New episode is out!
This one with Anis Bennaceur, co-founder & CEO at Attention, a company that automates sales operations through AI agents.
In it, we discuss the challenges of Anis’ first startup and the breakthrough moment with GPT-3 that led to the creation of Attention. The conversation covers how attention addresses CRM filling pains, the evolving role of AI agents, the balance between launching products quickly and maintaining innovation, and the future of AI in business software.
Anis explains the practical applications of AI, internal uses at Attention, and offers insights on building AI-enabled workflows and autonomous agents. The episode also touches on company efficiency, hiring, future priorities, and the growing importance of AI in the tech industry.
I hope you enjoy it! And thanks to prior TNN guest Hadley Harris for connecting me with Anis.
You can find it on apple, spotify, and youtube.
Show notes:
00:00 Introduction to The Next Next
01:43 Meet Anis Bennaceur: CEO of Attention
02:51 The Genesis of Attention
03:56 Early Challenges and Breakthroughs
06:01 Pivoting to CRM Automation
09:54 Building and Launching the MVP
21:05 Defining and Utilizing AI Agents
28:04 Understanding Customer Needs and AI Autonomy
28:47 Challenges in Tool Selection and Flexibility
29:49 Building Features and Tooling Perspective
31:43 Relationships with AI Providers
32:53 Network Effects in B2B
36:08 Implications of AI on Product Strategy
39:09 Leveraging AI Internally
41:39 Autonomous AI Agents and Workflow Automation
48:02 Efficient Business Operations with AI
52:49 Key Priorities and Future Outlook
54:06 Final Thoughts and Shoutouts
Prior episodes:
Episode 1: Rob May, 4x founder with over 100 AI investments - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 2: Navigating Transitions with Steve Schlafman - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 3: Exploring the Future of AI and Gaming with Kayla Comalli from Lovelace Studio - apple, spotify
Episode 4: Redefining Work: A Conversation with Sahil Lavingia - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 5: Wistia's Path to Independence: An Interview with Chris Savage - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 6: Building a Balanced Business: Mike Salguero on Scaling ButcherBox Thoughtfully (to $500m+) - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 7: AI-Driven Parenting Support: Exploring Happypillar with Mady Mantha - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 8: Navigating Ambition, Family, and AI with Brian Balfour of Reforge - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 9: Navigating the AI Learning Curve with Paul Heayn - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 10: Revolutionizing Project Management with AI: A Conversation with Shawn Harris - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 11: Sara Remsen and the Rise of Agent Innovation at Melodi - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 12: AI and Fitness: A New Era with HYBRD's Founders - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 13: Creative Disruption: How AI is Reshaping Film and Gaming with Bharat Vasan - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 14: AI Revolution in Lending: A Chat with EnFi CTO Scott Weller - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 15: Uday Chandra's Singular Vision: Small Teams, Big Impact with AI - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 16: AI Agency Insights with Jay Singh: Building the Future with Casper Studios - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 17: Building Financial Wellness: Reagan Bonlie on Nudge Money and Credit Unions - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 18: Steve Krouse on Val Town's Vision for Collaborative Coding - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 19: Building a Better Healthcare System with AI: Featuring Sunita Mohanty of Vibrant Practice - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 20: Megan Lightcap on Slow Ventures' Creator Fund - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 21: The Evolution of Storytelling: Gregg Spiridellis on Technology and Creativity - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 22: AI, Venture Capital, and the Future of Work: A Talk with Hadley Harris - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 23: Andrew Lau: Leading Jellyfish and Embracing AI in Engineering - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 24: Building SwingVision: An AI-Powered Revolution in Racket Sports - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 25: From Art to AI: Yohei Nakajima's Unique Path - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 26: Jeremy Crane on Navigating Product Leadership in an AI Era - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 27: Building a Winning Team: Leveraging AI in Sports with Jason Syversen - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 28: Chris Olson on Replacing 90 Roles with AI — and Growing Faster Than Ever - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 29: Revolutionizing Warehouse Automation with Jon Miller Schwartz of Ultra - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 30: Harnessing AI in Design: A Journey with Ben Blumenrose from Designer Fund - youtube, apple, spotify
Episode 31: Leveling Up with Shaun Meredith: AI and the Future of eSports - youtube, apple, spotify
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