The Backlog | Inspiring conversations by ADAPTOVATE

Every executive says they know where AI needs to take their business. So why are so few actually getting there? In this episode, Paul McNamara, CEO of ADAPTOVATE, joins Douglas Ross (CEO of Enterprise AI) to unpack new research on the widening gap between AI ambition and AI execution. Paul explains why personal productivity tools aren't a strategy, why 61% of leaders believe failing to embed AI within two years could be fatal to their business, and how "citizen developer teams," AI champions, and old fashioned gut feel are reshaping how organizations actually get things done. If you've built the roadmap but can't seem to move past pilots, this one's for you.Download the Report https://www.adaptovate.com/AIreport2026

David Gumley sits down with Douglas Ross, CEO of Enterprise AI, to dig into where Australian organisations genuinely stand on the AI maturity curve — and why most are still closer to a good demo than a real business outcome. From world-leading work in building permits to what financial services firms are quietly getting right, Douglas shares what separates the companies making real progress from those spinning their wheels. Plus, why the biggest barrier to AI adoption isn't the technology at all.

For years, private equity has quietly held a competitive advantage that most corporate leaders don't even know exists: direct access to world-class experts who can answer the questions no report, consultant or AI tool can.In this episode of The Backlog Podcast, ADAPTOVATE Managing Director David Gumley sits down with Charlie Ross, Founder of Triangulate Knowledge, Australia's first expert network, to explore how organisations are closing that gap and making smarter, faster decisions through primary research and real-world expertise.Charlie shares why corporate Australia is only just waking up to this opportunity, how AI is augmenting rather than replacing human knowledge, and what today's most pressing challenges from Middle East energy uncertainty to the rise of defence investment are driving organisations to ask right now.

https://www.triangulateknowledge.comhttps://www.adaptovate.com

That's the question every leadership team should be asking — but most aren't. MD, Dave Gumley of ADAPTOVATE joins the Backlog podcast to challenge the "bolt-on" approach to AI and make the case for building organisations where AI isn't a tool, it's a way of working.

Host this episode is Kath Haigh, from ADAPTOVATE.

In this episode of The Backlog Podcast, David Gumley sits down with Poppy Lucas to unpack why change management continues to fail despite heavy investment in transformation. They explore the real blockers—change fatigue, lack of behavioral adoption, and misaligned leadership—and outline what it takes to build lasting change capability in a world of constant disruption and AI acceleration.

Is loyalty dead, or simply misunderstood?

In this episode of The Backlog, Laura Scott speaks with Ohad Sternberg, Founder of UpNonStop, about how loyalty has evolved across airlines, retail, and enterprise technology.

They examine why points and rewards increasingly function as abstract currency, how gamification shapes customer behavior, and why emotional connection drives decisions more powerfully than discounts.

From airline status chasing to supermarket subscriptions and B2B customer success, this conversation explores the structural elements that make loyalty programs effective and the trust dynamics that sustain long-term relationships.

For executives, marketers, and consultants focused on retention and customer value, this episode provides a grounded perspective on the emotional economics of loyalty in 2026.

Visit:

www.adaptovate.com

www.upnonstop.com

Is loyalty dead, or simply misunderstood?

In this episode of The Backlog, Laura Scott speaks with Ohad Sternberg, from Up Non-Stop, about how loyalty has evolved across airlines, retail, and enterprise technology.

They examine why points and rewards increasingly function as abstract currency, how gamification shapes customer behavior, and why emotional connection drives decisions more powerfully than discounts.

From airline status chasing to supermarket subscriptions and B2B customer success, this conversation explores the structural elements that make loyalty programs effective and the trust dynamics that sustain long-term relationships.

For executives, marketers, and consultants focused on retention and customer value, this episode provides a grounded perspective on the emotional economics of loyalty in 2026.

Visit:

Visit:https://www.adaptovate.comhttps://www.upnonstop.com/

Laura Scott - Managing Director and Partner at ADAPTOVATE Australia is joined in the season four premiere of The Backlog, by Connor Hershkowitz to discuss the importance of OKR's.Visit www.adaptovate.com for more information

Laura Scott is in conversation with Julia Palmer, CEO and Founder of Relatus.

Relatus help you build the Human Advantage - the relational capability to connect with purpose, influence with integrity, and invest in ecosystems that create lasting success.

Find out more:

http://www.adaptovate.com/

https://www.relatus.com.au/

In this episode of The Backlog, host Laura Scott is joined by Alex Rebkowski to introduce ADAPTOVATE’s new vertical: Capability Uplift. They dive into our training and coaching offerings—focusing on how organizations can scale both AI and Agility to transform the way they work and deliver impact.Learn more at https://www.adaptovate.com/training-by-adaptovate/