No Doubt, Let's Go! - Oliver

No Doubt, Let's Go! - Oliver

On This Episode of No Doubt, Let’s Go! Coach Reggie [https://substack.com/profile/71158847-coach-reggie] interviews Oliver King Smith, founder of Smartr.ai [http://smartr.ai], a consultancy specializing in private AI models for enterprise clients. Oliver discusses how he pivoted from a rejected AI division proposal at his previous company in 2018 to founding Smarter AI, currently working on a major enterprise-wide grant with a manufacturing client. We explored Oliver’s approach to implementing AI in organizations, emphasizing the importance of starting with low-risk, high-value projects like handling legacy data or expense reports to build trust among skeptical stakeholders. Oliver shared his unique working setup reclining on a couch with a laptop on his chest, his use of mental walks to solve complex problems, and his preference for working in burst-like sessions rather than long coding marathons. We also discussed the challenges of managing AI development in an era of rapidly evolving technology models and the balance between planning and adaptability in running a business. Summary Oliver’s AI Entrepreneurship Journey Oliver and Coach discussed Oliver’s journey as an AI pioneer who founded Smarter AI after his previous company rejected his 2018 proposal to start an AI division. Oliver explained that the rejection initially felt like a setback, but it ultimately became an ally moment that led to the creation of his own consultancy. The conversation was cut off mid-sentence, so the specific details about how the rejection specifically helped his current venture were not covered in the provided transcript segment. AI Implementation in Manufacturing Oliver discussed his experience working with AI projects for clients and his determination to implement AI technology in product development. He explained the challenges of introducing AI in legacy manufacturing organizations, emphasizing the need for C-suite buy-in and focusing on low-hanging fruit to build trust. Oliver also highlighted the importance of addressing trust issues within organizations by identifying areas where people feel comfortable with the technology and its impact on existing workflows. AI Implementation Strategy Discussion Oliver discussed strategies for implementing AI in organizations, emphasizing the importance of starting with non-disruptive, high-value tasks that people find unpleasant, such as filling out expense reports. He noted that focusing on big data problems and legacy data management helps build trust in AI technology without causing resistance. Oliver also mentioned that their company specializes in private AI models, particularly serving clients in aerospace, defense, health, and education sectors, with a strong focus on advanced manufacturing. Unconventional Working Setup Discussion Oliver discussed his unconventional working setup using a reclining position with a computer close to him due to his bullet-resistant glasses requiring large font sizes. He explained that this lying-down typing method is relaxing and effective, though he acknowledged the challenges with speech-to-text technology due to human speech patterns containing fillers like “uh” and “um.” AI Problem-Solving Walking Strategies Oliver discussed how taking walks helps him overcome mental blocks when solving complex AI problems by breaking out of tunnel vision and allowing him to see the problem from a wider perspective. He explained that he has standard walks of different lengths near the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, which he uses for mental resets. The conversation ended with the coach beginning to ask about working in bursts and its relationship to maintaining quality in AI models, but this part of the discussion was not captured in the transcript segment. Bursty AI Development Approach Oliver explained that the bursty approach to AI development has advantages over traditional software development because AI systems can provide value after just 5-6 hours of work, unlike conventional software which requires a minimum viable product before being useful. He noted that AI development follows an opposite process to traditional software, where getting initial low-hanging fruit is prioritized over building a polished final product. Coach asked about the mindset required for incorporating this different way of working, but the discussion ended without a complete answer. AI Problem-Solving Challenges Oliver discussed the unique challenges of working with AI, explaining that unlike traditional software development where problems are clear-cut, AI work involves more exploration and uncertainty about whether issues stem from the technology, implementation, or understanding. He shared an example of how his team used creative problem-solving techniques to get LLMs to solve the Einstein riddle by having them think about the problem differently rather than trying to solve it directly, which predates current agentic AI approaches. AI Orchestration for Information Systems Oliver discussed how AI systems can be more effective when they serve as orchestrators of information rather than needing to know answers directly. He noted that modern models contain vast knowledge databases but tend to regress toward common approaches rather than suggesting optimal solutions. The conversation ended with Coach asking about balancing a joy-led approach with the structured requirements needed for large manufacturing grants, but this part of the discussion was not captured in the transcript segment. Business Strategy and Market Focus Oliver discussed the challenges of running a business compared to an engineering program, noting that business requires more flexibility due to external factors like the sudden AI trend following ChatGPT’s release. He observed that focusing on specific markets, particularly aerospace and defense, has been more effective for their company. Oliver shared an example of how market focus led to opportunities with a major auto manufacturer through engineering organization connections. Smarter AI Business Development Strategy Oliver discussed how Smarter AI’s business development has been organic rather than planned, with opportunities emerging through connections with aerospace and defense companies. He explained that while AI language models have been progressing too quickly for fine-tuning to remain effective, vision systems continue to benefit from customization for specific clients. Oliver shared his approach to managing morning thinking time with coffee and planning, acknowledging the challenge of business planning when everything changes so quickly. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rvhoss.substack.com/subscribe [https://rvhoss.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

