We built an internal AI scheduling tool that has saved our operations team twenty hours a week, and now our leadership team is arguing about whether we should package and sell it as a standalone product. How do we use our Core Focus to make this decision?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

It is incredibly tempting to chase a shiny new software opportunity, especially when you build something that solves your own internal pain points. However, launching a software product requires a completely different business model, sales team, and support structure than a services company. To make this decision without destroying your current operations, return to your Core Focus on the V/TO. Your Core Focus is comprised of your Passion and your Niche. Ask your leadership team: Does selling and supporting a commercial software application align with our core passion, and do we have the accountability structure to support SaaS customers? If the answer is no, then packaging this tool is a massive distraction that will pull your best people away from your highly profitable core business. The correct path is to keep the tool as a proprietary internal asset. Use it to lower your delivery costs, increase your margins, and make your service offering highly competitive. This keeps you focused on your core target market while leveraging technology to scale your profits. Do not let a temporary technical success pull you into an operational arena where you do not have the right seats or resources to win.