I've been discussing "Navigating the AI Frontier with Teba" with my colleague, Steve Psaradellis. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undoubtedly become a buzzword in the workplace—but how are organisations actually leveraging it, and more importantly, are they seeing the returns they expect? A recent survey revealed that while 70% of Australian businesses have implemented AI, an alarming 68% of them say they’ve derived no tangible value. These figures present an enormous opportunity for organisations to buck the trend and unlock AI's potential.

At Teba, we know that effective AI implementation goes beyond simply adopting a tool. It requires a carefully tailored approach, built around security, business strategy, and the needs of real users. Here are some key insights into how Teba tackles AI challenges to ensure organisations achieve lasting success.

Securing Internal Data with Microsoft's Copilot AI

One of the biggest risks of AI implementation lies in securing internal intellectual property (IP). When tools like ChatGPT use public data sources, there's a significant risk of sensitive company information ending up outside the organisation—even inadvertently. Employees might bypass traditional workflows, inputting corporate data into external AI platforms to get their tasks done faster, only to expose proprietary insights to the public sphere.

This is why Teba focuses on Microsoft's Copilot AI. Rather than relying on public AI models, Copilot integrates securely into a company’s internal environment, offering tailored insights without compromising IP. By enabling employees to access AI securely, organisations reduce the need for risky workarounds. The result? Enhanced productivity without sacrificing security.

The Importance of Understanding User Personas

AI tools are only as useful as the environments within which they’re deployed. Often, IT departments dictate corporate tools without truly understanding the workflows of their end users. This disconnect can lead to sluggish adoption rates or employees finding alternative solutions outside of IT oversight, leading to inefficiencies and security risks.

Teba’s approach? Consulting directly with end users through user persona workshops. By identifying how individual teams and departments operate, we help businesses align their technology choices with actual needs. This ensures IT investments resonate with employees, delivering the functionality they require while maintaining control over costs and security.

Take, for example, a large client in Victoria facing rising IT costs due to shadow IT practices. Employees across departments subscribed to ad-hoc tools like monday.com without aligning with IT policies. Procurement had no visibility into these subscriptions, leading to data fragmentation and substantial security vulnerabilities. Through our user persona process, weidentified these pain points, unified technology across the business, and ensured alignment between IT and its end users.

Balancing AI Innovation with Smart Strategy

Teba also emphasises the importance of strategic focus when it comes to AI. As Gartner research has outlined, organisations often overstretch themselves by attempting to roll out AI in three areas simultaneously: internal operations, backend process automation, and external customer interfaces. Instead, businesses should focus on one or two areas that align most closely with their goals.

At Teba, our focus is clear. By securing internal AI implementations through Microsoft Copilot, we help clients fine-tune their strategies to empower executives and employees to leverage AI for internal processes. This balance of innovation and risk reduction ensures they don’t just adopt AI but get real, measurable value from it.

Avoiding Costly Missteps

Finally, effective AI deployment isn’t just about innovation; it’s about ensuring cost efficiency. The stories of wasted investments in redundant technologies are all too common. Consider a business implementing Microsoft Teams organisation-wide, only for an individual department to sign a $600,000 Zoom contract without prior consultation. Misalignment like this not only wastes money but also fragments communication and reduces overall IT effectiveness.

This is why Teba delivers ROI-focused solutions. Whether it’s guiding clients on consolidating tools or demonstrating how AI can deliver real business results, we remain a trusted partner with expertise in delivering value.

Partnering with Teba for AI Success

For businesses aiming to maximise their AI implementation, we offer more than just technology tools—we provide the strategic guidance, technical expertise, and user-centered insights needed to transform AI into a powerful driver of success. From securing intellectual property with Microsoft’s Copilot AI to aligning solutions with real-world user needs and helping organisations achieve their innovation objectives sustainably, Teba positions clients among the 2% who actually get value from AI adoption.

The road to successful AI adoption isn’t just about using the latest tools; it’s about using them strategically, securely, and with your people in mind. At Teba, we’re here to ensure you’re not just adopting AI but unlocking its full potential.

Are you ready to join the 2% unlocking AI’s power? Contact Teba today to discuss your path to secure and value-driven AI success.

Engage with us in the comments below! How has your business embraced AI, and what hurdles have you faced along the way? We'd love to hear from you.