Artificial intelligence (AI) represents an exciting yet complex opportunity for companies looking to increase efficiency, innovate faster, and improve customer experiences. However, successfully implementing AI requires careful planning and expertise. That’s where Janice Robinson Burns steps in. As a human capital strategic advisor, Janice helps companies navigate the AI maze so they can fully capitalize on AI’s benefits.
Listening to Understand Client Needs
According to Janice, a key factor when selecting an AI consultant is finding someone who will listen rather than just deliver a sales pitch. “You want someone who’s going to take the time to hear what you really need, what your challenges are, what your concerns are, what your fears are, and what your ambitions are,” Janice said. “You don’t want them just to tell you the script, the sales script, the sales pitch that they tell everyone else because that’s not going to help you.” The right partner will listen first to understand a client’s unique needs and goals.
Balancing Tech Savvy With Pragmatism
Janice highlighted the importance of working with a consultant who is technically savvy yet pragmatic. “You need someone who’s definitely tech savvy but you need someone who’s also going to give you pragmatic solutions that you can implement that don’t require you to spend huge amounts of money,” she explained. The ideal partner can optimize existing systems while layering on new capabilities, avoiding the need for expensive and disruptive rip-and-replace projects.
Co-Creating vs Dictating Solutions
Additionally, Janice cautioned against partners who simply push pre-packaged solutions. “You want someone who’s actually going to co-create a solution with you for you that’s unique to you,” she said. Rather than plugging clients into cookie-cutter solutions, the right consultant will collaborate to develop truly customized AI strategies.
Cutting Through the Hype
With lots of hype surrounding AI, Janice emphasized the importance of working with an objective consultant who can cut through the noise. “You need a consultant that’s going to work with you as you’re selecting those AI vendors and cut through the hype, tell you the truth, keep it real with you,” she noted. An experienced advisor will identify the real capabilities and limitations of AI tools and technologies.
Building Lasting Capabilities
Finally, Janice said clients should look for partners who equip them to sustain solutions. “At the end of this engagement will they give you a solution that you can implement and maintain yourself or will you need to pay them more money to implement it for you or to maintain it for you?” she asked. The ideal consultant empowers clients with the knowledge and resources to keep advancing their AI capabilities independently over the long-term.
Key Questions When Selecting an AI Consultant
In summary, Janice highlighted five key questions companies should ask when choosing an AI consultant:
- Will their solution equip me with lasting capabilities?
- Will they listen to understand my needs or just deliver a sales pitch?
- Are they tech savvy yet pragmatic or do they get caught up in the technology?
- Will they dictate a solution or co-create one with me?
- Can they cut through AI hype and identify what will really work for my business?
About Janice Robinson Burns
As a human capital strategic advisor, Janice Robinson Burns helps companies optimize their most valuable asset: their people. With deep expertise in areas like AI, automation, and future of work, Janice guides clients on how to upgrade their human capital strategies to drive innovation and fully leverage emerging technologies like AI.
She leads human capital efforts for Skill Collective, a consulting firm focused on designing human-centric solutions in a technology-driven world. To learn more about Janice Robinson Burns and Skill Collective, visit her website or check out her LinkedIn profile.
