Inner Circle
← Back to Library
Content

Out of Necessity: Landscapers’ Hacks for AI and DIY Development

📅 April 30, 2026 ⏱️ 44:21 🎤 Jim Cali, Kevin Keim, Sterling West, Sam Zale, Jason New

Chapters

Click to jump to section

  • 0:00
    Adapting Software to Business
    The hosts introduce the idea of molding software to fit business needs rather than adapting the business to software.
  • 0:32
    Why Start with AI?
    Sterling and Sam discuss their initial motivations for exploring AI, driven by frustration and opportunities for improvement.
  • 8:28
    AI in Current Operations
    Sterling and Sam detail how they are currently using AI, from website building and scheduling to estimating and custom operational suites.
  • 18:33
    AI for Project Milestones
    Sterling explains using AI to track critical project milestones like permits and payments, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
  • 25:00
    Cost Savings & Flexibility
    Sam discusses the significant cost savings achieved by replacing multiple expensive software subscriptions with a custom AI-driven platform.
  • 36:27
    AI Tools & Prompting
    Sam and Sterling share the AI tools they use (Claude, Manis, Go High Level) and the importance of effective prompting to guide the AI.
  • 48:03
    Time Investment & Benefits
    The guests acknowledge the significant time investment but emphasize the limitless benefits and efficiencies gained from custom AI solutions.
  • 58:01
    AI as an Employee Enhancer
    The discussion shifts to how AI enhances employee efficiency and morale rather than replacing jobs, acting as a 'second brain'.
  • 1:05:04
    AI in Bid Review
    Sterling shares how AI conducts bid reviews, flagging errors in quantities, materials, and labor hours, ensuring accurate proposals.

Speakers

J
Jim Cali
Host — principles and coaches of McFarland Stanford
K
Kevin Keim
Host
S
Sterling West
Newport Avenue Landscaping
S
Sam Zale
Zales Lawn and Landscape
J
Jason New
Host — co-founder and principal at McFarland Stanford

Key Takeaways

Start exploring AI with small, targeted problems or frustrations to gain initial benefits without overhauling your entire system.

Consider AI as a tool to customize software to your specific business processes, providing flexibility that off-the-shelf solutions often lack.

Evaluate your current tech stack's cost; custom AI solutions can significantly reduce monthly subscription fees while offering tailored functionality.

Utilize AI to automate routine tasks like follow-ups, scheduling, or data entry, freeing up your team to focus on higher-value activities and improve morale.

Leverage AI for quality assurance in critical processes, such as permit tracking, project milestones, or bid reviews, to minimize human error and financial risks.

Develop effective 'prompting' skills when interacting with AI tools; clear and detailed instructions are crucial for generating accurate and useful results.

Think of AI as an enhancer for your employees, providing them with a 'second brain' to be more efficient, make better decisions, and improve overall operational quality.

Want the full experience?

Join the Inner Circle for full access to every episode, AI-powered insights, personalized coaching, and a network of industry leaders.

Join Inner Circle →

Inner Circle Membership Portal © 2026 Power100. All rights reserved.

power100.io