How AI transformed Toilville's workflow and team size

How lean can a team really be when AI is built into the workflow? On the podcast Using AI at Work, Peter Swimm, founder of Toilville and former Microsoft product designe, shared how conversational AI has transformed the way he operates. With over 25 years in tech, Peter has seen how tools evolve, but this time, he built something different: an AI-first workflow that replaced dozens of SaaS tools with modular, voice-driven systems. The result? A smaller team that delivers more, with less. In the conversation, Peter explained how: • Lean teams can stretch limited hours into greater output • Running a business for a week entirely on AI revealed surprising lessons • A post-SaaS future may prioritize modular, API-driven tools • Small businesses can adopt AI responsibly without losing control of data His perspective shows that AI isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about reshaping business models, making them feel more natural, sustainable, and human at scale. This episode is packed with practical insights for leaders and teams navigating AI adoption today.

What if AI could make a lean team feel like a full-scale operation? That’s exactly what Peter Swimm has been experimenting with. Peter is the founder of Toilville, and with more than 25 years in tech, including time at Microsoft designing Copilot products, he’s built an AI-first workflow that rethinks how businesses run. On the latest episode of the Using AI at Work podcast, Peter and I explored how he replaced dozens of SaaS tools with conversational AI and modular, API-driven systems that give him control over his workflow and data. We cover:  • How conversational AI changes the way teams collaborate  • Why lean teams can now take on more contracts without adding headcount  • Lessons from running an entire business for a week through AI  • Why the future of apps may be post-SaaS and user-owned  • How small businesses can adopt AI responsibly without falling into hype What stood out most was how natural Peter’s business feels now. Instead of chasing “big fish,” he runs more like a local business, building relationships, reusing content, and serving clients repeatedly, with AI making limited resources go further. If you’ve been wondering what practical AI adoption looks like day-to-day, this is an episode you’ll want to hear.

💼 AI: From Hype to Hard ROI Executives no longer ask “What can AI do?” but “What value does AI deliver?” A recent article on Knowledge at Wharton revisits an episode from the podcast that I hosted, "Where AI works?" and highlights a critical shift: the conversation is moving beyond pilots and flashy demos toward measurable outcomes — efficiency gains, smarter decisions, and new growth opportunities. For leaders, the real play isn’t just adopting AI — it’s aligning it with strategy to create better outcomes, not just better processes. The question to ask in the boardroom isn’t “Are we using #AI?” but “Is #AI moving the needle on business value?” Many thanks to Tereza Nemessanyi for articulating this message and to The Wharton School for creating this podcast series. https://lnkd.in/g7v8eMs2

Here's a game changing "what if" in AI that applies to all industries: "What if the real value of AI isn’t in the technology itself, but in the pain points and problems it solves for business?" "AI deployment is still in its early stages, so success in this space requires a culture that supports rapid iteration, short sprints, and a willingness to explore both vertical and horizontal applications to see what sticks."

Investors in 2025 won’t just ask about ARR, they’ll ask about your AI metrics.   AI is no longer just a “feature” conversation, it’s becoming a boardroom conversation. Here are 3 AI metrics every SaaS leadership team should prepare for:  % of revenue driven by AI features  AI adoption rate across users  Inference cost per customer  Why? Because investors don’t want AI hype, they want AI ROI.  If you can measure it, you can manage it. If you can manage it, you can scale it. Is your leadership team ready to report on AI metrics? #xyloite #waydone #waydoneAi #Aiforsaas #customLLM #gpu #AIin30days #nocode #lowcode

What does it take to design AI agents that not only drive performance but also build trust? Manjeet Singh, Senior Director, AI Product at Salesforce, shares his perspective in this insightful episode of Movate Talks. From the early days of AI innovation to Salesforce’s latest breakthroughs with Agentforce, he explains how human creativity and autonomous AI can come together to transform customer experience. A must-listen for leaders navigating the AI-powered future. Tune in: Apple: https://apple.co/4mlkrFF Spotify: https://lnkd.in/g2VWyvYs #BusinessInsightsUnplugged #AIProduct #CustomerExperience

The AI hype is deafening. Why is it such a production just to get to production—and what does it really take to move beyond pilot purgatory? Celonis recently featured Robb W. (bestselling author of Age of Invisible Machines, CEO of OneReach.ai , and co-host of the Invisible Machines podcast w UX Magazine) in a conversation about exactly that: what it takes to scale AI initiatives, and why maturing beyond pilots is more critical than ever. Worth a read. Even better if you watch the full convo - especially if you’re trying to figure this stuff out, not just talk about it: https://lnkd.in/gPRp6ADm

🚨 The #1 mistake first-time AI PMs make (and how to avoid it) Most teams jump straight into building AI-native products ❌ They skip the basics. ❌ They rely on AI before solving the core problem. ❌ They end up with something cool… but not usable. Here’s the smarter path 👇 ✅ Step 1: Build AI-powered first. - Map the problem. - Build a deterministic flow (rules, workflows, macros). - Aim for ~70% reliability. ✅ Step 2: Layer AI where it compounds. - Ranking, summarization, routing, personalization. - Use AI to close the last-mile gaps. - Take 70% → 100%. What this looks like in real products: - Support: Start with canned replies and forms → then add AI to suggest responses and auto-triage tickets. - Search: Start with filters and keywords → then add AI to understand intent and deliver smarter results. - Operations: Start with manual checklists and validations → then add AI to extract data and flag anomalies. Want the AI PM playbook which Aditya discussed in the podcast for building successful AI Products? Comment “AI PM Playbook” and I’ll DM YOU. PS: Full episode link in the first comment ⬇️

🌍 What does it really take to scale a business in the age of AI? On this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Host, Heidi Schalk sat down with Brandon Powell, CEO of HatchWorks AI, to unpack: 🔹 The role of AI in transforming business operations 🔹 Strategies for sustainable growth and global collaboration 🔹 How to understand client needs to create lasting value 🔹 Why product-market fit is critical during economic uncertainty If you’re leading a team, building a SaaS company, or exploring AI’s impact on growth, this episode is packed with strategies you can put into action. 💡 AI isn’t just about technology, it’s about building stronger, more adaptable businesses. Listen to the full episode ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eNb9bHMP

Governing AI – Welcome to AI Control Tower  https://lnkd.in/gpcnEVGF #podcast #ServiceNow #AI AI is everywhere. Sometimes visible, often hidden, always expanding. Our experts navigate the complex terrain of enterprise AI governance, from shadow AI implementations that operate beyond IT oversight to the regulatory frameworks demanding immediate attention. ServiceNow's Ravi Krishnamurthy, Vice President of Product Management for AI Platform and Responsible AI, unveils AI Control Tower—a solution that brings clarity to chaos. Sampada Chavan, Senior Principal Product Manager, demonstrates how regulatory compliance becomes achievable through systematic governance. Peter Weigt, Sr. Director of Inbound Product Management for Responsible AI, challenges conventional thinking about the innovation paradox and reveals governance as the strategic enabler organizations desperately need. Listen here - https://lnkd.in/gAbH-EhM