Gen AI and Strategic Planning: The New Secret Weapon

Gen AI and Strategic Planning: The New Secret Weapon

Gen AI and Strategic Planning: The New Secret Weapon

With the rise of tools like ChatGPT, you.com, and Claude.ai, business leaders are buzzing about how generative AI (Gen AI) might change the way they make decisions.

OpenAI’s Sam Altman even predicted a “golden age of human possibility” because of it. But how exactly can Gen AI be useful in strategic planning? And are we overestimating what it can do?

Let’s look at two real-world examples where CEOs are using Gen AI to help with strategy (names changed for privacy).

Overcoming Blind Spots and Predicting the Future

Richard, CEO of an agricultural research company called Trident, gathered his executive team for a strategy retreat. Their goal was to identify key challenges facing their business.

They came up with a solid list—competition, staffing, pricing, profitability, and more—but Richard wondered if Gen AI could offer insights beyond their expertise.

Using a Gen AI tool, Richard asked what strategic issues his company might face in the future. The AI delivered some fresh perspectives, like regulatory changes and technological advancements, which Richard’s team hadn’t considered.

However, the AI missed a few key points, like their specific issue with branch locations and the critical role of pricing.

While the tool brought some new ideas to the table, it didn’t have access to company-specific details, which explained a few gaps in its suggestions. Richard found that Gen AI could help broaden thinking, but it couldn’t replace his team’s deep industry knowledge.

Addressing Trends and Exploring Scenarios

Sara, CEO of Fitzroy Cemetery and Crematorium, faced similar questions in her strategic planning. Her team identified industry trends like a shift toward cremations and the growing demand for environmentally friendly options. To see if they missed anything, Sara asked Gen AI for input.

The AI suggested a few additional trends worth considering, like the need for mental health support and the impact of changing demographics.

When Sara asked about future alternatives for burials in the face of a land shortage, the AI offered creative (and sometimes quirky) solutions, from multi-story burials to memorial forests. While some ideas were a bit far-fetched, others were genuinely helpful in sparking new discussions.

While AI can’t replace human insight, it can certainly help make the process more innovative and thorough

The Bottom Line

Gen AI can be a useful tool for strategic planning, offering fresh perspectives and out-of-the-box ideas. But it’s important to recognize its limits—especially when it comes to forecasting the future or addressing company-specific issues.

CEOs like Richard and Sara are discovering that while AI can’t replace human insight, it can certainly help make the process more innovative and thorough. The key is to use it as a complement to your team’s expertise, not a replacement.

If you’re looking to explore other ways to boost your team’s productivity and wellness, reach out to Mile High Fitness for a range of services and seminars, from fitness programs to corporate wellness solutions.

Share Now :

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *