5 Moves to Build an AI-Ready Business (Before It’s Too Late)
Most companies won’t fail with AI because of technology.
They’ll fail because they never rebuilt their business to work with AI.
I see it every week: leadership teams hoping a new tool or dashboard will “solve” AI.
But the reality?
AI isn’t a feature you bolt on. It’s a foundation you build underneath.
Alibaba understood this early.
They didn’t just use AI.
They rewired their business so AI could thrive inside it.
Today, whether you’re a tech giant or a growing service company, the path is the same:
Move from AI ideas to AI infrastructure.
And it starts with five moves — simple but transformational.
The 5 Moves That Built an Adaptive Enterprise
1. Datafy the Physical World
Turn real-world actions — a sale, a delivery, a conversation — into digital data.
(Example: tracking store footfall, sensorizing a production line, logging service calls.)
2. Software the Business
Automate repeatable tasks and decisions with software, not spreadsheets.
(Example: auto-scheduling appointments, dynamic inventory restocking.)
3. Get Data Flowing
Connect systems so information moves instantly across your business.
(Example: CRM syncs in real-time with marketing and fulfillment tools.)
4. Record Data in Full
Capture detailed records from every interaction, not just snapshots.
(Example: Full customer journey tracking, not just purchase history.)
5. Apply ML Algorithms
Use machine learning to predict, personalize, and optimize decisions at scale.
(Example: Predicting customer churn, recommending products, forecasting supply chain risks.)
The Good News:
You don’t need a 100-person data team to start.
You don’t even need massive budgets.
You need momentum.
Small moves → Big shifts.
Here’s how you can take action this month:
Pick one customer interaction and datafy it.
Identify one repetitive task and automate it.
Connect two key systems and get data flowing.
Start capturing full data trails in one part of your ops.
Launch a simple ML pilot — even a basic churn model or lead scoring.
Each step strengthens your business for an adaptive, AI-powered future.
Want to Move Faster?
I help executive teams move from AI theory to execution — fast and focused.
Prototype an AI opportunity
Align AI strategy to board-level goals
Build a practical, phased roadmap for sustainable AI adoption
Don’t let the future happen to your business.
Start building the foundation for it.