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We talk with Avanto leaders Matt Danyliw and Leonardo Vargas about what “operationalised innovation” looks like when AI moves from talk to execution across the contract interiors ecosystem. We break down the shift from AI tools that only automate alerts to AI agents that take real action with humans reviewing results.

Listen to learn:

• What Avanto does and why the intersection of workplace, technology and data matters
• The three outcomes they optimise for: reduced risk, reduced cost, increased efficiency
• Serving the full ecosystem: manufacturers, dealers, rep groups, installers and global end users
• Why transparency and order status visibility change the end user experience
• Common industry blockers: resistance to change, fragmented systems, lack of operational clarity
• What “the action layer” means and why it differs from systems of record like ERP and CRM
• Practical rep group use cases: email triage, alternates, pricing support, commissions verification
• Where small business leaders should start with AI: define the goal, then map the workflow

References:

Episode 55 - A Partnership Moving the Industry Forward with Matt Danyliw of Avanto - https://www.sidmeadows.com/episode55

Connect with Matt:

Avanto - https://www.goavanto.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-danyliw-6a8b24b/
Email - sales@goavanto.com

Connect with Leo:

Agentic Dream - https://www.agenticdream.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardovargas1/

The workplace is changing faster than the conversations guiding it. We’re stepping up with a sharper plan for Season Seven: weekly episodes designed to spark action, challenge assumptions, and give you practical tools to build spaces and businesses that actually work.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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What would change in your business if you truly put your customers first?

Sid explores how the Savannah Bananas used courage and a fans-first mindset to turn a failing team into a phenomenon, then map those lessons to customer experience in contract interiors. He shares ten focused takeaways that help you shift from tradition to memorable value.

• sponsors who streamline operations and selling in contract interiors
• courage as a practical leadership skill
• fans first as customer first for our industry
• reimagining rules to create delight
• designing experiences over chasing efficiency
• challenging tradition and fear of looking foolish
• translating lessons to sales, service, and delivery
• ten to win principles for action
• a closing question that reframes your strategy

If this episode made you think differently, I encourage you to pick up the book Fans First and challenge yourself to look at your business through the eyes of your customers and not your competitors

References:

Fans First: Change The Game, Break the Rules & Create an Unforgettable Experience by Jesse Cole - https://www.amazon.com/Fans-First-Change-Unforgettable-Experience/dp/154452921X

The workplace is changing faster than the conversations guiding it. We’re stepping up with a sharper plan for Season Seven: weekly episodes designed to spark action, challenge assumptions, and give you practical tools to build spaces and businesses that actually work.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Sid connects sustainability, design, and the future of work with Todd Bracher of Humanscale, tracing his craft-first roots in Europe to a clear framework: form follows function, and function follows context. They unpack the Path Chair’s net positive story, fast assembly, flat-pack efficiency, and what it means for the industry in the next decade.

• how European craft cultures shape design choices
• hands-on manufacturing lessons and material literacy
• contextual design as user, environment and business fit
• shortening development by front-loading research
• Path chair goals, knit engineering and flat-pack logic
• sourcing ocean-bound plastic and recycled aluminum
• packaging density, freight impact and installation speed
• why specialization beats the sea of sameness
• furniture as a vehicle for integrated technology
• letting real market feedback guide innovation

You won't want to miss Todd's final piece of advice, so be sure to stick around until the end to hear his advice as we move into the future.

References:

Design in Context: A Framework for Strategic Differentiation - https://www.amazon.com/Design-Context-Framework-Strategic-Differentiation/dp/B0D6GHVXWV

Todd Bracher Observations, Research and Design - https://www.phaidon.com/en-us/products/observations-research-and-design?srsltid=AfmBOoqKbFyHrlW2kUal4G6KYQbnv_eurFQyrQrqcnbyhYXsZDpfTvMt

Connect with Todd:

Humanscale - https://www.humanscale.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopKNme5eJGTstvIHA0Tq-409jWgrWgT9_utoLv2iIC86M02fc4E

Todd Bracher - https://toddbracher.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toddbracher/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddbracher/

The workplace is changing faster than the conversations guiding it. We’re stepping up with a sharper plan for Season Seven: weekly episodes designed to spark action, challenge assumptions, and give you practical tools to build spaces and businesses that actually work.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/