Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming businesses of all sizes, and those who are quick to adopt AI tools are reaping the financial rewards. According to a recent study by McKinsey & Company, AI could boost global economic activity by up to $13 trillion by 2030.
One of the key reasons why AI is so valuable is that it can help businesses to automate tasks, improve decision-making, and create new products and services. This can lead to significant financial benefits, such as increased revenue, reduced costs, and improved efficiency.
However, there are challenges for businesses ahead. AI is a new and extremely fast-paced area of technology. How do businesses know how to get started exploring AI tools, discovering which tools will best serve and solve their business needs, now and in the future?
How to get started with AI
If your business is new to AI, the best way to get started is to get an objective view of the challenges faced by the business alongside the targets, both financial and operational. One way to do this is to bring an AI consultant on board to support in assessing problems against opportunities across different business departments and areas. With an objective view supported by in-depth business knowledge from key stakeholders, a detailed needs assessment can be carried out with powerful and insightful recommendations to follow on where AI could provide solutions, alongside a list of recommended tools that would provide a practical solution when implemented.
Once the most effective AI tools have been identified in the recommendation, businesses need to decide on which tool or tools to implement. For businesses looking to adopt their first AI tool, the best practice is to identify a relatively small, clear, and focused use case or problem to solve. One that has measurable data points and agreed on key performance indicators so the business can assess clearly the performance of the tool once it is implemented.
An AI consultant can support with defining the business parameters and measure and track performance during and after implementation. Implementation is not only focused on the technology, it also considers the employees and stakeholders that will be affected by the changes to their work from the introduction of the AI tool. During this phase, an AI consultant can work with the team to develop training plans and create and share engagement activities and communications messaging.
The change process can be challenging, but it is important to remember that AI can provide significant financial benefits to your business. By working with an AI consultant, businesses can minimize the disruption and maximize the benefits of AI adoption.
Five steps to adopting AI tools in business
Identify business goals. What problem is in need of a solution?
Research and assess different AI tools and business needs criteria. There are many different AI tools available, so it's important to do detailed research to find the ones best placed to meet business needs. Consider factors such as cost, features, and ease of use.
Move away from siloed working. Work across business to identify links and connections for small use cases where new AI tools can be trialled and map the links between business processes and impacted business areas. Use cases in areas such as sales, marketing, and operations may have knock-on impacts with many other business areas and teams. Be sure how changing processes will impact all stakeholders and what technology the new AI tools will need to connect with.
Test the AI tools. Following the AI tool choice, it is important to organise a demonstration and small pilot to test the tool in a live environment.
Design clear performance indicators and measure results. Measure results throughout the implementation, pilot, and post-implementation phases. This will support the continued adjustments and next steps post-implementation.
Quick tips for getting the right AI tools:
Start small. Don't try to implement too many AI tools at once. Start with a few and then scale up as needed.
Get buy-in from the whole team. It's important to get buy-in from everyone impacted by process or workflow changes.
Set up an AI council to work across company to maintain awareness of AI trials across the business. And to monitor results of different AI tools as they are implemented.
How Alcea Consulting Limited and Beneson Change Management can help
Alcea Consulting Limited is a provider of AI consulting services. They help businesses to look objectively at a business, identify the best AI tools for their needs and then recommend and implement the best AI solutions, all while communicating with teams and stakeholders to ensure that everyone is aware and engaged throughout the AI tool process, from assessment to adoption.
Beneson Change Management is a specialist change management consultancy. They support businesses in preparing for and managing the change associated with AI tool adoption. This includes helping people to understand the benefits of AI tools, providing training on new AI systems, and developing plans to keep employees informed of the benefits the changes will bring.
AI is a powerful tool that can help businesses to improve their bottom line. Business leaders who are quick to adopt AI tools are reaping the financial rewards, and over the coming months and years there will be increased differences between companies that adopt and utilise the power and potential of AI tools and those who do not.
All business leaders must choose how to navigate the changing and turbulent times that come with fast-paced technological change. The possibilities AI tools have to unleash efficiencies, improved processes, and vast amounts of actionable data for businesses to know more than ever before is enormous. AI consultants like the partnership between Alcea Consulting Limited and Beneson Change Management can help businesses to identify the best AI tools for their needs, develop and implement AI solutions, and manage the change process associated with AI adoption. Ensuring businesses can focus on doing what they do best day in day out.
For more information on how the partnership between Alcea Consulting Limited and Beneson Change Management can support the adoption of AI tools in your business contact Alcea and Beneson to arrange a free no no-obligation call.