How Decision Intelligence and AI Are Helping Contractors Make Smarter, Faster Choices

Every business owner says they want to work “on” their business, not just “in” it. But making real, data-driven decisions instead of quick gut reactions? That’s hard, especially when the stakes are high, the tech is changing fast, and the pressure never seems to let up.

In this insightful episode of Catalyst for the Trades, Jennifer Bagley dives deep with Teasha Cable, tech visionary and CEO of CMode Data. Teasha gets real about why most contracting businesses feel stuck, how AI is transforming the way decisions are made, and why your gut instinct isn’t enough anymore.

You’ll learn how decision intelligence, AI, and your own business data can build a foundation for growth, confidence, and smarter action. If you’re tired of flying blind, chasing shiny objects, or making expensive mistakes you regret months later, this one’s for you.

Why You Should Listen

Teasha Cable has spent 25 years helping Fortune 500s and startups alike outsmart disruption. Her approach simplifies the complex, giving contractors a roadmap to blend their experience, purpose, and the power of AI. This episode will show you how to slow down, think bigger, and make decisions with impact, so your business doesn’t just survive the next tech wave, but thrives in it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The Real Reason Most Businesses Make Bad Decisions
  Teasha breaks down why so many business owners rely on gut reactions and emotions and how ignoring process, systems, and your “why” leads to trouble. Find out why anchoring every strategic choice in your core purpose changes everything.
• A Practical System for Better Decisions
  You’ll hear exactly how small businesses should start: by clarifying their mission, vision, and ideal customer. Discover how to use foundational data like total addressable market and financial models to set goals you can actually achieve.
• How AI and Decision Intelligence Save You Time and Money
  Forget dashboards for the sake of dashboards. Teasha explains how AI-powered tools aggregate your data, ask the right questions, and help you simulate the ROI of every action so you can see the potential impact before you commit.
• Avoiding “Shiny Object Syndrome”
  Escape the cycle of buying tools you don’t need just because the competition did. Learn what it should feel like to truly prepare for big investments, and why slowing down pays off.
• The Power of Data-Driven Reflection
  Imagine being able to track every business decision, see its impact, and learn exactly what to double down on or avoid in the future. Teasha shares how decision intelligence helps you fix what’s broken (and scale what’s working) using your own real results, not guesswork.
• Agentic Networks vs. Basic Automation: What’s the Difference?
  Teasha clarifies why modern AI goes far beyond simple “if this, then that” automations, and why having an “angel on your shoulder” agent to track, evaluate, and optimize decisions across your business is the new gold standard.

Why Transparency (and AI) Are the Future
Hear why leaders who avoid transparency and tech adoption will face a tough road. and how the future belongs to those who embrace data, transparency, and continuous improvement.