No Doubt, Let's Go! - Jordan

On This Episode of No Doubt, Let’s Go! Coach Reggie [https://substack.com/profile/71158847-coach-reggie] interviews Jordan Dolan, focused on effective project management strategies, particularly in the context of pharmaceutical launches and complex team environments. The core topics included the importance of helping teams define their own workflows and holding them accountable, the value of minimum viable products (MVPs) to accelerate progress, and the use of agile and kanban methodologies to prioritize and manage tasks. Jordan emphasized the role of the project manager as a facilitator who asks clarifying questions (even ‘dumb’ ones) to drive collaboration and understanding among specialized team members, referencing the ‘rubber ducky’ method from software development. We also covered adapting communication and management styles for remote versus in-person work, instituting regular informal meetings to surface friction points, and the need to assume positive intent in digital communications. Jordan shared practical tools such as t-shirt sizing for task estimation, dividing teams to handle both simple and complex tasks in parallel, and tracking metrics to identify and resolve bottlenecks. We included real-world examples from pharmaceutical launches, where breaking down tasks and daily check-ins significantly improved efficiency and concluded with advice for newcomers to be curious and proactive in asking questions to foster team growth and project success. Summary Details Project Management Approaches and Philosophy Jordan emphasizes a helper-based approach to project management, focusing on enabling others to get their work done and holding them accountable. He believes in letting team members define their own ‘how’ for tasks, as people are more committed to their own ideas. The discussion highlights the importance of service leadership, leading without authority, and using curiosity and ‘dumb questions’ to foster collaboration and understanding among team members. Jordan also stresses the value of being present in meetings, which is facilitated by tackling the hardest tasks early in the day (’swallow the frog’). This approach allows project managers to focus on supporting the team, clarifying requirements, and ensuring accountability without needing to be the content expert themselves. Agile, Kanban, and Workflow Optimization The meeting covers the adoption of agile and kanban methodologies, especially in pharmaceutical and advertising contexts. Jordan notes that timelines are often used as safety blankets, but kanban encourages daily prioritization and adaptability. He describes how minimum viable product (MVP) thinking is applied, even in industries that prefer perfection, to get sign-offs and iterate later. The team uses metrics to track project flow, rounds of review, and bottlenecks, leading to improved velocity by reserving editors for quick tasks. Dividing work into easy and hard streams (t-shirt sizing) and working in parallel increases efficiency, as demonstrated by halving the time to prepare FDA submission binders after three launches. Remote Work and Communication Strategies Jordan describes the transition to remote work, which lasted six years, and the challenges of losing informal hallway conversations. To address this, the team instituted two 15-minute informal meetings per week to surface friction points and foster open discussion. Slack and structured communication channels were implemented to replicate in-person dynamics. Jordan notes that remote work requires focusing on fundamentals and teaching people to read messages with positive intent, as tone is harder to convey in text. Once trust is established, remote teams can be highly productive without the distractions of office life. Workflow Tools and Techniques (T-shirt Sizing, Gantt Charts, Daily Meetings) Jordan shares practical tools for managing complex projects, such as t-shirt sizing (categorizing tasks as easy or hard), Gantt charts for wedding planning, and daily meetings for status updates. T-shirt sizing was new to his team but helped prioritize and parallelize work, especially for FDA submissions. Gantt charts helped his fiancée visualize dependencies for their wedding. Daily meetings at the start and end of the day provided touchpoints for progress and obstacles, which improved team efficiency and were adopted for future launches. Personal Productivity and Time Management Jordan advocates for the ‘swallow the frog’ approach—tackling the hardest task first thing in the morning, which frees up mental space for meetings and problem-solving throughout the day. He uses a wireless headset to stay active during meetings, believing that movement aids thinking. He distinguishes between productive wandering (for problem-solving) and procrastination, noting that sometimes procrastination signals uncertainty about next steps. Prioritization is key, as there is always more work than time, and doing the hardest thing first reduces stress and emergency reactivity. Advice for Newcomers and Team Learning Jordan advises newcomers to be curious and ask questions, as genuine curiosity fosters collaboration and learning. He notes that not everyone knows everything, so it’s important to check for understanding and adapt explanations as needed. He prefers to focus on practical experience over theoretical knowledge, encouraging teams to move from knowing concepts (like t-shirt sizing) to applying them. This approach helps teams become more effective and confident, especially when entering new industries or roles. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rvhoss.substack.com/subscribe [https://rvhoss.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

