The Work Smarter Podcast

Most automation projects don’t fail because of the technology. They fail because of what’s underneath it.In Episode 3 of Work Smarter, Buddy sits down with Chris Frazee, CEO of ProLift Toyota Material Handling, to unpack why so many automation initiatives fall short and what actually makes them work.Chris brings a grounded, real-world perspective from leading a company that operates at the intersection of systems, people, and process. Together, they break down the common mistakes businesses make when chasing automation and why simply adding more tools often creates more complexity instead of less.This conversation gets to the core of what Work Smarter is about: building systems that scale, instead of relying on effort that doesn’t.What you’ll learn:• Why automation can amplify broken processes• The hidden cost of implementing tools too early• What needs to be true before automation actually works• How leaders should think about systems, not just software• A practical framework for approaching automation the right wayIf you’re a business owner, operator, or leader trying to scale without chaos, this episode will challenge how you think about automation and give you a clearer path forward.Subscribe for more conversations on building better systems, simplifying operations, and working smarter.

Most businesses don’t break because of a lack of effort. They break because there’s no system holding everything together.In this episode, Buddy sits down with John Anderson to talk about the role EOS plays in helping businesses move from reactive to intentional. As companies grow, complexity increases, communication gets messy, and leaders get pulled into everything.This conversation explores how EOS brings structure, clarity, and accountability to growing organizations, and why that structure is what actually allows businesses to scale.If you’re leading a team, building a company, or feeling stuck in the day-to-day, this episode is a practical look at how to create a business that runs with purpose instead of chaos.

In the first episode of the Work Smarter Podcast, Buddy Bockweg sits down with Ben Blincoe, a seasoned business owner in the packaging industry, to talk about what it actually takes to scale a business today.They unpack why working harder isn’t the advantage it used to be, how complexity quietly slows teams down, and what separates companies that grow from those that stay stuck. Ben shares lessons from building and scaling businesses over the years, along with the realities most operators face but rarely talk about.This episode is for anyone leading a team, running a business, or feeling the weight of doing more without seeing better results.Work Smarter is brought to you by Vsimple, helping teams simplify operations and get work flowing the way it should.