Start At Zero

By Abhijit Verekar

Start at Zero is a conversation-first podcast about what it actually takes to modernize technology, build a business from scratch, and make sense of AI without the hype. Episodes range from focused

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FAQs about Start At Zero:

How many episodes does Start At Zero have?

The podcast currently has 174 episodes available.

Start At Zero episodes:

March 05, 20265 Budget Decisions That Will Shape Local Government Through 2030
In this episode of Untangled, an experienced public-sector consultant walks through the five critical technology areas local governments must prioritize as they prepare 2026–2027 budgets.
With AI now overtaking cybersecurity as the top strategic priority among state CIOs, agencies face mounting pressure to modernize—without overspending, reacting impulsively, or locking themselves into the wrong tools.
This discussion covers:
Why budgeting for AI products is a mistake—and what to fund instead
How data quality and governance determine whether automation succeeds
Cybersecurity as an operational utility, not a one-time project
Cloud and infrastructure modernization strategies that enable—not block—innovation
ERP replacement decisions and the 80/20 trap most agencies fall into
The episode also outlines eight common budgeting mistakes to avoid, including reactive spending, software bloat, and underfunding foundational capabilities.
Designed for city managers, finance directors, CIOs, procurement leaders, and elected officials, this conversation provides a strategic framework for making disciplined technology decisions that will impact agencies for the next decade—not just the next fiscal year.
#LocalGovernment #GovTech #AIinGovernment #ERP #Cybersecurity #ITStrategy #DigitalTransformation #PublicSectorLeadership
📅 Let’s Stay Connected:
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help!

Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation
➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report

Top Public Sector ERP Systems: :
➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml

Learn More About Avero:
➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com

Connect With Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors

Connect With AV:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar

(865) 415-3848 | [email protected]

©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.
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56min
February 26, 2026 Your Employees Will Reject This ERP Unless You Do This First
ERP implementations don’t fail because of software.
They fail because people were never prepared to change.
In this episode of Untangled, we unpack why so many government ERP projects stall after go-live — even when the technology works — and why treating change management as “training and emails” is a costly mistake.
Using real public-sector examples and the Prosci ADKAR framework, we break down what effective organizational change management actually looks like, why awareness and desire matter more than training, and how underinvesting in the people side of ERP leads to resistance, workarounds, and wasted millions.
If your agency is planning an ERP modernization — or struggling with adoption today — this episode explains what must happen before go-live to make the investment stick.
📅 Let’s Stay Connected:
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help!

Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation
➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report

Top Public Sector ERP Systems: :
➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml

Learn More About Avero:
➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com

Connect With Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors

Connect With AV:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar

(865) 415-3848 | [email protected]

©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.
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24min
February 19, 2026 Government AI Pilots Are Failing — Here’s Why
Over 90% of enterprise AI pilots never make it to production — and in local government, the consequences go far beyond wasted budgets.
In this episode of Untangled, we break down why so many AI initiatives collapse after impressive demos, and what successful agencies do differently. From misaligned problem selection to messy data, vendor-led hype, and the absence of human judgment, this conversation cuts through the noise to explain what AI can actually do today — and where it still falls short.
If your agency is feeling pressure to “do something with AI,” this episode offers a grounded framework for choosing the right pilots, protecting public trust, and investing in technology that delivers real service outcomes — not AI theater.
📅 Let’s Stay Connected:
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help!

Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation
➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report

Top Public Sector ERP Systems: :
➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml

Learn More About Avero:
➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com

Connect With Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors

Connect With AV:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar

(865) 415-3848 | [email protected]

©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.
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35min
February 12, 2026 AI & GovTech: The Race to Do It Right
AV sits down with Vidhu Shekhar, AI thought leader and Microsoft executive, to explore what it really means to lead in the age of artificial intelligence—from space-based data centers to responsible AI adoption in local government.
They unpack the realities behind the "AI race": rapid innovation, vendor hype, overwhelmed agencies, and the hidden costs of chasing shiny tools without a strategy.
Learn why the real path to dominance isn't about speed—it's about service delivery, policy alignment, and building infrastructure that lasts.
This one goes beyond buzzwords. It’s a masterclass in how AI, energy, and public trust all connect.
📅 Let’s Stay Connected:
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help!

Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation
➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report

Top Public Sector ERP Systems: :
➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml

Learn More About Avero:
➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com

Connect With Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors

Connect With AV:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar

(865) 415-3848 | [email protected]

©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.
...more
29min
February 05, 2026 The 90-Day ERP Check: Warning Signs That Predict Project Failure
Most ERP failures don’t come out of nowhere. They announce themselves early — usually within the first 90 days.
In this episode of Untangled, we break down why the first three months of an ERP implementation determine the entire trajectory of the project. From vendor staffing substitutions and early scope conflicts to filtered communication and executive disengagement, the same warning signs appear again and again — long before budgets explode and timelines collapse.
We walk through real public-sector examples, explain why organizations miss these signals, and outline what leaders can still do while leverage exists. Early intervention is uncomfortable, but late intervention is expensive — financially, politically, and organizationally.
If you’re within your first 90 days, this episode is an early warning system. If you’re past them, it’s a diagnostic you can’t afford to ignore.
📅 Let’s Stay Connected:
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help!

Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation
➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report

Top Public Sector ERP Systems: :
➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml

Learn More About Avero:
➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com

Connect With Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors

Connect With AV:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar

(865) 415-3848 | [email protected]

©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.
...more
27min
January 29, 2026 Why Your AI Pilot Will Fail (And What Actually Works Instead)
Most government AI pilots don’t fail because the technology is bad. They fail because the problem was wrong, the data wasn’t ready, the demo lied, and no one defined what success actually meant.
In this Untangled episode, we break down why 90%+ of AI pilots never make it to production — and why flashy demos are often the biggest warning sign. Using real government examples, we explain the difference between AI theater and real operational value, why citizens ask messy questions that demos never show, and how agencies waste millions by buying solutions before understanding their workflows.
This conversation walks through the five most common AI failure points — wrong problem selection, dirty data, demo environments, lack of human oversight, and fake success metrics — and outlines a practical readiness framework agencies can use before spending a dollar.
AI isn’t magic. It’s software. And it only works when you treat it that way.
📅 Let’s Stay Connected:
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help!

Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation
➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report

Top Public Sector ERP Systems: :
➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml

Learn More About Avero:
➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com

Connect With Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors

Connect With AV:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar

(865) 415-3848 | [email protected]

©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.
...more
35min
January 22, 2026 Why ERP Projects Break Down Long Before Go-Live
Most ERP projects don’t fail because of bad software or poor intent. They fail quietly, months or years earlier, when decisions are rushed, assumptions go unchallenged, and foundational work is skipped.
This Untangled episode breaks down the early warning signs most organizations miss: unclear ownership, unrealistic timelines, unvalidated requirements, underestimating change management, and treating ERP as a technology project instead of an organizational transformation. By the time issues surface at go-live, the outcome is already locked in.
ERP success isn’t about perfection — it’s about discipline, sequencing, and honesty early in the process. This conversation focuses on where projects actually go off the rails, and what leaders can do differently before the damage is done.
📅 Let’s Stay Connected:
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help!

Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation
➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report

Top Public Sector ERP Systems: :
➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml

Learn More About Avero:
➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com

Connect With Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors

Connect With AV:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar

(865) 415-3848 | [email protected]

©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.
...more
27min
January 15, 2026 Best of Breed vs All-in-One: The ERP Debate That’s Costing Governments Millions
The best-of-breed versus all-in-one ERP debate is framed as a choice — but that framing is the problem. Both sides are selling you something, and neither is telling the full truth.
In this Untangled conversation, we break down why this isn’t an ideological decision and why agencies that treat it that way lock themselves into a decade of frustration. Best of breed brings depth and specialization — but also integration risk and operational overhead. All-in-one offers simplicity and accountability — but often at the cost of compromised functionality.
Using real government examples, this episode walks through the five questions that actually determine the right approach: how specialized your requirements really are, what your IT team can realistically support, how critical integration is to daily operations, your vendor management maturity, and whether you’re modernizing all at once or in phases.
Most organizations don’t need purity. They need fit. The right answer is usually a deliberate middle ground — one vendors don’t sell, but leaders have to design.
📅 Let’s Stay Connected:
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help!

Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation
➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report

Top Public Sector ERP Systems: :
➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml

Learn More About Avero:
➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com

Connect With Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors

Connect With AV:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar

(865) 415-3848 | [email protected]

©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.
...more
23min
January 08, 2026 Dirty Data: Why Legacy ERP Migrations Fail Before They Start
Your data is dirty. Not because your staff is careless — but because legacy systems were designed to be forgiving. Over decades, phone number fields became notes, dates changed meaning, duplicates piled up, and rules were quietly broken to keep operations moving.
The problem is what happens next. Agencies try to lift that data straight into a modern ERP and are shocked when the system rejects records, reports fail, billing breaks, and audits don’t balance. That isn’t a software failure. It’s a data hygiene failure.
This Untangled episode breaks down why “lift and shift” migrations collapse, how semantic drift corrupts history, and the four-step data hygiene protocol agencies must follow before selecting a vendor. Data cleanup isn’t glamorous — but it’s the difference between a smooth go-live and a public disaster.
#UntangledPodcast #GovernmentIT #ERP #DataMigration #PublicSectorTechnology
📅 Let’s Stay Connected:
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help!

Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation
➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report

Top Public Sector ERP Systems: :
➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml

Learn More About Avero:
➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com

Connect With Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors

Connect With AV:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar

(865) 415-3848 | [email protected]

©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.
...more
13min
January 01, 2026 Bulletproof RFPs: How to Turn Procurement From Opinion Into Math
Most government RFPs aren’t vague because teams are careless — they’re vague because people are trying to be “fair.” Broad language feels safe. In reality, it’s exactly what gets agencies sued, protested, and stalled for years.
In this episode of Untangled, we break down why subjective RFP language turns procurement into a beauty contest — and how vendors use that ambiguity to file protests that agencies can’t defend. We walk through a real-world permitting system case where a city lost two years, millions in revenue, and public trust because the evaluation relied on feelings instead of math.
You’ll learn how to:
• Replace vague requirements with binary, defensible questions
• Use weighted scoring matrices that hold up in court
• Eliminate “support” language that shifts work back to staff
• Turn demos into measurable outcomes instead of gut reactions
• Build an RFP that vendors — and their lawyers — can’t argue with
Procurement doesn’t need to be an art. When you treat it like a science, math does the defending for you.
#Procurement #GovernmentIT #UntangledPodcast #RFPStrategy #PublicSectorLeadership
📅 Let’s Stay Connected:
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help!

Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation
➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report

Top Public Sector ERP Systems: :
➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml

Learn More About Avero:
➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com

Connect With Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors

Connect With AV:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar

(865) 415-3848 | [email protected]

©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.
...more
10min

FAQs about Start At Zero:

How many episodes does Start At Zero have?

The podcast currently has 174 episodes available.