During the MovieLaLa days, we learned something about the roi of ai: new data from 1,000+ that I still apply to every investment I make.
After three years and dozens of clients, my AI consulting firm has a treasure trove of data on what works and what doesn't in business intelligence. I'm sharing our most surprising findings.
Why Most Approaches Fail
Let me be direct: about 70% of the approaches I see to the roi of ai: new data from 1,000+ are fundamentally flawed. Not slightly off. Fundamentally flawed.
The root cause is usually one of three things:
- Copying what big companies do without understanding why they do it. What works for Google doesn't work for a 10-person startup.
- Over-engineering the solution when a simple approach would work better. I've seen teams spend six months building something that could have been done in two weeks.
- Ignoring the human element. Technology is the easy part. Getting people to actually use it is where the real challenge lives.
The Framework That Actually Works
I'm going to share the exact framework I use when evaluating the roi of ai: new data from 1,000+. It's not complicated, but it requires discipline.
Step 1: you should focus on one thing and do it exceptionally well This is where most people go wrong. They skip this step entirely and jump straight to execution. Don't do that.
Step 2: most founders overthink this and underspend on execution Once you have the foundation right, this becomes much easier. I've watched founders struggle with this for months when the answer was staring them in the face.
Step 3: Iterate relentlessly Nothing works perfectly the first time. The companies in my portfolio that nail the roi of ai: new data from 1,000+ are the ones that treat it as an ongoing process, not a one-time project.
Real Talk: What Actually Matters
I'm going to cut through the noise and tell you what actually matters when it comes to the roi of ai: new data from 1,000+.
First, execution speed beats perfection. Every time. I've never seen a company fail because they moved too fast on the roi of ai: new data from 1,000+. I've seen plenty fail because they moved too slow.
Second, measure everything. If you can't measure it, you can't improve it. Set up tracking from day one, even if it's basic.
Third, talk to your users. This sounds obvious but you'd be amazed how many founders build their the roi of ai: new data from 1,000+ strategy in a vacuum. Get out of the building. Talk to real people.
This connects to broader themes around enterprise AI, business intelligence AI, AI strategy that I've been thinking about a lot lately.
The Bottom Line
Look, the roi of ai: new data from 1,000+ isn't rocket science. But it does require intentionality, consistency, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
If you take one thing from this article, let it be this: start now, start small, and iterate. The founders who win at the roi of ai: new data from 1,000+ aren't the ones with the best strategy on paper. They're the ones who execute, learn, and adapt faster than everyone else.
I've been doing this for over a decade. The patterns are clear. The companies that take the roi of ai: new data from 1,000+ seriously outperform the ones that don't. Every single time.
If you're working on something interesting in this space, I'd love to hear about it. Drop me a line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I apply this thinking to my own situation?
Start by identifying the core principle behind the opinion, not the specific example. Then ask yourself: does this principle apply to my context? If yes, test it in a small, low-risk way before going all in.
Do all experts agree with this view?
No, and that's fine. The best ideas in business are often contrarian. I share my perspective based on my experience and data, but I encourage you to seek out opposing viewpoints and form your own conclusions.
What experience informs this perspective?
This perspective comes from over a decade of building companies in Silicon Valley, two successful exits (RemoteTeam to Gusto, MovieLaLa to Gfycat), and investing in 200+ startups including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Scale AI. I write about what I've lived.