TEN PAST TOMORROW / CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Are you ready to break barriers and leap ahead of your competition in New Zealand's business landscape? Do have a feeling that there's untapped potential in generative artificial intelligence (AI) but find it too abstract or complex to understand?

Well, you're in luck because I'm here to help you unlock that potential and transform your business into a dynamic, AI-empowered enterprise.

What sets my consultancy apart is that it isn't just about knowledge transfer; it's about nurturing generative AI comprehension and strategy within your organisation.

Imagine demystifying generative AI and making it a relatable, trustworthy, and truly accessible tool for your team. By bridging the chasm between theoretical generative AI principles and their concrete applications, we can make generative AI an integral part of your team's lexicon.

Let's work together on a journey that's more than just a leap into the unknown; it's a careful, guided ascent to a future where generative AI is no longer a mystery but a valued business asset for you.

I provide a hands-on, personalised approach that starts by assessing your AI readiness - uncovering your existing strengths and areas for improvement.

Then, I proceed to AI education that fosters informed curiosity among all team members, from the boardroom to the front lines.

Our end-goal is to develop a strategic roadmap, paving the path from your current state to a future where generative AI is deeply embedded in your operations, propelling efficiency, innovation, and growth.

Now is the time to empower your organisation with the confidence, knowledge, and strategic insights required to fully harness generative AI.

By partnering with me, we will navigate the mesmerising realm of generative AI together, positioning your organisation not just to keep pace with the AI revolution in New Zealand, but to lead the charge.

Don't delay - take your first step into the future of business today!

What I do, and what I don't do

As a generative AI strategist, my mission is to bring the transformative power of generative AI within reach for New Zealand businesses.

Now, what does that mean exactly? Imagine a type of artificial intelligence that doesn't just analyze and learn from data but also creates or generates new content from it. That's generative AI. It's like a creative companion that can write articles, design graphics, compose music, and write code to develop its own computer programs and apps. All achieved via instructions in plain English. If you can type, you can use generative AI.

It's not magic, but the results can certainly feel like it.

I teach New Zealand businesses how to pinpoint the ideal generative AI tools to select and use, tailored to their unique business challenges.

I also train and educate those businesses on how to incorporate and effectively use their generative AI tools, helping them transform and evolve their operations. These tools can be finely tuned to align with your business's data and requirements without needing to write code or algorithms. With the capacity to train these AI models on your data, they quickly grasp your distinct business language and context, promptly generating beneficial content.

The world is exploding with new generative AI tools and applications right now. And New Zealand businesses can't afford to be left behind by the generative AI movement. You have probably heard of ChatGPT, OpenAI's text generation model that can write human-like text, or Stable Diffusion or Midjourney, tools that generate stunning original images from simple text descriptions. These are just a few of the most well-known generative AI tools that are making waves in the market right now.

So, why are generative AI tools becoming so popular? It's because they're incredibly easy to use. With generative AI tools, you don't need a degree in data science. Far from it. You don't even have to be particularly great with computers. That's a big reason they're so applicable for the NZ business ecosystem which is dominated by SMEs who don't have in-house data science teams to call upon. 

It's also important to clarify what I don't do.

While I help New Zealand businesses understand and leverage these powerful, user-friendly generative AI tools, I don't provide services in data science, or build custom machine learning (ML) or AI solutions. The beauty of generative AI tools lies in their off-the-shelf ease of use, a stark contrast to the complexity and technical expertise required for custom-built ML/AI models.

In essence, my role is to guide you through the exciting landscape of generative AI, helping you harness its potential while sidestepping the technical complexities of traditional AI development. Together, we can navigate this rapidly evolving field, empowering your New Zealand business to thrive in the generative AI era.

Step #1: AI readiness assessment

Invariably, a typical collaboration with me commences with a comprehensive assessment of your organization's readiness to integrate generative AI into your operations. This crucial first step serves as our compass, orientating us within the vast landscape of generative AI potentialities and charting the course we'll embark on together.

