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AI’s Customer Service Impact: Siddhartha Sharad on Disruption of Machine-Led Interactions

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Join Karla Jo Helms on the Disruption InterruptionTM podcast as she sits down with Siddhartha Sharad, a customer experience expert, to delve into the transformative impact of digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) on customer service. They discuss shifting from traditional customer service models to AI-enabled strategies, emphasizing the strategic balance between experimentation, employee engagement, and scalable AI implementation.

TAMPA BAY, Fla., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In transformed organizations, research estimates AI could add up to $1 trillion in annual value, with revamped customer service as a major contributor. This transformation is driven by increased customer acceptance of machine-led interactions, the growing accessibility of related technologies, and an enhanced understanding of customer behaviors through expanding data pools. (1) Karla Jo Helms (KJ), host of the Disruption Interruption podcast, sits down with Siddhartha Sharad, a trailblazer in the field of customer service advisory and a distinguished leader in business transformation, to analyze the profound impact of digital transformation and AI on customer service. They explore how these technologies are unlocking untapped potential and driving unprecedented value. “For me, disruptive innovation is about continuous improvement and driving value for both the business and its customers. The fundamental principle behind this is to keep it simple, identify the problem first, and then focus on execution.”

Generative AI Revolutionizes Customer Service
Customer service has long been a critical aspect of business operations, traditionally focused on scale, efficiency, and delivering stellar customer experiences. However, the landscape is changing rapidly with the advent of AI. “The traditional model of customer service involved scaling capabilities by adding more people. But today, finding skilled labor is increasingly difficult, and there are inflationary pressures,” Sharad explains. “Now it’s about solving problems with technology and data capabilities to position organizations for long-term success.”

“For me, disruptive innovation is about continuous improvement and driving value for both the business and its customers,” Siddhartha Sharad states. “The fundamental principle behind this is to keep it simple, identify the problem first, and then focus on execution.”

Generative AI is set to revolutionize customer service by creating a mix of human, automated, augmented, and new high-value tasks. This technology enables companies to provide proactive, personalized service, enhancing customer engagement and reducing costs while requiring human oversight to ensure accuracy and ethical behavior. As generative AI evolves alongside its adoption, it will continuously disrupt industries, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and problem-solving, thus empowering companies to gain a competitive edge. (2)

Sharad notes that approximately 30-40% of customer interactions are complex and require a human touch, but the majority are repetitive and transactional, making them ideal for automation through AI.

Transforming Customer Service with AI
Sharad shares how implementing AI in customer service faces challenges, particularly in shifting the perception from a cost center to a value center. He discusses how organizations must move beyond pilot projects to achieve real progress, leveraging AI to enhance productivity, revenue growth, and customer experiences. Success in AI adoption requires effective communication, employee engagement, high-quality data, skilled talent, and sufficient resources, with significant advancements expected to automate up to 70% of customer service interactions in the near future.

Links:
Disrupting the $100B+ US Customer Service Industry Using AI, with Siddhartha Sharad
https://omny.fm/shows/disruption-interruption/disrupting-the-100b-us-customer-service-industry-u?in_playlist=podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidsharad/
Company Website: https://www.westmonroe.com/

Disruption Interruption is the podcast where you will hear from today’s biggest Industry Disruptors. Learn what motivated them to bring about innovation and how they overcame opposition to adoption.

Disruption Interruption can be listened to in Apple’s App Store and Spotify.

About Disruption InterruptionTM
Disruption is happening on an unprecedented scale, impacting all manner of industries— MedTech, Finance, IT, eCommerce, shipping, logistics, and more—and COVID has moved their timelines up a full decade or more. But WHO are these disruptors and when did they say, “THAT’S IT! I’VE HAD IT!”? Time to Disrupt and Interrupt with host Karla Jo “KJ” Helms, veteran communications disruptor. KJ interviews badasses who are disrupting their industries and altering economic networks that have become antiquated with an establishment resistant to progress. She delves into uncovering secrets from industry rebels and quiet revolutionaries that uncover common traits—and not-so-common—that are changing our economic markets… and lives. Visit the world’s key pioneers that persist to success, despite arrows in their backs at http://www.disruption-interruption.com.

About Siddhartha Sharad
Siddhartha Sharad is a Customer Experience Expert who helps enterprises realize business value through technology automation and artificial intelligence. Siddhartha has built a strong reputation as a strategic client advisor, a true “problem solver” and a business leader with proven experience in fostering innovation-led growth.

Siddhartha’s recipe for success is simple: strike the right balance of problem-solving intelligence (IQ), emotional awareness (EQ), and execution focus (XQ). He’s honed that formula through hands-on experience running complex transformation projects and managing business P&Ls.

He successfully executed the turnaround of a Pharma & Life Sciences solutions business within 15 months by updating the customer service technology platform, revitalizing the workforce to deliver a better patient experience, and instilling a culture of innovation and change. Results achieved – $8 million in annual savings, 500% growth in the pipeline and a 10-point increase in client Net Promoter Scores.

