You feel like you’re in the zero zone with AI. It’s everywhere, the possibilities seem endless, and the FOMO is real, but you’re stuck, unsure of where to start. If this describes how you feel, then this is for you. Let’s demystify the process and provide a clear roadmap to kickstart AI in your business.
Your people are likely ahead of your business
If you don’t start somewhere it is likely your people are already using AI personally, quietly, without express permission. Some may be stealthily moving ahead of where you are as a business. Ethan Mollick calls them the “secret cyborgs” in your organization. They’re getting huge personal value but don’t share what they’ve learned for fear of being stopped, or being put under pressure to deliver even more.
A mid-sized client of mine recently found themselves in a similar situation. Their leadership was excited about AI, but felt overwhelmed by competing priorities and the sheer number of AI tools on the market. They knew that their staff were using Generative AI, and this was putting them at risk without a clear usage policy. They just weren’t sure how they could benefit from AI or where to start.
They are now getting started with the steps in the attached framework, and focusing on quick wins, starting with clear goals, basic governance, and simple experiments. This is why I’ve been running hands-on AI workshops for teams like these. In just 90 minutes, they find immediate tangible value.
Here is my 7 step framework to get started with AI in your business:
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Let’s focus in on 3 tips from this so you can get underway fast.
3 Tips to Accelerate your AI Strategy
- Start with strategic goals, not technology
Begin where it matters most: your business drivers. As shown in the “Set Goals” card in the graphic above, first focus on the outcomes you want most in your business, not on AI itself. Are you looking to speed up innovation? Improve customer experience? Lift sales? Improve your environmental footprint as part of an ESG strategy? Start by defining your key outcomes. For example, a service company might set a goal of reducing customer response times by 20% with AI-powered chatbots. - Start with basic governance
AI adoption is stalling in some businesses due to confusion over ownership and fear of risks. Start small and low risk, with a basic AI policy as emphasized in the “Establish Governance” card in the graphic. There are so many unknowns about AI. So if you overcomplicate it, you will get stuck, increase your business risk, and fall behind on experimentation and learning. - Start to experiment
Don’t try to do everything at once. As the “Experiment” card suggests, focus on small, manageable trials to understand what works.For example, you could use AI tools to automate meeting summaries. I love Faethm AI. Much better than all the other transcription tools I’ve tried. I even invested a micro amount in their recent fundraising round for a bit of fun. Use my partner link for 3 months premium free.Another example: analyze your customer reviews for trends. If you use public data, you will have no privacy risk.These quick experiments help your teams see immediate value, creating confidence and enthusiasm for larger projects.
By following the steps above, you can move from indecision to action. By setting clear goals, establishing governance, and running small experiments, you’ll make tangible progress and build the confidence needed to integrate AI into your strategy effectively.
Please forward this to someone else who would benefit from it.
Quote of the week
“AI will be the most transformative technology since electricity.”
Eric Schmidt, Former CEO of Google
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About Lisa Carlin
Lisa Carlin is a Strategy Execution Specialist. She works with business leaders to plan and execute their strategies in tough environments. Her clients love having her expertise and guidance to navigate their workplace culture and use AI to achieve success.
Lisa created The Turbochargers Hub, so leaders can master the art of strategic influence and generate momentum for organizational change.
Lisa is author of the globally acclaimed newsletter, Turbocharge Weekly, read by 8,000 business leaders.
Lisa’s career includes roles at McKinsey and Accenture, then running her own business since 1999. Over this time she has delivered over 50 implementations with a 96% success rate.