Adopting AI for your business doesn’t have to be complicated. Treat it like bringing home a smart cleaning robot.
If there’s a powerful, affordable cleaning robot on the market—and it actually works—I’d take these steps before bringing it home:
- Learn About It – What exactly does it do? What can’t it do? What attachments or tools come with it?
- Identify Risks and Opportunities – Will it damage delicate furniture? Can it save me hours every week?
- Manage the Risks – I’ll make sure my family knows how to use it safely and that it doesn’t become a hazard.
- Leverage the Opportunities – I’ll use it where it matters most—like cleaning under the beds or during school pick-up hours.
These steps sound pretty straightforward—and they are. But they’re also exactly the kind of thinking we need when introducing new business tools like AI.
Let’s see this in action with AI:
- Learn About It – Get hands-on with key AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Understand what’s available, what each tool does, and how it fits into your workflow.
- Identify Risks and Opportunities – Risks might include employees uploading sensitive data. Opportunities could include automating scheduling, optimising resource allocation, or improving turnaround times.
- Manage the Risks – Put in place a solid risk management and governance framework. Know what’s allowed, what’s not, and where guardrails are needed.
- Leverage the Opportunities – Apply AI to your core services. If you’re a professional services firm, start with areas like resource planning, skills matrix management, or workload balancing.
Sure, there are more things you can do—but don’t overcomplicate it. Start with these clear, actionable steps. They’ll move you forward and build your digital maturity one smart decision at a time.
Act now—this is your free AI adoption framework.
