Getting AI right in your business isn’t just about buying the latest technology—it’s about building the right foundation and having realistic expectations. Our technology consultants Spencer Taylor and Mack Slaughter tackle the most pressing questions business leaders have about AI readiness and implementation.

ROI Reality Check

Q: What’s the biggest mistake companies make with AI investments?

A: Expecting immediate ROI is the most common pitfall we see. Think of AI like hiring a new employee—on day one, they’re not delivering value yet. There’s onboarding time, learning curves, and getting familiar with your processes. AI implementations require the same patience. Companies investing thousands of dollars want to see returns immediately on their P&L sheet, but AI needs time to learn from the data you’re feeding it before it can deliver meaningful results.

Readiness Assessment

Q: How can business leaders tell if their organization is actually ready for AI?

A: It starts with your data foundation. You need to define what you’re trying to accomplish, then ensure your data is properly organized and accessible. If everything’s still in three-ring binders, you’ll need to digitize first. Is your data in a secure digital format? Can it be easily accessed and processed? Think of it like building construction—you need a solid blueprint and foundation before you can build the roof.

Common Failure Scenarios

Q: What does a typical failed AI implementation look like?

A: Simply put—nobody uses it. Whether it’s an internal tool or customer-facing application, if your AI system returns garbage information or isn’t user-friendly, it becomes a wasted investment. We also see failures when companies use AI as just a glorified Google search instead of leveraging it as an intelligent assistant to streamline processes and automate tasks.

Success Factors

Q: What separates companies that succeed with AI from those that struggle?

A: Adoption is everything. Take Microsoft Copilot as an example—an organization might purchase licenses for everyone and integrate it into their Office 365 environment, but if nobody actually uses it, that’s a wasted investment. The same principle applies whether you’re implementing off-the-shelf solutions or building custom AI models. Success comes down to whether people embrace and actively use the tools you’ve invested in.

Investment Protection

Q: How can companies protect their AI investments from being wasted?

A: Implement policies that ensure employees actually use the AI resources you’ve provided. Make AI tools part of your everyday processes and workflows. Without proper usage policies and integration into daily operations, even the most sophisticated AI implementation becomes worthless. You need to create accountability and make AI utilization a standard part of how work gets done.

The Winning Formula

Q: What’s the secret to AI success that most companies miss?

A: Don’t try to do too much too fast. Start small with established processes that are currently done manually. For example, if your workflow involves receiving work order tickets, manually copying information to spreadsheets, and uploading to the cloud—that’s perfect for AI automation. Instead of taking minutes or half a day, AI can scan documents, extract information, populate spreadsheets, and upload files in seconds. Focus on one process at a time rather than trying to revolutionize everything at once.

Biggest Misconceptions

Q: What’s the most dangerous myth about AI implementation?

A: The belief that you can just “buy AI” and it’ll solve all your problems. AI isn’t something you purchase off-the-shelf—you have to build and customize it for your specific needs. Many companies claiming to use AI today still rely heavily on human processes behind the scenes. AI also isn’t going to take over like in the movies—it needs to be fed information and guided by human oversight. It’s designed to make processes easier, not replace human thinking entirely.

Timing Strategy

Q: When is the best time for companies to start preparing for AI?

A: Yesterday. AI is already being implemented around us—Copilot, Gemini, OpenAI—these AI ools and many more are becoming standard in software we use daily. The biggest issue we see is companies not creating usage policies around these tools. Before you even think about building custom solutions, you need to define what your employees can and cannot use, especially regarding sensitive data uploads to AI models.

CEO Considerations

Q: What questions should every CEO ask before investing in AI?

A: The honest answer? “How long can I keep my hands off this project?” Just like the ROI question, you won’t see immediate results, so let the process work without constant interference. More practically, you need a data readiness checklist and foundational policies in place. If you don’t have basic usage policies for existing technology, you’re not ready for AI implementation. The groundwork isn’t impossible to establish—you just need to prioritize it.

Market Opportunity

Q: Why should business leaders care about AI readiness right now?

A: The market won’t wait for you to catch up. Unlike traditional product launches where markets respond and producers adjust, AI is advancing so rapidly that markets barely have time to respond before the next iteration arrives. We’re in the early internet days of AI—multiple companies, open-source options, and homegrown opportunities everywhere. Everyone’s trying to jump in, which creates both exciting opportunities and significant risks for businesses that aren’t prepared.

Cost of Getting It Wrong vs. Right

Q: What’s the cost of getting AI wrong versus getting it right?

A: Getting it wrong costs you money, but more importantly, it damages perception—both internally and in the market. If you implement an AI chatbot that schedules appointments incorrectly or creates other customer service issues, you’re affecting your community image and brand reputation. Internally, failed implementations create resistance to future AI initiatives. CEOs who experience failures often conclude “AI doesn’t work” and become deterrers, when the real issue was inadequate foundation and preparation.

One Piece of Advice

Q: If you had one piece of advice about AI readiness, what would it be?

A: Get started. Research extensively and experiment with AI tools you already have access to—you’re likely using AI already without realizing it. When customers ask “How could I use AI?” we respond with “What would you like it to do?” Usually, they immediately describe exactly how they could use it. The key is facilitating these conversations and getting your brain working on possibilities. AI readiness should be your homework, day in and day out.

Remember: AI is only scary if you don’t educate yourself about it. The more you learn and understand, the less intimidating it becomes—and the more opportunities you’ll discover.

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