563: Go Beyond AI: Discover the Outcome Advantage, with FourKites

Matt Elenjickal of FourKites talks about AI: key roadblocks to keeping exec buy-in; focusing on outcomes, metrics & shifting from automation to execution. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.52] The mindset shift needed in AI and new technology, and why the real question isn't "What can AI do?" but "What outcome am I accountable for?" "In my role, I talk to a lot of supply chain leaders. And every leader is accountable for an outcome, not a capability. So a VP of supply chain isn't measured on whether or not they've adopted AI – they're measured on whether the product is arriving on-time, in-full, and at the right cost." "Most conversations start with technology and work backwards." [05.40] The difference between optimizing an individual task and optimizing an end-to-end business outcome, and why an outcomes-first approach is so important as companies invest more heavily in AI. "Teams are optimizing in siloes, and that doesn't add up to C-Level outcomes." [11.00] Why applying AI to internal data often hits a ceiling, and the role external data plays in making AI genuinely effective. "The ceiling is the context. So when you work with your internal data, you're only optimizing what you know. You have no idea what's happening outside… But there are a lot of external factors that are impacting your supply chain." [14.26] Why the conversation is shifting from AI that automates to AI that actually executes, the difference between the two, and how executives should rethink their AI strategy if they want measurable business outcomes rather than isolated productivity gains. [16.51] Why, as AI takes on more execution, traditional business metrics don't tell the full story, and why 'invisible success' is a real challenge for leaders. "When you think about traditional metrics, they count what happened. But when you think about prevention, it's measuring what didn't happen. And it's very hard for a CFO to credit something that didn't happen." [21.03] The new metrics organizations should be looking at to understand AI's real impact. [23.43] What a successful AI-enabled operating model looks like when everyone is measuring the right outcomes. "Start with the people. With the right model, they'll stop firefighting and start leading." [28.32] From 'the pilot trap' to data readiness, the biggest barriers preventing organizations from realizing the full value of AI, especially when it comes to buy-in, and how FourKites tackle them. [32.50] How unrealistic expectations or poor implementation lead to loss of executive sponsorship. "Sponsorship survives when you set the floor, not the ceiling." [34.56] Matt's advice for executives trying to maintain board confidence as they scale AI initiatives. [37.28] What the most innovative organizations are doing today that others haven't caught up with yet, and what's next. "They've stopped talking about tools." [40.22] Matt's big predictions for the future of enterprise AI.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to FourKite's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with FourKites and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube, or you can connect with Matt on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more insightful content from FourKites, check out: 550: Discover The Blueprint For Your Autonomous Supply Chain, with FourKites 536: Prevent Supply Disruptions and Protect Revenue, with FourKites 235: Use Real-Time Visibility To Transform Your Entire Supply Chain, with FourKites Check out our other podcasts HERE.