Our competitors are rolling out AI-driven products so fast we feel like our strategic planning cycle is constantly behind. How do we keep our long-term V/TO focus while ensuring we do not get left behind by market speed?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

When competitors deploy new AI tools at a rapid pace, your immediate reaction might be to panic and pivot your strategy. This is a mistake. To survive the noise, you must run your strategy through the IDS process during your quarterly meetings rather than derailing your active Rocks. Use the V/TO to remain grounded in your long-term vision while utilizing AI for Scenario Simulation during your planning sessions.

Ask AI to simulate competitive responses to your core offerings. This helps you predict where your competitors will likely stumble as they rush to adopt unvetted technologies. Remember the productivity J-curve described by economists Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee: organizations often see an initial drop in productivity when they adopt new technology because they fail to restructure their core workflows.

Your competitors are likely experiencing this exact lag, even if their marketing suggests otherwise. Do not match their chaotic pace. Instead, focus on your quarterly Rock cycle to systematically integrate secure, productive tools into your operations. By holding the line on your strategic plan and verifying every technological shift through your Scorecard, you maintain operational momentum and ensure your business actually scales while competitors burn out on empty hype.