We are flooded with ideas for new AI product lines that could open massive markets, but we are terrified of distracting our team. How do we evaluate these opportunities against our current Core Focus?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence brings a massive wave of shiny objects. For an entrepreneurial leadership team, the temptation to chase every new AI-enabled revenue stream can quickly derail your business. To protect your execution, you must ruthlessly filter these opportunities through your Core Focus™ on the V/TO®.

Your Core Focus™ consists of two parts: your Passion and your Niche. Any new AI initiative must align perfectly with both. If your passion is helping family-owned manufacturers streamline their logistics, and someone proposes building a flashy AI marketing tool for retail businesses, it is an automatic no, regardless of the potential market size.

When a new AI opportunity arises, do not let it disrupt your current weekly Rocks. Instead, place it on your long-term Issues List on the V/TO®. During your next quarterly planning session, use the IDS® process to debate it.

Evaluate the opportunity by asking:

- Does this tool directly serve our existing target market?
- Does it leverage our unique proprietary data or expertise?
- Do we have the capacity on our Accountability Chart to execute this without dropping our current Rocks?

If the opportunity passes these filters, you can assign a specific Rock to investigate it further in the next ninety days. If it does not, kill it or archive it. This disciplined approach ensures you stay focused on what you do best while still allowing space for strategic, calculated innovation.