In this episode of RevOps Champions, Brendon Dennewill is joined by Mike Kaput, Chief Content Officer at Marketing AI Institute and strategic leader at SmarterX, to talk about breaking down the real-world barriers to AI adoption—and how teams can take small, practical steps that drive big results.

Mike shares the evolution of the Marketing AI Institute, which launched in 2016 to help marketers build AI literacy. Today, through SmarterX, that mission has expanded to support cross-functional teams—marketing, sales, HR, legal, and beyond—in adopting AI in a way that’s grounded in strategy and education.

Together, Brendon and Mike explore what often holds organizations back. While many invest in tools, they skip the critical first step: ensuring their people understand AI and how it can support their work. Mike warns against chasing the “next big thing” without a clear plan and instead recommends starting with what you have—documenting workflows, identifying use cases, and building a culture of experimentation.

They also highlight how RevOps plays a vital role in enabling AI readiness—from clean, connected data to structured processes. Legal, IT, and change management aren’t just back-end concerns—they're foundational to scaling AI responsibly.

Whether you're just beginning your AI journey or looking to optimize your approach, this episode offers actionable takeaways. The message is simple but powerful: AI doesn’t require a massive overhaul to make an impact. Start small. Stay consistent. And build toward smarter, more scalable operations—one step at a time.

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