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The AI Playbook for Business Transformation with Olga Topchaya
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“If you’re not doing anything with AI yet—trust me, your competitors are. Start small, solve one real problem, and build from there. But don’t sit this one out.” - Olga Topchaya
TL;DR
Rick Meekins talks with AI strategist Olga Topchaya about how companies are misusing AI—and what they should do instead. Learn how to identify real AI opportunities, avoid common mistakes, and build solutions that actually make your team more effective.
📝 Show Notes
When it comes to AI, too many business leaders are either running headfirst into the hype or sitting on the sidelines, waiting for someone else to make the first move. Both are losing strategies.
In this episode, I sat down with Olga Topchaya—founder of Lapis AI and a rare mix of strategic thinker and generative AI operator. She’s not a coder. She’s not a futurist. She’s a business pro who dove deep into AI, built a team of elite engineers, and is helping companies get real about how they use AI to solve real problems.
We talk about why most AI projects fail before they start, how to find your first real AI use case (hint: start small), and what it means to evolve your team alongside your tools. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to “figure out” AI or are wondering whether now is the time to dive in, this one’s for you.
📌 Key Takeaways
- AI isn’t magic—and it’s not plug-and-play. Start with a business problem, not a shiny tool.
- Generative AI creates content—text, images, video, and audio—based on patterns, not understanding. It still needs a human brain in the loop.
- Don’t try to automate everything. Build in layers and solve one problem at a time.
- Prompt engineering isn’t just for developers. Your admin team can 10x their impact if they learn how to talk to AI tools effectively.
- Success isn’t about eliminating people—it’s about elevating them. AI is a multiplier, not a replacement.
- Competitive edge belongs to those who start now. If you’re waiting, your competitors aren’t.
- Guardrails matter. Security, privacy, and ethical use need to be baked into every AI solution you deploy.
Guest Bio
Olga Topchaya is the Founder and CEO of Lapis AI Consults. She leads the way in assisting companies to leverage the transformative power of AI and gain a competitive edge. Having over a decade-long vibrant marketing and product career across various industries has given her deep insights into the practical challenges and opportunities companies face.
She approaches AI innovation with a business-first mindset and ensures clients are making the right decisions in implementing AI – building solutions that are both innovative and pragmatic. Olga is a proud boy mom and founded her AI company on the same philosophy with which she views parenting: the need for adaptability, continuous learning, and contextual understanding.
Giveaway:
Guests who listen to the show can receive a free 1-hour consultation, normally offered at $325 per hour. Just click the link below to contact Olga for details.
Company Website: Lapis Consultants
45 episodes
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