Recent Posts
Social•Jan 23, 2026
Boost AI Multiples on Exit for Tampa Operators
Are you an owner/operator looking to 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗔𝗜-𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁? Are you in 𝗧𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮? Are you all of the above? If so, join Thomas Cockriel from Trenam Law and me next week. We're going to be covering the top questions that we both get from operators, owners, and execs looking to make the most of AI in their operations and valuations. (send a note to info@bemagentiq.com for more details)
By Ian Barkin
Social•Jan 22, 2026
AI Strategy Must Evolve Beyond Inherited Software by 2026
“𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲?” I ask this when speaking with executives. The answers are usually honest, insightful, and refreshingly self-aware. In a discussion today, someone told me: “We’re still very early. We use AI if it comes pre-packaged in...
By Ian Barkin
Social•Jan 18, 2026
AI Adoption Enters Quiet, Operational Second Act
One thing feels very clear at the moment: We’re entering the second act of AI adoption. The first act was excitement. Demos. Pilots. Bold claims. Useful learning, but also a lot of noise. The second act is quieter. More disciplined....
By Ian Barkin
Social•Jan 17, 2026
Avoid Over‑Humanizing AI Agents with Misleading Analogies
𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 is where you explain a new concept by mapping it onto a familiar one (“this works like…”). With RPA, we used this analogical reasoning to describe the automation of tasks and sequences. It's like '𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘀' are doing the...
By Ian Barkin
Social•Jan 11, 2026
Keep AI Strategy Simple to Achieve Early Success
I’ve had several discussions this week with executives who are still struggling to define and act on clear AI Strategies for their businesses. This is not from a lack of trying. And, it’s certainly not from a lack of experience,...
By Ian Barkin
Social•Jan 8, 2026
Adopt a Ready Position: Business Fundamentals Over Chasing Trends
My daughters play competitive club volleyball 🏐. I love watching the sport. It’s fast, technical, and powerful. One thing their coach talks about constantly is 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. Not a play. Not a trick. Just a stance. Feet set. Weight forward....
By Ian Barkin
Social•Jan 6, 2026
Real Transformation Happens in Quiet, Methodical Change Work
There’s a reason there are so few (no) TV shows about change management and workflow automation. It’s slow. It’s methodical. And honestly, it’s often kind of boring. It would make for crap television. There are no big reveals like cop...
By Ian Barkin
Social•Jan 5, 2026
Transformation Limits: Respect Human Cognitive Load Capacity
I’ve been thinking about a question we don’t ask often enough: Does an enterprise have a cognitive load capacity? Not in a technical sense - but a human one. Every new system, operating model, policy, dashboard, or AI tool asks...
By Ian Barkin
Social•Jan 3, 2026
2026: Pragmatic AI—Define, Demystify, Deliver Real Value
As 2026 begins, I’m setting a few simple goals for myself. No reinvention. No pivots for the sake of noise. Just a continuation of work that’s mattered to me for the last decade. Demystify. AI, automation, and agents don’t need...
By Ian Barkin
Social•Dec 21, 2025
AI's Human Touch Empowers Experts; Enterprises Must Adapt
Thank you R&D Management and Neil G. Jacobson for the solid review of our book, 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙊𝙣 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙄-𝙋𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. The trend towards 'AI becoming more human' - making it easier for anyone with domain expertise and...
By Ian Barkin