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Episode 119: Embracing Change - How Technology Shapes Business Strategy

by Hannah Rose | Jul 23, 2025 10:00:00 AM

We’re back with Part 2 of our special anniversary episode! Doug and Jess delve into key insights and reflections from last year as they revisit The Revenue Acceleration Framework. Doug shares how his understanding of the content has evolved, especially with the swift rise of AI. Jess prompts an exploration of new ideas they’ve encountered since the book’s release.

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Additional Resources

Show Notes:

Pre-Show Banter: 

  • Doug thinks we should start taking live callers on the show. Jess says absolutely not. (But if you’re into that idea… let us know 👀📞)
  • It’s a Friday recording, which means yes, things did go off the rails.
  • Jess has been battling Texas weather like a champ. Six inches of rain, surprise floods, and even a tornado watch. Doug? He’s headed to the beach.
  • Jess is cautiously optimistic about Wicked Part 2—but hasn’t bought tickets yet. (Doug thinks it should’ve been called Wickeder Than Ever, and he’s not wrong.)
  • And yes, they both get emotional over Rick Moranis, who famously stepped away from acting to raise his kids. Iconic.

Main Discussion Points: 

  • The 5 Core Tech Principles Still Hold Strong: 

    1. The business process must drive the technology, not the other way around.

    2. The simplest stack that meets the organization or system's needs is the best tech stack.

    3. Automation is the byproduct of a good process, not the objective.

    4. If you can't do it manually, you can't automate it.

    5. Don't buy technology, hire it. Focus on the jobs to be done and solve for the whole business. 

  • Reflecting on Predictions: Doug addresses predictions made in his book and how they align with current business trends, especially in the context of technology and AI.

  • The Importance of AI: The role of AI in business processes and its impact on operational strategies is discussed, marking its omission from the original book. 

  • Defining Your Game: An emphasis on understanding and defining one’s business strategy rather than following the trends set by others. 

  • Frequency of Key Questions: Identifying common questions asked post-book release, including how to know if a business is on the right track and how to implement the strategies discussed. 

  • The “Suck Less” Philosophy: Exploration of the concept that success isn’t about being perfect but rather about continuous improvement. 

Jess’s Takeaways: 

  • The Five Core Tech Principles Still Hold Strong

She highlights the importance of the five principles Doug outlined in the book for implementing an effective tech stack—especially that “automation is the byproduct of good process, not the objective.” These principles are more important (and harder to stick to) than ever.

  • A Strong Central Operating System is Critical

Jess calls out the need for a strong, well-defined central operating system to enable flexibility, resilience, and alignment across a business. It’s something they talk about with clients all the time, but hadn’t touched on much in the show until now.

Next Steps: