Start At Zero

Hosted by Abhijit Verekar

Technology

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Episodes

143

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Start at Zero is a conversation-first podcast about what it actually takes to modernize technology, build a business from scratch, and make sense of AI without the hype. Episodes range from focused 15-minute interviews with government leaders and tech founders to longer deep dives where I walk through what I'm building in real time - the AI agents, the automation stack, the hard lessons from 20 years of consulting. The tone is direct and honest. I don't do scripted questions or softball setups. I want the story behind the story - what went wrong, what you'd do differently, what nobody in the room was willing to say. Guests should expect a conversation that feels like two people working through a real problem together, not a performance. Topics include government technology, AI in the real world, entrepreneurship, consulting, procurement, and the messy intersection of all of them. Some episodes are interviews, some are just me thinking out loud about something I built or broke that week. If you've got a real story - something you built, something that failed, a lesson that cost you - you'll fit right in here. I'll send a loose topic outline beforehand, but the best episodes happen when we go off-script.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 20, 202610 min

State CIOs Just Made AI Their #1 Priority…

Essay. From Start at Zero. State CIOs just made AI their #1 priority. Meanwhile, 88% of AI agent projects never reach production. What that gap means for public buyers. Read the essay: https://avavero.substack.com/p/state-cios-just-made-ai-their-1-priority Type: Essay (solo). Guests remain biweekly. Navigator: govai.averoadvisors.com Start at Zero: startatzero.averoadvisors.com This episode uses a digital voice modeled on Abhijit Verekar where noted by the platform. 📅 Let’s Stay Connected: Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help! Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation ➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report Top Public Sector ERP Systems: : ➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml Learn More About Avero: ➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com Connect With Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors Connect With AV: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar (865) 415-3848 | info@averoadvisors.com ©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.

March 26, 202658 min

Responsible AI Governance: How Public Sector Leaders Avoid Costly Mistakes

AI is already inside your organization — whether you’ve approved it or not. In this episode of Untangled , we break down what responsible AI governance actually looks like for local government leaders. This isn’t about buying tools. It’s about building structure before scale. We cover: • Why AI adoption without governance creates hidden risk • The four pillars of readiness: data hygiene, strategy alignment, governance, and management capability • Why traditional monthly IT committees won’t work for AI • How to balance innovation with public trust and transparency • What the NIST AI framework means in practical terms • Why understanding your AI maturity level is the first real step AI doesn’t remove risk. It multiplies whatever foundation already exists. If your organization hasn’t defined ownership, decision rights, monitoring, and policy guardrails — AI is already running ahead of you. This conversation is designed for CIOs, city managers, department heads, and governing bodies who want to deploy AI responsibly — without becoming the next cautionary headline. #LocalGovernment #GovTech #AIinGovernment #AIGovernance #PublicSectorLeadership #TechnologyGovernance #DigitalTransformation #DataGovernance 📅 Let’s Stay Connected: Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help! Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation ➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report Top Public Sector ERP Systems: : ➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml Learn More About Avero: ➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com Connect With Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors Connect With AV: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar (865) 415-3848 | info@averoadvisors.com ©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.

March 12, 202629 min

How Long Should Digital Transformation Really Take?

How long should digital transformation actually take? Nine months? Twelve? Eighteen? Two years? In this episode of Untangled , we break down what truly determines a realistic public sector transformation timeline — and why the answer has far less to do with technology and far more to do with change management, staff capacity, contract negotiations, sunset pressures, and governance. We cover: • Why readiness and selection can move quickly — but implementation cannot • The role of change management in timeline compression • What “go-live” really means (and why vendors don’t get to define it) • How sunset dates and vendor pressure distort planning • Why agencies without an independent advisor often overspend and overextend If you're planning an ERP implementation or facing a system sunset, this conversation will help you separate urgency from reality. #LocalGovernment #GovTech #ERP #DigitalTransformation #ChangeManagement #PublicSectorLeadership #TechnologyGovernance 📅 Let’s Stay Connected: Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help! Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation ➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report Top Public Sector ERP Systems: : ➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml Learn More About Avero: ➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com Connect With Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors Connect With AV: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar (865) 415-3848 | info@averoadvisors.com ©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.

March 5, 202655 min

5 Budget Decisions That Will Shape Local Government Through 2030

In this episode of Untangled , an experienced public-sector consultant walks through the five critical technology areas local governments must prioritize as they prepare 2026–2027 budgets. With AI now overtaking cybersecurity as the top strategic priority among state CIOs, agencies face mounting pressure to modernize—without overspending, reacting impulsively, or locking themselves into the wrong tools. This discussion covers: Why budgeting for AI products is a mistake—and what to fund instead How data quality and governance determine whether automation succeeds Cybersecurity as an operational utility, not a one-time project Cloud and infrastructure modernization strategies that enable—not block—innovation ERP replacement decisions and the 80/20 trap most agencies fall into The episode also outlines eight common budgeting mistakes to avoid, including reactive spending, software bloat, and underfunding foundational capabilities. Designed for city managers, finance directors, CIOs, procurement leaders, and elected officials, this conversation provides a strategic framework for making disciplined technology decisions that will impact agencies for the next decade—not just the next fiscal year. #LocalGovernment #GovTech #AIinGovernment #ERP #Cybersecurity #ITStrategy #DigitalTransformation #PublicSectorLeadership 📅 Let’s Stay Connected: Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help! Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation ➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report Top Public Sector ERP Systems: : ➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml Learn More About Avero: ➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com Connect With Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors Connect With AV: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar (865) 415-3848 | info@averoadvisors.com ©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.

