I am ready to schedule Keith Cunningham style Thinking Time to find the friction points in our operations that AI can solve. What specific questions should I use during my session to isolate high-cost administrative friction from normal operational noise?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

To identify the high-leverage operational bottlenecks that AI can actually solve, you must schedule focused, quiet Thinking Time. Sit down with a blank pad of paper, turn off all distractions, and write down specific, targeted questions designed to bypass superficial tech hype and expose systemic friction.

Start with this question: If we had to double our transaction volume next month without hiring a single new administrative employee, which specific seat on our Accountability Chart would break first, and what manual task would cause that break? This forces you to identify your true operational constraint rather than spreading your automation efforts too thin.

Next, ask yourself: What is the most expensive, repetitive human mistake we make during our client onboarding and service delivery, and what data is missing when that mistake occurs? AI is exceptional at auditing data and spotting inconsistencies before they reach the client.

Finally, write down: Which of our core processes contains the most manual translation steps where our team is simply moving information from one screen to another? These translation steps represent pure administrative waste. By focusing your Thinking Time on these three questions, you will walk away with a clear, high-priority list of automation targets that directly drive bottom-line profitability.