This assessment isn't a surface-level review. It is a deep dive into the very fabric of your organization. We'll sit down, you and I, engaging in in-depth discussions to dissect your existing business processes and evaluate their alignment with your broader strategic objectives. My analysis will involve a rigorous and candid examination of your operations, exploring every nook and cranny where generative AI could potentially create value.

I'll delve into the core of your business, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. By illuminating the areas where your organization excels, we can identify where generative AI could amplify your existing competitive advantages. Conversely, by spotlighting areas of weakness or inefficiency, we can pinpoint opportunities where AI could drive improvement and transformation.

This introspective phase of our journey is not limited to operational analysis. I engage in open, honest conversations about New Zealand business's aspirations, pain points, and goals. Understanding the unique challenges you face and the objectives you strive for enables me to tailor my approach, ensuring the generative AI solutions we explore are not just theoretically exciting, but pragmatically relevant to your specific context.

Crucially, my generative AI readiness assessment will also take into account your organizational culture and human capital. It's essential to gauge not just your technical preparedness for generative AI, but also your team's openness to change, their current level of AI literacy, and the steps we need to take to ensure they are ready to embrace the transformative potential of generative AI.

This holistic, immersive evaluation paves the way for a smooth AI integration journey, minimizing potential roadblocks and ensuring every step we take together is grounded in a clear understanding of your organization's unique needs, capabilities, and aspirations.

Step #2: Investment in AI education

A pivotal aspect of the journey towards generative AI integration is the cultivation of AI knowledge and understanding across your organization's teams. Recognizing the crucial role that your human resources play in this transformation, I place a strong emphasis on comprehensive, accessible, and tailored AI education.

My approach to AI education is not about inundating your team with technical jargon or complex theories. Instead, it’s about making generative AI an accessible, relatable concept, for everyday New Zealand businesses and their people.

By adopting an intuitive and practical approach, I illuminate the transformative potential of generative AI and dispel common misconceptions - such as the erroneous notion of AI as a threat to employment, rather than the powerful tool for growth and innovation that it truly is.

The training I provide is flexible and adaptable, designed to align with your specific needs, objectives, and schedule. Through a blend of on-demand video courses, interactive workshops, and in-person sessions, I guide your teams along a bespoke learning path.

This multi-modal approach caters to different learning styles and paces, ensuring every team member feels supported and engaged throughout their generative AI education journey.

The content of these educational experiences goes beyond mere technical understanding. While gaining proficiency in AI's fundamental concepts, your teams will also develop a deeper appreciation of its strategic relevance to your business. They'll learn to see generative AI as a valuable ally, capable of enhancing their work, augmenting their skills, and contributing to the realization of your business objectives. All within a New Zealand business context.

Importantly, this educational phase is not an isolated step. I am a firm believer in learning through doing, and in the transformative power of blending theory with practical application. As such, the AI education phase often unfolds in parallel with the strategic planning and implementation phases of our journey (i.e Steps #3 and #4 below).

This simultaneous approach allows your team to apply their newly acquired knowledge in real-time, solidifying their understanding and fostering a sense of ownership and engagement with your generative AI initiatives.

By aligning the theoretical aspects of generative AI with its practical applications, New Zealand businesses can directly witness the power and potential of AI, solidifying their understanding and fostering a sense of ownership and enthusiasm for generative AI initiatives.

This approach not only enhances the learning experience but also contributes to a seamless integration of generative AI into your organization’s fabric, promoting a culture where AI is seen as a friend, not a foe.

Step #3: Identifying generative AI opportunities

It's crucial to understand that generative AI is not a single, monolithic entity, nor is it a universal panacea for every business challenge you might encounter. Instead, generative AI encompasses a vast, diverse array of tools, platforms, and processes, each with their unique capacities and applications. This multitude of generative AI solutions opens up a world of potentially transformative opportunities for New Zealand businesses, each offering distinct advantages and solutions.

The key to unlocking the true potential of generative AI lies in understanding its multifaceted nature, and in identifying the specific generative AI solutions that align with your business's unique needs, objectives, and operational landscape. I am here to guide you in navigating the expansive generative AI landscape, and in pinpointing the solutions that hold the most promise for your organization, striking the optimal balance between potential value and practical feasibility.

