ISBE

Art of Successful AI Strategy:

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Competitive Advantage

Program Duration: 5 Days
Program Dates: 24th - 28th February 2025
Course Fees: ~~$995~~ | Early Bird Discount: $595
Location: Live Online through Zoom - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm US Central Standard Time (CST)

In the age of digital transformation, the emergence of AI-centric firms has revolutionized the landscape of business operations and set new benchmarks for efficiency and growth. This course explores how modern firms—ranging from digital start-ups to established enterprises—can harness AI to create winning strategies, eliminate traditional constraints, and compete more effectively. It also delves into the strategic integration of artificial intelligence in business, highlighting the groundbreaking operational models exemplified by firms such as Amazon, Google, Facebook, Uber, TikTok, Walmart, Ant Financial, and Fidelity Investments. Unlike traditional companies, these organizations operate without a "critical path" populated by human workers; instead, AI drives all operational activities, enabling unparalleled growth and efficiency across diverse sectors. By understanding how these AI-driven organizations operate, participants will learn to navigate the complexities and challenges faced by traditional enterprises in their quest to compete with agile digital rivals.

By utilizing the IDEAS framework, participants will learn how to implement human-driven AI processes and strategies to solve real-world challenges and enhance their competitive advantage. Through a rich array of Harvard case studies and practical applications, learners will understand how companies such as Amazon, Walmart, Fidelity, Honeywell, and Comcast are leveraging data and algorithms to create new competitive advantages. The course will prepare participants to rethink their business strategies, strategic approaches, and operational capabilities, ensuring they can connect digital networks and extract valuable insights to drive innovation and growth.

Focusing on practical strategies and frameworks, this course equips leaders with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of AI implementation, fostering an agile, data-driven mindset across their organizations. As businesses embrace digital networks and algorithms, understanding these shifts becomes crucial for sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

In an era defined by digital transformation, the integration of artificial intelligence is reshaping the rules of competition across industries. Participants will explore how siloed structures often hinder AI adoption and learn strategies for fostering an integrated core of data and unified systems that are essential for operational success. Through in-depth case studies and practical insights, this course equips leaders and decision-makers with the tools needed to lead their organizations into the AI era.

