Your first hour
4 min read · Updated June 2026
If you do these five things, you will have a working data lake and AVA answering real questions before lunch.
- Connect Podio and let the initial sync run. It works in the background — you do not have to watch it.
- Install the browser extension so AVA sits beside the Activity Stream inside any Podio item.
- Ask AVA something you already know the answer to. "How many items are in my Deals app?" is a good first question — it proves the lake is live and builds trust in her answers.
- Connect one more platform — the CRM, accounting tool, or storage you reach for most. Every connection makes AVA sharper.
- Ask a question you cannot easily answer by hand — something that spans two systems. That is where OI earns its place.
Don't over-plan it. You do not need a migration project or a kickoff meeting. Connect, ask, and let the lake fill while you work. The intelligence compounds on its own.
Where to go next
Browse the AVA OI section to learn how she researches and builds, or the Sync section to understand what is in your lake and how to restore from it.