By: Guy Pistone
2025 is here and the growing need for AI adoption for most is still hanging over their head, but before you rush into action, take a step back. The more you understand the process, the better decisions you’ll make. This will save you a lot of headaches in the long run, trust me.
Remember, the right approach can streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and set your business up for sustained success. Here’s a look at business process improvement through the use of AI, based on my experience as CEO, to help you better understand this journey.
Foundational Elements for Successful AI Adoption
Successful AI adoption requires leadership buy-in and cross departmental collaboration to centralize data.
AI adoption begins at the top. Leaders need to champion the initiative with a sense of priority. This isn’t a project you can “set and forget.” You’ll come to find out it requires active involvement and, at this stage, experimentation will be critical. Without it you won’t be able to identify high-impact use cases.
Equally as important is having a well-organized, centralized data strategy. Centralizing data from across your organization (structured and unstructured sources) will provide the raw material AI needs to generate business-wide insights and deliver the type of value that moves the needle forward. I know of far too many organizations that currently operate with fragmented data systems, where each department basically acts as independent silos, guarding their own data. This disjointed approach limits AI’s ability to provide cross-functional insights that could potentially yield overall better outcomes for the company as a whole.
My recommendation for centralizing business data would be to use cloud-based platforms or data lakes to create a repository of unified data and invest in data cleaning to ensure the AI system has access to quality data. Once that’s up and running, the business can enable real-time data flow to keep data updated and dynamic for AI-driven decision-making.
Start on Workflow Automation
One of the easiest entry points into AI is workflow automation. If you can think of anything in your day-to-day that is repetitive and time-consuming and doesn’t need creativity or strategic input, that is the first task you can pass off to AI.
How many of these tasks can you think of that you’d like to get rid of?
There are even full areas of business that can be partially, if not fully, automated. Customer service, for example, is a common area where a business could implement AI-powered chatbots to handle routine inquiries.
The beauty of workflow automation lies in its scalability.
For small businesses, adopting scalable workflow automation solutions allows you to grow your AI capabilities as your operations grow. A well-chosen tool can immediately improve efficiency and free up resources for higher-value tasks.
PRO TIP: When I started at Valere, I made it a priority to meet with each department to understand their workflows and pain points. You’d be surprised how different needs can be, even within the same department. I’d recommend scheduling short discovery sessions to map out workflows, then identify quick wins where automation can make an immediate impact.
Tailor AI to Your Industry
Have you ever found a “one-size fits anything?” In my experience, no. Whether it’s gloves, hats, or a technical solution, generic solutions to a problem often provide generic results. And that’s not what we’re looking for, right?
When you’re looking for results, generic third-party AI solutions often fall short when dealing with industry-specific challenges. To achieve real transformation, businesses need customized AI tools that align with their unique operations. For example, a healthcare organization might use AI for patient data analysis, while a retail business could focus on inventory optimization.
Using approaches like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), companies can feed their proprietary data into AI systems to generate insights tailored to their industry. This strategy ensures that the AI solution integrates seamlessly into existing processes and delivers measurable results. We wrote an entire guide to using RAG technology, feel free to check it out after you’ve finished this article here.
Collaborate Effectively with AI
I’m convinced that AI works best when it enhances human capabilities. So, to foster collaboration between employees and AI tools, businesses must define clear goals and measurable KPIs. For example, if you’re implementing a proposal-generation tool, track metrics such as time saved and conversion rate improvements.
Providing training and ongoing support is equally important. Employees who understand how AI fits into their workflows are more likely to embrace it. If you do this right, you’re on the track to create a culture of innovation across the organization.
Experiment, Iterate, and Scale
AI integration is a process, not a one-time project. Experimentation is crucial for discovering what works and what doesn’t. Start small with targeted applications, and use data to refine your approach.
Companies like Amazon excel by embracing constant iteration and improvement. Their success in AI integration is a result of rapid prototyping, continuous feedback loops, and iterative development. Your business can achieve the same by adopting this mindset.
Begin by focusing on how to automate repetitive tasks with AI, then scale your efforts using insights from initial implementations. This approach ensures that your AI strategy evolves in line with your business’s growth.
Measure AI Success with Data
To gauge the long-term success of AI, you need to measure its impact. Use KPIs to track improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and customer satisfaction. For businesses exploring strategies for business process improvement in 2025, these metrics serve as a clear roadmap for optimization and growth.
The Future of AI in Business
AI is more than a tool, it’s a catalyst for transformation. By starting with strong leadership, focusing on automation, and tailoring solutions to your industry, you can turn AI into a competitive advantage.
Whether you’re looking to improve efficiency, adopt business automation tools, or explore how to improve business processes with AI, the opportunities are endless.
Let 2025 be the year your business moves from potential to progress.