In this episode we share a conversation from a recent Leaders in Consulting podcast, where Kantata’s Chief Product Strategy Officer, Sarah Edwards, sits down with James Cawthorne, CEO of FOIL. At the center of the discussion is a shift every services leader is starting to feel: clients no longer want dependency — they want independence. James makes the case for “autonomic consulting” — a model focused on embedding capability directly into the client’s business. Instead of delivering answers, firms must build systems that encode knowledge, drive consistency, and enable better decisions at scale.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why competing on productivity in the age of AI leads to diminishing returns
• What “system intelligence” actually means, and why it matters more than standalone AI tools
• How client expectations are shifting from support to true capability-building
• Why dependency-based models are becoming structurally unstable
• What it takes to stay relevant when value, not effort, becomes the primary differentiator

If you’re rethinking how your firm delivers value, and how to create more predictable, scalable outcomes for clients this conversation is a must-listen.

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AI isn’t just disrupting SaaS, it’s forcing a fundamental rethink of what software is actually worth. In this episode, Brent sits down with Kantata CEO Michael Speranza to unpack the growing tension across the market: buyers questioning why they should pay for software they think AI can build, and boards pushing leaders to prove long-term, defensible value. The conversation goes beyond the hype to explore what truly survives in an AI-driven world, and why the future of SaaS has far less to do with code and far more to do with context.

• The new “build vs. buy” reality: Why buyers are questioning SaaS in the age of AI, and where that thinking falls short
• Who’s actually at risk: The types of SaaS companies most vulnerable in this shift (and why)
• The death of code as a moat: How value is moving from product to data, workflows, and domain expertise
• Context as the new advantage: Why owning deep customer understanding is becoming the ultimate differentiator
• What survives — and wins: The traits of SaaS companies that will endure and thrive in an AI-driven market

Read Michael’s recent article, AI Is Coming for SaaS. Just Not the Way You Think to learn more about this topic and his perspective on the SaaSpocalypse.

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In honor of Women’s History Month, this episode features three very accomplished female leaders — Jennifer Schutz, Lauren Langston, and Melissa Korzun — sharing candid insights on their career journeys, pivotal moments, and the mindset shifts behind their success. The conversation highlights how growth comes not from linear paths, but from embracing opportunity, building confidence, and leading with authenticity.

• How curiosity, adaptability, and unplanned opportunities shape successful careers
• Why leaning into challenges accelerates growth and opens new doors
• The role of self-awareness and authenticity in effective leadership
• The shift from execution to communication, influence, and alignment as you grow
• How to reframe setbacks as learning opportunities

Melissa’s Recommendations

• Crucial Conversations — Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan & Al Switzler
• Radical Candor — Kim Scott
• The Secrets of Six-Figure Women — Barbara Stanny
• Switch — Chip Heath & Dan Heath
• Lead with a Story — Paul Smith

Jennifer’s Recommendations

• Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office — Lois P. Frankel
• Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win — Jocko Willink
• How Women Rise — Sally Helgesen & Marshall Goldsmith
• The 48 Laws of Power — Robert Greene
• Your Brain at Work — David Rock

Lauren’s Recommendations

• Designing Your Life — Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
• Powerful — Patty McCord
• Amp It Up — Fred Slootman
• Scaling People — Claire Hughes Johnson
• Conscious Business — Fred Kofman

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