Thrivence

From the New York Times to the Nashville Business Journal, our co-founder and senior consultant Bob Higgins has been recognized for his expertise with generative AI. So we decided to create "Q&Ai with CEO Bob Higgins," a weekly AI question from you and an insightful answer from Bob. Have a question? Ask away in the comments. Want to remain anonymous? Send us a direct message and we'll anonymize it for you. Here is this week's question: Question: What AI challenges have other CEOs dealt with? What can I learn from them? Answer Several months ago there was a symposium in Nashville that convened about 150 leaders of engineering and related firms. That very question was posed electronically to the group. Here’s what that group collectively revealed were their hurdles to implementing AI: 1. Understanding AI’s capabilities and limitations. They want at least a base understanding if they are going to be the organization’s AI champion. My recommendation: make it a priority to invest in learning the basics of AI yourself. Become fluent in it so you can have meaningful dialogue with your team and be able to set a2 thoughtful direction. 2. Education and training. They recognize a huge need for equipping and training their leadership team and staff. They will be the other vocal AI advocates the workforce will look to. My recommendation: similar to educating yourself, encourage that same dedication to learning AI basics across the team. Even with non-technical functions such as HR and Marketing, all areas will be impacted by AI to some degree. By extending the learning to additional people in the workforce they will learn the appropriate, safe, ethical, uses of AI in your workplace. 3. Trust and acceptance issues. Trust in AI’s capabilities and somewhat spotty outputs, as well as overcoming internal skepticism and resistance, have been bigger barriers than many expected. My recommendation: leaders need to emphasize employee adoption from the start. This is crucial for widespread and quick acceptance. And there are lots of ways to do that: from engaging them in selection of appropriate use cases and providing fun AI training…to modeling AI use for them and ensuring quick AI wins to prove its value. 4. Integration and implementation challenges. Integrating AI into their existing systems and processes, adapting it to the firm’s operational needs, and aligning it with their long-term strategic goals. My recommendation: leaders often skip over the fundamental step of assessing AI readiness…what is their current state of data, technology, governance, strategy, and other important factors? This one step could uncover most of the implementation issues that arise later. #AIBusiness #GenAI #ArtificialIntelligence #AITrends #AI #aileadership #leadingAI

What if the secret to your company’s growth was hidden in three simple activities? Learn how to elevate your strategic planning process and lead your team with confidence. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4g9xirH #strategy #strategicplanning #leadership

"Over the course of 2023, Barge focused on a variety of areas to improve our overall talent acquisition strategy," says CEO Bob Higgins. "Core to our strategy and to Barge is leveraging technology and being innovative in how we work." We're proud to be recognized by the Nashville Business Journal as a 2024 Middle Market Fast 50 honoree! Read more about how we're driving innovation in this profile.

💡 Top 3 Lessons from Our Latest Project 💡 1️⃣ Strategic planning ensures seamless service continuation during complex acquisitions. 2️⃣ Technology integration is critical for maintaining operational efficiency. 3️⃣ Effective change management prepares teams for new processes without disrupting patient care. Thrivence recently guided a healthcare system through its first state-wide acquisition, ensuring smooth integration of operations and clinical systems without compromising patient care. There were only 15 service tickets for the entire integration period! #Healthcare #OperationalExcellence #ChangeManagement #Thrivence

We’re excited to welcome Don Murray to the Thrivence team! With a proven track record in healthcare administration, IT, and revenue cycle management, Don brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for innovation that aligns perfectly with our mission to transform leaders, teams, and organizations. We’re excited to see the impact he will make at Thrivence. Welcome aboard, Don! #WelcomeToTheTeam #ThriveWithUs Don Murray, MHA, MBA, CRCR

Exciting news! One of our talented team members, Gary McClure, has just earned the StoryBrand Marketing Guide certification. This certification allows us to apply marketing strategies at an even deeper level, just in time for strategic planning season. As we head into 2025, let us partner with you to create a strategy that delivers tangible, long-term value. Reach out to see how we can assist with your strategic planning needs. #StoryBrand #ThrivenceConsulting #StrategicPlanning

