📥Download the Blog Summary & Contact Details: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/MarkCameronvp

In this episode of the #CriticalFewActions™ Podcast, John Downes speaks with Mark Cameron for AI strategy and implementation business, Alyve. He is one of Australia’s most experienced voices in AI strategy and implementation. With over 100 AI certifications and two decades helping government, education, and business adopt transformational technologies, Mark cuts through the hype to show exactly how medium-sized organisations can win with AI today.

✅ Why AI success starts with your people—not your tech stack

Early wins come from building confidence and habits across your team, not buying new software.

✅ How to move beyond “faster and cheaper” and unlock real innovation

Mark shows how AI can power transformation, not just automation.

✅ What top-performing businesses are doing right now with AI agents

Think beyond tools. Learn how autonomous AI can reshape sales, service, operations, and even mental health support.

✅ The gotchas that stall most AI efforts—and how to avoid them

From undercooked policies to vendor over-promises, Mark lays out the traps and how to navigate them.

✅ How to design an AI-enabled business from the ground up

Even if you’re well-established, you can pivot with purpose and start capturing serious ROI.

00:00 – AI Hype or Business Advantage?

00:26 – Meet Mark Cameron: AI Obsessive Turned Strategist

01:20 – How Mark Predicted the AI Boom

04:09 – What AI Really Means for Medium Businesses

06:14 – From Cost Cutter to Growth Engine

09:45 – 3 Levels of Maturity: Crawl, Walk, Run

18:40 – Sales & Knowledge Use Cases You Can Start Now

29:03 – The Case for AI Agents (And How They’ll Outnumber Staff)

32:01 – Why Early Training Beats Big Governance

34:20 – Next-Level Automation: The Future is Fast

36:10 – Chatbots, SOPs, and Smart Customer Service

38:17 – AI in Wellbeing: Supporting Mental Health at Work

39:55 – Where You’ll Find the Biggest Wins

44:59 – Common Pitfalls in AI Adoption

53:38 – Strategic Planning for the AI Era

55:00 – #CriticalFewActions™

🧠 Ask your team: Where are we wasting time or missing insight?

📋 Run a quick “AI current state” assessment to map opportunity.

📣 Comment below: What’s one AI idea you’ve quietly tested in your business?

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AI isn’t coming. It’s...