No Doubt, Let's Go! - Nicola

On This Episode of No Doubt, Let’s Go! Coach Reggie [https://substack.com/profile/71158847-coach-reggie] interviews Nicola Hill, an enterprise program manager specializing in complex transformations and system migrations. Nicola discussed her approach to getting things done by matching the right tools to specific problems rather than using one-size-fits-all methods, emphasizing the importance of not fixing what isn’t broken. She shared insights about balancing listening and action in project management, particularly drawing parallels between managing risks on her 32-foot sailboat and leading enterprise transformations. Nicola also discussed her recent experiences with AI tools, particularly using Copilot for CV review and Airtable for organizing boat equipment, while acknowledging challenges with work-life balance and the need for teams to better manage capacity and say no to unnecessary demands. Summary Project Management Approach Discussion Nicola discussed her approach to project management, emphasizing the importance of matching the right tools and methodologies to specific problems rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. She highlighted her strategy of not interfering with processes that are working well, focusing instead on areas where improvement is needed. Nicola also shared her experience sailing a 32-foot boat, drawing parallels between navigating changing winds on the water and managing challenges in the office. Risk Management in Sailing and Work Nicola explained that while risk management principles exist in both sailing and work environments, the time scales differ significantly between the two. She described how sailing requires immediate action due to potential physical harm, whereas work environments allow for more considered risk management. Nicola used an example of managing twin children at a playground to illustrate how effective risk management involves prioritizing real problems rather than reacting to immediate emotions. The discussion ended with the coach drawing parallels to parenting and asking about the relative challenges between parenting and managing teams, though this part was cut off in the transcript. Parenting Approaches and Systems Implementation Nicola discussed her approach to parenting, explaining how she learned to let go of expectations for immediate improvement and instead accepted that some aspects of parenting require time and patience. When asked about her children’s ages, Nicola revealed they are now 16 and three-quarters years old, indicating they are nearly grown. The conversation then shifted to discussing systems implementation, though the specific details about the “Not Framework” were not captured in the transcript. Bridging Tech-Business Communication Gaps Nicola discussed her natural tendency to translate and communicate complex ideas between technologists and business stakeholders, drawing from her multilingual background in French, Portuguese, and Mandarin. She explained how this ability helps bridge understanding gaps, particularly in situations like SOC 2 Type 2 audits where technical and business contexts may not align. The conversation then shifted to exploring how Nicola ensures her initial mental picture of a project remains adaptive and evolves throughout implementation. Major Transformation Program Planning Nicola discussed her upcoming major transformation program, where she is working to understand the work streams, value definition, and key stakeholders involved. She explained her approach of gathering perspectives from various people to build a comprehensive understanding of the program. When asked about getting unstuck, Nicola referenced a previous DNS migration that stalled, explaining that she becomes stuck when multiple approaches are exhausted and stakeholders are unresponsive after trying different methods. Client Change Management Experience Nicola shared her experience managing client concerns about untested changes, explaining how she traveled to meet with Asia and other stakeholders in person. She emphasized the importance of listening to client concerns rather than simply presenting changes, which helped address their objections and build trust. Nicola noted that modern teams often struggle with balancing the need for speed against proper communication and listening, particularly when dealing with competing priorities and governance functions. Sustainable Team Work Rhythm Coaching Nicola discussed her approach to coaching teams to maintain sustainable working rhythms by helping them learn to say no to unnecessary demands. She emphasized the importance of evaluating whether proposed work is meaningful and will deliver real customer value rather than being driven by quarterly deadlines. Nicola described her role as more focused on ways of working rather than owning specific milestones, positioning herself as part of what she humorously referred to as “the rebel resistance” against unrealistic demands. Stakeholder Communication and Self-Care Nicola discussed the importance of stakeholders saying no to protect clients, emphasizing that problems arise more often when people don’t voice concerns. She shared her personal challenges with maintaining sanity and self-care, acknowledging she hasn’t been perfect in practicing yoga or exercise but emphasized the importance of not beating herself up over it. The conversation then shifted to discussing artificial intelligence, though the specific details about its use were not covered in the provided transcript segment. AI Integration in Daily Life Nicola discussed her experience incorporating AI into her daily life, particularly using Copilot for CV review and job applications. She also shared how she used AI to organize her boat inventory in Airtable, creating a filtered system to locate specific items like fire safety equipment. When asked for advice on tackling complex projects, Nicola recommended breaking down the work into manageable pieces, starting with what is most understood and gradually expanding from there. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rvhoss.substack.com/subscribe [https://rvhoss.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

