Start At Zero

By Abhijit Verekar

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Subscribers: 2
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Episodes: 142

Description

Start at Zero is a conversation-first podcast about what it actually takes to modernize technology, build a business from scratch, and make sense of AI without the hype. Episodes range from focused 15-minute interviews with government leaders and tech founders to longer deep dives where I walk through what I'm building in real time - the AI agents, the automation stack, the hard lessons from 20 years of consulting.


The tone is direct and honest. I don't do scripted questions or softball setups. I want the story behind the story - what went wrong, what you'd do differently, what nobody in the room was willing to say. Guests should expect a conversation that feels like two people working through a real problem together, not a performance.


Topics include government technology, AI in the real world, entrepreneurship, consulting, procurement, and the messy intersection of all of them. Some episodes are interviews, some are just me thinking out loud about something I built or broke that week.


If you've got a real story - something you built, something that failed, a lesson that cost you - you'll fit right in here. I'll send a loose topic outline beforehand, but the best episodes happen when we go off-script.


Episode Date
Responsible AI Governance: How Public Sector Leaders Avoid Costly Mistakes
Mar 26, 2026
How Long Should Digital Transformation Really Take?
Mar 12, 2026
5 Budget Decisions That Will Shape Local Government Through 2030
Mar 05, 2026
Your Employees Will Reject This ERP Unless You Do This First
Feb 26, 2026
Government AI Pilots Are Failing — Here’s Why
Feb 19, 2026
AI & GovTech: The Race to Do It Right
Feb 12, 2026
The 90-Day ERP Check: Warning Signs That Predict Project Failure
Feb 05, 2026
Why Your AI Pilot Will Fail (And What Actually Works Instead)
Jan 29, 2026
Why ERP Projects Break Down Long Before Go-Live
Jan 22, 2026
Best of Breed vs All-in-One: The ERP Debate That’s Costing Governments Millions
Jan 15, 2026
Dirty Data: Why Legacy ERP Migrations Fail Before They Start
Jan 08, 2026
Bulletproof RFPs: How to Turn Procurement From Opinion Into Math
Jan 01, 2026
Vaporware Traps: Why Government Keeps Falling for Software Demos
Dec 18, 2025
From Practitioner to CIO: The Leadership Evolution No One Talks About
Dec 11, 2025
Why Avero Isn’t a “Tech Firm” — And What Modernization Actually Requires
Dec 04, 2025
GovAI Summit Recap: Separating Signal from Noise in Government AI
Nov 20, 2025
From Paper to Person: Injecting Life into Vendor Interviews in Public Procurement
Nov 13, 2025
Leveraging Technology to Build Trust in Local Government | ICMA 2025
Nov 06, 2025
From Phoenix to Policy: Reflections on Housing Innovation at NAHRO 2025
Oct 23, 2025
What’s a Realistic Timeline for Public Sector Transformation?
Oct 23, 2025
What’s a Realistic Timeline for Public Sector Transformation?
Oct 16, 2025
Modern Policing & Data-Driven Leadership: A Conversation with Chief Paul Noel
Oct 03, 2025
From Benchmarks to Predictive SIS: The Future of Student Data
Oct 02, 2025
From Disaster to Best Practices: Lessons in Government ERP
Sep 25, 2025
2026 Paradigm Shifts: Rethinking Government ERP Implementations
Sep 18, 2025
ERP Contracts Uncovered: Avoiding the Fine Print Traps
Sep 11, 2025
Modern Finance in Government: AI, Strategy & the Future CFO
Sep 04, 2025
Procurement Politics: How to Keep Vendor Selection Fair & Focused
Aug 28, 2025
Define Success Before You Fund It: Project Scope Done Right
Aug 21, 2025
EAM in Focus: Strategic Asset Management for Modern Government
Aug 14, 2025
AI & GovTech: The Race to Do It Right
Aug 07, 2025
AI’s Tipping Point: July’s Seismic Shifts in GovTech
Jul 31, 2025
Timelines, Trust & Transformation: What It Really Takes to Modernize Public Sector Tech
Jul 24, 2025
Modernizing Government Finance: Insights from GFOA 2025
Jul 17, 2025
GFOA 2025: What Public Finance Leaders Are Really Talking About
Jul 10, 2025
Public Good, Private Code: AI Ethics in Local Government
Jul 03, 2025
Beyond the Bid: What the UK’s £144M ERP Deal Teaches Us About Transformation