February 26, 202623 min

Your Employees Will Reject This ERP Unless You Do This First

ERP implementations don’t fail because of software. They fail because people were never prepared to change. In this episode of Untangled , we unpack why so many government ERP projects stall after go-live — even when the technology works — and why treating change management as “training and emails” is a costly mistake. Using real public-sector examples and the Prosci ADKAR framework, we break down what effective organizational change management actually looks like, why awareness and desire matter more than training, and how underinvesting in the people side of ERP leads to resistance, workarounds, and wasted millions. If your agency is planning an ERP modernization — or struggling with adoption today — this episode explains what must happen before go-live to make the investment stick. 📅 Let’s Stay Connected: Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help! Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation ➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report Top Public Sector ERP Systems: : ➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml Learn More About Avero: ➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com Connect With Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors Connect With AV: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar (865) 415-3848 | info@averoadvisors.com ©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.

February 19, 202634 min

Government AI Pilots Are Failing — Here’s Why

Over 90% of enterprise AI pilots never make it to production — and in local government, the consequences go far beyond wasted budgets. In this episode of Untangled , we break down why so many AI initiatives collapse after impressive demos, and what successful agencies do differently. From misaligned problem selection to messy data, vendor-led hype, and the absence of human judgment, this conversation cuts through the noise to explain what AI can actually do today — and where it still falls short. If your agency is feeling pressure to “do something with AI,” this episode offers a grounded framework for choosing the right pilots, protecting public trust, and investing in technology that delivers real service outcomes — not AI theater. 📅 Let’s Stay Connected: Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help! Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation ➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report Top Public Sector ERP Systems: : ➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml Learn More About Avero: ➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com Connect With Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors Connect With AV: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar (865) 415-3848 | info@averoadvisors.com ©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.

February 12, 202628 min

AI & GovTech: The Race to Do It Right

AV sits down with Vidhu Shekhar, AI thought leader and Microsoft executive, to explore what it really means to lead in the age of artificial intelligence—from space-based data centers to responsible AI adoption in local government. They unpack the realities behind the "AI race": rapid innovation, vendor hype, overwhelmed agencies, and the hidden costs of chasing shiny tools without a strategy. Learn why the real path to dominance isn't about speed—it's about service delivery, policy alignment, and building infrastructure that lasts. This one goes beyond buzzwords. It’s a masterclass in how AI, energy, and public trust all connect. 📅 Let’s Stay Connected: Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help! Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation ➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report Top Public Sector ERP Systems: : ➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml Learn More About Avero: ➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com Connect With Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors Connect With AV: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar (865) 415-3848 | info@averoadvisors.com ©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.

February 5, 202626 min

The 90-Day ERP Check: Warning Signs That Predict Project Failure

Most ERP failures don’t come out of nowhere. They announce themselves early — usually within the first 90 days. In this episode of Untangled , we break down why the first three months of an ERP implementation determine the entire trajectory of the project. From vendor staffing substitutions and early scope conflicts to filtered communication and executive disengagement, the same warning signs appear again and again — long before budgets explode and timelines collapse. We walk through real public-sector examples, explain why organizations miss these signals, and outline what leaders can still do while leverage exists. Early intervention is uncomfortable, but late intervention is expensive — financially, politically, and organizationally. If you’re within your first 90 days, this episode is an early warning system. If you’re past them, it’s a diagnostic you can’t afford to ignore. 📅 Let’s Stay Connected: Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help! Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation ➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report Top Public Sector ERP Systems: : ➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml Learn More About Avero: ➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com Connect With Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors Connect With AV: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar (865) 415-3848 | info@averoadvisors.com ©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.

January 29, 202634 min

Why Your AI Pilot Will Fail (And What Actually Works Instead)

Most government AI pilots don’t fail because the technology is bad. They fail because the problem was wrong, the data wasn’t ready, the demo lied, and no one defined what success actually meant. In this Untangled episode, we break down why 90%+ of AI pilots never make it to production — and why flashy demos are often the biggest warning sign. Using real government examples, we explain the difference between AI theater and real operational value, why citizens ask messy questions that demos never show, and how agencies waste millions by buying solutions before understanding their workflows. This conversation walks through the five most common AI failure points — wrong problem selection, dirty data, demo environments, lack of human oversight, and fake success metrics — and outlines a practical readiness framework agencies can use before spending a dollar. AI isn’t magic. It’s software. And it only works when you treat it that way. 📅 Let’s Stay Connected: Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help! Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation ➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report Top Public Sector ERP Systems: : ➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml Learn More About Avero: ➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com Connect With Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors Connect With AV: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar (865) 415-3848 | info@averoadvisors.com ©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.

January 22, 202626 min

Why ERP Projects Break Down Long Before Go-Live

Most ERP projects don’t fail because of bad software or poor intent. They fail quietly, months or years earlier, when decisions are rushed, assumptions go unchallenged, and foundational work is skipped. This Untangled episode breaks down the early warning signs most organizations miss: unclear ownership, unrealistic timelines, unvalidated requirements, underestimating change management, and treating ERP as a technology project instead of an organizational transformation. By the time issues surface at go-live, the outcome is already locked in. ERP success isn’t about perfection — it’s about discipline, sequencing, and honesty early in the process. This conversation focuses on where projects actually go off the rails, and what leaders can do differently before the damage is done. 📅 Let’s Stay Connected: Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help! Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation ➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report Top Public Sector ERP Systems: : ➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml Learn More About Avero: ➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com Connect With Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors Connect With AV: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar (865) 415-3848 | info@averoadvisors.com ©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.