People are the Point with Mark Concannon

Mark Concannon
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Welcome to People are the Point — the podcast where mid-market leaders share what’s really working when it comes to growth, efficiency, and people in the age of AI. Hosted by Mark Concannon, each episode dives into real conversations with CEOs, CXOs, and transformation experts who are using AI and modern strategy to: - Unlock new revenue through smarter sales and marketing - Streamline operations for maximum efficiency - Reshape teams and culture for the future of work

  1. Mar 31

    S02E16 | AI Builds Campaigns Fast But Sales Still Need Human Trust | Amy Barzdukas

    The “AI will replace marketers” narrative is a broken system myth. What nobody tells you about AI in marketing is this: it’s not eliminating talent it’s exposing outdated strategy, weak thinking, and slow execution. In this powerful conversation, Amy Barzdukas reveals the hidden truth behind AI driven marketing, answer engine optimization, and the uncomfortable reality of staying relevant in the age of AI. As Chief Marketing Officer at Delta Electronics, Amy Barzdukas brings decades of experience from Microsoft, HP, and high growth tech companies to break down how AI is actually transforming modern marketing. This is not theory. This is how global marketing leaders are using AI right now to move faster, think smarter, and win. 🎯 What you will explore:🔹 The Death of Traditional SEO and Rise of AI Answers🔹 Synthetic Audiences Replacing Expensive Market Research🔹 Vibe Coding and Building Websites in One Day🔹 Why AI Still Cannot Replace Human Closing Power From AI generated campaigns to agent driven workflows, Amy shares how her team uses AI daily to accelerate execution without sacrificing creativity or control. Learn how to leverage LLMs for audience insights, scale content creation, and optimize for how machines actually read your brand. If you are in marketing, growth, SaaS, or tech leadership this episode will completely shift how you think about AI adoption. 🔗 Connect with Amy Barzdukas:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-barzdukas/🔗 Learn more about Delta Electronics:Website: http://www.deltaww.com/en-US/index I hope you enjoyed this episode! - Mark and the People are the Point podcast teamLike and subscribe to never miss new content. #PeopleAreThePoint #AIBusinessStrategy #MidMarketLeadership #DigitalTransformation #BusinessGrowth #AIInBusiness #LeadershipPodcast #OperationalExcellence #FutureOfWork #ScalingWithAI #Explorepage

    21 min

  2. Mar 24

    S02E15 | Manufacturing & AI: Humans Still Rule the Factory Floor | Alex Allen

    In a world obsessed with automation, AI, and robotics, the uncomfortable reality is that humans still outperform machines in complex manufacturing environments. Alex Allen, Chief Operations Officer at James Skinner Baking Company, exposes the hidden truths about AI in production, lean operations, and factory turnarounds. Forget what nobody tells you about instant AI miracles—this is the real story behind the data, the patterns, and the people who make manufacturing hum. Alex dives deep into the hands-on challenges of modern baking production, why some automation fails, and how AI can only truly thrive in factories that already have clean, actionable data. From pattern recognition and predictive analytics to the strategic role of managers on the floor, this episode is packed with actionable frameworks, bold opinions, and practical strategies for anyone scaling operations in the age of AI. Discover how turnaround expertise meets technology, why overly automated factories can backfire, and how thoughtful human oversight drives both efficiency and innovation. Alex also breaks down the cost-benefit realities of robotics, explains why “one-size-fits-all” AI dashboards are misleading, and shares his vision for how the next generation of manufacturing leaders can leverage technology without losing the human touch. I hope you enjoyed this episode! - Mark and the People are the Point podcast team Like and subscribe to never miss new content. #PeopleAreThePoint #AIBusinessStrategy #MidMarketLeadership #DigitalTransformation #BusinessGrowth #AIInBusiness #LeadershipPodcast #OperationalExcellence #FutureOfWork #ScalingWithAI #Explorepage

