— NOVEMBER 1ST, 2026 —

AI ISN'T REPLACING COACHES

A business operating system can help you run better meetings and keep your team accountable, but when you're facing a difficult decision, knowing how to use the tools will only get you so far.

I've spent years building Ninety because I know how valuable a well-designed BOS can be. But I also know how important it is for founders to have a human they can turn to when the answers aren't straightforward.

I recently talked with Cullen Talley, founder of Exit Momentum, on the Founder's Framework podcast. Cullen has seen how the needs of growing companies have changed, particularly when it comes to understanding the financials, developing leaders, and making strategic decisions.

As companies grow, the decisions get more complicated. A founder might need to understand why margins are shrinking, help a department leader take on more responsibility, or decide which opportunities are worth going after. Having a coach who's dealt with those situations before can be incredibly valuable.

We also talked about how AI is changing the coaching business. As tools like Ninety get better at helping companies run meetings, set priorities, and track performance, coaches can spend more time helping founders think through decisions, ask better questions, and figure out what to do next.

That's where I see business coaching heading. Founders will still need good systems, but they'll also need coaches who can help them think through difficult decisions and develop the people responsible for carrying them out.

Do you have a business coach who is helping you run your BOS or become a better leader?

PERSPECTIVES

“People want to be part of a winning team. They also want to feel secure."
— Cullen Talley

MARK MY WORDS

When I was coaching, one of the ways I judged a session was whether we'd had two or three light bulb moments. Those were the times when someone saw a problem differently or recognized something they hadn't considered before.

You can teach someone how to run a meeting, set priorities, or track performance. Those are important skills, but the real value of coaching often comes from asking the right question at the right time. As AI gets better at helping companies manage their day-to-day operations, this is the part of coaching that will become even more important.

A coach who understands your company and knows when to challenge your thinking can help you reach conclusions you might not have reached on your own. That's something no meeting agenda can guarantee.

NINETY NAMED 2026 INC. POWER PARTNER

Inc. recently named Ninety a 2026 Power Partner for Business Products & Services, Midsize Excellence, and SaaS Products.

It's a recognition we're grateful for, and one that reflects the effort our team puts into helping founders and their teams run better companies.

Thank you to our team and to the companies that continue to put their trust in Ninety. We're committed to getting better and better at what we do.

[See the 2026 Power Partners]

ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD

In case you missed it, here’s more from Founder’s Framework:

10 Lessons From 10 Years of Building Ninety

I've been reflecting on what building this company has taught me. Some lessons came from decisions that worked out and others came from things I wish we'd done differently.

I recently shared 10 of those lessons with Entrepreneur, including why culture comes first, how to make difficult decisions, and what it takes to build a company that lasts.

[Read What 10 Years Taught Me]

As AI changes how companies operate, business coaching needs to evolve too. Coaching should extend beyond the tools and truly help founders make better decisions.