Become a $1M/yr FDE (Full Course)

About this episode

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