AI Isn’t a Silver Bullet — It’s a Tool to Get to the Outcome More Efficiently

This isn’t new. Companies have long believed that a tool will magically solve a process or data problem.

Real-world example:

The Product team wanted to get more efficient with quarterly planning and tracking progress. The proposed solution? Invest in Jira.

Jira is great if:

• It’s supporting a clear business process or workflow that’s consistently followed.

• There’s real data governance in place (because garbage in = garbage out).

• It’s actually solving the problem you’ve identified.

So what did we do?

First, ruthless prioritization and agreement on the actual problem Jira was solving. Centralizing data, and creating real time status transparency.

Then we drafted a lightweight SOP with clear instructions and ownership: how to use the tool and how to enter information.

tool versus outcome

What did this accomplish?

We wanted to take a multi-hour planning read out meeting and shift it toward exception management that focused time on misalignment to priorities, KPIs, or resources.

With real-time reporting, teams could transparently communicate cross-functional work using organized dashboards and filters. The tool helped to set the team agenda, letting teams choose how to communicate—async or live.

The large cross functional quarterly product meeting shifted to focus only on high-risk or high-priority items. Teams came prepared, and meetings were trimmed to under an hour, saving both time and money.

Was it perfect? No.

Was it more efficient and did it solve the problem we articulated? Absolutely.

AI can be thought about the same way.

What’s the actual problem?

• Cutting down time to manage high email volume?

• Drafting deck outlines or setting up meeting agendas?

• Organizing notes and generating follow-ups?

• Brainstorming GTM ideas or pressure-testing an initiative?

The tool works when it has purpose, process, and ownership behind it.

If this resonates with you, I offer free 30-min strategy calls—click here to schedule.