De-risking AI-enabled Business Models with Lean Thinking

In this episode, Ashok shares a story from a long established services company with a big vision for transformation. The leadership team set their sights on launching a new AI enabled membership business. The original plan involved technology, acquisitions, and a long wait before revenue or even a customer touchpoint.  Instead of waiting nine months to learn whether the idea would land, they adopted a lean and human centered approach that created clarity and momentum in weeks. Ashok walks through how they reduced risk, accelerated learning, and positioned the business for success without gambling its future. What You Will Learn • How to de risk technology and AI initiatives before large capital commitments • How your sales/field team can be a valuable source of insights • Practical ways to bring field teams into the innovation process • How to measure progress without waiting months for revenue or adoption • A repeatable approach for CEOs to test assumptions and move with confidence This episode is designed for CEOs and operators of traditional businesses with ambitions to create new revenue streams through technology, AI, or subscription models. Do not build based on hope. Validate with customers first, sell early, and build only the parts that prove necessary. Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts including video episodes to get updated on the other crucial conversations that we'll post on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast Learn something? Give us a 5 star review and like the podcast on YouTube. It's how we grow.   Follow the Pod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/convergence-podcast/ X: https://twitter.com/podconvergence Instagram: @podconvergence