Sparring & advice

What you will get

While implementing data and AI solutions over the past 27 years - not as an external consultant, but as an internal expert and data leader - I have seen what worked and what didn’t. I have seen mistakes that were caught too late before millions of dollars of investments were made. And, I have learned from the mistakes and enabled successful AI solutions across many business functions.

I provide sparring partnerships, strategic mentoring, and advice for successful AI adoption. In addition, I work with trusted partners for implementation. Whether it’s Large Language Models, data management, AI architecture, or data storytelling, you will have the right partner to implement what is needed.

But be prepared. I may advise you against using AI if your business challenges can be better addressed through other means such as dashboards or process improvements.

I will NOT sell you the AI hype.

7 AI sins

70% of AI projects fail. It’s not because of technology or lack of data. They fail because of people: executives, users, and developers. I call it the human factor of AI. As confirmed again and again, this is the main reason for AI failures.

Each of these three roles influences different areas relevant for success with AI. Over the years, I have identified seven sins - OK, let's call them challenges - that come up, sometimes intentionally, but most often unintentionally. Evaluating these seven AI challenges and this human factor is the first step in understanding how ready your organization is for AI.

This step involves discussions with at least three functions within your company:

➡️ Data privacy officer to learn about the level of data use in the organization
➡️ Dashboard developers to see if they know what business users need
➡️ Sales reps or support service personnel to find out if they are aware how they generate customer data

Step 1

11 building blocks

The second step is the assessment of the current data & AI capabilities. This addresses the organizational and technical aspects needed for success with AI.

I use the framework of the 11 building blocks of a data-driven organization. Based on my experience across several companies and industries, these eleven components keep always coming up as the success drivers. Understanding these individual building blocks helps in developing and executing the data & AI strategy as well as communicating with non-technical colleagues and executives.

Step 2

Sparring options

Sparring Light

Duration: 3 weeks

✅ Two 60-min virtual sessions per week (6 sessions total)

✅ Content:

1. Brainstorming of what AI can do for your business

2. Evaluation of AI readiness (based on the "7 AI sins" framework) and recommendations for potential improvements

3. Mentoring

Price: 1795 EUR total, excluding VAT

Sparring Plus

Duration: 3 months

✅ Two 60-min virtual sessions per week (24 sessions total)

✅ Two in-person 4-hour workshops at customer location

✅ Content:

1. Brainstorming of what AI can do for your business

2. Evaluation of AI readiness (based on the "7 AI sins" framework) and recommendations for potential improvements

3. Assessment of current data & AI capabilities (based on the "11 building blocks" framework) and recommendations for potential improvements

4. Creation of the data & AI strategy outline

5. Recommendation of trusted partners for implementation

6. Mentoring

Price: 6895 EUR total, excluding VAT and travel expenses

Sparring Unlimited

Duration: ongoing (can be canceled any time after the first three months)

✅ Two 60-min virtual sessions per week

✅ One in-person 4-hour workshop at customer location every two months

✅ Content:

1. Brainstorming of what AI can do for your business

2. Evaluation of AI readiness (based on the "7 AI sins" framework) and recommendations for potential improvements

3. Assessment of current data & AI capabilities (based on the "11 building blocks" framework) and recommendations for potential improvements

4. Creation of the data & AI strategy outline

5. Recommendation of trusted partners for implementation

6. Mentoring

Price: 2995 EUR per month, excluding VAT and travel expenses

In addition to custom 1-on-1 sessions and team workshops (in-person or virtual), you can select from three predefined AI sparring programs: