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Exploring futuristic trends for corporate leaders and executives so they can stay ahead in the era of AI & Robotics.
Welcome to the deep dive with the Future of Leadership Summit. Today, we're gonna be looking at how AI is changing the business world Yeah. Particularly for leaders who are looking for, you know, tangible results.
Speaker 2:It's not just hype anymore.
Speaker 1:We're seeing a real measurable impact across various departments.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And Microsoft's experience, fascinating blueprint Yeah. For how to make AI work for your organization.
Speaker 1:Exactly. And what's so interesting is that we have these insights from 7 leaders at Microsoft across all these different departments, like sales marketing Yeah. Eagle, even HR Mhmm. And finance. Right.
Speaker 1:It's like a sneak peek into how a tech giant Exactly. Is successfully using AI for growth.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And what's fascinating is the consistent theme of, you know, increased productivity and reinvented processes thanks to AI integration.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Microsoft is using an AI tool called Copilot.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And it's essentially acting as a super smart assistant for their employees.
Speaker 1:So it's not about AI taking over jobs, but it's about empowering people to do their jobs better and faster. Exactly. So what does that look like in practice?
Speaker 2:So think about it this way. In customer service
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Copilot helps resolve issues more quickly.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:For sales teams, it means closing deals faster.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Marketing campaigns roll out quicker.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And HR processes become more accurate. Interesting. It's about streamlining Got it. And supercharging existing workflows.
Speaker 1:So we're talking about real, measurable improvements.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Not just vague promises.
Speaker 2:And the numbers speak for themselves.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:For example, one Microsoft sales team reported a 9.4% increase in revenue per seller.
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:Those who really embraced Copilot
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Saw an even bigger jump, 20% increase in their close rates.
Speaker 1:Wow. That's significant. Exactly. I can see why any leader would be interested in that.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And it's not just sales. Right. The marketing team at Microsoft managed to cut their campaign creation time from 12 weeks down to just 3 weeks using Copilot.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:That kind of agility
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Lets them respond to market changes in real time.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Plus their engagement rates skyrocketed a 4.75 times increase compared to their traditional methods.
Speaker 1:Those are really impressive results.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But for leaders who are maybe still on the fence about AI
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:What are some key takeaways from Microsoft's experience?
Speaker 2:So one crucial lesson is to start with your pain points.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Where are the bottlenecks in your organization?
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Which processes could benefit most from improvements in speed cost or quality?
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:That's where you should focus your AI efforts.
Speaker 1:So don't just implement AI for the sake of it Right. But have a clear strategy Exactly. Tied to real business needs.
Speaker 2:The second takeaway is the importance of data. Okay. You need to leverage your organization's data Right. Effectively and securely Yeah. To fuel your AI initiative.
Speaker 1:So data is the fuel. AI is the engine. Right. Makes sense.
Speaker 2:But it's not just about the tech. Right? It's also about people.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Microsoft emphasizes the importance of fostering an AI forward culture where employees are empowered to use AI tools effectively.
Speaker 1:Oh, wait.
Speaker 2:This means training your teams, providing support, and encouraging everyone to embrace this new way of working.
Speaker 1:So it's a combination of technology, data, and people. Right. A 3 pronged approach.
Speaker 2:Precisely.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And finally, think about AI as a tool for both offense and defense.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Don't just use it to cut costs. Right. Think about how it can drive revenue growth and innovation. Yeah. How can you use AI to create new products Right.
Speaker 2:Reach new markets Yeah. And even disrupt your industry.
Speaker 1:It's about using AI to not just survive
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But to thrive and lead the pack.
Speaker 2:Exactly what we see with Microsoft is a company using AI to actively shape its future. Right. And that's the kind of strategic thinking that leaders need need to adopt.
Speaker 1:So far, we focused on sales and marketing.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But what about other departments like legal? Absolutely. Do they see similar benefits from using AI?
Speaker 2:The legal team at Microsoft is projecting a 20% increase in capacity by 2025, along with a 5% reduction in external spending, all thanks to AI.
Speaker 1:That's a significant boost in efficiency. Yeah. How are they achieving this?
Speaker 2:They're using AI to handle routine time consuming tasks.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Like reviewing contracts and researching regulations.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:This frees up their legal professionals
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:To focus on more strategic work that requires human judgment and expertise.
Speaker 1:It's about working smarter, not harder.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:And using AI to amplify human capabilities.
Speaker 2:Precisely. And this is a recurring theme across departments at Microsoft. Yeah. AI is not about replacing humans
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:But about augmenting their skills and enabling them to achieve more.
Speaker 1:Sounds like AI is not just impacting individual departments
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But transforming the entire organization.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And that's why it's so crucial for leaders to understand the potential of AI
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And start integrating it into their workflows.
Speaker 1:So for a leader who's listening Right. And thinking, okay. I'm interested, but where do I even begin? Right. What would you say is the first step?
Speaker 2:The first step is exploration.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Don't be intimidated by AI. AI. Right. There are resources and tools available to help you get started no matter the size of your organization.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And the sooner you begin Right. The sooner you can start reaping the benefits.
Speaker 1:It's like anything new.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:The first step is often the hardest Right. But also the most important.
Speaker 2:And if you're looking for guidance and inspiration on how to integrate AI into your leadership and workflows.
Speaker 1:You might want to explore our upcoming future of leadership summit.
Speaker 2:Precisely.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:It's a great opportunity to connect with other leaders, learn from experts, and dive deeper into how AI is shaping the future of business.
Speaker 1:It sounds like the Future of Leadership Summit could be a valuable resource for leaders who are ready to embark on their AI journey.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:But before we delve into the specifics of the summit Right. Let's shift our focus to how AI is being used in other departments at Microsoft like finance and IT.
Speaker 2:That's a great idea. Finance and IT are often seen as behind the scenes departments.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:But they're also experiencing significant transformations thanks to AI.
Speaker 1:Let's explore those in detail.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Let's start with finance, a world of spreadsheets data analysis making sense of complex financial information.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Imagine the potential for AI to streamline those tasks
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And provide valuable insights.
Speaker 1:That's a great point. Finance can often feel like a bottleneck Great. Because of the sheer volume of data they handle. Exactly. How is Microsoft using AI to improve their finance operations?
Speaker 2:So Microsoft's finance team is leveraging Copilot
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:To analyze massive datasets, contracts
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:Vendor proposals, and even past tax returns. Returns.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:This AI tool helps them extract key insights and identify patterns that would be nearly impossible for humans to spot on their own.
Speaker 1:So it's like having an AI powered financial analyst working alongside the team Exactly. Helping them see the bigger picture.
Speaker 2:This leads to faster and more informed decision making
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Which is crucial in today's dynamic business environment.
Speaker 1:It sounds like AI is giving the finance team a real competitive edge. Yeah. Do you have any specific examples of how this data analysis translates into real world results?
Speaker 2:Absolutely. One area where they've seen major improvements is in the quote to cash process.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:This involves everything from generating a quote to receiving payment.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And it can be a complex and time consuming process.
Speaker 1:I can see how inefficiencies in that process could really impact a company's bottom line.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And Copilot helps streamline every step of the quote to cash process by identifying bottlenecks automating tasks
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And ensuring a smooth flow of information.
Speaker 1:So it's about optimizing the entire workflow, not just individual tasks?
Speaker 2:Precisely. And this optimization has led to a significant reduction in case resolution times
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:And a noticeable boost in operational efficiency.
Speaker 1:It sounds like AI is freeing up the finance team from tedious tasks
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:And allowing them to focus on more strategic initiatives.
Speaker 2:Exactly. They now have more time for strategic planning, data driven decision making.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And ultimately driving the business forward, it's about leveraging AI to focus on the high value activities that humans excel at.
Speaker 1:Makes sense. We've seen how AI can transform sales, marketing, and even legal.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Now let's turn our attention to IT. K. They're the backbone of any modern organization. Yeah. So how is AI changing their role?
Speaker 2:IT is definitely not being left behind in this AI revolution.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:In fact,
Speaker 1:Microsoft is using AI to significantly improve their IT support services Mhmm.
Speaker 2:Making them more efficient and making them more efficient and responsive. These AI powered systems can answer common questions, guide employees to the right resources, and even resolve some issues directly.
Speaker 1:That sounds like a huge time saver for both the employees and the IT department.
Speaker 2:Mhmm. It is Microsoft has reported a remarkable 36% increase in self help success rates
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:For employees using these AI powered support tools.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:This means they're able to resolve issues faster and more independently Yeah. Without having to wait for a human IT specialist.
Speaker 1:That's a win win situation. Employees get faster support.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:And the IT team can focus on more complex and strategic projects.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Allows the IT department to be more proactive and focus on things like cybersecurity
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:System upgrades and developing innovative solutions for the company.
Speaker 1:It's fascinating to see how AI is not just about automation. Right. But about creating a more dynamic and efficient work environment.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And as we've seen with Microsoft, one of the key takeaways is that AI isn't just about reducing costs. Yeah. It's about reinvesting those saved resources into growth and innovation.
Speaker 1:It's about using AI to create a positive cycle of improvement and innovation.
Speaker 2:Precisely, for example, by automating routine tasks in IT. Microsoft can now allocate more resources to developing new AI powered solutions for their customers.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:They're using AI to not just do things better
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:But to do entirely new things.
Speaker 1:We've seen how Microsoft is applying AI across various departments to achieve remarkable results. Right. But for leaders listening to this Yeah. It's important to acknowledge that there might be some concerns or potential downsides to consider. Yeah.
Speaker 1:What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 2:That's a valid point. While AI offers incredible potential
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It's essential to approach its implementation thoughtfully and strategically.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:One aspect leaders need to be mindful of is the evolving nature of AI.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:It's a rapidly developing field
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:With new tools, techniques, and applications emerging constantly.
Speaker 1:So it's not a set it and forget it kind of solution.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Leaders need to stay informed and adapt to these changes.
Speaker 2:Leaders need to embrace a continuous learning mindset
Speaker 1:Yep.
Speaker 2:Both for themselves and their teams.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:They need to stay updated on the latest AI advancements and ensure their workforce has the skills and knowledge to leverage them effectively.
Speaker 1:It sounds like cultivating a culture of learning and experimentation is crucial for any organization that wants to thrive in the age of AI.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Encouraging your teams to explore new AI tools.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Try out different approaches Right. And share their learnings is essential.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:It's about fostering an environment where people feel comfortable experimenting and innovating with AI.
Speaker 1:That makes sense now looking at Microsoft's experience.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:It's clear that they're not just implementing AI. Yeah. They're fundamentally transforming their organizational culture to be AI ready.
Speaker 2:Precisely. And this cultural shift requires strong leadership.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Leaders need to champion the adoption of AI, communicate its benefits clearly Right. And address any concerns or resistance within their teams.
Speaker 1:It's about leading by example and demonstrating a genuine belief in the power of AI to transform the organization for the better.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And remember, AI is a tool. Right. And its ultimate success depends on how we choose to use it. Leaders have responsibility to guide their organizations towards ethical and responsible AI adoption.
Speaker 1:That's a crucial point. It's not just about implementing AI for the sake of efficiency or profit.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:It's about using it to create a better future for the organization and its stakeholders.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. As we've seen from Microsoft's experience, AI can be a powerful force for positive change. It's been fascinating to see how Microsoft is really making AI a core part of everything they do.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:It's not just about, you know, like, automating tasks. It's about changing the way they work and lead.
Speaker 1:It really highlights how AI can help people, you know Right. Make smarter decisions work better and ultimately just achieve more.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about making people better, not replacing them.
Speaker 1:Well said for our listeners who are interested in AI and wanna learn more about how it can change their leadership and their companies. Yeah. I highly recommend checking out the Future of Leadership Summit. You can visit future of leadership summit.com for more information.
Speaker 2:It's an investment in your future and the future of your company.
Speaker 1:We've shown you a glimpse of how AI is already changing things. The question is
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:How will you lead in this new era?
Speaker 2:That's the deep dive for today. Until next time, keep learning, keep innovating, and keep leading the way.