Almost every manager I speak to feels the pressure: You "have" to do something with AI. So a project is started, a tool is tested, a budget is applied for. But after the initial enthusiasm, often ... nothing happens. The project loses momentum, gets bogged down in day-to-day business and becomes an "AI corpse" in the basement.
Why is that?
The reason is rarely the technology. The real reason why so many AI projects fail is that they are launched without a clear "why". You are looking for a solution to a problem - Driven by hype, not by a real business case.
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AI hype vs. value creation: the strategy behind real quick wins for SMEs
To make an AI transformation truly successful, you need an approach with three levers that charges the project with meaning, energy and sustainability right from the start.
1st lever: Solve one of your personal "pain points".
Every successful initiative needs a real champion at the top. And you only become a champion when the AI solves a problem that you personally hurts. An example: My "AI Idea Processor" automatically transforms my thoughts and ideas from bike rides into strategic briefings. It solves my personal pain point of losing important considerations and inputs in the stress of everyday life. The benefits are direct and tangible for me on a daily basis. When you experience such a personal benefit, AI turns from an abstract IT project into your indispensable tool.
2nd lever: Give your team a quick win.
At the same time, there needs to be proof that AI also creates real added value in day-to-day team work. The Marketing teamthat we analyzed was stuck in the hamster wheel of "always more". Thanks to a targeted AI co-pilot, tasks were not simply eliminated, but intelligently bundled and prioritized. The pressure was lifted. Suddenly there was room for free thinking again, the quality of work increased and the team was finally able to focus on its most important stakeholders again. The fact that agency costs fell by 60% was a welcome side effect, but the real transformation was the creative freedom that was regained.
3rd lever: Anchoring the change sustainably.
The first two levers create momentum. This third lever ensures that the change is permanent. Because the best plan is useless without consistent implementation. This means actually realizing the savings achieved, reorganizing teams, further developing task profiles and, above all, consistently changing your own habits and those of your employees so that the new tools become the standard. Without this step, the transformation will only be a brief flash in the pan.
What makes this approach possible right now?
This three-stage approach is more realistic today than ever before. The massive ROI of AI is proven, and tools such as the new OpenAI AgentKit or Atlassian's "System of Work" with Rovo and Automations are making the development of such customized solutions increasingly accessible.
Stop chasing the hype and start solving real problems.
As a first step, I invite you to define these levers for yourself. Use this simple form to record your personal pain point and a potential quick win for your team. This is the first step in moving from hype to a concrete business case.
➡️ Your starting point: From hype to business case
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P.S. Would you like to experience the most important findings in fast-forward? In the following short video you will find the Key points of this newsletter summarized compactly:
