AI: Why Companies Must Chase Both Efficiency and Alpha
Everyone’s using AI for efficiency. The few chasing alpha will own the next decade. Which side of that curve are you on?
When AI first came onto the scene, it was obvious to me that there was an opportunity around automation.
I immediately saw the opportunity for something like ChatGPT to create content, thus making internal communications so much easier and quicker.
In fact, this post provides five prompts for internal communications.
The focus has been on efficiency - doing more with less (time, that is).
But what if that same AI could not only save time but also highly personalize the communication or time it in a way that's perfectly tailored to the reader-wouldn’t that content perform better (aka alpha)?
Alpha is defined as doing the right things for strategic advantage.
What if that communication gave the employee the information they needed at the right time to sell more stuff or write more code?
Yes, alpha!
To get the most out of AI, companies need to focus on both efficiency - doing things right - and alpha - doing the right things for a strategic edge.
AI in HR Today
with Anthony Onesto
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The Siren Song of Efficiency
Efficiency is appealing because it brings quick results.
AI tools can handle data entry, process time-off requests, and streamline job postings, allowing employees to avoid repetitive tasks.
In HR, AI assistants can help staff update benefits or addresses through simple conversations, removing the need for complex forms.
These improvements are important, and companies that ignore them risk falling behind.
But if you focus only on efficiency, you may become a faster version of your old business rather than truly change.
The real breakthrough comes from going beyond efficiency and aiming for alpha.
AI as a Strategic Weapon
Here, alpha is a term in finance that refers to earning returns above the market average.
In business, alpha is the special value and edge you gain by using AI not just to improve operations, but to create new advantages in the market.
Hyper-Personalization and Experience:
Companies that go after alpha use AI to create experiences so personalized that competitors cannot easily copy them.
For example, some tech companies use AI to customize user interfaces, suggest career paths, or connect employees with the right training and coworkers.
This kind of personalization changes how employees and customers interact with the company, leading to stronger engagement and loyalty.
Next-Level Insights:
AI can process vast amounts of unstructured data and provide research and strategy teams with predictions that people could not find on their own.
Instead of just filling talent gaps, AI can predict future skills needs based on business trends, helping companies stay ahead.
Innovation & Competitive Advantage:
Generative AI is great for brainstorming and coming up with new ideas.
It helps innovators build on each other's work, leading to better workflows and more user-friendly experiences.
This is what alpha is about: using technology not just to be faster, but to be smarter and explore new paths.
The Integrated Strategy
The best organizations know that efficiency is just the beginning, while alpha is the goal.
Efficiency lets your top people spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time on what people do best: being creative, building relationships, and driving new ideas.
Bringing AI into your business should not diminish the human touch; it should strengthen it.
Every leader should ask: Are we just using AI to send emails a bit faster, or are we using it to find insights and spark innovation that will help our company succeed in the future?
Don’t settle for just being efficient.
Make sure your AI strategy also delivers alpha.
The future will favor those who go after both goals.
AI in HR Today
with Anthony Onesto
Subscribe for exclusive insights from Anthony Onesto, Chief People Officer at Suzy, and learn how AI is reshaping HR, enhancing employee engagement, and driving business success.