There Must Be A Better Way

Mackensie, Treve & Niall

There Must Be a Better Way is the podcast for anyone who’s ever muttered, “Why is this so hard?” while digging through folders, chasing documents, or trying to make sense of their company’s information chaos. Hosted by voices from New Zealand and Ireland, we'll talk with guests around the globe about what actually works. This easy-going, internationally flavoured show dives into the everyday frustrations of information management, and explores smarter, saner ways to handle it. Because let’s be honest… there MUST be a better way.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    There Must Be A Better Way: An Interview with John Mancini, the Godfather of Information Management

    The Past, Present & Future of Document Management | Featuring John Mancini What did we get right about document management over the last 30 years? What did we get completely wrong? And why has AI suddenly made information management one of the most important business conversations again? In this episode of There Must Be A Better Way, we're joined by industry legend John Mancini: former President of AIIM, author, speaker and one of the most respected voices in information management. Together, John, Treve, Niall and Mackensie explore how the industry has evolved from the dream of the "paperless office" to today's AI revolution, why metadata and context matter more than ever, and why organisations that don't get control of their information today risk being left behind tomorrow. Whether you're an IT leader, business executive, records manager or simply curious about how AI is changing the way organisations work, this conversation is packed with practical insights and decades of experience. In this episode you'll learn: Why the paperless office never happenedThe biggest misconceptions about AI in businessWhy context is more important than contentThe role metadata plays in successful AI initiativesWhy governance is becoming a competitive advantageHow businesses should prepare before implementing AIThe future of document management and information management If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to subscribe and follow There Must Be A Better Way for more conversations about AI, information management and digital transformation. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meet John Mancini 01:31 The paperless office and the biggest predictions that never happened 06:03 Why information management is a business problem, not an IT problem 08:45 The hidden value in unstructured information 10:31 Why AI can't work without context 12:10 AI gives us capabilities we've never had before 14:02 Trusted information, metadata & a single source of truth 16:22 Why organisations need governance before AI 21:08 Is AI different from every technology shift before it? 23:06 The biggest misconception about AI in business 24:38 "We want AI... but where do we start?" 29:02 Why businesses need an AI strategy, not just AI tools 31:35 Using AI to improve information governance 34:24 What excites and concerns John about the future 37:06 Why younger generations are more cautious about AI 39:13 AI in business vs AI in creativity 46:07 Is AI analysing sales calls a good use case? 47:40 Why human expertise will always matter 53:28 Why organisations spend years overthinking information management 56:43 Information is a business asset, not just an IT problem 1:00:09 Final thoughts & farewell Topics: AI, Artificial Intelligence, Document Management, Information Management, Enterprise Content Management, ECM, Metadata, AI Governance, Digital Transformation, Business Automation, Knowledge Management, Information Governance, M-Files, Microsoft Copilot, John Mancini, AIIM, Enterprise AI, Business AI, Future of Work, There Must Be A Better Way Podcast

  2. Jun 11

    There Must Be a Better Way to Manage Workflow (Ep3: Workflow)

    Episode 3: There Must Be a Better Way to Manage Workflow Welcome back to There Must Be a Better Way! In this episode, Mackensie, Treve, Niall, and special guest Sandra Bembenek from Strickland Solutions all the way in the USA, dive into one of the biggest hidden causes of inefficiency in modern organisations: workflow. Most businesses think they have processes. In reality, many are relying on spreadsheets, emails, shared inboxes and people's memories to keep work moving. We explore why missed approvals, bottlenecks and disconnected systems create risk, slow down decision-making, and make it harder for teams to do their jobs effectively. From approval processes and audit trails, to mobile workforces and AI-ready information management, we discuss why workflow isn't just about efficiency - it's about accountability, visibility and confidence. In this episode we talk about: Why spreadsheets and email often become accidental workflow toolsThe hidden risks of approval bottlenecks and missed deadlinesHow automated workflows improve visibility and accountabilityWhy audit trails matter for compliance and decision-makingThe importance of trusted information and a single source of truthHow workflow helps capture institutional knowledge before it walks out the doorWhy context and structure are essential for AI and future automationThe role workflow plays in creating a more productive, less stressful workplaceIf you've ever thought "there must be a better way to keep work moving..." this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Meet Special Guest Sandra Bembenek 01:24 What Workflow Really Means in Modern Business 05:57 Spreadsheets as Accidental Workflow Systems 11:08 Visualising Workflow and Process Bottlenecks 17:27 Shared Inboxes, Folders & Workflow Challenges 20:49 Mobile Workforces and Information on Demand 24:10 Real-World Workflow Examples from Oil & Gas and Pharmaceuticals 26:21 Approvals, Rejections and Audit Trails 27:57 Escalations, Accountability and Visibility 33:49 Why Email Creates Workflow Chaos 35:22 Capturing Institutional Knowledge Through Process 39:03 Building Flexible Processes for Changing Business Needs 42:07 External Stakeholders, Auditors and Trusted Information 46:13 The Cost of Approval Delays and Bottlenecks 50:31 Managing Risk Through Better Processes 52:57 Workflow, AI and the Importance of Context 56:10 The Business Case for Workflow Automation 01:05:23 One Thing Every Organisation Should Change 01:08:53 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up Topics: Workflow Automation, Business Processes, Information Management, Approval Processes, Audit Trails, Productivity, AI, Metadata, Digital Transformation, Document Management, Operational Efficiency, M-Files