Key Topics

Successful AI-First Strategy Formulation and Execution: Discover the critical elements for ensuring your AI-First strategy delivers tangible results, from executive buy-in to necessary resources and tools. The course will guide participants in formulating and implementing their AI strategies, considering the unique characteristics of their industry and the evolving landscape of competition.
Understanding the AI-First Business Model: Explore how companies like Amazon, Walmart, Fidelity Investments, and Ant Financial have leveraged a digital core to eliminate traditional operating constraints. Learn how AI systems autonomously manage critical functions such as loan approvals, financial advice, and consumer medical expense authorizations.
Developing a Holistic AI Strategy: Formulate a comprehensive strategy that blends intelligence, data, expertise, architecture, and strategic vision to enhance your organization's innovation capabilities.
Revisiting Business Models Through AI: Analyze how to rearchitect traditional business models to take full advantage of AI capabilities and create new revenue streams.
Navigating the Shift toward AI Models: Explore the journey of traditional firms transitioning to AI-based models in response to emerging digital rivals, gaining insights into their strategies and outcomes.
Understanding AI-Driven Business Models: Learn how companies like Amazon, Walmart, Fidelity Investments, Ant Financial leverage a digital core without traditional workforce constraints, resulting in unprecedented growth and efficiency.
Rebuilding Traditional Enterprises for the AI Era: Examine the challenges and strategic imperatives for transforming traditional business models into AI-driven frameworks by redesigning operating processes, fostering data literacy, and cultivating a tech-savvy culture.
Architecting an AI Factory: Dive deep into the components of the AI factory, including data pipelines, predictive algorithms, experimentation platforms, and infrastructure, that empower firms to derive value through digital automation. We will examine how these elements interact to create an efficient decision-making process and enhance operational workflows.
Strategic Implementation of AI Innovations: Learn how to effectively formulate and implement AI strategies to capitalize on the opportunities presented by AI-driven business models. Discuss the managerial and engineering insights necessary for designing impactful AI systems.
Crafting Your Generative AI Strategy: Learn how to develop a comprehensive AI strategy that aligns with your organization's goals and aspirations, leveraging insights from leading companies.
AI as a Growth Driver: Understand how to incorporate AI technologies into your growth strategy, identifying areas where AI can create value and streamline operations.
Designing an AI Marketing Strategy: Learn how to tailor your marketing initiatives using AI insights to target customers effectively, optimize campaigns, and enhance brand loyalty.
Competing in the Age of AI: Develop strategies to navigate the complexities of competition in an AI-driven marketplace, understanding how to adapt to emerging trends and technologies.
Becoming an AI Company: Explore the transformative journey of becoming an AI-centered organization, focusing on culture, talent, and innovation.
Harnessing Data and Algorithms: The course will cover the significance of data in shaping business insights, exploring concepts such as predictive analytics and customer-behavior models. We will discuss how companies like Google, Amazon, and ride-sharing platforms like Didi and Uber utilize AI to optimize user experiences and drive value creation.
Scaling with AI: The course will emphasize the opportunities for scaling operations through AI, allowing businesses to expand their scope and improve learning processes far beyond traditional limits. Participants will explore the implications of these changes on production, management, and customer engagement.
Competitive Transformation and Industry Blurring: Analyze the transformative impact of AI on competition rules. Understand how the intertwining of digital networks and algorithms changes the operations of entire industries, making it essential for both traditional and digital firms to adapt.
Navigating the Digital Landscape: Study how established companies like Walmart, Fidelity, Honeywell, and Comcast are harnessing AI, data analytics, and digital networks to reshape their business models and compete effectively against new, agile rivals.
Breaking Down Silos for AI-Powered Growth: Explore the detrimental effects of siloed organizational structures on AI integration and performance. Understand how to create a unified code base and integrated data core to facilitate seamless communication across departments.
Building a Data-Centric Organization: Gain insights into how traditional firms like Nordstrom, Vodafone, and Visa have successfully digitized their operations, focusing on data and analytics to enhance decision-making and customer understanding.
Strategic Implementation of AI Innovations: Learn how to develop and execute effective AI strategies that are vital for competing in a landscape dominated by digital-first organizations.
Transforming Competitive Landscapes with AI: Examine how the elimination of traditional constraints alters competition rules and leads to new operational paradigms across various industries, including those that are traditionally non-digital.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: Understand how organizations like Honeywell and Comcast utilize data analytics and AI to derive meaningful insights, influencing strategic decisions and customer engagement.
Implementation Strategies for Leaders: Equip yourself with actionable strategies for implementing AI technologies effectively, ensuring alignment with business objectives while promoting an organizational culture that embraces change.
The Shift in Competitive Dynamics: Analyze how the elimination of traditional constraints reshapes competition and blurs industry lines, with a focus on the role of AI in transforming business operations.
Understanding the IDEAS Framework: Dive deep into the five critical elements of the IDEAS framework and how they interact to create powerful engines of innovation within an organization.
The Power of AI and Hub Firms: Investigate how companies like Google, Facebook, Tencent, and Alibaba leverage network effects and AI-driven learning curves to maintain competitive advantages across diverse industries.
Case Studies of Industry Giants: Analyze how companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, Walmart, and TikTok effectively deploy their AI strategies to gain a competitive edge in their markets.

Key Benefits and Expected Outcomes

After attending this program, participants will be able to:

