Scaling Smarter: Dan Balcauski on AI, Product Management, and Pricing Strategy for SaaS

On this episode of the AI & Data Driven Leadership Podcast, host Dean Guida sits down with Dan Balcauski, Founder and Chief Pricing Officer of Product Tranquility, to explore the role of AI in building smarter workflows and more thoughtful pricing strategies. With a career that spans software engineering, product management, and now pricing consultancy for B2B SaaS, Dan offers a practical perspective on how leaders can use AI to streamline operations—without losing sight of strategy. If you're leading a SaaS company or building systems that scale, this episode will speak directly to your challenges.

Automating with Purpose: AI as a Co-Pilot, Not a Shortcut

Dan shares how his journey from software engineer to product strategist led to launching his consultancy, where he helps SaaS CEOs define pricing and packaging that truly reflect product value. As a solopreneur and podcast host, he’s adopted AI tools to automate tasks like outreach, research, and content workflows. But Dan is quick to caution: AI isn’t a magic wand. Success starts with structure.

Before automation begins, Dan documents each process using standard operating procedures (SOPs). These SOPs form the foundation for training AI and identifying which tasks are ripe for automation. He shares how he uses tools like ChatGPT and Claude to run feasibility studies on his workflows—mapping integrations across email, Google Sheets, and CRM platforms. Dan follows a crawl-walk-run model, focusing first on incremental wins, like podcast guest outreach, before scaling to more complex automation.

Still, Dan is clear-eyed about the limits of today’s AI. It’s a powerful co-pilot—but not yet a fully autonomous operator. System complexity, API limitations, and the need for human oversight mean that even automated systems require significant upkeep. He encourages leaders to experiment with different AI platforms, iterate in small phases, and prioritize value over complexity.

About Dan Balcauski

Dan Balcauski is the founder of Product Tranquility, where he helps B2B SaaS CEOs design pricing and packaging strategies that align with customer value. With over 20 years of experience in product management and software development, Dan combines strategic thinking with deep operational know-how.

About Product Tranquility

Product Tranquility is a pricing consultancy that partners with B2B SaaS companies to define value-based pricing and packaging strategies. From market research to go-to-market alignment, the firm helps product leaders confidently structure offerings that drive growth.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Product Tranquility

• Dan Balcauski on LinkedIn

Conclusion

Dan Balcauski offers a grounded, strategic view of AI—one that acknowledges its promise while honoring the process required to make it work. From automating podcast workflows to guiding pricing decisions, Dan’s experience reinforces a key leadership truth: systems only scale when they’re built on clarity. AI is a tool that helps—but the foundation must be human-designed, measured, and iterated over time.

Key Highlights from This Episode

• Why documentation is the foundation of effective AI automation

• How to run feasibility studies using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude

• A crawl-walk-run framework for system automation

• Key considerations for monthly vs. annual SaaS pricing models

• Why AI should support, not replace, strategic product thinking

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