Unlike Warehouse Evolution, This Shift Will Be Rapid
The evolution of AI in business reminds me of the evolution of warehousing, logistics and supply chain. For business, that evolution will digitally enable the autonomous organization.
Back in 1975, I was an assistant professor at North Carolina State University. I started teaching clients two-day seminars on what we called PIWO – planning and improving warehouse operations. That quickly morphed into Tompkins Associates; an evolution of consulting, learning and technology; and Tompkins International. And warehousing moved from hand trucks to automation.
Now that I’ve “refired” into Tompkins Ventures, I’m realizing we’ll have to move a lot faster. Because unlike my warehouse journey, the AI revolution will not take decades.
Instead, the digitally enabled, autonomous organization will be here in just a few short years.
AI Technology Minus Strategy Makes for Bad Coffee
Decades ago, my two-day PIWO seminars were like a shot over the head for people who managed warehouse operations.
Back then, most companies didn’t even think about planning warehouse operations. After all, warehouses were about nothing more than managing your space, labor, inventory and customer service. Of course, space labor, inventory and customer service are your whole company. You mess up one of those four, well, you’ve messed up your company.
It’s kind of like making coffee without a plan. Beyond the standard American drip coffee machines are K-cup machines, espresso machines, French presses, AeroPresses, Moka pots and more. You could select a pour over method, an old-fashioned percolator or boil the grounds multiple times like they do in the Middle East.
And each of those methods requires different equipment, different grind sizes and different processes. If you do it willy-nilly, you might wind up pouring whole beans into a K-cup machine.
That won’t give you a quality cup of joe. Not a great customer experience.
AI in Business Mirrors Warehouse Evolution
The same goes for planning warehouse operations. You don’t just say: “Get this stuff from this order. Put it in the box. And ship it to them.”
The business people who took my training seminar went back to their organizations and tried warehouse planning. Most had a lot of trouble doing it. So then we started consulting. Then we started implementing. Automation (beyond the old 1950s-style conveyor belts) entered the arena, helping with time-consuming tasks.
Then we went in and found out they needed a warehouse management system, so technology came into play. Inventory planning, transportation and strategic planning all played their part in our evolution of learning and implementing.
AI Learning Curve Will Go from Education to Full Autonomy
I’m seeing this evolution already in how Tompkins Ventures Business Partners are using – and teaching – artificial intelligence in business.
I’ll call one of them Matt. In the warehouse story, he’s 1975. He travels all over the world conducting four-hour AI seminars. He earns a great living and has trouble finding a break.
For example, he’ll plan a trip to Europe to conduct a few seminars, expecting to have a few days off to enjoy the sights. Well, he gets so booked up that never happens. And he’s working all the time.
He’s not telling companies how to use AI in business. He’s teaching people how to use AI tools. Here’s how you write an AI prompt. Here’s how you get the best responses. And here’s how you follow up. A fairly basic course.
Next up would be Jill. She developed a company that was much more in depth regarding how AI tools work. Her business model is still based on education. But her classes are longer than four hours, and she works directly with companies.
Then we have Diego, who has developed an entire university surrounding AI tools. Universities can literally take his classes and insert them into their curricula. His list of classes is really impressive, even over the top.
Next up is Beth. She actually helps companies apply artificial intelligence in business. When she gets done, your middle management should have the tools to make 98% of the operational decisions.
Then we have partners who provide companies complete digital enablement. These tools help you reinvent your organization.
That’s like the evolution of monkeys to the modern man. From living in trees to living in the penthouse.
Digital Enablement Helps Reinvent Your Organization
This rise to the penthouse also enables each level to target what they should.
As I detailed in my previous blog, boards of directors currently focus too much on financial statements rather than guiding their organizations toward the future. The C-suite handles operational decision-making. Middle management gathers and analyzes data for the C-level. Meanwhile, the rest of the company’s operations function as best they can.
A digitally enabled, autonomous organization drives decision-making down, giving you a truly effective company with four distinct layers:
- The board will engage in insightful leadership and set long-term strategy.
- The C-suite will handle financial accountability.
- Middle management will make operational decisions.
- The execution layer will implement processes much more efficiently than ever before.
This is the kind of digital transformation that positions organizations for long-term success.
Your Roadmap to the Autonomous Organization
In my view, the progression from 2025 (AI in education) to 2028 (the digitally enabled autonomous organization) will be rapid:
- 2025: You must educate yourself, your company and your workers about AI.
- 2026: Your company must go digital and deploy artificial intelligence in business.
- 2027: You must develop an ecosystem of enablers to advance your company’s evolution
- 2028: Implementing AI tools have helped you develop a fully autonomous organization.
In my warehouse evolution analogy, going to the digitally enabled, autonomous organization is equivalent of moving from hand trucks and forklifts to a fully automated warehouse.
Organizations that use hand trucks and fork trucks will lose out to fully autonomous organizations.
The shift from AI education to fully autonomous organizations is happening fast. The future of AI will require deep learning. Companies that don’t evolve will be left behind by those that embrace AI-driven decision-making and automation.
If your business is still in the early stages of AI adoption, now is the time to start planning your journey. Wondering how to guide your AI in business evolution toward a fully autonomous organization? Let’s talk – before your competition leaves you behind.
Related Reading
- Digital Enablement Helps Reinvent Your Organization
- 7 Ways AI and Generative AI Benefits E2E Supply Chains
- Missing the Boat on AI in Education
Jim Tompkins, Chairman of Tompkins Ventures, is an international authority on designing and implementing end-to-end supply chains. Over five decades, he has designed countless industrial facilities and supply chain solutions, enhancing the growth of numerous companies. He previously built Tompkins International from a backyard startup into an international consulting and implementation firm. Jim earned his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.
Fantastic Article. Shipping Industry can’t be Successful in leveraging the Full Potential of the IT Technology until and unless:
1) It’s taking the responsibility and Leadership in Global Supply Chain.
2) Its highly Safe, Simple, Scientific & Sustainable.
3) It’s highly Productive and Efficient in Resource Utilisations.
4) It’s reducing the dependency on One type of Container, Method & System.
5) It’s increasing Research, Innovation, Trying and Testing New Innovations.
With Best Wishes.
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