The LiNQ AI Series
Decode AI
Two plain-English books for business owners and operators. Book 1 gets you started. Book 2 puts AI to work in your business.
By Ben Wagner and Erin Wagner, co-founders of LiNQ Ventures in Sarasota, Florida.
Two books, one path
From the first prompt to real work.
Most people try AI, get a few clever answers, and stop there. This series takes you from the first prompt to real work. Read Book 1 if you are new to AI. Go to Book 2 when you are ready to hand it a real task.
Book 1: Start here
What the Heck Is AI?
And How Can You Actually Use It In Your Life? The plain-English starting point. No jargon and no tech background needed.
- The five major AI platforms, explained.
- A five-element framework for writing prompts.
- Set up your first AI agent in 20 minutes.
- A plain-language chapter on guardrails, prompt injection, and data privacy.
- A 30-day action plan.
Book 2: Put it to work
AI for Business: The Advanced Playbook
Published November 1, 2026. 272 pages. The follow-up for owners and operators ready to use AI on real work.
- Start with one task, not the tool.
- Write the steps down before you automate anything.
- Decide what AI does alone, what it drafts for a person to approve, and what a person always decides.
- Check the output before anyone relies on it.
Who it's for
Written for people who run the business.
- Owners of businesses from $1M to $100M who want AI doing routine work.
- Operators and finance leads asked to "figure out AI".
- Anyone who has tried a chatbot and wants more than clever answers.
- Not for: researchers or engineers looking for technical depth.
Which book should I read first?
- New to AI, or not sure where to start: Book 1.
- Already use AI and want it doing real work: Book 2.
- Leading a team: read both, in order.
What you will learn
How the two books fit together.
Book 1 gives you the basics. Book 2 turns them into a way of working.
Learn the five AI platforms
Book 1 explains the five major AI platforms in plain English.
Write better prompts
Use a five-element framework for writing prompts.
Build your first agent
Set up your first AI agent in 20 minutes.
Start with one task, not the tool
Book 2 starts with the work, and writes the steps down before anything is automated.
Decide who decides
Choose what AI does alone, what it drafts for a person to approve, and what a person always decides.
Check the output
Review what AI produces before anyone relies on it.
About the authors
Ben Wagner and Erin Wagner
Ben Wagner and Erin Wagner co-founded LiNQ Ventures, a Sarasota firm offering fractional CFO and COO leadership and AI implementation to owner-led businesses. Ben brings 20+ years of CFO, private equity, and consulting experience. Erin built FP&A functions at large enterprises. They run their own firm on AI under written rules.
FAQ
Questions about the series
What is the LiNQ AI Series?
Two books by Ben Wagner and Erin Wagner: What the Heck Is AI? and AI for Business: The Advanced Playbook.
Which book comes first?
What the Heck Is AI? is Book 1, the plain-English starting point. Each book stands alone, but if you are new to AI, start with Book 1.
What is AI for Business: The Advanced Playbook?
Book 2, published November 1, 2026. It shows owners how to put AI to work, starting with one task. Book 1 explains AI. Book 2 is about putting it to work in your business.
Do I need a tech background?
No. Book 1 starts from zero and uses plain words.
Who wrote the books?
Ben Wagner and Erin Wagner, co-founders of LiNQ Ventures in Sarasota, Florida.
Are the books in paperback?
Yes. Both books are on Amazon in paperback.
Can LiNQ help us apply this?
Yes. LiNQ offers AI implementation in 90-day phases. Book a 30-minute call.
Next step
Ready to go past the book?
Read the series, then let LiNQ help you put AI to work in your business. Book a 30-minute call. We reply within one business day.