Introduction

As part of our collaboration with the Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce, Talisman AI Consulting is sharing a fortnightly series of Top Tips to help SMEs make sense of AI and use it strategically—not just experimentally—to harness its power.

Each tip focuses on a simple, practical way to start unlocking the value of AI in your business, drawn from real-world experience supporting UK SMEs.

This week’s tip explores how to tell if your business is really using AI strategically — or are you operating at a tactical level?.

3 Signs You’re Only Using AI Tactically — Not Strategically

Whether we like it or not, AI isn’t going away. Yes, it’s full of buzzwords, jargon, and a dollop of hype, but the prevailing view is that organisations which embrace and harness it will gain a competitive advantage over those that don’t.

Many SMEs are experimenting with tools like ChatGPT or Copilot, but few are utilising AI to truly transform their businesses.

Here are three quick questions to test whether your use of AI is strategic or just tactical:

1. Is AI aligned to a business goal?

   If it doesn’t save time, cut costs, help grow revenue or unlock capacity, it’s just a faddy gadget.

2. Is your team learning from it?

   AI should enhance capability, not just output.

3. Is it part of a plan?

   The actual value comes when AI is integrated into your operations, not bolted on as an afterthought or used ad hoc.

Be honest with yourself, if you answered “no” to any of these, now’s the time to take a step back and look at AI through a strategic lens – that’s where Talisman AI can support you on your journey.

Find Out More

Read more in our latest blog:

Beyond ChatGPT: Is Your Business Really Harnessing AI Strategically?

Are you ready to explore where AI could make the most significant impact in your business?

On the Talisman AI website, we provide a number of tailor made resources to help you harness AI:

• Assess your AI Readiness with the free AI Readiness Assessment (and we’ll send you a free Lite Playbook)
• Check out our ‘Accelerate’ AI Playbooks and AI Workshops – practical guides designed to help SMEs plan, test, and embed AI with confidence.

Chamber members can enjoy 20% off all Talisman AI Playbooks, Toolkits, and Workshops with the code CHAMBER20.

Talisman AI Consulting – making AI practical, affordable, and achievable for every business.