    22 min

  3. Mar 17

    S02E14 | AI Adoption Fails Without A Plan Or Accountability | Dean Curtis

    The AI hype is broken, the sales system is outdated, and most companies are blindly chasing automation without results. This conversation exposes the hidden truth about AI in business, why most teams fail to scale it, and the uncomfortable reality leaders avoid when it comes to real customer experience transformation. If you think AI replaces humans, this episode will challenge everything you believe about the future of sales, leadership, and growth. In this powerful episode, Dean Curtis, CEO of Ingage.io, breaks down how AI is actually reshaping business operations, not replacing them. Drawing from real-world leadership experience, Dean introduces the concept of an AI maturity ladder, showing how organizations can move from experimentation to measurable impact. He shares how high-performing teams are using AI to enhance customer experience, streamline sales processes, and eliminate inefficiencies without losing the human edge. This episode goes beyond surface-level AI trends and dives into what actually works, what fails, and how leaders can navigate change in high-pressure sales environments.I hope you enjoyed this episode! - Mark and the People are the Point podcast team Like and subscribe to never miss new content. #PeopleAreThePoint #AIBusinessStrategy #MidMarketLeadership #DigitalTransformation #BusinessGrowth #AIInBusiness #LeadershipPodcast #OperationalExcellence #FutureOfWork #ScalingWithAI #Explorepage

    21 min

  4. Mar 10

    S02E13 | The AI Hype Cycle: Big Promises, Real Risks | Margaret Rogers

    The AI revolution is being sold as the ultimate productivity miracle, but the uncomfortable reality inside boardrooms is far more complex. Behind the hype of generative AI, automation, and digital transformation lies a broken narrative about how businesses actually evolve. In this powerful conversation, Margaret Rogers, CEO of Pariveda Solutions, reveals the hidden truth about AI adoption, leadership development, and the outdated strategies many organizations are still using while the pace of technology accelerates faster than ever. In this episode, Margaret Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Pariveda Solutions, shares deep insights from more than two decades in consulting and digital transformation. She explains why AI hype cycles mirror past technology booms, why organizations must rethink how they train future leaders, and why blindly chasing automation could create serious long term talent gaps. Rather than replacing humans, Margaret argues that AI will reshape the nature of work by removing busy work while elevating creativity, critical thinking, and leadership. She also reveals why companies experimenting with AI through small proof of concepts often outperform those making massive bets too early. I hope you enjoyed this episode! - Mark and the People are the Point podcast team Like and subscribe to never miss new content. #PeopleAreThePoint #AIBusinessStrategy #MidMarketLeadership #DigitalTransformation #BusinessGrowth #AIInBusiness #LeadershipPodcast #OperationalExcellence #FutureOfWork #ScalingWithAI #Explorepage

    29 min

  5. Mar 3

    S02E12 | Custom Software That Beats Off-The-Shelf Tools | Grace Schroeder

    The SaaS addiction is breaking your business and nobody wants to say it. Vendor lock in, AI price hikes, bloated tech stacks and outdated automation strategies are silently draining mid market companies. While Big Tech sells you another “AI powered” upgrade, the hidden truth is this: if you don’t own your software and your agents, you don’t own your future. In this explosive conversation, Grace Schroeder, Founder of Slinger, dismantles the broken system of enterprise software and explains why the future of AI automation is open source, decentralized, and owned by you. Grace shares how Slinger evolved from one of the early low code platforms into an open source framework built for custom software, agentic AI, and real business control. Instead of renting your automation through SaaS platforms like Salesforce, NetSuite, or Slack, she argues companies must own their IP, build internal agent forces, and eliminate vendor lock in. From AI roadmap strategy to security risks in vibe coding, this episode covers business automation, digital transformation, AI security, and the build versus buy debate in a way few founders dare to. I hope you enjoyed this episode! - Mark and the People are the Point podcast team Like and subscribe to never miss new content. #PeopleAreThePoint #AIBusinessStrategy #MidMarketLeadership #DigitalTransformation #BusinessGrowth #AIInBusiness #LeadershipPodcast #OperationalExcellence #FutureOfWork #ScalingWithAI #Explorepage

