If you've ever wondered why your technology spend feels more like a cost than a catalyst for growth, this episode is for you. Software architect and founder Rob Broadhead joins us to share how decades of consulting have shaped his approach to tech as an investment.

You'll pick up clear strategies for connecting tools to meaningful business outcomes, figure out why so much software sits unused, and get down-to-earth ideas for process audits and low-effort elimination plays. We also get into practical frameworks for when to build vs. buy, and how to actually harness AI and automation without breaking what works. Tune in for real stories and actionable ideas on making tech serve your business.

Connect With Rob Broadhead
Website: https://rb-sns.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbroadhead/

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Chapters
00:00 What Problem Are You Solving?
00:53 Welcome to Class of Business
01:14 Rob Broadhead’s Background and Approach
01:59 The Story Behind "Developreneur"
02:13 Why Business Owners See Tech as Expense
02:51 Tools, Value, and Real ROI
03:07 When Tech Becomes Strategy, Not Support
04:11 How Mindset Shifts Business Outcomes
04:50 When Tools Fail to Deliver
05:24 Shelfware and Forgotten Investments
06:08 Be Intentional—Training and Follow-Through
06:22 Connecting Tools Directly to Outcomes
06:45 Set Goals Before You Buy
07:45 Metrics Reveal Productive Gaps
08:17 Daily Use and Building Outcomes
08:43 Create Regular Check-Ins and Milestones
09:36 First Steps in a System Audit
10:52 Measuring Real Outputs and Execution
11:15 Prioritizing What to Fix First
12:22 Pain Points vs. Quick Wins
13:18 Fix What Affects the Business Most
14:08 Not Every Broken Process Needs Fixing
14:38 Elimination—The Overlooked Efficiency Tool
15:02 The Limits of Automation and AI
15:16 Why Automate? When to Wait
15:44 Automation Can Multiply Problems
16:28 Document Before You Delegate (or Automate)
17:02 Build vs. Buy—How to Decide
18:21 Evaluating Costs Beyond the Sticker Price
19:32 Identifying Inefficiencies Fast
20:00 Where Is Your Time Going?
21:03 Bottlenecks Reveal Process Gaps
21:44 Real Success Story—Transforming Research Work
22:56 How Better Processes Sharpen Results
24:37 Connecting With Rob Broadhead
25:33 Applying One Idea From the Episode