Insights

Issue #21

Hello everyone,


We hope this newsletter finds you well. As we hit the mid-point of 2023, we enter the second half of what has been a significant year of positive change for the Mäd team.

One of the most notable of these changes is that we’ve recently made the decision to close our physical office in Cambodia and become a fully remote team. This transition has been organic for us as we begin to see significant growth in our international project acquisition, particularly in the public sector, and we're excited about the rapid developments of this side of our business. Alongside this, by tapping into our global talent pool, we can provide our clients with a network of international experts, allowing us to be more responsive to the evolving landscape of digital and other critical areas of modern digital transformation.

As touched upon in a recent LinkedIn post, we're also deep in the process of launching our own white-label chatbot that will be available to help both new and existing customers work better. This chatbot is powered by OpenAI, allowing us to train the bot on specific data such as government policy, legal documentation, technical specification, financial and market research, and much more. In fact, we’ve already had the pleasure of demonstrating this existing solution with the world's most well-known development organization.

We’re working around the clock to deliver this powerful yet simple solution that will make our diverse client base work more efficiently, resonating with our core vision to make meaningful change — and we’ll have an interactive demo available by the end of June.

In the meantime, if you would like to get a first-hand look at this before the official release, feel free to book a coffee chat with me to find out more.

Kieran Glover – Managing Director


Thoughts.

— On the intersection of AI and business strategy.

The shared space between AI and business is a realm of boundless possibilities.

As AI technology continues evolving, it also reveals unexpected traits. Thanks to its human-like performance, it’s not surprising that many users have started harnessing AI for more complex tasks. And while AI may not yet be able to independently craft something as complex as a business strategy, it offers a plethora of applications in other strategic domains — for instance, in writing this thoughtful discussion:

AI transcends mere automation and process optimization. It unlocks the potential to extract profound insights from data, identify patterns, and make informed decisions. By harnessing AI's analytical prowess, organizations can gain a competitive edge through data-driven choices and timely strategic maneuvers.

Moreover, AI revolutionizes overall company operations. It fine-tunes resource allocation, revolutionizes supply chain management, and ignites operational efficiencies. By embracing AI-driven solutions, businesses can streamline processes, trim costs, and heighten productivity, empowering them to allocate resources wisely and focus on value generation.

The impact of AI extends to the realm of customer engagement and experience. By leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies, businesses can personalize interactions, execute targeted marketing campaigns, and curate bespoke customer journeys. Such tailored experiences foster satisfaction, loyalty, and a distinct competitive advantage.

However, integrating AI into business strategy requires a thoughtful approach. Alignment with strategic goals, ethical considerations, and transparency in AI-driven decision-making are paramount.

By unleashing the full potential of AI, businesses can unlock invaluable insights, optimize operations, and orchestrate unforgettable experiences. In this ever-evolving landscape, the fusion of AI and strategy propels organizations toward triumphant success.

Read more: The Intersection of AI and Business Strategy: Building a Competitive Advantage.  


News.

  • Public Services Practice Area. At Mäd, we constantly strive to improve our digital services and enhance client experiences. As part of this effort, we’ve added a new practice area page on our website dedicated to the work we do with international public sector organizations. Learn more about our commitment to delivering thoughtful digital solutions and experiences that can make an impact in the lives of people worldwide.
  • Fast Company World Changing Ideas Feature. Our senior team has been working closely with the UNDP to deliver the Digital X program and digital catalogue, which was featured as one of Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas 2023.

Spotlight.

  • UNDP Data to Policy Chatbot. Our senior team members had the privilege of working closely with the UNDP CDO to brainstorm and develop an MVP for an OpenAI-powered Chatbot to support country offices in making better-informed decisions.
  • Arima Genomics. We’re delighted to announce that we will be working on an exciting new branding and website initiative with the great team over at Arima Genomics, based in the United States.

Insights.


From the Web.

As we approach the midpoint of 2023, the business landscape has already been experiencing key organizational shifts and trends. McKinsey’s latest report unveils valuable insights and best practices for leaders navigating today’s business challenges, from hybrid work models and resilience to diversity and talent management. Explore this interactive article to unlock strategies for success in an evolving world.

Contemporary AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, Bard, and the new Bing, have become not just increasingly powerful but also more accessible. This has allowed many of us to test and benefit from their humanlike capabilities. However, even the most advanced AI can have limitations when it comes to language — especially negation.

The business uses of AI go far beyond basic chatbots. Generative AI has emerged as another groundbreaking technology that is reshaping business solutions, particularly in retail. Bain & Co identifies that it has had a profound impact on four categories: personalized marketing, customer engagement and service transformation, operations and productivity, and customer and industry insights.


Work Like Mäd: The Book.

Curious to learn how you can start and run your own professional service firm?

Check out our eBook, Work Like Mäd!

It’s based on 10+ years of experience (with many trials, errors, and failures in-between) and packed with lessons and advice on how to set up and grow a sustainable business, assemble a talented team, find the right projects, and keep clients coming back to you.

Get it here. (Or download a free chapter!)

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at hi@mad.co. Our team is always here and ready to help.

Have a productive start to the summer,  and until next time!

#aiwithmad