Operating Intel

Field Notes.

Unvarnished observations on transformation, AI, and the messy reality of scaling teams.

Operations teams are being told AI will make them obsolete. It won not. But it will change what the job looks like. These posts examine how AI is being wired into revenue operations, customer success ops, and marketing ops, and what that means for the people doing the work.

Laptop displaying code on desk in modern workspace

AI deploymentJun 24, 2026

Why Your AI Pilot Worked But Your Full Deployment Didn't

Two-thirds of companies are stuck in AI pilot mode and can't scale. McKinsey data shows the reason isn't the AI - it's what you do with your processes around it. The gap between a successful pilot and a failed deployment is almost always operational, not technological.

Read Essay 6 MIN READ

Recent Essays

Executive presenting in a boardroom with financial charts and data on screen behind them

AI ROIJun 23, 2026

How to Present AI ROI to Your Board When the Numbers Don't Add Up Yet

Only 39% of companies report measurable EBIT impact from AI. If your board is asking for ROI and you don't have clean numbers yet, here's how to reframe the conversation - lead with the operational metrics that predict financial return before it appears on a P&L.

6 MIN READ

Team reviewing a workflow process map on a whiteboard during an operational planning session

AI-Enabled OperationsJun 19, 2026

Why Your Workflow Automation Platform Isn't Delivering What You Expected

88% of companies are running some form of workflow automation. Only 39% report any business impact. The gap isn't the tool. Here's what's actually getting in the way.

8 MIN READ

Abstract visualization of AI automation replacing traditional software interfaces

AI-Enabled OperationsJun 19, 2026

AI Agents Are Replacing SaaS Tools. Here's What That Actually Means for Your Team.

Enterprise software vendors are repositioning their own products as AI agents. That should tell you something. Here's which tools survive, which don't, and what to do before your next renewal cycle.

7 MIN READ