Jun 26, 2025
Flight Plan for ERP: Lessons in Leadership, Checklists, and Control
Jun 19, 2025
GovTech Unfiltered: Live Q&A with Abhijit Verekar
Jun 12, 2025
Retaining Trust & Fueling Growth – The New Era of Government Client Success
May 29, 2025
The Future of AI for Constituent Services & CRM for Government
May 22, 2025
How We've Helped Our Clients Overcome the Biggest Challenges in Public Sector Transformations
May 01, 2025
Beyond the Comfort Zone: Leading Through Growth and Change
Apr 24, 2025
Jan Baan on Microservices, AI, and the Future of Enterprise Software
Apr 17, 2025
Monolithic ERP vs. Best-of-Breed: How to Choose What Work
Apr 10, 2025
Beyond The Status Quo: How OpenGov Is Raising The Bar For Public Sector Innovation
Apr 03, 2025
Turning Transactions Into Trust: Building Better Vendor Relationships
Mar 27, 2025
Nevada's ERP Milestone: Modernizing Government One ERP at a Time
Mar 20, 2025
Modernizing Government: Public Sector Digital Transformation & IT Modernization Summit
Mar 13, 2025
Connecting EAM and ERP for Smarter Operations
Mar 06, 2025
AI, Government Efficiency & The Future of Public Services
Feb 27, 2025
Government ERP Selection: Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid
Feb 20, 2025
Inside the UK’s Largest ERP Transformation: Lessons for Government IT
Feb 13, 2025
Stargate's $500B AI Initiative & What It Means for Local Governments
Feb 06, 2025
People-First Technology: Redefining Public Sector HR With UKG
Jan 30, 2025
RFP Masterclass: Write with Us, Win with Us
Jan 23, 2025
Our Most Frequent and Toughest Questions from Prospects
Jan 16, 2025
2025 New Years Resolutions for Local Gov Tech
Jan 09, 2025
2025 Checklist for ERP Implementation Readiness
Jan 02, 2025
Questions from Prospects: What it's like Actually Partnering with us
Dec 26, 2024
Changing the Future of GovTech
Dec 19, 2024
Why Your RFPs Are Being Ignored - Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Dec 12, 2024
Death by a Thousand Cuts - ERP Failures in Local Government
Dec 05, 2024
Technology Trends
Nov 28, 2024
Real World Results - Public Sector IT Strategies in Action
Nov 21, 2024
Why Your RFPs Are Being Ignored: Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Nov 14, 2024
The Future of Government AI: How Your Local Government Can Leverage It Today
Nov 07, 2024
Essential Questions to Ask Your CIO
Oct 31, 2024
Oracle in Action: Powering Public Sector Transformation
Oct 17, 2024
The Power Assessments in Digital Transformation
Oct 04, 2024
Modernizing Public Safety: Next-Gen Case Management Solutions
Aug 29, 2024
Digital Transformation Olympics: Sprinting Towards Innovation
Aug 14, 2024
Top Questions to Ask Your CIO | Public Sector ERP
Aug 01, 2024
NetSuite & Infor Insights: Navigating the Future of Business Solutions
Jul 19, 2024
The State of SAP in the Public Sector
Jul 11, 2024
Government Finance Officer Association Recap: Key Learnings for CFO in DtX Projects
Jun 22, 2024
Mindful Pauses: ERP Project Wellness Checks
Jun 05, 2024
Unlocking Success - Mastering Leadership and Process Improvement in Consulting
May 28, 2024
Client-Centric Consulting - Delivering Knowledge, Not Just Results
May 21, 2024
Live Q&A with AV - Ask Me Anything (AMA)
May 03, 2024
Public Safety: Implementing Sustainable Technology
Apr 30, 2024
When Contracts Go South: Managing Legal Challenges in ERP
Apr 23, 2024
Connecting the Dots: Crafting an ERP RFP that Speaks to Technology, People, and Change
Apr 16, 2024
Navigating the Shift: Modernizing Legacy ERP Systems in Public Transit
Apr 09, 2024
Navigating the Shift: From Private Sector Efficiency to Public Sector Impact
Apr 03, 2024
Government ERP: Mastering Total Ownership Cost Analysis
Mar 15, 2024
Beyond the Call: Technology's Transformative Impact on Public Safety
Mar 09, 2024
Contract Essentials Parts 1 - 4
Mar 01, 2024
Introduction to Cross-Collaboration
Feb 24, 2024
Phases of the ERP Implementation Process
Feb 16, 2024
RFP Design: What Government Consultants Wish You Knew
Feb 09, 2024
Visionary Ventures Entrepreneurial Strategies for PHA Leaders
Feb 02, 2024
Navigating Digital Transformation in K-12 Education: Challenges and Opportunities
Jan 26, 2024
Public Safety Technology Strategy
Jan 19, 2024
