Harnessing AI for Business Success

In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt Watson interviews John Morlan, founder and CEO of Smarter Risk, about the transformative impact of AI on startups. John shares his journey of integrating AI into his business, enhancing productivity, and improving collaboration with developers. He discusses the balance between product-led and sales-led growth strategies, the importance of knowledge management, and the challenges of achieving product-market fit. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of hands-on involvement from founders and the evolving role of AI in business operations.
⏱️ Episode Breakdown
00:00 Introduction to AI in Startups
00:57 John's Journey with AI
04:58 Prototyping and Development with AI
09:47 Balancing Coding and Leadership
15:03 Sales vs. Product-Led Growth
19:51 Building a Knowledge Base with AI
24:57 Final Thoughts on AI and Productivity
Links & Resources
Connect with John Morlan on LinkedIn
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If you’re trying to get your team out of the basement and into real product ownership, this episode is your playbook. Stop being a ticket factory. Build teams that think, create, and lead.
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