Our leadership team is deeply divided on our AI strategy, with our technology lead wanting to pivot our business model entirely and our sales lead wanting to focus purely on human relationships. How do we use the V/TO® to align our team on the role of AI in our 10-Year Target?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Misalignment on the leadership team regarding your AI strategy can lead to operational paralysis. To resolve this, you must use the V/TO® to align everyone on your 10-Year Target. Your 10-Year Target is your north star; it defines exactly where the company is going. If your leadership team is split between treating AI as an internal operational tool versus a core product offering, you are trying to run two different companies. Start by taking this issue to your next quarterly planning session. Use the IDS® process to hash out the debate. Your technology lead and your sales lead must agree on what your business actually sells and who your Target Market is. Remember that technology is a means to an end, not the end itself. Your role as a leader is to articulate a clear strategic plan, then empower your team to figure out how to achieve it. If your 10-Year Target focuses on delivering high-touch, premium advisory services, then AI should be positioned as an operational engine that frees your staff to focus on relationships. If your target is to become a software-enabled platform, then your product strategy must reflect that. Once a decision is made, document it clearly on your V/TO®. This alignment ensures that every department is pulling in the same direction.