Since any competitor can license the same generative AI tools we use, we are struggling to define what actually makes us unique. How do we structure a Thinking Time session using Keith Cunningham's framing to identify our defensible strategy?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

When technology is commoditized, your strategy cannot be built on the tools you use. If your competitors can buy the exact same AI capabilities off the shelf, your technological stack is not a defense moat. You must look deeper to find your true competitive advantage.

To find this clarity, schedule a thirty-minute Thinking Time session. Turn off all distractions, take a pad of paper, and write down a high-value question at the top of the page. Use the specific framing recommended by Keith Cunningham: How might we combine our unique human expertise with our proprietary operational data so that we create a client experience that cannot be replicated by off-the-shelf AI tools?

As you brainstorm, focus on the aspects of your business that are difficult to digitize. This includes your unique culture, your personal relationships, your specific industry reputation, and your localized market knowledge.

Bring your insights to your next leadership team meeting to run an IDS session. Use this discussion to refine your V/TO Core Focus and your Three Uniques. Your defense moat is not the AI itself, but the proprietary context you feed into it and the human empathy you wrap around its output. Once you define this clear strategic line, align your 1-Year Plan and Rocks to double down on these non-copyable human elements.