“How can I stop my team and myself from falling behind on GenAI when our business is behind the curve?”
This is a question we’ve heard from a lot of comms leaders recently – especially those in traditionally risk-averse industries, like finance. We know they’re not alone in their concerns, so we wanted to share some advice.
GenAI is already transforming the business landscape, making it imperative for all of us to understand how to use the technology in our roles. However, if your business has restricted most open GenAI software or limited access to tools, you may be wondering how to stay informed and make progress. This knowledge will be essential when your business eventually adopts the technology or if you decide to move on to another role.
Let’s start with a bit of reassurance: there’s a lot you can do while your business catches up, and you’re not alone in this situation!
Safely experiment where possible
Since GenAI is new to all of us, safe experimentation is crucial. We’ll only understand the capabilities of GenAI if we explore different tools. Begin by finding out which tools your business is currently testing or allowing access to, and dedicate time for your team to test them as well.
We’ve put together a list of handy tools used by comms leaders, which can serve as a useful starting point. If your business doesn’t currently grant access to any software, you might want to experiment with these tools on your own device during your personal time. This would better prepare you for when your business makes the tools accessible.
Think about the value proposition of GenAI for your team
Even if you don’t have full access to GenAI yet, you can start thinking about where it could add value for your team. While GenAI can’t replace the skills and knowledge of communicators, it can support processes, address inefficiencies and boost productivity. We encourage our community of leaders to consider what time-consuming activities GenAI could assist with, allowing their team more time for higher-value and more meaningful work.
Demonstrating where GenAI can add value for your team will be crucial in future conversations with business leaders, so it’s a sensible approach. Our three-part value framework for using GenAI can help you explore the various ways it can support your team.
Learn from your peers
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel when creating your GenAI adoption plan. There’s a wealth of knowledge and experience you can draw on about GenAI use cases, governance and strategic rollout plans. Colleagues from across your business can also provide valuable inspiration. Find out whether there are any internal or external knowledge-sharing groups that you can join to source ideas.
We’ve been collecting good practice examples from across the comms landscape. Check out our GenAI Adoption Guide for insights from AstraZeneca, Anglo American and Finastra.
Equip your team with GenAI skills
GenAI is a great comms assistant – if you know how to use it properly. Data from our GenAI Readiness Survey (see below) shows that communicators have a high level of interest in GenAI but low confidence and knowledge in using it for their jobs. Given its novelty, this isn’t surprising, but it emphasises the need to support and train your team.
In our GenAI training, we teach communicators to use GenAI as their ‘comms co-pilot’, which involves providing clear briefs, selecting the right tools and performing quality control. Introducing your team to the necessary skills for harnessing GenAI will set your function apart. Training can also help to address any frustration employees may feel around the slow rollout of GenAI systems.
Navigating the GenAI journey: The tortoise and the hare approach
It’s important to remember that few businesses have strategically embedded GenAI, and even fewer comms teams have GenAI strategies in place. As one comms leader told us, “One year ago, we weren’t even talking about AI.” GenAI is a journey, and most of us are currently in the experimentation and exploration phase. However, it won’t be long before integration and consolidation become essential.
To prepare yourself and your team, explore tools where possible, stay informed about your peers’ progress, and dedicate time to refining GenAI’s value proposition for your function. GenAI is here to stay, and understanding how to use it effectively is key to success.
Want to hear how your peers are approaching GenAI?
Our comms leader roundtables give you the opportunity to discuss your most pressing challenges with a group of like-minded professionals in a trusting, vendor-free environment.
In September and October 2024, we’re hosting roundtables delving into the topic of GenAI for Communications in both London and Switzerland. If you’d be interested in attending, please get in touch at hello@kademygroup.com to find out more.
