February 23, 2026

Shipping Real AI: Process Mapping to Automation

47 minutes

In this episode, host Michael Bernzweig talks with Zane Frantzen, VP Platform and Operations at SimplyAsk, about why so many AI projects stall out before they deliver business value. Zane shares three common mindsets that sink initiatives, explains how AI amplifies whatever process reality you already have, and stresses the importance of mapping workflows, clarifying owners, and targeting repetitive, high‑volume tasks. He also covers the hidden costs of building custom AI and why human‑in‑the‑loop designs are key for adoption, compliance, and trust.

Key Topics:

The three common mindsets around AI and how they hinder success

Why mapping and cleaning up workflows is essential before AI implementation

The importance of clear ownership and strategic planning in AI projects

How to identify bottlenecks versus slow tasks in business processes

Reframing "human in the loop" as a feature for compliance and adoption, not failure

Practical steps to build a scalable and reliable AI automation pipeline

The role of process mapping exercises to avoid automation pitfalls

Benefits of targeting high-volume, repetitive workflows for quick wins

How organizational culture influences AI project outcomes

The significance of owning and controlling creative assets in marketing with AI

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and episode overview

00:29 - Zane's career journey pre-SimplyAsk

01:22 - Types of organizations benefiting most from AI automation

02:53 - How high-volume processes drive tangible value

04:42 - Organizational size and impact of AI solutions

07:20 - Recognizing patterns in early discovery calls for AI value

08:49 - Common AI mindsets holding teams back

09:17 - Process mapping exercises to identify true bottlenecks

10:36 - Fixing process issues before deploying AI

11:29 - Building AI solutions versus customizing internally

12:44 - Ownership, security, and liability considerations in AI projects

14:37 - The balance between full automation and human oversight

15:55 - Business realities versus marketing promises in AI adoption

16:44 - Practical tips for AI scaling: fix workflows, define ownership, focus on tangible outcomes

17:39 - The importance of small wins for AI trust and expansion

18:18 - Industries and organizations that see the most value from AI

19:50 - Challenges of internal AI projects and fragmented tools

20:40 - Rebuilding holistic processes with AI integration

21:15 - Managing content and campaigns across silos like organic and paid channels

22:09 - Live Q&A setup and audience interaction

42:18 - Framing "human in the loop" as a strategic feature for adoption

45:22 - Guardrails for responsible AI use and maintaining control over messaging

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By Software Oasis