OpenAI made free ChatGPT genuinely capable overnight — which means the budget that quietly kept AI in a small, careful circle at your company just disappeared. Access is now free; permission still isn’t. Originally published as The Decision Layer, Issue 11 (week of August 3–9, 2026). References to days of the week and “this week”…
The Decision Layer · July 2026 Recap Five issues went out this month. Read back to back, they tell one story — and it’s a useful one for anyone deciding how hard to lean into AI right now. If you only have two minutes, here it is. Every week in July, the tools got cheaper…
OpenAI quietly raised how much work a paid ChatGPT plan can do — but only if your people use the right model. The week’s bigger story: two AI labs found their own test systems loose inside real companies. Originally published as The Decision Layer, Issue 10 (week of July 27 – August 2, 2026). References…
Anthropic’s new mid-tier model does nearly what its flagship does at half the price — and the week’s bigger story is that control, not raw capability, is becoming the thing worth paying for. Originally published as The Decision Layer, Issue 9 (week of July 20–26, 2026). References to “last week” and “Friday” reflect that period….
Business AI may change the expectations placed on LBM dealers before it changes the lumberyard itself. The competitive threat isn't an AI-powered dealer — it's a well-run dealer whose people now have better tools. AI may change the expectations placed on LBM dealers before it changes the lumberyard itself. Builders, remodelers, and contractors are beginning…
Not a technology initiative — a leadership tool. Six months of using AI to stress-test decisions, protect margin, and sharpen execution. Over the past six months, I have used AI as a structured thinking partner in my role as CEO to bring greater clarity, discipline, and execution focus to Tara Manufacturing. This has not been…
Most small and mid-sized companies don’t need to build their own AI model. They need a better way to organize and use the knowledge they already have. I have been working through what a company-wide AI knowledge system could actually look like inside a real business, and the more I work on it, the more…
The most useful distinction in AI right now: the AI you drive, and the AI you delegate to. Knowing which mode you’re in is the whole game. I read a piece recently on how reliable AI actually is. It was careful work, and it stuck with me—not because of anything it got wrong, but because…
A step-by-step exercise for creating a reference that helps people and AI tools collaborate with you the way you actually work. Purpose This exercise helps you create a personal operating manual that explains how you think, communicate, make decisions, lead, solve problems, and prefer to work with AI. The goal is not to create a…
AI isn’t about robots or automation — it’s about real, measurable improvements in sales, operations, and profitability. Every department can start small, stay secure, and scale what works. Picture this: a salesperson walks into a call already knowing their customer’s top products, pricing patterns, and two smart questions to start the conversation. That’s not science…