Modern Business Operations: AI, Automation, Legal, Procurement, IT, and Ops

Tonkean

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 operations within business, including finance, revenue, legal, and HR. Join us every episode to hear how enterprises are learning to adapt to our rapidly-changing world.

  1. How Self-Assessments Can Future-Proof Procurement for the AI Era

    27 AUG

    How Self-Assessments Can Future-Proof Procurement for the AI Era

    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

    30 min
  2. The Real Value of Orchestration in Modern Ops

    14 AUG

    The Real Value of Orchestration in Modern Ops

    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

    34 min
  3. Can Legal Ops Adapt? A Psychologist’s Take on the Future of Law

    6 AUG

    Can Legal Ops Adapt? A Psychologist’s Take on the Future of Law

    Host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Dr. Larry Richard, Founder and CEO of LawyerBrain LLC, to explore the psychological traits that define lawyers, and how those traits are colliding with today’s business environment. Larry shares insights from assessing more than 25,000 lawyers, revealing data-backed patterns in skepticism, resilience, sociability and more. The conversation covers how these personality traits can both help and hinder lawyers as they adapt to changes like AI, remote work and the mental toll of constant uncertainty. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 02:12 Reevaluating career fit leads to greater job satisfaction. 03:09 Pursuing true passion is a path to deeper expertise. 07:09 Urgency as a trait can enhance productivity and outcomes. 12:03 Low sociability may hinder effective team communication. 16:09 Low resilience is widespread, impacting workplace performance. 18:27 Declining empathy among professionals negatively affects collaboration.. 22:27 Millennials display lower empathy, influencing generational work dynamics. 26:48 Focusing on AI risks may limit innovation opportunities. 32:33 Leadership teams must drive adaptation during rapid change. 40:06 Intentional stress relief supports sustained professional effectiveness. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Larry Richard https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyerbrain/ LawyerBrain LLC | LinkedIn http://www.lawyerbrain.com/ LawyerBrain | Website http://www.lawyerbrain.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

    45 min
  4. Why AI-First Startups Are Disrupting the SaaS Status Quo

    10 JUL

    Why AI-First Startups Are Disrupting the SaaS Status Quo

    Host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Ben Murray, Co-Founder of Extend and Founder of The SaaS Academy. Ben shares insights from his work as a fractional CFO and finance educator supporting early- and growth-stage SaaS companies. They discuss the evolution of the CFO role, the realistic pace of AI adoption in finance and how SaaS businesses are reassessing growth strategies, pricing models and tech stacks in today’s market. Key Takeaways: (02:52) The transition from traditional SaaS to agent AI is the next business model shift. (04:59) Modern CFOs manage 10–15 tools just to operate their back office. (06:14) AI adoption is often pushed by boards and C-level execs, not just IT. (07:52) Finance and accounting functions are slower to adopt AI due to precision requirements. (09:21) The rule of 40 may fade, but financial discipline stays essential. (12:20) Not every SaaS company needs to be AI-first to deliver long-term value. (14:14) Pricing models are shifting, but predictability and ARR clarity still matter. (16:53) SaaS metrics may not fully map to AI businesses with uncertain retention. (20:42) AI integration could reshape org charts by replacing specific manual tasks. (22:22) Leaders build trust by avoiding assumptions and seeking clarity in conflicts. Resources Mentioned: Ben Murray https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray/ Extend | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/tryextend/ Extend | Website https://www.tryextend.com/ The SaaS Academy | LinkeIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-saas-academy/ The SaaS CFO | Website https://www.thesaascfo.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

    25 min
  5. Building Smarter Supplier Relationships Through AI

    24 JUN

    Building Smarter Supplier Relationships Through AI

    Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Tania Seary, Founder of Procurious, to discuss the role of procurement in today’s dynamic business environment. With decades of experience as a procurement entrepreneur, Tania shares why now is the moment for ops leaders to work hand in hand with procurement, prioritize supplier collaboration and embrace AI as a strategic tool, not just a back-office fix. From AI adoption to cross-functional alignment, the conversation offers a forward-looking take on how procurement and ops can partner to drive enterprise performance. Key Takeaways: (03:02) Procurement must shift to agile, bite-sized, community-based learning methods. (06:12) Encourage teams to test AI weekly and share actionable use cases. (10:15) Automation frees teams to build relationships and identify real-world inefficiencies. (14:10) Supplier trust and relationships are essential, even with modern technology. (16:03) Learn enough about AI to ask smart questions and assess risks. (18:41) Staying in the business flow is key to career longevity. (22:22) You are the constant in your career — take ownership of your growth. Resources Mentioned: Tania Seary https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniaseary/ Procurious | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/procurious/ Procurious | Website https://www.procurious.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

