In this dynamic episode of the AI for Business Owners Podcast, host Jeff Torello is joined by Jack P. Flaherty, speaker, author, consultant, C-Suite advisor at The Decision Switch, founder and CEO of Connacht Ventures to discuss how leaders can use AI and automation not just efficiently, but wisely.

Jack shares how his consulting work with executives and tech companies has revealed a common trap: diving into automation without a clear mission. He advocates for a “go slow to go fast” approach where breaking down processes and building modular solutions (think Lego blocks!) creates smarter, safer, and more sustainable AI adoption.

From his experiences automating compliance for California’s new workplace violence law to the risks of blind trust in AI-generated data, Jack brings a pragmatic and deeply insightful perspective on the future of work. Whether you’re a founder, a finance exec, or a process geek, this episode will shift how you think about automation, strategy, and long-term impact.

Key Takeaways

Start with Purpose: Jack warns against rushing into AI without clarity “jumping in without a mission leads to wasted time and misalignment.”

Break it Down to Build it Up: Automation succeeds when you understand your processes deeply and identify which steps require human input.

Modular Thinking Wins: Treat automation like Lego – modular, swappable components minimize disruption and make scaling easier.

1% Everyday Improvement: Inspired by Pat Riley’s coaching style, Jack emphasizes incremental gains that compound over time.

Don’t Trust, Verify: Always validate AI outputs, especially in high-stakes scenarios. Mistakes can erode credibility.

AI Doesn’t Replace Thinking: Tools are only as good as the humans directing them. Deep strategy and oversight remain essential.

Noteworthy Quotes

“Go slow to go fast. Understand your process first then automate.” – Jack P. Flaherty “Everyone wants a home run, but singles win games.” – Jack P. Flaherty “Automation doesn’t replace hard thinking. It still requires oversight.” – Jack P. Flaherty “If you can’t defend the source of your data, your idea won’t survive scrutiny.” – Jack P. Flaherty “Modularity is the key to surviving and thriving with AI.” – Jack P. Flaherty

Key Timestamps 

00:00 – Trailer & Introduction: Meet Jack P. Flaherty and his decision-making philosophy

05:48 – The real cost of offshoring vs. thoughtful automation

11:32 – The power of 1% improvements and cultural change

17:38 – Questioning the meatloaf method: Reinventing broken processes

21:26 – Using AI to automate compliance under new CA legislation

28:12 – Prompt engineering, citations, and avoiding hallucinations

37:45 – Final thoughts: Go small, go smart, go forward

FOLLOW OUR GUEST JACK P. FLAHERTY ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackpflaherty/

Website: https://thedecisionswitch.com/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connacht-ventures/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackpflaherty/

FOLLOW OUR HOST JEFF TORELLO ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/

Website: https://sinjun.ai/

FOLLOW SINJUN AI ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinjunai/

Website: https://sinjun.ai/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/sinjunai

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinjun.ai/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinjun-AI/

FOLLOW AI FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PODCAST ON:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yi0lfb6ZtSuqRvKh6a2e1?si=88f9e649d1f546c8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SinjunAI

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-for-business-owners/id1823255627