles.

(07:25) Delivering value and staying adaptable are essential for employees.

(10:24) Passion and curiosity drive fulfilling careers.

(13:12) The Legal Mentor Network supports future legal professionals.

(18:58) Iteration and change are keys to staying relevant.

(19:44) Being present, organized and engaged adds value at work.

(24:51) Long-term relationships are crucial for career growth.

(28:09) AI is shaping the workforce, but fundamentals still matter.

Resources Mentioned:

Matt Schwartz -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-schwartz-15576617/

DLA Piper | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dla-piper/

Legal Mentor Network -

https://legalmentornetwork.org

DLA Piper | Website -

https://www.dlapiper.com

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

Procurement’s time at the table is here to stay — if leaders embrace resilience and innovation. On this week’s episode, Nina Bomberg, Director of Global Indirect Procurement at dormakaba, explores the evolving role of procurement and the growing influence of AI in streamlining operations. Nina shares insights from her 20-year journey with host Sagi Eliyahu, emphasizing the importance of resilience, strategy and adaptability in procurement.

Key Takeaways:

(02:30) Procurement’s role is ever-changing but always vital to operations.

(04:29) Indirect procurement is gaining attention for driving material availability and efficiency.

(05:43) AI tools enhance efficiency by simplifying procurement processes.

(08:15) Streamlining procurement interactions can lead to significant productivity gains.

(09:04) Complex corporate software should be as user-friendly as consumer apps.

(16:10) Fundamentals in procurement, like data quality and processes, must be mastered before advancing to newer technologies​.

(18:50) The Eisenhower Matrix helps focus on important goals over urgent tasks.

(19:53) Building inventory and diversifying suppliers are essential strategies.

(24:07) Fire drills in procurement teach muscle memory for better future responses.

(25:14) Leaders must balance short-term priorities with long-term strategic goals.

Resources Mentioned:

Nina Bomberg -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninabomberg/

dormakaba | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dormakaba/

dormakaba | Website -

https://www.dormakaba.com/us-en

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

The future of procurement belongs to those who master both cutting-edge technology and timeless human skills. In this episode, Andrew Daley, Managing Director of Digital Procurement and Supply Chain at Edbury Daley, explores the intersection of digital transformation and talent in procurement. He shares insights from his extensive career and recent research on the evolving skill sets necessary for success in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Key Takeaways:

(02:55) Staying ahead requires understanding both current trends and the short- to medium-term future of your industry.

(06:15) Digital literacy is the top skill for professionals, enabling better use of tools and technologies.

(10:40) Relationship-building and stakeholder engagement are irreplaceable skills in the digital age.

(14:20) Critical thinking and strategic thinking remain critical, as they cannot be automated by AI.

(19:05) The evolution of procurement is driven by technology, creating new opportunities for professionals.

(23:30) Effective digital strategies address specific problems, aligning with organizational goals.

(25:45) Tools like ChatGPT demonstrate how curiosity and exploration can enhance professional capabilities.

(28:36) Professionals must take personal accountability for their growth and adapt to technological advances.

Resources Mentioned:

Andrew Daley -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edburydaleyandrew/?originalSubdomain=uk

Edbury Daley | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edburydaleyandrew/?originalSubdomain=uk

Edbury Daley | Website -

https://www.edburydaley.com/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

Procurement isn’t just about contracts and purchase orders anymore — it’s a strategic powerhouse that drives value across the business. In this episode, Rich Sains, Managing Consultant of Acada and Host of “The Procurement Conversation” podcast, talks to Sagi Eliyahu about transforming procurement from a tactical to a strategic function, touching on automation, AI and building stakeholder value.

Key Takeaways:



(01:20) Rich Sains recounts his career path from logistics to founding his own ProcureTech company​.

(06:07) Procurement roles vary from transactional to strategic, with top teams focused on delivering business value​.

(09:21) Procurement earns respect when seen as a strategic partner rather than a back-office function.

(13:09) Effective procurement prioritizes value-added activities over mere process optimization​.

(18:03) Agile RFP processes, such as collaborative requirement gathering, better meet the needs of fast-paced businesses​.

(22:47) Adopting product management principles can help procurement become a true strategic asset​.

(24:48) AI’s potential in procurement is overhyped; data systemization is needed for true impact.

(29:05) Hard work and delivering stakeholder value are key to procurement’s effectiveness​.

Resources Mentioned:

Rich Sains -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsains/?originalSubdomain=uk

Acada | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/acadatech/

Acada | Website -

https://www.acadatech.com

The Procurement Conversation -

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-procurement-conversation/id1623211171?i=1000666949109

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

On this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu talks to Freya Hurwitz, Director of Procurement at Tripadvisor. Freya shares how she brought a product management mindset to procurement and helped digitize and streamline internal processes from the ground up. She also breaks down the tension between automation and culture, the limitations of AI in negotiation and how procurement leaders can evolve into strategic business partners.

Key Takeaways:

(04:43) Use product management thinking to improve internal workflows.

(05:38) Digitize contract processes before introducing new technology.

(09:51) Reduce resistance by giving teams better process visibility.

(13:51) AI tools can’t yet replace human negotiation skills.

(15:40) Expect AI to reshape, not replace, procurement roles.

(20:08) Strategic procurement requires moving upstream in decision-making.

(23:30) Traditional sales roles are fading in software procurement.

(27:04) Tech advances faster than most teams can adopt.

(31:51) Stay flexible — career paths and tools will keep evolving.

Resources Mentioned:

Freya Hurwitz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/freyahurwitz/

Tripadvisor | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tripadvisor/

Tripadvisor | Website

https://www.tripadvisor.com

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

Innovating within the public sector is not only possible but essential for progress. Kevin Floyd, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer at City of Atlanta Department of Procurement, shares with host Sagi Eliyahu how he's transforming public procurement to match the agility and innovation seen in the private sector. From crisis management to strategic planning, Kevin shares actionable insights that challenge the status quo.

Key Takeaways:



(02:04) Public sector procurement doesn't have to lag behind the private sector.

(05:23) Shifting the employee mindset is critical to innovation in public procurement.

(08:43) Incentive-based contracting can drive efficiency and faster project completion.

(12:03) Procurement plays a strategic role in crisis management, such as during water main breaks.

(15:23) Emergency preparedness in procurement is essential, especially for major events like the World Cup.

(18:43) Technology, including AI, is key to driving procurement innovation.

(22:03) Building strong partnerships with other departments enhances procurement’s role in public sector operations.

(25:23) Kevin shares career advice on learning from both positive and negative experiences.

Resources Mentioned:

Kevin Floyd -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-floyd-21583b88/

City of Atlanta Department of Procurement -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/atlprocurement/

ATL Suppliers -

https://www.atlsuppliers.com/

* Since the recording of this episode, Kevin Floyd has moved on from his role as Deputy Chief Procurement Officer at the City of Atlanta Department of Procurement.

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

Transforming procurement in a time of disruption requires both innovation and leadership. On this episode, Dwight Jacobs, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain and Chief Procurement Officer of Duke Energy, joins host Sagi Eliyahu. Dwight shares valuable insights into navigating the evolving world of procurement and supply chain management, emphasizing the importance of long-term strategies, partnerships and resilient systems. 

Key Takeaways:



(02:57) Duke Energy’s clean energy transition is heavily dependent on long-term supply chain partnerships.

(05:00) The importance of building resilient supply chains by adding more suppliers and increasing competition.

(08:21) Leadership is portable, and servant leadership plays a crucial role in team success.

(10:00) The "Crew, Mission, Me" philosophy emphasizes putting the team first to achieve organizational goals.

(12:30) How Duke Energy’s in-house technology, Scout, optimizes supply chain material tracking and labor efficiency.

(14:35) The importance of data analytics for predictive decision-making in supply chain operations.

(16:50) The need to embrace generative AI while maintaining the human aspect in procurement.

(18:23) The best career advice Dwight received: helping peers succeed ultimately leads to personal success.

Resources Mentioned:

Dwight Jacobs - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwight-jacobs-/

Duke Energy | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/duke-energy-corporation/

Duke Energy | Website - https://www.duke-energy.com/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

This week, host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Nico Bac, Founder of Digital Procurement Now, shares his journey from driving procurement innovations at Procter & Gamble to establishing his own advisory firm. Gain valuable insights on effective leadership, the critical role of user-friendly technology and AI’s growing influence in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

(02:10) Nico’s transition from corporate procurement at Procter & Gamble to founding his own firm.

(04:45) Early adoption of digital procurement tools like Cooper and Ariba.

(07:55) Emphasizing user experience as a top priority in procurement technology.

(11:20) Cautionary approach to AI’s growing influence in procurement.

(15:35) Risks associated with relying on outdated procurement technologies.

(18:50) Migrating procurement systems to cloud-based platforms is essential.

(22:30) Big data will drive future procurement decisions and enhance strategy.

