Hosted by Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper

Hey JDE Connection listeners! We’re back with Part II of our thought-provoking conversation with Chris Laping, author of People Before Things. If you thought Part I was insightful, get ready—we go even deeper in this episode. We tackle everything from AI and fruit salad to the misunderstood role of IT and, of course, the quirks of Midwestern culture.

Observation Errors and the Fruit Salad Story

Chris kicked things off with a hilarious but powerful lesson in observation errors—the idea that we often try to solve the wrong problem. He told a story about a retail bakery chain struggling to boost catering sales. Everyone—from HR to IT—had theories, but the real issue? Fruit salad. A $10M system replacement was nearly approved, but Chris discovered the problem was a simple menu oversight. A $0 solution saved millions.

Takeaway: Don’t let your tools dictate your problems. Validate that a real problem exists before throwing money—or AI—at it.

AI and the Art of the Possible

We revisited the hype around AI and why it’s important to focus on compelling use cases that drive real value—not just trendy tools. Chris reminded us that innovation requires imagination. The example? His team at Red Robin once adapted NFL playbook software to manage restaurant iPads. That kind of creative thinking is what separates tech projects from tech transformation.

Done For You vs. Done With You

We got into a rich discussion about how IT can better serve the business—not just by building what’s asked, but by proactively identifying what’s needed. Chris challenged us: what if our greatest value isn’t in collaboration, but in anticipation? What if we stop waiting for the business to define requirements and instead show up with fully-baked solutions that demonstrate real understanding?

Paul added his own take: leaders want help seeing the problems they don’t know they have, not just solutions to the ones they do. It’s about insight, not just execution.

Breaking Out of Siloed Thinking

As Chandra pointed out, so many organizational challenges stem from siloed perspectives. Teams are experts in their domain—but disconnected from the bigger picture. That disconnect creates blind spots. We all agreed: IT has the unique ability to see across functions, spot inefficiencies, and propose integrated solutions.

Chris emphasized that transformation doesn’t require massive teams. Often, two or three empowered, focused individuals can move mountains—if they’re given the time, resources, and trust.

Lessons from the C-Suite

Chris shared how starting his own business gave him new appreciation for CFOs, prioritization, and the real-world tradeoffs leaders face. The most memorable quote? “No one gave Steve Jobs the requirements for an iPod.”

Tech leaders have to bring the vision, not just take orders.

Midwesternism of the Day

And of course, we couldn’t wrap up without some good ol’ Midwestern banter. Chris told the unforgettable story of turpentine, pine sap, and his rugged father-in-law. It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and 100% relatable for anyone who’s ever been initiated into a new family—or a new region.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for anyone leading transformation, navigating organizational change, or trying to find their voice as a technology leader. Chris’s stories remind us that the real power of tech lies in how we work together, not just what we implement.

Join the Conversation

We want to hear from you! What’s your “fruit salad” moment? Have you tried a done-for-you model in your org? Send us your thoughts at thejdeconnection@questoraclecommunity.org.

Until next time, let’s keep learning, sharing, and most importantly, laughing together!

Toodles!

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