Episode Summary

In this episode, Grant Covault and Tyler Davis get real about AI and the way tools like ChatGPT actually fit into day to day business. They dig into the gap between the hype and the reality, the difference between free and paid versions, and why blindly trusting AI is a fast track to sloppy work and bad decisions.

They break down how they use ChatGPT in their own worlds, what it consistently gets wrong, and where it actually creates real value. From SOP building, communication cleanup, and transcription, to research and process improvement, they highlight the practical use cases that work and the pitfalls that don’t.

No sci-fi fantasies. No fearmongering. Just straight talk on how to use AI responsibly and effectively.

What We Cover

• Why the AI hype cycle is misleading

• Free vs paid ChatGPT tiers and how to pick

• Setting up custom instructions and memory

• The “agreeable problem” and how to force real critique

• Research traps, hallucinations, and verification

• Using ChatGPT for SOPs, processes, transcripts, and communication

• Where AI fits today in accounting, marketing, and operations

• Why business leaders need to understand AI even if they don’t like it

Takeaways

AI isn’t a magic assistant, and it’s not replacing anyone tomorrow.

It’s a tool that amplifies what you already do, good or bad.

If you guide it well, it makes your work faster and clearer.

If you don’t, it’ll show up in your output immediately.

Listen and Subscribe

Follow the NextGen Strategies Podcast for real stories and practical strategies to help you build a healthier, smarter business.

Grant and Tyler hit the road to HR Butler’s new Columbus office to talk payroll, taxes, and total compensation with Tyler and Trent from HR Butler.

From overtime and tip credits to Ohio’s messy local tax system and rising benefit costs, this episode dives into what every employer needs to know heading into 2025. If you’ve ever wondered how to make payroll make sense—or how to actually retain people in a competitive market—this one’s worth your time.

In this episode:

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• The truth about the “Big Beautiful Bill”
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• What’s changing for overtime and tips
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• How Ohio’s local taxes really work
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• Why payroll is harder to keep in-house
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• The importance of total compensation statements
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• How benefits and transparency build loyalty
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🎙️ Joining us: Tyler & Trent from HR Butler

Watch more episodes of the NextGen Strategies Podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/@NextGenStrategiesPodcast

#NextGenStrategies #HRButler #Payroll #Taxes #BusinessLeadership #Podcast #HR #Compensation #SmallBusiness #OhioBusiness

We’re back. In this episode, Grant Covault and Tyler Davis kick off Season 2 by reflecting on what we learned from last year, what’s changing this year, and what’s coming next for the NextGen Strategies Podcast.

From lessons learned and standout conversations to exciting new projects on the horizon, this episode sets the tone for what’s ahead.