Is Your Company Actually Ready for AI? 7 Things the Top Players Do Differently
Management Summary
Wondering how to actually make AI work for your business instead of just talking about it? Here’s the inside scoop.
AI is the talk of the town, and it feels like every business is either miles ahead or completely lost. If you’re wondering how to make AI work for your company without getting overwhelmed, you’re in the right place. A recent Google and BCG report peeked behind the curtain at what the most successful companies are doing to win with AI.
Level Up Your Team
AI isn’t about replacing people; it’s about making them better at their jobs. The first step is to get your team ready. This means having a real plan to train your current staff on new tools and skills. You might also need to hire some new people who already have AI expertise. Think about breaking down old barriers, too—like getting your creative and media teams to work together instead of in separate silos. It’s about finding the sweet spot between what AI can automate and where your team’s human touch is absolutely essential.
Your Data is Your Goldmine
The best companies know that using data smartly is what sets them apart. You need to be able to bring all your different data sources together, especially your own customer data, in a way that’s compliant and secure. Your goal should be to use this data to power everything from customer insights to creative ideas. And don’t forget to track your results! The top players prove their AI models are actually improving by testing them regularly and keeping an eye on performance benchmarks.
Get Creative with AI (But Keep it Human)
AI can be a total game-changer for creativity, but it shouldn’t take over completely. The trick is to use it across the entire creative process. Use it to brainstorm audience ideas, find real-time trends for your next campaign, or personalize ads at a huge scale. But always keep your talented human creatives in the driver’s seat to guide the vision and ensure everything stays brand-safe.
Build Your Tech Toolbox
You don’t have to build everything yourself. Smart companies create a flexible “tech stack” by working with multiple cloud providers and tech partners. They mix and match, building some things in-house, co-creating solutions with partners, and plugging in outside tech that helps them move faster. This approach lets you build customized AI tools that fit your specific needs.
Focus on Results, Not Just Hours
Yes, it will be time consuming to implement AI in your day-to-day business life. However, your focus should shift to what you can actually achieve. Use AI to make your own internal operations way more efficient, which will ultimately lead to lower costs. Instead of just using AI for one-off tasks, build it into the daily workflows to get big efficiency gains.
Go From “Pilot” to “Proven”
It’s easy to get stuck endlessly testing new ideas. The companies that succeed have a clear plan for moving from a small pilot project to a full-scale solution. They figure out what works, prove its value, and then roll it out across the business. A great way to start is by offering to co-fund pilot projects with different departments to test new ideas, as long as you all agree on the value and ROI targets you’re aiming for.
So, Where Do You Start?
This can feel like a lot, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Here’s a simple three-step plan to get moving:
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01
Figure Out Where You Are
Use these points to have an honest look at your company’s current AI approach. What are you already doing well? Where are the gaps?
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02
Start Small and Fast
Organize quick projects or “sprints” with your team to tackle a specific problem using AI tools. This helps you learn and build momentum.
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03
Launch a Test Pilot
Identify one clear opportunity where AI could make a real difference to your business goals. Run a measurable pilot project to test your idea, learn from it, and see the impact for yourself
Conclusion
Getting AI-ready is a journey that starts with focusing on your team, data, and processes. By taking these practical steps, you can build a smarter, more efficient business that is prepared for whatever comes next. As a company, e-dialog is already integrating AI into the creative processes, campaign management and automation: “At e-dialog, we’ve built and integrated custom AI applications using Google’s Gemini, Imagen, and Veo for automated content and asset creation, plus Meridian for marketing mix modeling—optimizing campaigns, boosting ROI, and offering these tools to our clients.” – Christian Reiser, Senior Machine Learning Engineer.
