I’ve been thinking a lot about how the world is changing. How we work, use technology, and perceive time are evolving fast.
It’s a mix of excitement and uncertainty, and I felt it was worth sharing some of these thoughts with you.
I’m taking a different approach to this post. I want to dive into my reflections and explore the market trends I see.
1 – The world is changing at an unprecedented pace
And it’s hard to ignore how much it impacts how we work.
The pandemic gave us a taste of what remote work could be: flexibility, more time for ourselves, and the chance to redefine work-life balance.
However, many companies are pulling back as we move forward, asking people to return to the office with RTO mandates.
There’s always a balance between the benefits and value of in-person collaboration. Yet, it’s surprising to see companies willing to let great talent walk away to maintain these mandates.
And then there’s the other significant shift that’s hard to ignore: AI.
AI has been everywhere and will continue to be at the forefront of many conversations, but I can’t help but wonder what this change means for us as workers and people.
It’s reshaping our workflows and how we think about what’s possible.
2 – AI is bringing down costs for everyone, businesses and individuals alike
But what does that mean for the future of work?
On one hand, the shift to AI means that some jobs are becoming obsolete.
We’ve already seen how companies are willing to let go of talented people over RTO mandates. It’s a reminder that when efficiency is on the table, companies often choose what saves money, even if it means losing valuable talent.
It’s eye-opening to see how quickly AI tools like ChatGPT Voice have evolved. Traditional call centers in the U.S. often cost between $25 and $65 per hour per agent when considering staffing, training, and infrastructure. AI solutions like ChatGPT Voice for call handling can reduce these expenses by up to 50%, mainly by minimizing the need for large human teams.
Moreover, the cost of implementing AI has dropped sharply in recent years. Advances in hardware and AI models have made deploying these tools much more affordable. Some estimates show businesses reduce costs by 10% to 30%.
A lower cost makes AI attractive for companies looking to cut expenses and improve efficiency.
But with this shift come big questions:
What happens when cutting costs becomes the priority over keeping jobs? How do we balance the promise of innovation with the human side of work?
These questions keep me wondering what this new era means for everyone. But for now, AI can also impact daily life, making work easier and more efficient.
3 – AI can also lower your costs.
Remember the old mantra, time = money?
AI can lower the costs of doing almost anything by helping us save time.
More solopreneurs are running successful businesses independently, thanks to AI tools that automate repetitive tasks and streamline operations.
For many professionals, this is becoming the new norm. Time is our most valuable resource, and AI can return much of it.
But like any tool, its value comes from knowing how to use it effectively. Frameworks are becoming more relevant. Having a structured approach helps unlock AI’s full potential.
4 – Your expertise will dictate how valuable you will be in the AI era
Let’s take a step back and examine how Generative AI models work.
You can think of these tools as pattern-finders. They use algorithms to analyze patterns in large datasets and generate responses based on those patterns.
When you interact with an AI like ChatGPT, it doesn’t truly understand your input. Instead, it uses statistical patterns to predict the most likely next word or phrase based on the data it has seen during training.
However, because AI models rely on statistical averages, they often produce responses that can feel generic or overly generalized, especially when we use broad topics.
This is why AI-generated content, like generic social media posts, sometimes lacks depth or originality.
Your expertise can be a differentiator in the era of AI.
Yes, AI can significantly enhance your capabilities if you have deep knowledge in a specific field. It can help you generate ideas, draft content, or analyze data more quickly.
But to get the best results, you must refine and adjust the AI’s output, ensuring that it aligns with your expertise and standards.
5 – Using frameworks can help you get the most value from AI
Having a structured approach is crucial when working with AI. These tools can be incredibly powerful, but their effectiveness largely depends on the quality of the input you provide.
Without a framework, you might receive generic outputs that lack focus. They can take you far, but you might end up somewhere you didn’t plan to go without a map.
Frameworks provide that map.
They guide your interactions with AI, helping you clearly define your goals and structure your prompts. This approach ensures you get results tailored to your needs, making AI a true partner in your journey rather than just a tool.
For example, imagine you’re an entrepreneur trying to develop a new product in the sustainable fashion space.
Without a framework, you might ask an AI tool:
"What's a good business idea in sustainable fashion?"While the AI might generate a few suggestions, they will likely be broad or generic, like “create eco-friendly clothing” or “start a recycling program for textiles.”
Now, imagine you approach the same challenge with a framework in mind.