    26 min

  6. Jan 6

    S02E11 | Navigating the AI Landscape and Peace University | Ziad Khan

    Join host Mark Concannon in this insightful episode of People Are The Point as he speaks with Ziad Khan, a visionary who's seamlessly blended his diverse background and experiences—from his roots in Pakistan and reflections post-9/11—into the founding of Peace University. This conversation delves deep into the transformative role of AI in education and society. Ziad offers a compelling perspective on the future, arguing that AI will create jobs and should be viewed as a tool that organizes information and enhances, not replaces, human life. Key Discussion Points 💡-The Birth of Peace University: Hear Ziad's inspiring journey and how the university aims to foster interfaith dialogue and essential skills building.-AI and Job Displacement: Ziad addresses common concerns, drawing historical parallels to show how technology consistently creates more opportunities than it destroys, emphasizing that human intelligence will always remain ahead of artificial intelligence.-Human Responsibility & Ethics: A critical look at the balance between leveraging technology and maintaining human responsibility, underscoring the paramount importance of ethical considerations in AI development.-Generational Shifts: An exploration of how different generations adopt and interact with new technologies.-The Critical Need for Peace: Concluding thoughts on the essential role of peace and reducing societal stress for individual and collective well-being. I hope you enjoyed this episode! - Mark and the People are the Point podcast team Like and subscribe to never miss new content. #PeopleAreThePoint #AIBusinessStrategy #MidMarketLeadership #DigitalTransformation #BusinessGrowth #AIInBusiness #LeadershipPodcast #OperationalExcellence #FutureOfWork #ScalingWithAI #Explorepage

    25 min

  7. 12/30/2025

    S02E10 | Navigating the AI Revolution in Employment | Jim Krigbaum

    In this conversation, Jim Krigbaum discusses the transformative impact of AI on employment, particularly in small businesses and the global labor market. He highlights how AI is changing job dynamics, especially in low-wage sectors, and emphasizes the importance of adapting to these changes through education and skill development. The discussion also touches on the efficiency of supply chains and the future of manufacturing in relation to AI advancements. I hope you enjoyed this episode! - Mark and the People are the Point podcast team

    25 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    S02E09 | AI as a force multiplier | Sean Farrell

    In this episode, Mark Concannon sits down with Sean Farrell, CEO of Quality Data Systems, to break down how AI is reshaping the financial services and banking industry. Sean shares practical insights on using AI as a force multiplier—helping employees work smarter, improving customer experiences, and accelerating low-risk loan decisions without compromising trust or oversight. The conversation explores the realities of modernizing legacy banking systems, the importance of strong communication during tech adoption, and how data analytics is becoming a competitive advantage for financial institutions. Sean also highlights why AI should enhance human roles, not replace them, and how celebrating early wins can help teams embrace new technology with confidence. Perfect for anyone interested in AI in banking, financial services technology, risk management, data analytics, automation, digital transformation, employee empowerment, and customer-focused innovation. ⭐ Key Takeaways- AI acts as a force multiplier when applied strategically.- “Trust but verify” is crucial for safe and responsible AI implementation.- Streamlining customer service processes can significantly enhance user experience.- AI can accelerate low-risk loan decisions without increasing exposure.- Automation reduces operational costs while meeting rising consumer expectations.- Data analytics is becoming indispensable in modern financial institutions.- I helps detect unusual trends and behaviors that impact risk management.- Clear communication and alignment are essential during technology rollouts.- Celebrating small wins builds employee confidence and accelerates adoption.- AI should empower people, not replace the human expertise that drives banking. I hope you enjoyed this episode! - Mark and the People are the Point podcast team

    23 min
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About

Welcome to People are the Point — the podcast where mid-market leaders share what’s really working when it comes to growth, efficiency, and people in the age of AI. Hosted by Mark Concannon, each episode dives into real conversations with CEOs, CXOs, and transformation experts who are using AI and modern strategy to: - Unlock new revenue through smarter sales and marketing - Streamline operations for maximum efficiency - Reshape teams and culture for the future of work

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Concannon
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mark Concannon