He holds a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai and a Master in Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata.

About Karla Jo Helms
Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™. Karla Jo learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the line — and how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen, or another is brutally rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators, and the media to help restore companies of goodwill into the good graces of public opinion — Karla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it right the first time, not relying on second chances and doing what it takes to excel. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive markets and impact market perception.

References
1. Das, Avinash Chandra, et al. “The next Frontier of Customer Engagement: Ai-Enabled Customer Service.” McKinsey & Company, McKinsey & Company, 27 Mar. 2023,
2. Daugherty , Paul, et al. “Generative AI Will Enhance – Not Erase – Customer Service Jobs.” Harvard Business Review, 3 Apr. 2023, hbr.org/2023/03/generative-ai-will-enhance-not-erase-customer-service-jobs.

Media Inquiries:
Karla Jo Helms 
JOTO PR™ 
727-777-4619 
jotopr.com 

Media Contact

Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@jotopr.com, jotopr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/ais-customer-service-impact-siddhartha-sharad-on-disruption-of-machine-led-interactions-302186985.html

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Carbide Manufacturing Expert Carl Ciesla Shares How Beginners Can Build Strong Foundations in HelloNation

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SANBORN, N.Y., June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does it take to get started in machining with the right foundation? In an article published by HelloNation, Carl Ciesla of Lakeshore Carbide in Sanborn, New York, explains how beginners can prepare for long-term success in the trade. He emphasizes that machining is more than operating equipment; it requires precision, problem-solving, and a solid grasp of both theory and practice.

Ciesla notes that learning to read blueprints and understand tolerances is one of the first steps for new machinists. These skills ensure that each part can be accurately produced and verified. Knowing how exact a measurement must be — and how to consistently meet that requirement — lays the foundation for quality work.

The article explains that hands-on practice with measurement tools is equally important. Micrometers, calipers, and indicators allow machinists to measure down to the thousandth of an inch. Mastering these tools ensures that accuracy begins at the bench, not just at the machine.

Ciesla highlights that tool geometry is another essential area of learning. The shape and angle of cutting flutes directly influence chip evacuation, tool engagement, and part quality. Beginners who understand these details gain an advantage when choosing and using carbide end mills and inserts for different jobs.

He also stresses the value of manual machining experience. By working with lathes and mills, apprentices develop an understanding of speeds, feeds, and tool angles. This manual training provides the background needed to troubleshoot effectively when transitioning to CNC machines.

The article points out that shops look for machinists who combine technical knowledge with practical skills. Those who understand both the “why” and the “how” are better equipped to solve problems and improve efficiency on the shop floor.

Ciesla emphasizes that machining is not a skill learned overnight. It is a lifelong craft shaped by curiosity, precision, and practice. Developing strong habits early on helps new machinists grow into experts who continuously refine their techniques.

The path into machining, according to Ciesla, is about more than learning machines. It is about cultivating craftsmanship, practicing patience, and building the mindset needed to succeed in a career defined by exacting standards and continuous improvement.

The article, Getting Started in Machining, shows how Carl Ciesla of Lakeshore Carbide offers practical guidance for those entering the field. His perspective in HelloNation outlines the key steps and habits that prepare new machinists for long-term success.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carbide-manufacturing-expert-carl-ciesla-shares-how-beginners-can-build-strong-foundations-in-hellonation-302804920.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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Honest Medical CEO Responds to Medline Facility Fire, Confirms Inventory Secured for California Customers

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Following the devastating Medline distribution center fire in Tracy, CA, Honest Medical CEO Mike Greenan went on NBC News to confirm that inventory secured at alternative facilities will keep customer orders on track.

OCEANSIDE, Calif., June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Honest Medical (HonestMed.com), a fast-growing ecommerce site offering thousands of essential healthcare products, is assuring customers that the recent fire at a primary Medline distribution hub will not significantly impact the availability of critical medical supplies. Honest Medical CEO Mike Greenan addressed the public on NBC News to assure healthcare facilities and other customers that robust contingency plans are actively in place.

It’s great to get this commitment from Medline so that our customers in other regions don’t need to worry. There may be a minor logistical adjustment of one or two days, but that is the absolute extent of it.

Medline, which describes itself as the largest supplier of medical and surgical supplies in the world, manufactures thousands of medical supplies that are essential for both healthcare facilities and in-home caregivers. This fire impacted one of Medline’s largest distribution hubs, leaving many healthcare facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area and other parts of California concerned that critical supplies may be seriously delayed. The California Hospital Association, which represents close to 400 hospitals throughout the state, reported receiving many inquiries as a result of the fire, demonstrating the high level of concern.

