Why Strategy Beats Speed in the Age of AI
In today’s AI-driven landscape, leaders often ask: “Should we move fast with AI, or wait until it matures?” The truth is speed without strategy leads to wasted budgets, while clarity-led strategy turns AI into a growth multiplier. This article explores why businesses—especially SMEs in Malaysia and ASEAN—must focus on strategy-first adoption.
Table of Contents
- What the Research Shows
- SMEs: The Strategic Edge
- Corporates: Rethinking Models
- A Case in Point: Grab
- Actionable Takeaways
What the Research Shows
McKinsey’s 2024 survey revealed that 65% of companies experimenting with AI aren’t seeing measurable ROI. Harvard Business Review noted that technology can accelerate both good and bad processes—making strategy the real differentiator (HBR, 2024).
SMEs: The Strategic Edge
For SMEs, rushing into AI without direction can drain resources. But waiting too long risks losing ground to competitors. The sweet spot is adopting a strategy-first mindset:
- Pinpoint 1–2 bottlenecks in cashflow or productivity.
- Test AI solutions with clear success metrics.
- Scale only when results prove sustainable.
Explore how a Business Health Check can help SMEs identify chokepoints before investing in AI tools.
Corporates: Rethinking Models
Corporates are discovering that AI isn’t just another IT layer—it’s a value chain redesign. Toyota, for instance, applied AI not just to cut costs, but to reconfigure supply networks for resilience (Financial Times, 2023).
A Case in Point: Grab
Grab didn’t scale regionally by automating customer service alone. They built an ecosystem—drivers, merchants, payments—and then layered AI to strengthen each link. This strategy-first approach helped them outpace faster but less structured competitors.
Actionable Takeaways
In your next leadership meeting, ask:
- Which part of our business model will AI multiply positively—and which might it magnify negatively?
- If we must pick one chokepoint for AI today, what is it?
- How can we redesign—not just digitize—our model for resilience and growth?
Conclusion
Speed is tempting, but clarity and strategy create lasting advantage. Whether you’re an SME in ASEAN or a corporate leader, the future belongs to those who align AI adoption with business model reinvention. Start with strategy, then move with speed.
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I help SMEs future-proof their business in the age of AI. The time to rethink your business model with AI is now—before disruption arrives.
