Pioneer or laggard: how AI will decide the future of your strategy department
This episode was recorded in German.
The quiet power shift in strategy work
It's happening in many companies at the same time right now, and most strategy departments haven't really registered it yet: regional heads and division leaders suddenly show up with analyses and numbers that nobody can properly validate anymore. In our new special episode, Christian Underwood explains why this isn't a fringe phenomenon but the start of a real shift in strategy work.
The data layer decides: why quality comes before speed
Analyses are produced faster than ever today, partly because employees use private accounts to put AI tools to work. The problem: "The things that used to be in your hands are now being democratized across the company, and suddenly they're available to almost everyone," says Christian Underwood. Usually more badly than well, because data quality, market models and a clear data structure are missing. It's exactly this data layer for market intelligence that strategy departments need to prepare actively now instead of leaving it to chance.
From brake to driver: the new role of the strategy department
When strategy departments only respond to AI with skepticism, they risk being seen as the brake, even though they could be the ones driving this development. Anyone who waits until a division leader announces that he has already worked out the new strategy with a chatbot is already in reactive mode. Christian Underwood's message is clear: you can get ahead of this, and if you want to keep your seat at the decision-making table, you have to shape this development yourself.
AI in the strategy process: from development to cascading
For strategy departments, the smart use of AI doesn't begin with the finished analysis. It runs through the entire process: from strategy development to cascading it into the organization to project portfolio and OKR management. Precisely because everything lands on the board's desk as top priority anyway, AI can take real pressure off here, provided the fundamentals are in place.
Decision intelligence: better decisions for the board and the steering committee
Christian Underwood also sees great potential for decision intelligence in preparing board meetings, simulations and steering committees: getting to better results and presentations faster, without sacrificing quality. And when it comes to change management, for example when a new strategy, a reorganization or an acquisition has to be communicated, a well-thought-out use of AI can help activate the entire organization quickly and effectively.
A team job stays a team job
As much as AI can take on, there's one warning Christian Underwood considers especially important. "This isn't about suddenly putting one person in front of a computer with AI and having them work out the best strategy. That is and remains a team job within the leadership team." AI supports the process, but it doesn't replace making decisions together as a team.
An invitation to act
For strategy departments, strategy leads and everyone with responsibility in corporate development or business development, this episode delivers concrete food for thought on shaping AI in strategy work actively instead of reactively. If you want to go deeper: on November 9 and 10, Christian Underwood and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Weigand are running the new Masterclass "Chief Strategy Officer of the AI Future" at MCI in Innsbruck, including six weeks of support for putting it into practice in your own company. Attendance is limited to 20 people, and all the details are in the show notes.
Get inspired and find out how to use AI so you stay a step ahead of this development instead of chasing it.
🚀 Listen to the podcast episode now and secure your seat at the decision-making table!
SHOW NOTES
Christian Underwood https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianunderwood/
Masterclass “CSO of the AI Future” https://www.strategyframe.ai/masterclass-cso-ai-future
Strategic Decision Intelligence: https://strategicdecisionintelligence.ai
Magazine “Hope Is Not a Strategy” https://shop.strategyframe.ai/products/hoffnung-ist-keine-strategie-ii-1-strategic-decision-intelligence
All links https://linktr.ee/strategyframe