    25 min
  6. Lessons in Operations From Former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain

    20 MAY

    Lessons in Operations From Former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain

    On this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Ron Klain, Chief Legal Officer of Airbnb and former White House Chief of Staff under President Joe Biden. They discuss the operational parallels between the public and private sectors, how Airbnb sees itself as part of civic infrastructure and the role of AI in legal operations. Key Takeaways:  (03:28) Both public and private operations demand strong crisis response and global coordination. (06:06) Airbnb provides surge housing for emergencies and large-scale cultural events. (08:36) Legal teams use AI to organize documents and improve institutional memory. (09:51) Lawyers remain essential for creativity, reasoning and strategic storytelling. (12:21) Global compliance requires local legal teams that are familiar with regional regulations. (15:29) A diverse society benefits from diffused power despite slower processes. (17:16) Peer networks often have a more lasting impact than traditional mentorships. Resources Mentioned: Ron Klain https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-klain-3016b71/ Airbnb | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/airbnb/ Airbnb | Website https://www.airbnb.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

    19 min
  7. From COEs to AI: The Tools That Actually Scale Ops

    8 MAY

    From COEs to AI: The Tools That Actually Scale Ops

    Host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Kevin Keller, Senior Vice President - General Counsel of Forward Networks, Inc. Kevin shares his career path from electrical engineering to law and tech, unpacking what it means to lead with curiosity, data and process in high-growth environments. With legal and operational leadership experience at Amazon, Instacart, Facebook and startups, Kevin offers insights into building adaptable teams, operationalizing AI and redefining efficiency for the modern workplace. Key Takeaways: (01:05) Kevin’s background and his pivot from engineering to law. (09:36) Process-driven, analytical thinking is essential for continual improvement and efficiency. (10:33) Breaking down processes and identifying areas for automation or improvement is a critical leadership skill. (12:09) Root cause analysis and taking ownership of mistakes are vital for organizational health and growth. (23:42) Leveraging AI starts with breaking down team processes and empowering those closest to the work to identify opportunities. (24:36) Hiring for intelligence, emotional intelligence and curiosity is more valuable than focusing solely on credentials. (35:21) Mentoring and connecting with early-career professionals keeps leaders fresh and fosters a two-way learning environment. Resources Mentioned: Kevin Keller https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkeller/ Forward Networks, Inc. | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/forward-networks/ Forward Networks Inc. | Website https://www.forwardnetworks.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

    37 min
  8. What MMA Teaches CEOs About Control, Confidence and Recovery

    1 MAY

    What MMA Teaches CEOs About Control, Confidence and Recovery

    Sagi Eliyahu sits down with Adam Sedlack, CEO of UFC GYM, to explore the intersection of fitness, community building and operational excellence. Adam shares his journey from starting in the fitness industry in 1994 to leading a global brand with over 150 locations across 42 countries. They discuss how UFC GYM combines mixed martial arts (MMA) training with traditional fitness to create a holistic wellness experience. The conversation also touches on leadership, franchise management and the importance of instilling confidence and resilience in both youth and adults. Key Takeaways: (02:27) Build community, not transactions, to deepen customer engagement. (06:03) Functional workouts like boxing deliver unmatched physical and mental results. (10:29) MMA training builds confidence and resilience in participants. (14:40) Passion and grit are essential traits for hiring staff. (19:51) Franchise management requires robust operational and legal support. (24:51) Youth programs emphasize fitness, discipline and personal growth. (30:18) Preparation for challenges is more important than competition itself. Resources Mentioned: Adam Sedlack https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamsedlack/ UFC GYM | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ufc-gym/ UFC GYM | Website https://www.ufcgym.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

    34 min
See All (129)

Trailer

About

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 operations within business, including finance, revenue, legal, and HR. Join us every episode to hear how enterprises are learning to adapt to our rapidly-changing world.

Information

You Might Also Like