Jean Johnson discusses Ai in PE backed firms, strategic investment, and the seat at the big table

The conversation covers a range of topics, including the importance of a multivariate background, understanding the language of the organization, balancing quick wins with long-term work, defining worthy projects and speaking CFO, time value of money and ROI challenges, balancing quick AI wins with long-term data governance and change management, customer impact, efficiency, and revenue as project criteria, and lessons learned from working with PE firms. The conversation delves into the strategic investment in AI, the importance of defending points of view, evaluating AI initiatives, shielding from polished vendor traps, earning a seat at the table, and coaching and understanding business seasons. Key takeaways include the significance of speaking CFO, building trust, and strategic IT leadership in the context of AI projects and IT leadership roles.TakeawaysMultivariate backgroundUnderstanding the language of other parts of the organizationBalancing quick wins with long-term workCustomer impact, efficiency, and revenue as project criteriaModeling behavior for othersNuances of speaking to a PE firm Speaking CFOBuilding TrustStrategic IT LeadershipChapters00:00 Lessons Learned from Working with PE Firms34:34 Strategic Investment in AI40:08 Shielding from Polished Vendor Traps51:23 Earning a Seat at the Table01:02:09 Coaching and Understanding Business Seasons