I know you’re aware of AI. You know it’s significant. You’ve seen the headlines about how it will change everything.
And I understand why you’re not fully embracing it yet. You have a business to run. AI feels technical, complex, outside your expertise. So, like many leaders, you’ve probably asked your Head of IT to look into it.
Please don’t.
If AI is left to IT, it will be treated as a technology experiment—not a business transformation. And that is a mistake.
AI is a Business Strategy, Not an IT Project
Think back to the dot-com boom. Many businesses thought a website was just a digital brochure—something IT could handle. They failed to see the fundamental shift in customer behaviour and business models, leaving space for companies like Amazon to dominate.
Or take enterprise IT failures, like when Nike invested $400M in an IT-led supply chain transformation. IT got the tech working, but it wasn’t aligned with business priorities, leading to $100M in lost sales.
We’ve seen it over and over again. Businesses that delegate transformation to IT end up with expensive technology that doesn’t drive real value.
AI Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming—Start Small
AI isn’t all-or-nothing. You don’t need to overhaul your entire business overnight. The smartest companies are starting with a single, high-impact use case—one that delivers real business value—then scaling from there.
✔ Identify a specific challenge or opportunity (e.g., customer service automation, predictive maintenance, risk analysis).
✔ Experiment with AI in a controlled way—low risk, high reward.
✔ Use this first step to build internal expertise and confidence, so your broader AI (and business) strategy can evolve naturally.
The Future Won’t Wait
AI isn’t just another tool. It’s changing how businesses compete, how customers engage, and how decisions are made.
The companies that embed AI into their strategy now will be the market leaders of tomorrow. Those who wait for IT to figure it out will be left behind.
hashtag#AI hashtag#Leadership hashtag#BusinessStrategy hashtag#AITransformation hashtag#TanhillAI
