Organic AI Adoption? (Episode 65)

Organic AI Adoption? (Episode 65)

Author: Chad Lingafelt, Tony Hokanson, Lars Johnston February 12, 2026 Duration: 58:58

In Episode 65, Chad, Tony, and Lars explore how business owners can turn unexpected chaos into operational gold. When a rare North Carolina snowstorm threatened to derail a week of factory training for the Calgary team, the hosts pivoted to an impromptu Technician Exchange Program. They discuss the massive "ROI of fresh eyes" when a guest technician shadows your team and provides an unfiltered perspective on your culture and workflows.

The conversation then shifts to the "Invisible Employee"—Artificial Intelligence. One year after their first AI deep dive, the trio discusses how the tool has moved from a leadership-driven "ask" to an organic part of their employees' daily habits. Chad shares how he is currently using LLMs to "shake up" the accounting department to find efficiencies that were previously hidden by "the way we've always done it." Plus, Tony shares some major personal news as he prepares to "level up" his family with a second child.


Tune into Unlocked Podcast for a grounded, cross-border conversation about what it really takes to build a company meant to last. You’ll hear from three practicing business owners, each running their own operations from distinct locations-North Carolina, Minnesota, and Alberta, Canada. They don’t deal in abstract theory; instead, they draw directly from their own evolving playbooks, setbacks, and hard-won victories. The dialogue in this podcast revolves around practical strategies and philosophical shifts necessary for creating enterprises that can thrive beyond a single owner’s tenure. Episodes delve into the nuanced decisions around leadership transition, cultivating a resilient company culture, and implementing systems that ensure stability through market changes. It’s a candid exchange between peers who are in the trenches themselves, offering listeners a rare, ongoing case study from multiple industries and perspectives. If you’re steering a business and thinking about its legacy, this series provides a thoughtful, actionable companion for the long journey ahead.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 76

Unlocked Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Stop Solving Problems, Start Finding the 'Who' (54) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:55
Are you an entrepreneur stuck in the endless cycle of solving every problem in your business? This episode, recorded live in Austin, Texas, dives into the mindset shift needed to break the $3 Million Revenue Ceiling and…
Mastering Leverage, Cash Flow, and Debt (53) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:37
Do you view debt as a four-letter word, or as a tool for accelerated growth? In this financially focused episode, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc S…
Retention Strategies: Investing in Technicians (52) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:13
Are you an entrepreneur worried that investing in training only prepares your employees to become your next competitor? This episode dives deep into the high-stakes problem of technician turnover in the security and lock…
The Secrets to Being Sticky—Why Customers Keep Coming Back (51) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:21
It's the half-century mark! For Episode 50, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security in Charlotte, NC, dive into the question every business owner…
Business Consulting: Workshop our Problems (49) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:57
In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe, Tony from Assured Security, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security do a deep dive into an "uncomfortable truths" workshop, tackling real-time business challenges. Movin…
5 KPIs We Use to Drive Our Business (48) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
Are you a business owner who feels like you’re just guessing at what's working? In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Securi…
Strategic Planning: From Vision to Reality (47) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:07
Are you struggling to plan for the future of your business? In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security in Charlotte, NC,…
Breaking the $3 Million Ceiling (46) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:36
Are you an entrepreneur stuck in the "messy middle" of growth, hovering around the $3 million revenue mark? In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota,…
Uncomfortable Truths of Entrepreneurship (45) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:40
In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security in Charlotte, NC, dive into some of the uncomfortable truths of entrepreneurs…