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Accenture found some staff spending $1,000 a month on AI, so it set a $29 monthly limit per employee, and Eric and Neil both think the cap is smart. They point out that reported AI revenue can be gross rather than net, then cite Ramp’s AI spend index, where the median is $11. They agree a policy needs exceptions for people who prove value, while Neil shares how he downgraded his ChatGPT plan. The back half covers two-slice teams, Bending Spoons’ model of cutting most of a company, and Evernote going from 433 staff at its peak to about 30 today. They close on Berkshire Hathaway’s $330M stake in Bending Spoons and the 41% jump in the stock. Spend with a reason.

Key takeaways
◾Accenture’s $29 cap is smart, but proven high spenders should get exceptions
◾Most people pay for top models to do basic work, so match the model to the task
◾Evernote went from 433 staff at its peak to about 30 under Bending Spoons

Chapters
00:00 Accenture caps AI spend at $29 a month
00:23 Did staff really spend $1,000 a month?
01:53 Reported AI revenue is often gross, not net
03:31 Ramp’s AI spend index: median is $11
04:14 Set a policy, then talk to top spenders
04:56 Exceptions for people proving value
05:45 Neil downgrades his ChatGPT plan
06:39 A 45-minute AI session that is worth it
08:26 Two-slice teams, not two-pizza teams
09:30 Pirate and architect: coordination drag
10:25 Small teams ship faster
12:00 Meta’s 200 people out of 70,000
12:39 Bending Spoons: a private equity model
14:04 A layoff post that also launches features
15:24 Evernote: 433 staff at peak, about 30 now
16:18 Why public markets accept deep cuts
17:07 Berkshire’s $330M stake, stock up 41%

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Welcome to Marketing School, one of the top business podcasts with over 61 million downloads. Each episode delivers actionable marketing tips and strategies from two entrepreneurs who truly practice what they preach. The show is hosted by Eric Siu, founder of Leveling Up and Single Grain, and Neil Patel, co-founder of Neil Patel Digital and recognized by Forbes as a Top 10 Marketer.

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