The Rise Of The Information-Efficient Business Is The Death Of BS Jobs

2021-11-04 · Source: High ROI AI · Field: Business & Management — Corporate Strategy & Leadership, Consulting & Professional Services, Project & Product Management · Depth: Advanced, medium

Summary

The article critiques common consulting business models, particularly those that create or perpetuate "Slurm" – perceived problems and unnecessary work – rather than addressing real business gaps. It argues that the rise of Enterprise Information Platforms (EIP), Knowledge Management Platforms, Enterprise RAG Stacks, Cognitive Search Platforms, and the AI Knowledge Layer will disrupt these models by increasing transparency and exposing inefficiencies. The author introduces "The Slurm Cycle," a phenomenon where buzzwords are invented, validated by superficial surveys, and then institutionalized through reports, certifications, and academic integration, leading to significant organizational waste. Data and AI teams are often forced to generate reports supporting these fabricated problems, facing resistance when attempting to validate actual business value. The piece highlights that information efficiency threatens the status quo, as many corporate roles and cultures are built on perpetuating Slurm, making the integration of AI and knowledge management a battle for control over key performance indicators (KPIs) and strategic decision-making.

Key takeaway

For executives evaluating new technology initiatives like AI and knowledge management, you must scrutinize proposed solutions to ensure they address genuine business problems rather than perpetuating "Slurm"—fabricated issues that serve internal agendas. Your teams should prioritize gaining a seat at the strategy planning table to influence goal setting and KPI definition, ensuring that technology investments drive measurable, real-world business outcomes and expose inefficiencies, rather than merely automating or documenting existing waste.

Key insights

Many enterprise problems are fabricated "Slurm" perpetuated by consultants and internal stakeholders to maintain power and budgets.

Principles

• Transparency threatens entrenched inefficiencies.
• Control over KPIs dictates enterprise direction.
• Influence requires a seat at the strategy table.

Method

The "Slurm Cycle" describes how buzzwords become institutionalized: invention, superficial validation via surveys, analyst reports, academic integration, and data manipulation to show "success."

In practice

• Identify and challenge "Slurm" processes.
• Seek strategic influence in goal setting.
• Validate AI outcomes against real value.

Topics

• Consulting Business Models
• Enterprise AI Adoption
• Data Strategy
• Knowledge Management Platforms
• Organizational Resistance

Best for: Executive, Consultant, Director of AI/ML, AI Product Manager

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Counsel's verdict on this

AIssential's Counsel cites this article in its editorial verdict on the decision it informs:

• Use AI to flatten middle management this year? — While Block cut over 40% of staff by replacing 14-person teams with 3-person AI squads, only 17% of companies use AI to cut headcount, risking flawed decisions and mentorship loss with 175-person spans.

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by High ROI AI.