Earlier this week I saw a cartoon that felt perfect for today’s AI-obsessed world. The caption read:
“Before using game-changing technology, you have to know which game you’re playing!”
Technology that helps in one game (industry) might be counterproductive in another.
For example, financial services is a notoriously conservative industry. For some firms, waiting to adopt the latest tech actually endears them to customers more than being on the leading edge. In fact, PNC Bank’s new slogan is “Brilliantly boring since 1885.”(trademark)
As a minor luddite, I think that is genius.+
I also think it’s important to have a cogent business strategy before thinking about how a given tool helps you execute that strategy.
A startlingly large number of companies can’t articulate a clear strategy.
Ask who their target customers are and the answer is “Everyone!”
Ask what products and services they lead with and the answer is – “All of them!”
Even great athletes like Michael Jordan struggle to excel in multiple sports. And when they shift from one to the other, the equipment changes. Cleats are a problem in basketball but quite necessary in baseball.
So as you think about AI and other new technology ask – what game are we even trying to play?
(source: https://i0.wp.com/timoelliott.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Game-Changer.jpg?ssl=1) I think we can use the cartoon with Creative Commons citation. Just need to look up what the icons mean.
+ (Not a PNC Bank Customer, just like the slogan!)
