Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Absolutely! My journey began at Texas A&M University, where I received my bachelor’s degree in biomedical science. After an unsuccessful attempt to get into medical school, I relocated to Dallas and accepted a job in business form and commercial print sales. When I was in sales, I noticed a shift away from paper to software platforms, so I transitioned to a telecom role, focusing on selling video conferencing services.
In 2000, I joined an e-commerce consulting firm and quickly moved from inside sales to being an account executive, and then finally to managing offices for the firm. I later worked as a Customer Relations Management (CRM) consultant for four years and then joined the ground floor of Pariveda Solutions and contributed significantly to growing the consulting firm to over $100 million in sales. In August 2016, I founded Allata with a mission to help clients achieve their strategic goals and solve complex technological challenges. Starting with just two employees in a small Boise garage, we have now grown to employ over 350 people in the U.S., Argentina, and India.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
Allata stands out because we genuinely live by our mantra of “Family First” and “Clients are King.” We take great care of our people, believe in putting family first, and delivering exceptional service to our clients. This approach builds lasting relationships and reflects our core values.
Our team combines former IT leaders from various sectors with seasoned consulting professionals to solve unique problems through thoughtful insight and years of experience. We build long-term relationships, work hard, and consistently deliver outstanding results. I am genuinely interested in our clients’ career development and business goals, actively seeking opportunities to promote their visions and make them successful. In short, I try to be a guide to our clients — by positioning them as heroes — toward Digital Excellence.
You are a successful business leader. Which three-character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
1. **Comfortable with Risk**: Starting Allata was a huge leap. I left my job, gave up my equity, and faced legal challenges, all while building the company from scratch against tough competition.
2. **Proactivity**: From day one, I actively rehired former colleagues into key roles, quickly building a strong team that could hit the ground running.
3. **Client Focus**: Beyond providing services, I help clients achieve their career goals, connecting them with opportunities and offering personal advice, which builds enduring trust and loyalty.
Let’s now move to the main point of our discussion about AI. Can you explain how AI is disrupting your industry? Is this disruption hurting or helping your bottom line?
AI is evolving faster than many can keep up with. While major Silicon Valley firms have embraced AI, many mid-market and small enterprises are still experimenting. This hesitancy affects our ability to sell new services, although those who adopt AI see significant productivity gains. The capability of AI, especially large language models (LLMs), to quickly synthesize vast amounts of information is transformative for both the consulting industry and our clients.
Which specific AI technology has had the most significant impact on your industry?
AI drastically changes the consulting landscape by providing tools for more insightful, data-driven recommendations. Think of AI as a “consulting copilot” that helps consultants understand client problems more swiftly. For example, in the accounting sector, one of our clients plans an estimated 20% to 50% increase in productivity from AI, and this trend is expected to grow.
Can you share a pivotal moment when you recognized the profound impact AI would have on your sector?
I realized the profound impact of AI when one of our clients dedicated 10% of their large IT team to developing AI proofs of concept (POCs). We began experimenting and built an AI-powered tax advisor application. Our client immediately hired some of our consulting team to help on their AI journey. Here we demonstrated that our AI services could complete complex tax analysis in minutes by automating tasks that could take a professional several days. Additionally, we recognized that AI would fundamentally change the way we build solutions for clients, prompting us to adopt an “AI-First” business approach after confirming AI’s continued investment through Gartner reports.
How are you preparing your workforce for the integration of AI, and what skills do you believe will be most valuable in an AI-enhanced future?
We have adopted an AI-First approach, integrating AI into all aspects of our business. Our AI literacy program includes:
1. **AI Knowledge Base**: This collection of use cases and AI information aids in decision-making, operational efficiency, and ethical technology use.
2. **AI Tools**: Accessible tools enhance efficiency and innovation in employees’ roles.
3. **AI Boot Camps**: These intensive training sessions help employees incorporate AI capabilities into their roles, improving client delivery and fostering continuous learning.
What are the biggest challenges in upskilling your workforce for an AI-centric future?
The biggest challenges include addressing the skill gap, adapting to evolving technologies, and overcoming resistance to change. We also need quality training resources, time, and cost management. Balancing training with regular responsibilities and measuring the progress and effectiveness of these efforts requires sustained effort and strategic planning.
What ethical considerations does AI introduce into your industry, and how are you tackling these concerns?
Ethical considerations include data privacy, algorithmic bias, transparency, and job displacement. We enforce rigorous data protection measures and create fair, unbiased AI systems by conducting regular audits and using diverse datasets. We also focus on reskilling and upskilling our employees to work effectively with AI.
What are your “Five Things You Need to Do, If AI Is Disrupting Your Industry”?
The top five steps should include:
1. **Don’t Panic**: Stay calm and appoint someone to monitor AI news and its impact on your business and industry.
2. **Understand the AI Opportunity Landscape**: Recognize the potential and threats AI brings across your value chain.
3. **Think Business Case, Not Use Case**: Focus on projects that offer significant business value.
4. **Prioritize Actions**: Address initiatives based on their size, feasibility, and impact. Understand and recognize a project’s or POC’s benefits before taking on something bigger.
5. **Support Change Management**: Prepare your workforce to integrate AI effectively with the right tools and leadership.
What are the most common misconceptions about AI within your industry, and how do you address them?
Common misconceptions include the fear that AI will replace jobs and that AI systems can operate without oversight. I believe that AI is designed to augment human capabilities and requires human oversight to function ethically. Implementing AI is a gradual process, requiring realistic expectations and a framework for regular audits and feedback. It is not AI that replaces jobs, but rather people who know how to use AI outperform those who do not.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?
One of my favorite quotes is “The Universe Keeps Score.” It suggests that the universe, in some metaphysical or moral sense, keeps track of our actions, good or bad, and balances them over time. I strive to help others without expecting anything in return, trusting that the universe will balance these efforts through support and opportunities. To date, the results have been tremendous.
Off-topic, but I’m curious. As someone steering the ship, what thoughts or concerns often keep you awake at night? How do those thoughts influence your daily decision-making process?
I often consider having the right people in the right roles and how to differentiate ourselves from competitors. It is crucial to ensure we stay ahead in knowledge and market offerings. While I am not involved in daily decisions, these concerns shape my vision for the firm to ensure the team executes effectively.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would focus on a platform like GameSafe, which aims to protect children from online dangers and predators. GameSafe scans texts in games like Roblox and Minecraft and uses AI models to alert parents to potential threats. Today, many parents are not aware of the risks of predators in these gaming platforms. We are also expanding into social media chats to protect children in those mediums as well. In the future, we may expand to protect the elderly and other targets of predators.
How can our readers further follow you online?
You can follow me online through various platforms where I share AI updates and insights:
Allata Website: Learn more about our AI services and offerings at https://www.allata.com.
LinkedIn: Connect with me on LinkedIn for professional updates, articles, and networking opportunities at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattrosen/.
Allata YouTube: Subscribe to my YouTube channel for video content on AI and related topics at https://www.youtube.com/@allata2600.
Allata Insights Blog: Follow our company blog to read in-depth articles and thought pieces on AI, technology, and innovation at https://www.allata.com/insights/.
Feel free to connect with me on any of these platforms to stay updated and engage in discussions about AI and technology!
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!