In this episode of the AI Profit Leaders Podcast, hosts Lindsey Badillo and Chris Weiser are joined by John Hansman of Truett to unpack one of the most expensive habits in business:

Hiring people to solve problems that strategy and automation should fix.

John works closely with legacy businesses across Washington State, particularly in trucking, logistics, and home services—industries that are under intense pressure from rising costs, shrinking margins, and increased regulation.

Together, the conversation challenges outdated thinking around growth, staffing, and technology, and reframes AI as a time-buying, margin-protecting strategy rather than a collection of tools.

This is a must-listen for owners who want to protect profitability, increase valuation, and build a business that can scale or exit in the AI era.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why legacy businesses instinctively hire instead of fixing systems
• How AI helps business owners buy back their time — and their team’s time
• Why “we’ve always done it this way” is the most expensive mindset in business
• How automation increases revenue per employee without replacing people
• Why AI strategy matters more than AI tools
• The hidden risks of employees using AI without leadership oversight
• Why uncontrolled LLM usage can expose IP and sensitive business data
• How automation outperforms LLMs alone in real-world operations
• Why younger competitors are moving faster — and winning
• How AI directly impacts business valuation and exit potential

This episode highlights why AI governance and leadership matter more than tools, and why partnering with the right strategist is critical in a fast-moving market.

Key Takeaway

Hiring adds overhead.
Automation adds leverage.

The most profitable businesses use AI to remove repetitive work, protect margins, and refocus people on high-value decisions — not to chase tools or trends.

Resource

• 📘 Making Your First One Million Dollars With AI
  Available on Amazon

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