Greenan was able to confirm that Honest Medical received firm assurances from Medline that inventory at other facilities – particularly a warehouse in Temecula, Southern California – have the resources to make sure pending orders are filled and that Northern California customers receive the supplies they need. Greenan said, “It’s great to get this commitment from Medline so that our customers in other regions don’t need to worry. There may be a minor logistical adjustment of one or two days, but that is the absolute extent of it.”

While Medline has not yet released an official timeline for rebuilding the damaged distribution hub, local authorities and industry experts emphasize that its strategic location makes a full restoration likely. In the interim, Honest Medical’s secondary supply channels remain fully operational to prevent any disruption to patient care.

Watch the report on the fire and Honest Medical CEO Mike Greenan’s comments here.

About Honest Medical

Honest Medical is a fast-growing ecommerce source for thousands of health and wellness products. Honest Medical empowers families, caregivers and institutions to shop across a broad range of essential healthcare products addressing critical issues such as mobility, nutrition, incontinence and more. In addition, the Honest Ideas blog offers helpful information and insights covering a range of topics relevant to those with disabilities, seniors, caregivers and loved ones. With its primary focus on customer satisfaction, HonestMed maintains a team of expert customer care specialists and offers its essential health and wellness products at affordable prices and with speedy delivery. Follow Honest Medical on Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact

Jon Ramirez, Honest Medical, 1 833-933-2323, jon.ramirez@honestmed.com, www.honestmed.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/honest-medical-ceo-responds-to-medline-facility-fire-confirms-inventory-secured-for-california-customers-302804793.html

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Advent Resources Expands Across Texas as Dealers Face Rising Fraud, Compliance Pressures, and Operational Complexity

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One connected platform helps Texas dealerships reduce risk, eliminate friction, and move deals faster.

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Advent Resources is expanding its reach across Texas to help dealerships simplify and strengthen the car deal, as fraud, compliance, and disconnected technology continue to create operational challenges for automotive retailers.

Dealers are managing more systems, regulations, customer expectations, and risk. The answer isn’t adding more technology. It’s about creating one workflow, one source of truth, and one platform to run their entire sales department.

For over 30 years, Advent Resources has helped dealers streamline operations by bringing identity verification, deal structuring, lender approvals, contracting, compliance, and funding into a single connected platform.

Today, this goal is more important than ever.

“Dealers are managing more systems, regulations, customer expectations, and risk,” said Ben Gill, CEO of Advent Resources. “The answer isn’t adding more technology. It’s about creating one workflow, one source of truth, and one platform to run their entire sales department.”

Auto fraud continues to grow while dealerships face increasing pressure to maintain compliance, protect customer information, and improve operations.

Auto fraud losses are projected to exceed $9 billion annually.

45% of dealerships report losses between $10,000 – $20,000 from a single fraudulent transaction.

Many dealerships recover less than 50% of fraud-related losses once a deal has been funded.

At the same time, many stores still rely on multiple disconnected systems to complete a single transaction, creating duplicate work, wasted clicks and opportunities for expensive errors.

Advent addresses these challenges by connecting every stage of the deal into one workflow, helping dealerships:

Structure, approve, contract, and fund deals in one system

Reduce hundreds of unnecessary clicks and eliminate duplicate data entry

Verify customer identities and collect required documents in real time

Strengthen compliance through integrated audit trails and automated workflows

Improve profitability by accelerating deals and reducing delays

Maintain one consistent source of truth from lead to funded deal

What’s more, Advent provides advanced AI-powered identity verification to reveal potential fraud risks earlier in the sales process, before issues become costly problems.

“Fraud and compliance issues rarely show up early,” Gill said. “They happen after the fact, when a dealership is trying to unwind a bad deal. The best way to reduce risk is to mitigate it head on at the beginning of the process.”

Advent’s commitment to improving the dealership experience extends beyond the sales department and into the showroom with Advent Connect.

Designed for both customers and staff, Advent Connect guides shoppers through the entire purchase process – from vehicle selection and payment options to financing, protection products, compliance documents, and final delivery. With every step of the transaction in a single customer-facing experience, dealerships eliminate friction, improve transparency, and create a faster, more engaging purchase.

Advent’s workflow helps customers make informed decisions while ensuring every profit opportunity is optimized throughout the transaction. The result is a better experience for customers, greater efficiency for teams, higher profitability for the dealership, and a modern retail process built around collaboration, transparency, and speed.

About Advent Resources

Advent Resources provides software that powers the financial layer of the car deal. For more than 30 years, the company has supported thousands of dealerships across the United States, including many of the industry’s top-performing dealer groups. By bringing identity verification, deal structuring, lender approvals, contracting, compliance and funding into one system, its digital car deal platform, Advent Advantage, helps dealerships complete deals faster while reducing risk and improving operational efficiency.

For more information, visit www.adventresources.com.

Media Contact

Jennifer Lange, Advent Resources, 1 9494603408, jenniferl@adventresources.com, www.adventresources.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/advent-resources-expands-across-texas-as-dealers-face-rising-fraud-compliance-pressures-and-operational-complexity-302804921.html

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