The So What Era: What Did We Actually Get for This?
Usage-based pricing turned enterprise AI from a predictable cost into a CFO's nightmare. This episode unpacks the bill shock hitting leadership teams when adoption metrics collide with actual spend. Rob Saltrese and Jim Blizzard reveal why token counts don't equal value, how to baseline what AI is really doing versus what executives believe it's doing, and who should own AI strategy once the honeymoon ends. Essential listening for anyone reconciling AI promises with budget reality.
Paul Brzozowski
Co-Founder • Olakai
Paul Brzozowski is Co-Founder of Olakai, where he leads the development of innovative solutions in the AI and technology space. With a background in building scalable technology products, Paul brings deep expertise in product strategy and entrepreneurship to the company's mission. He is passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex business challenges and drive meaningful impact.
Rob Saltrese
Co-Founder • Lyra Labs
Rob Saltrese is Co-Founder of Lyra Labs, where he leads the development of innovative solutions at the intersection of artificial intelligence and enterprise technology. With deep expertise in AI implementation and product strategy, Rob focuses on helping organizations navigate complex technology challenges and unlock new business opportunities through intelligent systems. His work bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI research and practical, scalable business applications.
Jim Blizzard
Principal and Executive Consultant • Origamic Solutions
Jim Blizzard is a Principal and Executive Consultant at Origamic Solutions, where he advises organizations on technology strategy and digital transformation initiatives. With extensive experience in enterprise solutions and business optimization, Jim helps clients navigate complex technical challenges and implement scalable systems that drive measurable results. His consulting expertise spans infrastructure modernization, cloud adoption, and organizational change management.
For two years, enterprise AI was measured by adoption: licenses issued, seats activated, tools rolled out. Then usage-based pricing arrived, the same work started costing several times more, and the bill arrived on a CFO's desk with one question attached: so what did we actually get for this?
In this episode, Paul Brzozowski is joined by Rob Saltrese, Co-Founder of Lyra Labs, and Jim Blizzard, Principal and Executive Consultant at Origamic Solutions. Jim calls himself the office whisperer, because he works the people side of AI, not the wiring. They cover the bill shock hitting leadership teams, why adoption numbers are not the same thing as value, how to baseline what AI is actually doing against what leaders believe it is doing, token maxing versus spending wisely, and who should own AI inside an enterprise once the honeymoon period ends.
Topics Covered
- Why usage-based pricing changed the AI cost conversation
- The gap between adoption metrics and proven value
- Jim's "AI doesn't take your job, it takes your work" framework
- Baselining what AI is actually doing versus what leadership believes
- Token maxing versus spending wisely
- Model routing and matching the model to the task
- Who should own AI: CEO, COO, CFO, or a working group
- Corporate culture readiness for AI adoption
Enterprise AI Unlocked is hosted by Paul Brzozowski, Co-Founder of Olakai, the Enterprise AI System of Record. Olakai captures every AI interaction and outcome across an organization, down to the token, so leaders can prove what their AI is worth, control the spend, and govern the risk.
New episodes monthly.