You define what you want to achieve, add context, and specify your constraints. For example, instead of a broad question, you might say:
Let’s imagine we are Product Managers working together on a new project. We have an opportunity to develop a sustainable fashion product that focuses on upcycling materials, aiming to create innovative offerings that appeal to eco-conscious millennials.
Our core values and promise to our customers are to promote environmental sustainability, offer stylish yet eco-friendly fashion options, and support a circular economy by reusing and repurposing materials.
Our target audience includes eco-conscious millennials who value sustainable living, are interested in reducing their carbon footprint, and seek transparency in the brands they support.
This project will primarily serve urban areas in the United States and Europe, where demand for sustainable fashion is on the rise.
Our product offers upcycled fashion items, with a focus on using recycled materials and providing full transparency about sourcing and production processes.
Please take the following constraint into account: limited initial investment, requiring us to focus on business models that can scale efficiently without significant upfront capital.
Based on the information above, what are the potential business models, key consumer pain points, and innovative solutions that we should consider to make this opportunity successful?This structured input guides the AI, helping it understand your goals and providing more valuable, relevant suggestions. Using a framework ensures the AI’s output aligns with your specific needs, saving time and getting you closer to a viable business idea.
CRISP: A Complete Framework for Developing Products with AI
This is where the CRISP framework comes in. CRISP stands for Clarify, Research, Innovate, Strategize, and Pursue.
It’s designed to provide a structured path for entrepreneurs and product managers, guiding them from the initial idea to a refined product ready for the market.
- Clarify: Start by understanding your business goals, your target audience, and the problem you want to solve. For example, in our sustainable fashion scenario, this might mean identifying the specific environmental impact you aim to address.
- Research: Dive deep into market trends and analyze competitors’ offerings. Use AI tools to gather insights quickly, like analyzing trends in sustainable consumer behavior. This step ensures that real market dynamics inform your idea.
- Innovate: Once you have a solid understanding of the landscape, it’s time to get creative. Use AI to brainstorm new product concepts or explore variations on existing ideas. AI can help generate fresh angles you might not have considered, giving you a head start in product development.
- Strategize: Turn those creative ideas into a concrete plan. Develop a roadmap, outline your go-to-market strategy, and align your resources. AI can simulate different scenarios, helping you refine your approach before committing significant resources.
- Pursue: This stage is all about execution. Refine your strategy based on real feedback, optimize your processes, and ensure your product is ready to meet market demands. AI tools can help with user feedback analysis and testing, ensuring you’re aligned with customer needs.
CRISP isn’t just about coming up with ideas but rather about having a structured way to validate, iterate, and execute those ideas efficiently.
Using the CRISP framework allows you to ensure that you develop innovative products that are aligned with real-world needs.
6 – More and more people are starting their own businesses
Entrepreneurship is experiencing significant growth, mainly driven by the accessibility of AI tools.
With AI, more people than ever are turning their business ideas into reality. Generative AI has empowered founders to write business plans, build websites, manage social media, and much more with minimal investment.
Studies suggest that more entrepreneurs use AI to save time and reduce costs, making it easier to start and scale businesses.
According to a report from MIT, AI tools have become like “co-founders” for many startups, handling time-consuming tasks like drafting emails, managing customer service, or even generating content. This shift lets founders focus on their strengths and core business strategies rather than getting bogged down in daily operations.
Another critical aspect is that AI can significantly reduce the typical costs and investments often required to start a business. A report from Industry Leaders Magazine highlights that AI lowers costs and shortens the time needed to bring products to market.
However, while the barriers to entry are lower, success still depends on having the right systems and expertise.
AI tools can automate and optimize many tasks. Still, you must use them strategically to unlock their full potential—just like applying the CRISP framework to validate and develop your business ideas.
Wrap up
The world of entrepreneurship is evolving rapidly, and AI is crucial in making this journey more accessible.
However, leveraging these tools effectively requires a clear strategy and the right framework to guide you through each step.
That’s where the CRISP framework comes in. Whether refining an idea, exploring new markets, or building a full product roadmap, CRISP offers a structured path to help you turn your vision into reality.
If you’re considering starting a new business or integrating AI into your product development process, I invite you to explore the CRISP framework. It’s designed to support you at every stage, from clarifying your goals to confidently executing.
Are you interested in learning more or discussing how CRISP can support your journey? Contact us, and let’s see how we can collaborate to bring your ideas to life.
