Embracing AI at Colgate-Palmolive: Human-Centered Strategies for Business Growth
The Intersection of Human Talent and Technology
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, it’s common to hear industry experts emphasize that artificial intelligence (AI) should augment human talent, not replace it. This perspective is particularly prevalent among organizations striving to harness the power of technology while maintaining a strong human element in decision-making processes. Understanding how to effectively integrate AI into business operations can offer significant advantages, and few organizations exemplify this better than Colgate-Palmolive. Diana Schildhouse, the company’s Chief Data and Analytics Officer, believes that aligning professional talent with technological capabilities is paramount.
The Business Challenge: Starting with Human-Centered Solutions
Schildhouse and her team at Colgate-Palmolive adopt a human-centered approach to tackle enterprise challenges through AI. This involves building and deploying AI-enabled solutions that are not just based on technology but are deeply rooted in understanding human processes. “That’s how we work with the business to understand what people are doing and how we can apply technology to that effort,” she states.
To exemplify, the application of AI helps marketers access better ideas more efficiently. Rather than offloading work onto AI tools, they view these technologies as supportive instruments that enhance their creativity and decision-making capabilities.
Horizontal and Vertical Innovations: A Dual Approach
Colgate-Palmolive’s strategy includes developing innovation frameworks that function both horizontally and vertically. The horizontal aspect focuses on creating tools and foundations accessible to various teams across the company, enabling them to become more productive and derive insights quickly. Meanwhile, the vertical side emphasizes the organization’s priority areas for exploration, like innovation and demand generation.
Schildhouse explains, “Both aspects work simultaneously. We want to go after strategically identified priorities methodically – starting small with pilots before scaling globally.”
Empowering Local Exploration
Local teams are crucial when developing new use cases for AI. Encouraging exploration among these teams can lead to enhanced productivity and pioneering solutions. At Colgate-Palmolive, this space is known as the AI Hub. This internal platform allows employees to experiment with AI technologies in a controlled environment.
“Very early on, we established our AI Hub, a version of generative AI tools governed by training and established guidelines,” Schildhouse notes. Consequently, a network of AI ambassadors has emerged globally, fostering a community of practice that accelerates idea sharing and co-creation.
Cultivating a Learning Culture
To ensure responsible usage of AI, establishing a learning culture is essential. According to Schildhouse, ownership of AI governance directly contributes to effective implementation and encourages innovation. The company mandates training for employees using AI tools, ensuring that they comprehend both the capabilities and limitations of these technologies.
“Training is a key aspect of our approach to governance. Employees are eager to engage with new technologies and enhance their skills,” she elaborates. With a strong culture of continuous learning, Colgate-Palmolive fosters an environment where teams can tap into the benefits of AI while adhering to ethical guidelines.
Measuring Impact and Value
The ultimate goal behind adopting AI and analytics at Colgate-Palmolive is clear: deliver business growth through data-informed decision-making. Schildhouse emphasizes that effectively measuring the value of AI initiatives is crucial to understanding their business impact.
To assess this value, they frequently evaluate key performance indicators such as revenue increases related to AI-driven analytics and efficiencies gained from streamlined processes. Schildhouse notes the importance of continuously asking whether their initiatives drive measurable benefits for the organization.
By engaging in this comprehensive evaluation, Colgate-Palmolive ensures that their AI strategies are not only innovative but also directly contribute to achieving substantial business outcomes.
In each of these elements, Colgate-Palmolive illustrates a roadmap for successfully integrating AI into an organization. Balancing human talent with technological capability leads to a sustainable approach that fosters innovation while ensuring that ethical practices are upheld throughout the process.