  3. May 7

    There Must Be a Better Way to be Compliant (Ep2: Compliance)

    Welcome back to There Must Be a Better Way! In this episode, Mackensie, Treve, and Niall tackle one of the most misunderstood (and often dreaded) parts of business: compliance. Instead of treating compliance as a box-ticking exercise or a necessary evil, we explore a different perspective - what if compliance could actually support the way we work, rather than interrupt it? From audit stress and scattered systems, to fear-driven decision making, we unpack why so many organisations struggle to stay compliant, and how a better approach can remove friction, reduce risk, and even create real business value. In this episode we talk about: The biggest misconceptions about compliance (and why it’s not just a cost)Why compliance often feels like a burden, and how fear drives poor decisionsThe hidden risks of managing compliance across multiple disconnected systemsWhy audits are so disruptive (and how they don’t have to be)How “compliance by design” can embed compliance into everyday processesThe role of metadata, automation and AI in reducing human errorWhy compliance is everyone’s responsibility, not just one team’s jobIf you’ve ever thought “there must be a better way to stay compliant without slowing everything down…” this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back & Episode Overview 00:38 Reframing Compliance: From Fear to Enablement 02:48 The Reality of Compliance Across Industries 05:35 The Cost of Compliance (and Why It’s Misunderstood) 08:35 Finance, Procurement & Everyday Compliance Challenges 12:00 The Scale and Complexity of Modern Compliance 14:25 Siloed Systems and Organisational Disconnect 17:37 A Better Way: Designing Compliance Into Processes 21:40 Common Misconceptions About Compliance 23:00 Reactive vs Proactive Compliance (Audits, GDPR & Beyond) 29:30 Compliance as Process, Not Just Policy 36:00 The True Cost of Audits 39:00 Reducing Operational Friction with Better Systems 43:00 Breaking Down Silos Across the Business 47:00 Is Compliance Everyone’s Responsibility? 48:00 AI, Automation & the Future of Compliance 50:55 Final Thoughts & What’s Next Topics: Compliance, Information Management, Audits, AI, Metadata, Automation, Business Processes, Risk Management, Digital Transformation, M-Files, Operational Efficiency

  4. Mar 5

    There Must Be a Better Way to Find What I Need (Ep1: Search)

    Welcome to the very first episode of There Must Be a Better Way! Mackensie, Treve (NZ) and Niall (Ireland) dive into one of the biggest frustrations in modern workplaces: why is it still so hard to find information? From endless folders and duplicate documents to “version_final_FINAL_v3”, we unpack the chaos most organisations are dealing with every day, and why it’s not actually the user’s fault. In this episode we talk about: Why employees spend so much time searching for informationThe real reason content chaos exists in organisationsWhy AI can’t fix bad information managementHow metadata and better systems can completely change the way businesses work If you’ve ever thought “there must be a better way to find what I need…” this podcast is for you. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Experts and Podcast Purpose 01:08 Treve and Niall's Backgrounds and Expertise 02:48 The Core Issue: Search and Findability in Business 05:14 The Cost of Poor Search: Wasted Time and Money 08:35 The Organizational Roots of Content Chaos 11:36 The Role of Leadership and Strategy in Content Management 14:29 The Power of Context and Metadata in AI 17:46 AI Readiness and the Future of Content Management 21:34 The Impact of Microsoft Endorsement on M-Files Adoption 26:33 The Limitations of Current Systems and the Need for Structure 38:07 What One Thing Would Improve Findability Most 39:11 The Future of AI and Content Management 41:28 The Strategic Value of Managing Information Effectively 43:38 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts Topics: Information Management, Search, AI, Metadata, Content Chaos, M-Files, Digital Transformation, Document Management, Business Efficiency, Knowledge Management

  5. Trailer

    There Must Be A Better Way - Podcast Teaser

    Every good podcast needs a good intro… If you’ve ever been frustrated trying to find information at work… you’re going to feel very seen. Episodes coming soon!

Trailer

About

There Must Be a Better Way is the podcast for anyone who’s ever muttered, “Why is this so hard?” while digging through folders, chasing documents, or trying to make sense of their company’s information chaos. Hosted by voices from New Zealand and Ireland, we'll talk with guests around the globe about what actually works. This easy-going, internationally flavoured show dives into the everyday frustrations of information management, and explores smarter, saner ways to handle it. Because let’s be honest… there MUST be a better way.

Information

  • Creator
    Mackensie, Treve & Niall
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mackensie, Treve & Niall
  • Show Website
    There Must Be A Better Way