Episode 314 features Adam Danyleyko from AMII (the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute) breaking down what AMII actually does and how they help organizations move from AI curiosity to real adoption. Adam explains AMII’s foundation in world class research and how the institute translates that research into industry impact by supporting everyone from startups to large corporations through training, shared AI language inside teams, roadmap building, and hands on proof of concept work.

The real lesson of the episode is that adapting to AI starts with clarity, not hype. Adam walks through how the “right tool for the problem” mindset changes everything, why data strategy matters especially for startups, and why AI projects often require experimentation with no guaranteed outcome the way a typical software build might. He also touches on where AI is headed next through more efficient models, edge computing, and practical real world constraints, plus how AMII screens work through a principled AI lens focused on impact, fairness, and responsible use.

Additional note: This episode also marks three years of The Business Development Podcast.

Follow Adam Danyleyko on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-danyleyko/

Learn more about AMII: https://www.amii.ca

Key Takeaways:

1. AI is not a strategy on its own; it only works when it supports a clearly defined business problem.
2. Starting with the tool instead of the bottleneck almost always leads to wasted time and stalled initiatives.
3. Businesses need a shared AI language internally before they can successfully adopt or scale it.
4. Data readiness matters more than model choice when it comes to real-world AI outcomes.
5. AI projects often require experimentation, iteration, and learning rather than guaranteed deliverables.
6. The right AI solution depends on context, constraints, and environment, not what is trending.
7. Building internal capability is more sustainable than outsourcing all AI decision-making.
8. Responsible AI requires intentional choices around fairness, impact, and long-term use.
9. AI works best as an amplifier of good processes, not a fix for broken ones.
10. Organizations that adapt to AI successfully treat it as infrastructure, not a magic product.

This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly sponsored by Hypervac Technologies and Hyperfab, our 2026 Title Sponsors. We’re incredibly grateful for their continued support of the show and the work they do building world-class industrial solutions right here in Canada. Hypervac and Hyperfab represent innovation, reliability, and execution at the highest level, and we genuinely appreciate them being part of this journey.

If you’re in the industrial space, we highly encourage you to check them out at www.hypervac.com.

If you’re the kind of...

In episode 313, Kelly shares a hard lesson from a time he tried to “help” a client by booking a series of account management meetings he was not going to attend. The introductions were easy because the trust and credibility were already built, and the prospects said yes because of Kelly’s relationship with them. But once the client missed one meeting, then another, Kelly realized the damage was landing on his name, not theirs. Instead of doing business development, he found himself apologizing, rescheduling, and working to repair relationships that took years to earn.

The core message is simple and sharp: if you are not accountable for the outcome, you should not be booking the meeting. Kelly breaks down exactly what went wrong and how quickly credibility can be spent when you put yourself in the middle of a process you do not control. He closes with clear principles to protect your reputation: only book what you are willing to own, control the first impression, treat your network like equity, remove yourself as the middleman, and ensure accountability before opening doors.

Key Takeaways:

1. If your name is on the meeting, you are accountable for the outcome whether you attend or not.
2. Credibility is currency in business development and every introduction spends a little of it.
3. Never book meetings you cannot personally control or confidently stand behind.
4. Acting as the middleman without authority puts all the risk on you and none of the control.
5. First impressions set the tone for the entire relationship so be present to guide them.
6. Good intentions do not protect your reputation. Boundaries do.
7. Relationships built over years can be damaged quickly by missed expectations.
8. Accountability must exist before opportunity or you are gambling with trust.
9. Your network is equity, not loose change. Treat every intro like it costs something.
10. Protecting your reputation is more important than trying to help or say yes to everything.

This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by our 2026 Title Sponsor, Hypervac Technologies, North America’s leading manufacturer of industrial vacuum and hydro excavation trucks. If you are looking for world class equipment built for performance, reliability, and the toughest job sites, check them out at www.hypervac.com and see why so many companies trust Hypervac to power their operations.

Got a wild, funny, unbelievable, or unforgettable story from your time at work? Submit your story to I Used To Work There and you might be featured on the show. Email us at hr@IUsedToWorkThere.com and we’ll send you the quick intake form and recording options. We review every submission and would love to hear yours.

If you want to connect more directly, ask questions, and grow alongside other driven leaders, join The Catalyst Club. It’s Kelly Kennedy’s private leadership and business development community built for leaders by leaders, with live sessions,...

Episode 312 of The Business Development Podcast features a practical and candid conversation with Gordon Sheppard, CEO of Executive Wins, about what really holds teams and organizations back from growth. Drawing on more than 25 years of executive coaching experience, Gordon shares what happens behind the scenes when businesses stall, leaders feel overwhelmed, and execution breaks down. Instead of chasing strategy or quick fixes, he explains why structure, accountability, and difficult conversations are often the true levers that create lasting change.

Together, Kelly and Gordon dig into the habits of high-performing leaders, how to build teams that actually execute without constant supervision, and the simple but powerful questions every CEO should be asking themselves. This episode is a grounded, no-nonsense look at leadership in the real world, offering clear insights for founders and operators who want fewer fires, stronger teams, and consistent, scalable wins.

Check out Executive Wins: https://executivewins.com/

Check out The Executive Wins Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1P1NEQVF744tV6xEjm5vRC

Key Takeaways:

1. Strategy rarely breaks businesses. Poor execution does. Most growth problems are alignment and accountability issues, not planning issues.
2. Leaders often hold onto too much. If everything funnels through you, your team isn’t built to scale without you.
3. Hard conversations are not optional. Avoiding them quietly compounds dysfunction inside teams.
4. Behavior change beats theory. Real leadership impact happens when people change what they do, not just what they know.
5. Status quo is usually the hidden decision. If nothing changes after the meeting, you’ve already chosen comfort over growth.
6. Great coaches and leaders ask better questions, not give better answers. The right question creates clarity faster than advice.
7. Psychological safety unlocks performance. Teams move faster when people feel safe enough to be honest.
8. Small, consistent improvements outperform big, dramatic initiatives. Daily execution beats occasional breakthroughs.
9. Structure creates freedom. Clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations remove friction and speed up decision-making.
10. Leaders must stay coachable. The moment you stop listening is the moment your growth plateaus.

This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly brought to you by our 2026 Title Sponsor Hypervac Technologies, North America’s leading vac truck manufacturer, and their new division Hyperfab, delivering custom industrial fabrication solutions built for performance and reliability.

If your operations depend on serious equipment and serious uptime, these are the people to know. Go check them out at www.hypervac.com.

Learn more about The Catalyst Club, Kelly Kennedy’s private community built for leaders,...