Resources Mentioned:

Nico Bac - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nico-bac-dpnow/

Digital Procurement Now - https://dpnow.ai/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

On this episode, Sagi Eliyahu sits down with Mary Beth Blair, Director and Associate General Counsel of Legal Operations and Procurement at Coursera. Mary Beth shares her journey from in-house counsel at Panera Bread to her current dual role. She discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing legal operations and procurement, the evolution of legal ops and the impact of AI in the legal field.

The views expressed are those of the guest and do not represent those of her current or former organizations.

Key Takeaways:

(03:13) Evolution and definition of legal operations over the past 10 years.

(05:27) Running a legal department like a business and assessing its foundations.

(08:49) Encouragement of innovation and permission to fail within legal operations.

(10:43) The impact of AI and technology on legal processes and time-saving.

(12:17) Focusing on quick wins and leveraging existing tech stacks.

(15:39) The importance of managing relationships and understanding GC's objectives.

(19:16) Leading people through change and optimizing processes.

(21:06) Developing strategic thinking within legal teams and balancing tactical work​.

(23:28) The struggle with knowing when to pivot and adapt strategies​.

Resources Mentioned:

Mary Beth Blair - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-beth-blair-99268516/

Coursera - https://www.linkedin.com/company/coursera/

Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) - https://cloc.org

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

This week, Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Dr. Ron Glickman, Author of “Lead for a Change” and Adjunct Professor at Cal State in Los Angeles. Dr. Glickman discusses his extensive experience in IT, the importance of understanding change dynamics, and provides insights from his book “Lead for a Change.”

Key Takeaways:



(01:00) The importance of being effective rather than just being right.

(05:51) Starting with retail operations and transitioning to IT leadership roles.

(10:42) Overview of the book “Lead for a Change,” which offers practical leadership lessons.

(15:33) The concept and inspiration behind the title “Lead for a Change.”

(20:24) The significance of aligning change initiatives with customer centricity and clear vision.

(25:15) The necessity of setting clear expectations and understanding different roles in change management.

(30:06) Techniques for managing and leading through transformational changes while balancing strategy and comfort levels.

(34:57) Reflections on effective leadership and the importance of continuous learning.

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Ron Glickman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronglickman/

Cal State - https://www.linkedin.com/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/

“Lead for a Change” by Dr. Ron Glickman - https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Change-Strategies-Expectations-Breakthroughs/dp/1632996391

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

On this week’s episode, host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Nathan Haydn-Myer, Senior Director and Chief Procurement Officer at VSP Vision. Nathan discusses his journey into procurement, the importance of adding value and the impact of AI on procurement.

Key Takeaways:

(01:02) Accidental entry into procurement from marketing.

(03:07) Strategic shift in VSP’s procurement.

(09:10) Importance of research in understanding stakeholders.

(10:16) Achieving small wins with pro- and anti-procurement groups.

(12:17) Aligning procurement activities with business needs.

(18:04) AI’s impact on automating routine tasks.

(19:00) Identifying and focusing on value-add tasks.

(24:05) Adapting procurement strategy based on company size.

(26:00) Leadership through asking questions to foster critical thinking.

Resources Mentioned:

Nathan Haydn-Myer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhm/

VSP Vision | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vsp-vision/

VSP Vision | Website - https://www.vsp.com/

CEB Business Alignment Survey - https://www.gartner.com/

Lean Six Sigma - https://www.sixsigmaonline.org/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations

This week, Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Akshay Verma, Chief Operating Officer of SpotDraft. Akshay shares his journey from Head of Legal Operations at Coinbase to COO, discussing his career transitions, the impact of AI in legal tech, and the importance of scarcity in driving value.

Key Takeaways:

(02:36) Career evolution credited to seizing opportunities.

(05:42) Transformation from manual to digital processes in law.

(07:17) Impact of AI tools on contract review speed.

(12:10) Proliferation of legal technology and its benefits.

(18:46) Importance of balancing technology and human judgment in legal work.

(24:32) Increased intensity and demands of the current role at SpotDraft.

(28:10) Belief in the value of scarcity and discipline in driving business success.

Resources Mentioned:

Akshay Verma - https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshay-verma-esq/

SpotDraft - https://www.linkedin.com/company/spotdraft/

This episode is brought to you by Tonkean.

Tonkean is the operating system for business operations and is the enterprise standard for process orchestration. It provides businesses with the building blocks to orchestrate any process, with no code or change management required. Contact us at tonkean.com to learn how you can build complex business processes. Fast.

#Operations #BusinessOperations