My process of identifying potential generative AI solutions  uses a mixture of problem-based and use-case models. I delve into your operational processes and challenges, seeking out areas where generative AI could bring about substantial improvements or solutions. Simultaneously, we explore proven generative AI use-cases within your industry, taking inspiration from successful generative AI applications to envision similarly innovative solutions for your business.

By adopting this dual-pronged approach, we can unearth generative AI opportunities that not only align with your business's unique needs and goals but also capitalize on proven AI use-cases and solutions. This strategic approach to generative AI integration ensures that your journey towards becoming an AI-centric organization is tailored, viable and value-driven, while remaining firmly grounded in practical feasibility and strategic alignment.

Step #4: Crafting an AI implementation strategy

With a firm foundation of understanding and readiness in place, we then move to formulate a comprehensive generative AI strategy. This strategy isn't just a navigational tool; it's a detailed blueprint of your organization's transformative journey towards generative AI maturity.

My strategic development process is iterative and nuanced. We begin with pilot cases, often internal-facing (i.e. lower risk) projects that focus on improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.

These pilot cases allow your organization to dip its toes into the AI waters, gain practical experience, and witness firsthand the transformative potential of generative AI without the potential exposure that customer-facing projects can entail.

These initial pilot projects provide invaluable insights and learnings that inform subsequent stages of strategic planning. By starting small and gradually expanding, I mitigate risk while simultaneously fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation within your organization.

As we progress, I'll broaden our focus to encompass larger, cross-departmental generative AI implementations. These could be either internal or external-facing, depending on your organization's unique needs and objectives.

We might leverage AI to streamline your supply chain, for example, or incorporate AI-driven functionalities into your product offerings to enhance user experience. The possibilities are vast and exciting, but always guided by a comprehensive strategy that has been carefully tailored to your organization's needs.

Step #5: Ethical and legal considerations

Artificial intelligence is more than a technological marvel; it is a comprehensive system that significantly influences the human experience.

Thus, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that our journey into generative AI prioritizes not only business objectives and technological prowess but also the ethical, legal, and societal aspects that form the bedrock of responsible AI adoption.

Together, we will navigate these complex dimensions, with a focus on creating a generative AI ecosystem within your organization that values transparency, fairness, and data privacy. Generative AI holds immense potential to augment our lives, but it must be tempered with conscientious practices to ensure it serves as a force for good, promoting inclusivity and fairness while minimizing unintended consequences.

My commitment to responsibility extends beyond the implementation phase. I will also establish processes to continuously monitor and review your AI systems, ensuring they continue to uphold these ethical standards over time.

In this manner, I hope to not only lead New Zealand businesses towards successful generative AI adoption but also towards an ethical and responsible future. I will ensure that your business's generative AI strategy aligns with the highest standards of responsibility, fostering an AI ecosystem that is not just technologically advanced but also ethically sound, legally compliant, and socially responsible.

Adaptation and evolution

To summarise; I ensure that you are not only prepared but also primed to thrive in the dynamic, ever-changing landscape of generative AI.

Rather than just providing a one-time service, I position myself as a continuous point of reference and support in your generative AI journey. My role is to perpetually monitor the generative AI horizon for emerging trends, novel developments, and cutting-edge techniques, in order to align your AI approach with the most recent advancements (all in a distinctly 'New Zealand way').

The commitment here is to ensure that New Zealand businesses are not just participants but forerunners in the realm of AI-driven innovation. By adopting a forward-thinking approach, I want to ensure that NZ business remains agile, versatile, and equipped to harness the latest generative AI innovations as they arise.

Remember, this journey isn't a solitary expedition or a one-time transaction. It is an ongoing partnership, a shared voyage into the future. 

My commitment is to provide unwavering support to New Zealand organizations as we make these strides into the uncharted territory of generative AI. 

Let's collaborate to ensure that generative AI doesn't just become a tool in your arsenal, but a catalyst that propels your business towards unprecedented heights of success. 

Are you ready to make generative AI work for you?