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

Tonkean
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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. Dr. Elouise Epstein on the Future of AI in Procurement

    JAN 21

    Dr. Elouise Epstein on the Future of AI in Procurement

    In this episode, Sagi Eliyahu welcomes back Dr. Elouise Epstein, Partner at Kearney, to explore how AI is reshaping enterprise functions, procurement and the future of work. The conversation moves from personal AI-skepticism-to-believer journeys to radically new mindsets around black-box corporate functions, personal AI productivity and governance for an agent-driven enterprise. Listeners in operations, procurement and technology leadership gain a forward-looking view of how to navigate the next decade of AI-driven transformation. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 05:05 Education systems face an impending AI-driven learning crisis. 09:20 Personal AI productivity is mandatory, not optional, for professionals. 13:55 AI job disruption creates a painful lag before new roles emerge. 17:18 Corporate functions evolve into AI black boxes managed by specialists. 18:10 Procurement shifts from transactional tasks to embedded business partnership. 27:44 New mindset favors highly personalized tools over standardized platforms. 30:56 Governance must enable experimentation while protecting core enterprise data. 34:27 Invisible personal AI agents will outlive roles and preserve institutional knowledge. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Elouise Epstein https://www.linkedin.com/in/drelouise/ Kearney | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/kearney/ Kearney | Website https://www.kearney.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
  2. What Modern Legal Leaders Get Wrong About AI

    JAN 7

    What Modern Legal Leaders Get Wrong About AI

    On this week’s episode, host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Jasmine Singh, General Counsel of Ironclad, to discuss her unique career journey from commercial litigation to becoming a General Counsel at the forefront of AI adoption in legal technology. Jasmine shares the pivotal moment she left big law to pursue her personal passions, which ultimately defined her approach to purpose-driven work and in-house team building. She offers fascinating insights into how the legal sector, often considered a slow adopter, is now rapidly embracing AI tools.  Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 01:00 Career alignment is necessary for a sense of purpose and fulfillment. 04:34 Transactional law offered a preferred communal and deal-making environment. 08:27 Legacy legal training builds resilience to enable learning in fast-paced tech environments. 12:22 AI reduces burnout by handling the rote work. 15:12 AI makes in-house counsel smarter consumers of outside services. 18:39 The need for technical expertise of outside counsel will continue. 28:26 Career success comes from staying true to your authentic self. Resources Mentioned: Jasmine Singh https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-singh-b4a25274/ Ironclad | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ironclad-inc-/ Ironclad | Website https://www.ironcladapp.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
  3. Inside the Battle To Preserve Human Craft in an Automated World

    12/17/2025

    Inside the Battle To Preserve Human Craft in an Automated World

    This week, host Sagi Eliyahu welcomes Fabio Bertoni, General Counsel of The New Yorker. They explore how legal leadership guides a major publication through sustained industry transformation, examining the intersection of media, law and business operations. Listeners gain actionable insights on managing complexity, maintaining editorial standards while adapting to technological change and balancing ethical responsibility with business demands in high-stakes environments. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 05:09 Media law combines passion with practical career skills. 08:09 Public decisions feel high-stakes when consequences matter. 11:45 How digital transformation accelerated publication speed and reach. 14:30 Quality focus creates a profitable, loyal readership base. 16:54 Complex challenges require thorough work without shortcuts. 20:30 AI reduces search traffic and traditional advertising revenue. 23:42 Subscription value matters more than AI-generated content. 25:51 Editorial restrictions differ from operational AI applications. 28:45 Personal ethics remain an individual responsibility throughout careers. Resources Mentioned: Fabio Bertoni https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabio-bertoni-6958554/ The New Yorker | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-yorker/ The New Yorker | Website http://www.newyorker.com/ The New Yorker Radio Hour  https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-new-yorker-radio-hour 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
  4. Why 95% of AI Projects Fail and How To Beat the Odds

    12/10/2025

    Why 95% of AI Projects Fail and How To Beat the Odds

    Sagi Eliyahu hosts Andrea Iorio, Founder, Keynote Speaker and Podcaster of AIK | Andrea Iorio Keynotes and Author of "Between You and AI." Andrea breaks down the critical human skills professionals need to stay relevant as AI transforms the workplace. The episode explores why 95% of AI projects fail, the difference between automation and augmentation and the nine essential skills for thriving alongside intelligent technology. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 03:39 Most books on AI fail to address the development of critical human skills. 07:06 An MIT study has shown that 95% of AI projects fail. 11:54 Data sense-making prevents the spread of AI hallucinations. 16:06 The education system fails to teach question-asking skills. 20:37 Asking the right questions becomes a competitive advantage. 24:42 Automation frees time for augmentation strategies. 28:21 Human-AI collaboration scales customer service effectively. 32:15 Critical thinking is becoming the job role itself. 36:30 Adaptability remains a human competitive advantage. 38:31 Individual urgency drives professional skill transformation. Resources Mentioned: Andrea Iorio https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaiorio/ AIK | Andrea Iorio Keynotes | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/arte-de-palestrar-adp/ Andrea Iorio Keynotes | Website https://artedepalestrar.com.br/ “Between You and AI” by Andrea Iorio https://betweenyouand.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