"How can we use AI without compromising our proprietary data?" Answer: This is a crucial concern for every organization. Safeguarding sensitive information is paramount and varies based on numerous factors specific to each firm. However, there are some effective strategies you can employ to protect your company data while harnessing the power of AI: Prioritize AI Use Cases with Minimal Data Exposure: Focus on predictive maintenance, process optimization, and simulations that don't require direct access to your proprietary designs or intellectual property. Utilize Public Data Sources and Knowledge Bases: Deploy AI assistants and chatbots that leverage public data, ensuring your proprietary information remains untouched. Strengthen Data Governance and Security: Implement robust data governance policies, enforce strict access controls, and utilize encryption to protect your data at all times. If you're looking for safe ways to integrate AI, some practical applications (from AEC) include: Predictive Maintenance and Equipment Monitoring: These systems operate without the need for custom designs or product specifications. Process Optimization and Simulation: Optimize workflows and simulate scenarios without exposing sensitive data. Intelligent Assistants and Chatbots: Enhance customer service and internal processes using AI-driven assistants. CAD and Modeling: Improve design efficiency and accuracy while keeping your proprietary data secure. Cyber Security and Threat Detection: Leverage AI to detect and mitigate cyber threats, protecting your valuable data assets. Remote Monitoring: Monitor operations and equipment remotely without compromising sensitive information. By strategically applying these AI solutions, we can innovate and stay ahead without risking our proprietary data. How are you leveraging AI in your organization? Bob Higgins Barge Design Solutions #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DataSecurity #ProprietaryData #PredictiveMaintenance #ProcessOptimization #Simulation #DataGovernance #CyberSecurity #IntelligentAssistants #Chatbots #CAD #RemoteMonitoring #EngineeringInnovation #TechInEngineering #Innovation #TechTrends #FutureOfAI #DigitalTransformation

How can I help my employees embrace AI? Answer: This is such an important question. Helping employees accept AI brings numerous benefits. It increases productivity and efficiency by leveraging AI's capabilities, leading to better decision-making and innovative solutions. Acceptance also reduces resistance to change, fostering a more adaptable and forward-thinking workforce. Additionally, it enhances employee engagement and morale, as they feel included and empowered in the company's technological evolution. Ultimately, this leads to a more competitive and successful organization. Here are a few practical tips for leaders to consider: 1. Be transparent about their concerns. Communicate early and often the many benefits of AI, specifically how your firm will be using AI, and what specifically you are doing to address their concerns. Authentic communications is key. 2. Having an easily articulated AI vison or strategy. If your team can understand a general AI roadmap for the firm, how it supports the company’s objectives, and most importantly, how they fit in…it takes away a bit of the unknown. They feel “OK, I know where we’re headed and how it impacts me.” 3. Provide ample opportunity for AI learning. Encourage AI literacy with workshops, lunch-n-learns, and similar ways for them to get practical and hands-on with it. This approach takes the mystery away and fosters a culture of curiosity and learning. 4. Ensure your leadership team are worthy AI champions. As you know, they are always on display. If they aren’t fully bought-in on your AI strategy and model it for others, then there is little chance your workforce will embrace it. 5. Turn them loose to experiment. You’ll be surprised how innovative they can be. At Barge we held an innovations contest to generate potential AI use cases. Pretty creative ideas…and they felt ownership! It’s a wonderful involvement technique. 6. Celebrate small wins. Reward the behaviors you desire. Ask employees to share how they are leveraging AI successfully in their roles. Even let them teach other colleagues. It’s the Influencer Principle at work; sometimes employees trust change communicated from someone like themselves. #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #MachineLearning #AIInnovation #TechTrends #AICommunity #AILeadership Barge Design Solutions Bob Higgins

Today marks 2 years since the creation of Thrivence, and we couldn't have done it without our amazing clients and dedicated team! Thank you for your continued support, trust, and loyalty. We have a lot to be grateful for. Here's to many more years of success and growth together! #Anniversary #Grateful #Teamwork #ClientAppreciation #MilestoneCelebration #thrivewithus #thrivence

Today marks 2 years since the creation of Thrivence, and we couldn't have done it without our amazing clients and dedicated team! Thank you for your continued support, trust, and loyalty. We have a lot to be grateful for. Here's to many more years of success and growth together! #Anniversary #Grateful #Teamwork #ClientAppreciation #MilestoneCelebration #thrivewithus #thrivence