Most large-scale technology projects don't fail because the software is broken; they fail because the incentives are misaligned long before the first line of code is written. AV, founder of Avira Advisors and author of Start at Zero, joins Mark Wormgoor to discuss why massive ERP implementations, like the Birmingham City Council’s £200 million disaster spiral out of control and how tech leaders can prevent the same history from repeating itself with AI.

AV argues that the "abusive" nature of traditional consulting often stems from a lack of "Phase Zero" preparation. Organizations frequently jump into software selection and vendor RFPs without understanding their own internal processes, political buy-in, or desired outcomes. By the time an implementation partner is on-site, the customer has already lost their leverage, leading to endless change orders and "fluffy" risk registers where every red flag is painted green.

As we move into the age of AI, AV sees enterprises making the exact same mistakes: chasing shiny "agentic" products before they have established data sovereignty or governance. This conversation serves as a pressure-test for any leader about to sign off on a major digital transformation. AV shares how to reclaim ownership of your data, align consultant incentives with business value, and why the future of consulting belongs to those who can bridge the gap between AI-native thinking and human judgment.

Key Takeaways

• Success in high-stakes projects is determined before the RFP; spend time documenting processes and securing political buy-in before talking to vendors.

• Traditional consulting can become "abusive" when vendors dictate timelines and products based on their own sales targets rather than the client's actual needs.

• In the AI era, leaders must ensure they own their data and can move it between third-party tools rather than being locked into a single SaaS provider's ecosystem.

• Like ERP, AI adoption fails when it is treated as a product-first purchase instead of a business-process transformation requiring clean data and human oversight.

• The traditional billable-hour model is collapsing; value now lies in senior-level judgment, "blameability," and the ability to integrate AI "Lego bricks" into delivery.

• While AI can automate the "grunt work" of deliverables, final accountability must always rest with a seasoned human expert who carries the risk of the decision.

About AV

AV is the CEO of Avero Advisors, a government consulting firm he built from zero to $7.5 million over the last ten years. He's spent two decades helping state and local agencies navigate ERP implementations, AI strategy, and digital transformation, and he's been in the room for a majority of these engagements. He's currently writing a book called Start at Zero and rebuilding his firm around AI agents that handle everything from business development to content production and delivery.

Before Avero, AV spent a decade inside the traditional consulting world learning how the machine worked before deciding to build something different. Avero operates as the buyer's agent for government agencies, sitting on their side of the table instead of the vendor's. The firm has grown to a team of around 40 to 50 people, including a Global Innovations Center.

Outside of consulting, AV is an active investor. He's invested in BSG Hospitality and Market Square Ventures, applying the same builder's mindset to opportunities outside of govtech.

When he's not running the firm or writing, you'll probably find him on a motorcycle. He's an avid rider who uses long rides the same way some people use meditation: to think, decompress, and come back with clarity.

AV brings a rare combination to any conversation: deep technical credibility in government technology, real experience bootstrapping and scaling a services business, and an honest willingness to talk about what he got wrong along the way. He's not going to give your listeners a sales pitch. He's going to give them something useful.

Chapters

00:00 When Consulting Becomes Abusive

08:46 Laying Down the Foundation!

11:43 Ad

12:14 Private Companies vs Private Sectors

16:51 Excited AI Implementation

20:26 AI's Impact

27:09 Ad

27:20 How do You see the Future?

32:29 Starting Out Today!

Where to find AV

• Website: www.averoadvisors.com

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/verekar/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verekar/

• Twitter: https://x.com/AbhijitVerekar

AV’s Book

https://www.amazon.com/Start-Zero-Leading-Stakes-Modernization/dp/B0GZFQLDJ3