No Doubt, Let's Go! - Kat Koppett

On This Episode of No Doubt, Let’s Go! Meet Kat Koppett [https://substack.com/profile/11295249-kat-koppett], a professional improviser and author who applies theatrical principles to organizational leadership and ethics. In this episode of No Doubt Let’s Go, Coach Reggie [https://substack.com/profile/71158847-coach-reggie] learns from Kat Koppett [https://substack.com/profile/11295249-kat-koppett], a visionary improviser and leadership consultant. Through a series of personal reflections, she highlights how the improvisational mindset serves as a vital tool for navigating an unpredictable world with agility and moral purpose. Kat emphasizes a practical, iterative approach to productivity, utilizing specific techniques to overcome creative blocks and promote ethical storytelling. We explore how to move from idea to action by invoking improvisation to build adaptability and creative problem-solving in high-stakes environments. Listeners will discover actionable methods for getting unstuck, including “Swiss cheesing” projects by starting in the middle and “rubber ducking” to clarify logic by speaking out loud . The conversation also speaks to Kat’s essential five-word mantra for overcoming overwhelm: “just the next one thing”. Ultimately, we learn how Kat’s adaptive skills will enable us to accept life’s unexpected challenges and build on our goals brick by brick, to positively influence human interaction and professional development. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rvhoss.substack.com/subscribe [https://rvhoss.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

No Doubt, Let's Go! - Chad

On This Episode of No Doubt, Let’s Go! Coach Reggie [https://substack.com/profile/71158847-coach-reggie] interviews Chad Parizman discussing Chad’s approach to productivity and entrepreneurship. Chad shared how he uses music as a soundtrack, setting multiple timers, and working in focused bursts during early morning and late evening hours. They explored Chad’s journey from corporate employee to accidental entrepreneur after losing his job, and his methodology for helping podcast clients determine their core needs and objectives. The conversation covered practical advice for new podcasters, emphasizing the importance of focusing on quality interactions rather than download numbers in the early stages, and highlighted Chad’s philosophy of relying on professional networks during transitions. Summary Chad’s Entrepreneurial Approach and ADHD Chad discussed his approach to work and entrepreneurship, revealing he has ADHD which causes him to delay projects and work in last-minute frenzies. He explained that he’s currently pursuing a potential six-figure deal through an RFP process with a friend’s company, though he’s competing against other firms. The conversation began with Coach interviewing Chad for his podcast “No Doubt Let’s Go,” where Chad was being featured as the show’s architect. AI and Entrepreneurship Journey Chad discussed how AI tools have helped him capture and organize ideas, particularly when walking his dog or working on presentations. He shared his story of becoming an accidental entrepreneur after losing his job, describing two pivotal moments when he realized he wasn’t returning to corporate work: when a client asked about pricing for his podcast services and when a friend offered him a temporary role. The conversation ended as they began discussing how music serves as a soundtrack for productivity and focusing on tasks. Background Music for Productivity Chad discussed his need for background music or sound to maintain focus and enter a flow state while working, preferring familiar music for writing and strategy tasks, and instrumental tracks like movie soundtracks or Mogwai for editing. He acknowledged that multitasking has become more challenging with age and noted the importance of setting timers and alarms to manage his workflow effectively. Coach and Chad briefly touched on the concept of multitasking and its impact on productivity, referencing the ABC123 game from the show. Work Focus and Productivity Strategies Chad and Coach discussed strategies for managing distractions and staying focused during work. Chad shared how he uses alarms and timers to remind himself to return to tasks, and mentioned considering purchasing a more powerful Mac studio to create a dedicated workspace. They also discussed techniques for getting unstuck, with Chad noting that deadlines and his new dog’s walking schedule help motivate him to complete work. The conversation ended with them beginning to discuss needs and objectives in relation to Chad’s podcast creation work. Podcast Planning and Purpose Strategy Chad advised on helping people determine the purpose of their podcast, distinguishing between passion projects and business growth initiatives. He recommended planning the first 10 episodes, including topics and potential guests, as a way to validate the idea and assess feasibility. Chad emphasized that the focus should be on creating valuable content rather than seeking viral success, noting that even successful creators experience varying levels of engagement across different content pieces. Productivity and Podcast Growth Strategies Chad discussed his work habits as a 5AM planner and midnight worker, explaining how he structures his day to maintain productivity despite energy lulls in the middle of the day. He shared insights about managing client expectations, particularly when clients prefer specific approaches over more efficient methods. Chad advised new podcasters to focus on qualitative metrics like audience engagement and feedback rather than download numbers in the early stages, emphasizing that podcast growth evolves significantly between episodes 1 and 20. He concluded by recommending that accidental entrepreneurs rely on their professional networks for support and guidance when facing challenges. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rvhoss.substack.com/subscribe [https://rvhoss.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]