Our thought leadership team met with Dustin Wise — Director of Solution Innovation at 10xViz — to discuss the transformative power of Smartsheet in modern business operations.
With extensive experience in engineering and manufacturing, Dustin shares valuable insights into how businesses can overcome digital transformation challenges, leverage AI and automation, and streamline processes for greater efficiency. His expertise and innovative approach make this conversation essential for any organization looking to enhance operational effectiveness through customized solutions. Let’s get into it.
Can you tell us a little about your background?
Dustin: My background is in engineering and manufacturing, and it’s given me a passion for optimizing business processes. That’s actually what brought me here to 10xViz. I’ve always been driven to find better, more efficient ways of doing things. Process improvement, digital transformation, Smartsheet — 10xViz does it all, and it was a natural fit for someone like me.
What are you excited to help clients do as the Director of Solution Innovation?
Dustin: Streamline their operations. And I mean really streamline them, once and for all. That might look like automating business processes for greater efficiency. It might mean building out customized solutions. I’ll work with them in any way they need to give their operations an edge. I want to see clients leading innovation in their sectors, and I want to see them growing and thriving.
What are some common challenges businesses face during digital transformation?
Dustin: Resistance to change is a big one. Unclear or nonexistent strategy isn’t uncommon, either. And there’s data siloing. Many organizations struggle because they underestimate the cultural shift required for real digital transformation. Implementing new technologies means changing the way people work. And when departments operate in isolation without much focus on a cohesive strategy, it’s tough to get buy-in for tools that enhance collaboration and efficiency.
How will you help clients use Smartsheet to overcome those challenges?
Dustin: Identifying key stakeholders and their pain points is the first step. From there, we can work on building or clarifying an actionable strategy that targets business goals effectively. Then we can align Smartsheet capabilities with those business goals and create business-specific solution architecture to resolve whatever’s hampering efficiency.
Smartsheet’s an incredibly versatile platform. It can be adapted to a wide range of industries and use cases. What we do is pick and choose the capabilities in Smartsheet that we know will deliver the highest value to each operation or department, and then we create basically an in-house platform to meet everyone’s needs. And it’s theirs. They can use it how they need to use it and keep it growing with their teams.
How will you ensure solutions help remote teams stay productive and connected?
Dustin: Smartsheet’s collaborative features, real-time updates, and mobile accessibility are great for remote teams. The key to successful remote work is ensuring that everyone has access to the right information and can collaborate in real time. Smartsheet provides a centralized platform where team members can track progress, share documents, report on milestones, and communicate every step of the way. That kind of connectivity translates to productivity, regardless of where team members are located.
How do you envision Smartsheet’s AI and automation improving client operations?
Dustin: Smartsheet’s AI formula engine can automate data processing in ways a lot of people wouldn’t even believe. They make data entry faster or eliminate it altogether. And they reduce human errors, improving consistency. What you’re looking at is much faster data management, higher data integrity, and full-scale data centralization. Get all that in your pocket, and you can really see and do what needs to be done to improve business processes.
I’ll give you an example. AI can automatically categorize and prioritize tasks based on historical data. Then, it can queue up critical activities for teams to address first. And if any of those tasks aren’t done by a certain time, it can automatically notify managers. No one’s spending hours each week inspecting workflows. But the right information is reaching the right people at the right time. That’s a game-changer.
Can you expand on how Smartsheet can add different value at various organizational levels?
Dustin: With the right solution architecture — which is something we can build here at 10xViz — Smartsheet can add value across the board. At the team level, it helps manage day-to-day tasks and projects efficiently. For departments, it provides a way to coordinate activities and resources effectively. And at the executive level, it offers powerful reporting and analytics — insights into overall performance and strategic alignment. All parts of the organization are working together toward common goals. No more duplicate efforts, no avoidable back-and-forth communication, no sifting through spreadsheets for status updates and results.
How can the solutions you develop help businesses respond to workforce trends more effectively?
Dustin: Standardizing processes with Smartsheet shortens training times and facilitates seamless transitions, all while enhancing adaptability to overall change. It makes workflows more intuitive, allowing businesses to implement processes that are easy to understand and follow, whether employees are full-time, freelance, or contingent.
How will your leadership philosophy influence the way you lead projects and interact with clients?
Dustin: Simplifying complex problems and guiding teams through challenges is what I love to do. And that’s why I’m here at 10xViz. I believe in leading by example and fostering innovation through collaboration. I also believe solving problems should start with investigation, thorough assessments, and careful resource assembly before action is taken. Like everyone here at 10xViz, I listen actively and ask the right questions before recommending solutions. The result? We can provide solutions that really work.
Is there anything else you would like to share with clients or prospects?
Dustin: 10xViz’s mission is to give teams more time by eliminating inefficiencies. I want to inspire clients and my team to always try new things and push beyond the boundaries of what seems possible. Because efficient, straightforward solutions can make a world of difference in a business’s ability to compete and succeed. Let’s work together, build something great, and get more done in half the time.
Follow 10xViz for more conversations like this!
We’re incredibly grateful to Dustin Wise for taking the time to chat through his insights. And we’re thrilled to share them with businesses aiming to optimize their operations using Smartsheet. For companies undergoing digital transformation, now is the time to focus on customized solutions, to harness AI and automation, and to collaborate with partners who know the full value of innovation and efficiency.
Partner with 10xViz to revolutionize your business intelligence and operations with Smartsheet.
