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We love a good conversation. Especially when it involves tech, business, improv, and, apparently… sharks.
Our latest podcast episode was a blast! We had the pleasure of sitting down with Kevin Dean, CEO of ManoByte—a guy who’s equal parts tech genius, entrepreneur, and scuba diving enthusiast. (Seriously, we almost ditched the mics and booked a dive trip halfway through.)
Kevin’s journey is a wild one. Picture this: a self-proclaimed geek (his words, not ours!) with a passion for tech, who went from climbing the corporate ladder to launching a startup right before the 2008 recession—and lived to tell the tale. Oh, and did we mention he named his company ManoByte because “Mano” means shark in Hawaiian?
Sharks, AI, and the Art of the Pivot
One of our favorite parts of the conversation was hearing about Kevin’s approach to failure (something we preach in our improv-based training). He started his company focusing on social media analytics and AI way before it was cool—but timing is everything, and 2008 wasn’t exactly the best time to start anything. He lost his house, faced tough decisions, and had to figure out how to pivot—fast.
But here’s the thing: failure is just data. (Say it louder for the people in the back!) If you’re not failing, you’re not learning. Kevin’s company didn’t just survive—it evolved. Today, ManoByte helps businesses leverage AI and automation to drive smarter decisions and better sales enablement.
Leader Tip: When things don’t go as planned, don’t panic—analyze. What is the failure teaching you? What insights can you take forward? Create a habit of reflecting after every big challenge, and make adjustments instead of dwelling on the setback.
Way to Make It Fun: Create a “Failure Wall” in your office. Encourage your team to post failures and the lessons learned. Celebrate the best ones with a goofy trophy (maybe a golden shark?) and a dramatic “awards ceremony” each month.
Are We Talking to a Robot Right Now?
AI is moving so fast that we had to double-check if we were actually talking to Kevin or his digital twin. No joke—his team is working on AI-powered digital twins that can take sales calls, answer questions, and even create proposals. (At this point, we’re questioning reality.)
But here’s what really stuck with us: Kevin doesn’t just geek out over AI—he understands the delicate balance between automation and human connection. While AI can process data at lightning speed, it lacks true human intuition and feeling. That’s where people still shine. The real magic happens when tech enhances human relationships, not replaces them.
Leader Tip: AI is a tool, not a replacement for connection. Look at where automation can help your team be more efficient, but keep the human touch where it matters—building relationships, showing empathy, and making strategic decisions.
Make It Fun: Have an AI vs. Human Challenge! See if your team can guess which emails, responses, or ideas were generated by AI and which were human-made. Winner gets the title of “Most Intuitive Human” (and maybe a fun prize).
What’s Next for AI? Hold Onto Your Fins.
Kevin’s take? We’re just at the starting line. AI is evolving weekly, not yearly. Digital twins, automation, predictive analytics—it’s all accelerating at an insane pace. If you’re not already using AI to be more efficient, insightful, and strategic in your business, you’re behind.
For us, the key takeaway was simple: embrace the shift. Whether it’s a tech revolution, an economic downturn, or a massive change in your business, the ability to adapt, pivot, and say “Yes, And” to uncertainty is what separates the innovators from the obsolete.
Leader Tip: Don’t fear the future—prepare for it. Set up a monthly “Future Readiness” meeting where your team explores emerging trends, discusses what’s coming, and brainstorms ways to stay ahead.
Make It Fun: Create an “AI Prophecy” betting pool. Have your team guess what wild AI developments will happen in the next six months. Whoever gets the closest wins bragging rights and a ridiculous (yet prestigious) AI-themed trophy.
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So, are you ready to dive in? Or are you still standing on the shore, wondering if AI is about to eat your job?
If you missed this episode, do yourself a favor—listen now. And if you want to chat more about adaptability, improv thinking, or where to find the best post-scuba margarita, you know where to find us.
Until next time, fins up!
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ManoByte is a tech-driven consulting firm specializing in sales enablement, digital transformation, and AI-powered business solutions. Founded by Kevin Dean, ManoByte helps companies—especially in manufacturing and financial services—leverage automation, AI, and data-driven strategies to streamline operations and drive growth. The name itself is a nod to Kevin’s love of the ocean, with "Mano" meaning shark in Hawaiian, symbolizing agility and strength in a fast-moving digital world. Whether it's optimizing sales processes or creating AI-powered digital twins, ManoByte is at the forefront of helping businesses work smarter, not harder.
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ExperienceYes is not just in the business of learning and development – we're in the business of team transformation. Imagine a world where we don't just fix teams; we supercharge them.
Through our cutting-edge Team Workshops and Business Relationship IQ program, we turbocharge soft skills into hard results. Picture skyrocketing sales figures, clients delighting customers like never before, and teams achieving feats of innovation and peak performance.
How do we do it? By training teams to nurture an Improv Mindset for agile thinking, boost Emotional Intelligence for unparalleled client relationships, and refine Empathy and Influence to turn every interaction into a game-changer.
Join us in rewriting the playbook on team success. Let's elevate your team to new heights where excellence isn't just a goal – it's the new normal. Together, we'll build a future where every team thrives, every client succeeds, and every innovation sets the world on fire. Contact us if you want to know more!
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