Understanding AI's Impact on Competitive Dynamics: Gain a comprehensive understanding of how AI is reshaping competitive dynamics in various industries.
Harnessing AI Technologies for Business Disruption: Learn to harness AI technologies to disrupt traditional business processes and achieve operational excellence and growth.
Strategic Frameworks for AI Implementation: Develop strategic frameworks for implementing AI in both start-ups and established organizations, tailored to unique business contexts.
Strategic Insight and Impact of AI: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the revolutionary impact AI has on competition and operations, enabling attendees to position their firms effectively within the market.
Lead in the Age of AI: Equip yourself with the insights and strategies needed to guide your organization through the complexities of digital transformation and remain competitive in the evolving landscape.
Actionable Frameworks: Learn to apply the IDEAS framework to foster innovation and enhance data-driven decision-making in your organization.
Enhanced Competitive Advantage: Understand how to shape digital networks and leverage AI to create sustainable advantages over traditional and emerging rivals.
Empower Organizational Transformation: Identify and apply AI-driven methods to dismantle silos and foster collaboration across departments, enabling sustained competitive advantages.
Enhancing Decision-Making through AI Insights: Enhance decision-making capabilities by leveraging data and insights generated from AI systems to create more responsive and adaptive business strategies.
Gain Practical Insights and Tools: Learn from real-life examples of successful digital and AI transformation in traditional firms, and gain actionable insights to initiate similar changes in your organization.
Enhance Decision-Making with AI: Understand how to leverage data analytics and AI capabilities to develop a holistic understanding of customer needs and preferences, improving service delivery.
Position Your Firm for Future Success: Equip yourself with the knowledge to lead your firm in navigating the evolving digital landscape through AI, ensuring resilience and adaptability.
Gain a Competitive Edge: Participants will learn how to leverage AI to differentiate their organizations from traditional and emerging competitors alike, driving innovation and growth.
Practical Insights for Real-World Impact Through case studies and real-world examples, attendees will gain applicable knowledge that can be used to facilitate digital and AI transformation in their firms.
Foster a Unified Approach to Data and AI: Understand the importance of an integrated framework to optimize operations, allowing for seamless collaboration across departments.
Practical Applications: Participate in hands-on exercises that apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, ensuring participants are prepared to implement AI solutions in real- world contexts.
Strategic Insight and Practical Tools: Participants will walk away with actionable strategies and tools that can be applied to their organizational contexts, facilitating effective AI adoption.
Holistic Approach to Business Transformation: Gain a comprehensive understanding of how AI can redefine marketing, customer service, and overall business strategies.
Networking Opportunities: Engage with like-minded professionals, sharing experiences and strategies for navigating the complexities of AI.

PROGRAM FACULTY

Dr. Nelson Phillips

Professor Phillips' research interests lie in four main areas. First, he has become increasingly engaged in a program of research looking at a range of different but related issues in entrepreneurship. From a more practical perspective, he is interested in how to scale up new, high-growth ventures and in how scaling up social enterprises differs from scaling up more traditional companies. He is also interested in how new ventures “pivot” as this activity remains highly undertheorized. When studying entrepreneurship, Professor Phillips often uses ideas from organization theory to help him theorize and he has found this approach to be particularly fruitful.

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Dr. Rizwan Amin Sheikh

Dr. Rizwan A. Sheikh is a highly accomplished professional and visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in business and digital transformations, academia (including Harvard and MIT), IT, management consulting with Deloitte, Business & AI strategy, project and program management, ePMO, and cloud-based ERP implementations on leading platforms such as Oracle, SAP, and Microsoft. His expertise extends to software development, product management, and cutting-edge technologies, including Generative AI, data science, and data analytics.

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Target Audience for Program

C-Suite Executives and Business Leaders: Strategic decision-makers looking to integrate AI into their business models and gain insights into industry best practices.
CIOs and IT Leaders: Professionals interested in implementing AI tools, such as chatbots and analytics systems, to optimize organizational processes.
Business Strategy Professionals: Individuals responsible for business strategy and decision- making, seeking to explore how AI can redefine their competitive landscape.
Digital Transformation Leaders: Those interested in leading initiatives that embrace AI and data-driven technologies to revolutionize their organizational structures.
Marketing and Sales Professionals: Individuals seeking to develop AI-driven marketing strategies and enhance customer engagement through technology.
Change Leaders and Agents: Those leading transformation initiatives within their organizations, focused on developing an AI-centric culture and mindset. Anyone interested in leading transformation initiatives within their firms, particularly in industries facing disruption from digital competition.
Entrepreneurs and Startups: Individuals who want to leverage AI as a foundational element for growth and innovation in their new ventures.
Product and Project Managers: Individuals focused on deploying AI technologies in products and services, needing to understand how these innovations influence strategy and market dynamics.
Anyone with a minimum of 10 years of experience in the industry and looking to transform their organization through AI.

Teaching Methodology

Group discussions
Interactive Classroom Sessions
Real-life case studies from Harvard Business School
Role-play exercises
Video-conferencing with faculty from the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, RMIT (Australia), and others
Harvard Business School and/or INSEAD Business School Simulation