    39 min
  5. The Second-Order Impact of AI on Legal Operations

    11/05/2025

    The Second-Order Impact of AI on Legal Operations

    On this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu speaks with Gabriel Buigas, Executive Vice President of Contracts, Compliance and Commercial Services at Integreon. Gabriel shares his unique perspective on legal transformation, drawing on senior leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard, UnitedLex and now Integreon. The discussion explores how generative AI is reshaping the legal function, why disruption rarely comes from incumbents and how forward-looking in-house leaders can self-fund transformation while preparing their teams for the future. Gabriel also highlights the importance of embracing change, investing in young, tech-native talent and learning the business to be an effective legal partner. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 03:53 Incumbents rarely drive industry disruption. Change often comes externally. 07:16 GenAI is transforming legal with rapid, widespread adoption. 10:29 Legal departments should create safe spaces for responsible AI experimentation. 16:10 Forward-thinking legal teams can self-fund transformation through cost savings. 22:06 Start automating routine workloads now before the major changes coming within five years. 25:03 Hiring lawyers who embrace technology accelerates organizational growth and readiness. 28:31 Embracing change and business context makes stronger, future-ready legal professionals. Resources Mentioned: Gabriel Buigas https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-buigas-902953/ Integreon | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/integreon/ Integreon | Website http://www.integreon.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

    31 min
  6. The Future of Legal Teams: Lean, Tech-Driven and Creative

    10/08/2025

    The Future of Legal Teams: Lean, Tech-Driven and Creative

    In this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu talks with Marc Mandel, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Exos. Marc shares his perspective on applying high-performance coaching principles to corporate operations, building efficiency in lean legal teams and adopting AI in ways that deliver practical results. He also explores how AI is changing contracts, legal operations and the very definition of value in professional services. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 04:50 Legal teams increase agility through methodology and tech. 08:51 AI rapidly reviews contracts for insurance compliance. 10:05 AI pre-screens terms, saving non-legal staff time. 12:49 Culture celebrates mastery, autonomy and purpose, fueling innovation. 14:34 AI adoption is accelerating across all industries. 16:09 Creativity is key in AI-driven legal work. 18:40 Law firm pay is shifting to value-based models. 25:17 Future contracts may self-adjudicate using AI. 32:27 AI may influence judicial systems and machine-driven contract interpretation. Resources Mentioned: Marc Mandel https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcmandel/ Exos | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/exos/ Exos | Website http://www.teamexos.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

    36 min
  7. The Ops Leader’s Roadmap for Human-Centric AI Adoption

    09/24/2025

    The Ops Leader’s Roadmap for Human-Centric AI Adoption

    Bob Pulver, Founder and Principal of Elevate Your AIQ, joins host Sagi Eliyahu. Bob draws on decades of enterprise transformation at IBM and NBC to share how AI adoption is less about tools and more about changing behavior and adopting a responsible strategy. Bob dives into what makes AI transformation unique, how leaders can balance hype with readiness and why building AI literacy across the workforce is critical for long-term success. Key Takeaways: 01:53 Early exposure to IBM Watson showed Bob the disruptive potential of AI. 04:26 Process reengineering should come before automation or AI adoption. 09:28 Transformation is more about people and behavior change than technology. 12:25 AI literacy and readiness are essential for organizational survival. 17:13 AI is as disruptive as past shifts but broader in scope. 19:58 The pace of AI advancement outpaces people’s ability to adapt. 23:14 Leaders must critically assess black box AI solutions for risks. 29:18 Responsible adoption requires testing, governance and ethics oversight. 31:25 Knowing your business and fostering collective intelligence drives better decisions. Resources Mentioned: Bob Pulver https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobpulver/ Elevate Your AIQ | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevateyouraiq/ Elevate Your AIQ | Website https://elevateyouraiq.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

    36 min
  8. The 10% Weekly Rule That Transforms Legal Teams and Departments

    09/10/2025

    The 10% Weekly Rule That Transforms Legal Teams and Departments

    In this episode, host Sagi Eliyahu sits down with Marco Imperiale, founder of Better Ipsum, to discuss legal innovation, leadership, and building inclusive business models. The conversation addresses operationalizing vision, the role of empathy in leadership and practical change management for future-ready organizations. 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

    37 min
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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.

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