Masterclass: How FDEs make $1M/yr deploying AI agents
Google's most advanced audio models are LIVE, try them for yourself: Gemini 3.8 Live: https://startup-ideas-pod.link/gemini-3.8-live Gemini 3.5 Transcribe https://startup-ideas-pod.link/gemini-3.5-transcribe Gemini 3.5 Live Translate: https://startup-ideas-pod.link/gemini-3.5-live-translate In this episode, I talk with Vas from Varick about what it takes to put AI to work inside a real company. Vas makes the case that AI pays off through process reengineering, and he walks me through the exact method his forward deployed engineers (FDEs) use: interviews, process mining, step sorting, and agents built inside existing systems of record. We go through real engagements, including a $5B public software company and an accounts payable overhaul that cut the cost per invoice from $31 to $6. By the end, you get a clear picture of the FDE role, the business opportunity behind AI roll-ups, and a five-day plan to start on your own. Links Mentioned: FDE Presentation: https://startup-ideas-pod.link/FDE-slides Vas’s Article: https://startup-ideas-pod.link/vas-fde Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 01:31 – Sponsor: Google 03:58 – FDE Overview 05:02 – AI Roll-Ups and Process Reengineering 08:04 – The Personal Systems Analogy 09:55 – Understanding a company’s process (step-by-step) 14:11 – Case Study: $5B Software Company 18:11 – 4 Buckets for Every Step 19:04 – Build Inside Systems of Record 21:36 – Case Study: PE Portfolio 23:43 – Selling to C-Suite Executives 27:07 – Process of Mapping Five NetSuite Companies 28:39 – Example: Accounts Payable Process Map 32:54 – Case Study: 60-Person Accounting Firm 34:51 – When to Use Code, Agents, or Humans 36:00 – Choosing AI Models 38:16 – Sidekick vs Background Agents 40:29 – The 3 Skills of a Top FDE 42:25 – Why FDEs Earn So Much 45:26 – Five-Day Starter Plan 47:39 – On-Premise Hardware Demand 48:36 – OpenAI Private Intelligence 50:20 – The Full Playbook 52:01 – Closing Thoughts Key Points • AI pays off when you re-engineer the process first, then build agents into it. • Map the real process with interviews, system-of-record mining, and existing docs. • Sort every step into four buckets: delete, plain code, agent, or human decision. • Build agents inside the tools clients already use, like Salesforce, NetSuite, and Slack. • Sell the outcome each buyer cares about, and prove it with before-and-after KPIs. • Top FDEs combine domain knowledge, production engineering, AI judgment, and strong communication. The #1 tool to find startup ideas/trends - https://www.ideabrowser.com LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND VAS ON SOCIAL Varick Agents: https://www.varickagents.com/#hero-section X/Twitter: https://x.com/vasuman AI Forward Deployed Engineers: https://learn.varickagents.com/fde-in-30-days