Solo Broadcast: Mastering the ERP Checklist Essentials
Jan 12, 2024
Building a Robust ERP Implementation Team
Jan 05, 2024
The Strategic Vision: Aligning ERP Modernization with Public Sector Organizational Goals
Dec 29, 2023
360° Readiness Check: Preparing for Software Implementation Across Operations, Data, and Teams
Dec 22, 2023
Streamlining Workflows and Boosting Interdepartmental Collaboration with ERP Systems
Dec 15, 2023
Project Governance and Stakeholder Management in IT Change Initiatives
Dec 08, 2023
The Future of Government Services: Enhancing Public Engagement through Natural Language Search Tools
Dec 01, 2023
Stratosphere Debate with AV & Eric Kimberling
Nov 24, 2023
Modernizing a City: Strategizing the Initial Steps Towards a Comprehensive IT Update
Nov 17, 2023
Breaking Point: The Escalating Threat of Ransomware and Data Breaches
Nov 10, 2023
Creating a Workplace Culture that Embraces Accountability and Leadership
Nov 04, 2023
Potion Mixing Perils: The Dark Arts of Customization with Paul Oberdorfer
Oct 27, 2023
Tales from the Crypt: ERP Zombies - Stories of Half-Dead ERP Implementations
Oct 20, 2023
Ghost of Resistance: Change Management Phantoms
Oct 13, 2023
Leading Major City Modernization Efforts In The Midst Of A Pandemic With John Juech
Mar 08, 2023
Design Thinking and Business Process Redesign in Enterprise IT
Feb 24, 2023
How To Become COVID-Resilient Through Shovel-Ready Projects
Feb 10, 2023
Internet Access & Affordability - Part 2 With Mike Caffrey
Feb 03, 2023
Public Housing Authorities, Systems, And Challenges That Get In The Way Of Efficient Operations With Robert Kornovich
Jan 27, 2023
IT Modernization: Proven Roadmaps And Pitfalls To Avoid With Mike Caffrey
Jan 21, 2023
Internet Access And Affordability - Part 1
Jan 13, 2023
Harnessing Government Technology To Make a Big Impact With Abhi Nemani
Dec 15, 2022
Strategic Innovation In City Management: Pearland TX With Clay Pearson
Dec 07, 2022
Digital Innovation For Better Utilities With Gabe Bolas
Dec 01, 2022
Leveraging Innovative Technologies In The Public Housing Sector With Ben Bentley
Nov 25, 2022
Creating An Innovative City With The Business Community With Patricia Robled
Nov 17, 2022
Making Innovation As The Focal Point In Knoxville, Tennessee With Tom Ballard
Nov 10, 2022
Keeping Electronic Payments Secure With Jaydeep Palka
Nov 03, 2022
Intelligent Pavement Management with James Golden, CEO, PMG
Oct 28, 2022
Leveraging IoT Technologies In The Public Sector With Nicole Raimundo
Oct 21, 2022
Navigating The Journey To City Management Through Civic Technology And Problem Solving With Noel Bernal
Oct 07, 2022
Create Simple Cybersecurity Solutions With Cybersecurity Professional James Leslie
Sep 30, 2022
Transformation Through Technology: Reaching Operational Sufficiency By Leveraging Tech With Ivory Mathews
Sep 23, 2022
Cybersecurity & Enterprise Risk For Executives With Robert Kornovich
Sep 16, 2022
Seeing Through The Noise Of Government IT With Joe LaCroix
Sep 09, 2022
Capturing Sustainable Growth In The Public Housing Industry With Sean Gilbert
Sep 02, 2022
Innovation through Document Management
Aug 26, 2022
Building Thriving Communities With Eugene Jones Jr.
Aug 12, 2022
From T1 To Fiber Optic: Innovation For The Community With Greg McClain
Aug 05, 2022
A Day In The Life Of A City Manager With C. Seth Sumner
Jul 29, 2022
Effective Leadership: Being Brilliant At the Basics With Kimberly Bailey
Jul 22, 2022
Leveraging Technology to Enhance Communities, with Theogene Melancon, City Manager at Dayton, TX
Jul 15, 2022
Providing A Higher Level Of Service Through Innovation With Bob Wilson, Assistant City Manager, City of Johnson City, TN
Jul 08, 2022
Implementing Virtual Court Systems With Tom Hatcher, Circuit Court Clerk For Blount County, Tennessee
Jul 01, 2022
Building A Smart And Innovative City With Brian Platt, City Manager, City Of Jersey City, NJ
Jun 24, 2022
Enhancing The Level Of Service To Build A Great Community With Eric Stuckey, City Administrator, City of Franklin, TN
Jun 17, 2022
The Smart City: How Technology Can Be Utilized In Public Service With Rick Cole
Jun 10, 2022
Bringing Innovation To Airports With Trevis Gardner, Vice President Operations and CIO
Jun 03, 2022