AI Strategy Carried by All for Family Enterprise
Five days in which the executives of a family enterprise build the AI strategy with their department heads. The search for opportunities happens in the room, and the next generation works with the managers whose support it will need.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Who takes part
- Executives, the next generation and department heads
- Where
- Your company, a venue of your choice, or on campus
Why department heads take part
In a family enterprise, department heads often hold the knowledge that matters most for continuity, and they will lead AI adoption in their teams. The next generation will need their support to lead. This program builds the strategy with them in the room: discovery moves from weeks of preparation into the program, and the next generation practices earning a mandate with the people it will lead.
The family enterprise lens
- 1BusinessWhere AI creates value, at what cost and risk
- 2FamilyValues, the family name and the next generation
- 3OwnershipLong-term capital, dividends and control
- AI Strategy: carried by allA strategy the business can run and the family can stand behind.
Based on the three-circle model of the family business (Tagiuri and Davis).
Day by day, every function
Before the program, department heads complete a one-page sheet, including the knowledge at risk from retirements, and we interview the CEO and family owners or members of the family council. Executives and the next generation interview department heads in the room. On the last day the next generation asks department heads for support, and the executives prepare reporting to the owners.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Who takes part
- Executives, the next generation and department heads
- Preparation
- Light: a one-page sheet per department
- Where
- Your company, a venue of your choice, or on campus
- Day 1 Values and ambition Output Values-based limits and interview plan
- Day 2 Finding opportunities Output List of opportunities; map of knowledge at risk
- Day 3 Scoring and business cases Output Scored opportunities and business cases
- Day 4 Roadmap and operating model Output Strategy, roadmap and an AI plan per function
- Day 5 Next generation and owners Output Next-generation plan; format for reporting to owners
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executives | Family intent and direction | Interview department heads | Score and choose | Roadmap and operating model | Owner reporting |
| Next generation | Family intent and direction | Interview department heads | Score on family goals | AI roles | Ask department heads for support |
| Department heads | Interview method | Are interviewed; map knowledge | Co-own business cases | Function AI owners | Respond to the next generation |
- AI strategyTrue to the family’s values, built with department heads
- AI plan per functionOwned by the people who run the work
- Knowledge mapWhat long-serving staff know and how to keep it
- Next-generation planAI roles and support across the company
- Operating modelWho owns AI and who decides, in line with the family charter
- Reporting to ownersA format for the family council, trusts and shareholders
- 01PreparationInterviews and reading, so the program starts from your own situation
- 02LearnShort faculty input on one part of the strategy or of oversight
- 03PracticeThe step is tried first on a teaching case
- 04ApplyYour team or board applies it to your own company
- 05Follow-upAn optional review once the first results are in
Every program is adapted to your industry, size and governance before it starts.
How opportunities are sorted
Every opportunity is rated on the value it creates, including family goals, and on how feasible it is with today’s data, systems, risks and costs.
Who takes part
- Family and non-family executivesSet direction and make the final choices, all five days
- Next generation in the businessInterview, take AI roles and ask for support, all five days
- Department and team headsBring the detail of the work and lead adoption
- Owners and family councilShape the intent through interviews before the program
Why add senior management
Compared with AI Strategy for Family Enterprise, this program adds the department heads who report to the executives, and one day. Preparation drops to a one-page sheet per department.
- Practical opportunities from the people who run the work
- The next generation earns support from the leaders it will lead
- Preparation drops to a one-page sheet per department
- One extra day, and a larger group to bring together
- Sensitive family choices are discussed in a wider circle
- Executives must make the final choices in front of their teams
The enterprise version
AI Strategy Carried by All follows the same method in four days, without the family questions and the next generation’s role.
Frequently asked
How much preparation does it take?
Little. Each department head completes a one-page sheet, including the knowledge at risk from retirements. The discovery interviews happen in the room.
What does the next generation do?
Next-generation family members interview department heads, take on AI roles and, on the last day, ask department heads for their support.
How are the owners involved?
Owners and members of the family council shape the intent through interviews before the program. An optional session for the family council can follow.
What happens after the program?
An optional review after 90 days, and an optional session for the family council.
Plan your family’s program
A first conversation about your family, your company and where you are with AI.