B2B Agility with Greg Kihlström™: MarTech, E-Commerce, & Customer Success

Episode #51: Readying an AI-Augmented Workforce with John Munsell, CEO of Bazooka
Release Date: July 8, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #51 of B2B Agility™, host Greg Kilstrom delves into the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the modern workforce. The episode centers on strategies for scaling AI across sales, marketing, and operations, and emphasizes the importance of equipping both current employees and incoming graduates with the necessary AI skills and mindsets. Greg engages in a comprehensive discussion with John Munsell, CEO of Bazooka, to explore frameworks and tools that facilitate effective AI integration within organizations.

Guest Background: John Munsell

John Munsell brings a wealth of experience to the conversation, with a career spanning over two decades in financial services and software development. Transitioning from financial services, John founded his own software company in 1997, which evolved into a web design and digital marketing agency. Recognizing the burgeoning potential of AI, John shifted his focus approximately four years ago to specialize in AI, aiming to help businesses leverage AI more effectively. His company, Bazooka, concentrates on upskilling employees and organizations to navigate the complexities of AI integration.

John Munsell [01:20]: "I sold off the agency side to zero in on AI and try to help businesses learn how to use it more effectively and more efficiently because I could kind of see the writing on the wall."

Key Discussions

The Necessity of Frameworks in AI Integration

John emphasizes the importance of structured frameworks to ensure consistent and effective AI utilization across organizations. He introduces his proprietary method, Scalable Prompt Engineering, which mirrors spreadsheet design by using variables and "prompt containers." This approach allows for the easy modification of prompts, facilitating uniform AI interactions across different departments and teams.

John Munsell [02:56]: "I created this technique that I call scalable prompt engineering... so that everybody understood how the prompt was constructed."

To enhance comprehension and application, John developed the AI Strategy Canvas, inspired by the business model canvas. This visual tool helps teams understand the components necessary for constructing effective AI prompts, thereby reducing trial-and-error and fostering quicker adoption.

John Munsell [04:00]: "If you give it to the AI right up front, they get a vastly superior result a whole lot faster."

Consistency Across Teams

Greg and John discuss the critical role of consistency in AI usage within organizations. Without a standardized approach, AI outputs can vary significantly, leading to inefficiencies and subpar results. John advocates for a shared language and structured prompting to ensure all team members can generate high-quality AI outputs consistently.

John Munsell [07:06]: "If everybody is using it in a different way, it's hard for everybody to get the same output, the same consistency in the output."

Educational Gaps in AI Training

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the shortcomings of current educational systems in preparing students for an AI-driven workforce. John critiques universities for often teaching "stream of consciousness prompting," which leads to inconsistent and ineffective AI usage habits among graduates. Instead, he advocates for structured AI education that mirrors his own frameworks, enabling students to enter the workforce with robust and transferable AI skills.

John Munsell [12:10]: "Most of the universities are teaching what I would call stream of consciousness prompting... unless you're in the computer science department, you're not going to get the executable skills when you graduate."

John's AI Strategy Canvas and Book

John introduces his book, Ingrain AI Strategy through Execution, which elaborates on building an AI-first culture within organizations. The book provides a step-by-step guide on implementing scalable AI frameworks, making it a valuable resource for both students and professionals aiming to enhance their AI proficiency.

John Munsell [15:50]: "It's called Ingrain AI Strategy through Execution. It's about how to scale an AI first culture in your organization."

Universities vs. Community Colleges in AI Adoption

The discussion highlights the disparity between universities and community colleges in adopting AI training. John points out that while universities are traditionally focused on research and slower to adapt, community colleges often treat students as their primary product, allowing for more rapid integration of practical AI skills.

John Munsell [17:43]: "Universities by and large don't operate like a business... Community colleges... are able to move a lot faster."

Insights

1. Structured AI Prompting is Crucial: Implementing a standardized framework for AI interaction ensures consistency, efficiency, and higher quality outputs across an organization.

2. Educational Systems Need Overhaul: To prepare the workforce adequately, educational institutions must integrate structured AI training that goes beyond rudimentary prompting techniques.

3. Frameworks Enhance Knowledge Sharing: Tools like the AI Strategy Canvas facilitate easier knowledge transfer and onboarding, reducing dependency on individual expertise.

4. AI Skills as a Competitive Edge: Professionals equipped with structured AI skills are more valuable and employable, providing a significant advantage in the job market.

5. Universities Must Evolve: To remain relevant, universities need to adopt a more business-oriented mindset, focusing on workforce development and practical AI applications.

Conclusions

The episode underscores the imperative for organizations to adopt structured AI frameworks to harness the full potential of AI technologies. John Munsell’s insights reveal that without standardized methods, AI can lead to inconsistent and mediocre results. Additionally, there is a clear call to action for educational institutions to revamp their AI curricula to better prepare students for the realities of an AI-augmented workforce. By fostering an AI-first culture and equipping both current and future employees with the right skills, businesses can achieve greater agility and maintain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving B2B landscape.

Notable Quotes

• John Munsell [02:56]: "I created this technique that I call scalable prompt engineering... so that everybody understood how the prompt was constructed."

• John Munsell [07:06]: "If everybody is using it in a different way, it's hard for everybody to get the same output, the same consistency in the output."

• John Munsell [12:10]: "Most of the universities are teaching what I would call stream of consciousness prompting... unless you're in the computer science department, you're not going to get the executable skills when you graduate."

• John Munsell [15:50]: "It's called Ingrain AI Strategy through Execution. It's about how to scale an AI first culture in your organization."

• John Munsell [17:43]: "Universities by and large don't operate like a business... Community colleges... are able to move a lot faster."

Final Remarks

Greg Kilstrom concludes the episode by thanking John Munsell for his valuable insights and encouraging listeners to explore more about John and Bazooka through the show's show notes. The episode highlights the critical intersection of AI, education, and workforce development, providing actionable strategies for B2B marketers and organizations aiming to thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Stay Tuned: For more episodes on B2B success strategies at the intersection of sales, marketing, and technology, visit www.b2bagility.com.