Strategic Competitive Intelligence

Not science fiction: Ukraine trained AI to identify and strike Russian bombers – and it worked. According to Ukrainian defense sources, military intelligence scanned Russian strategic bombers in 2024 and trained artificial intelligence to recognize their signatures. The AI was integrated into automated targeting systems to execute precision strikes, and we are now witnessing the results in action. While Russia leans on mass and attrition, Ukraine is shaping a new kind of warfare: - AI-assisted drone coordination; - Real-time object recognition; - Compressed kill-chain automation; - Open-source data fused with operational strikes; - This is not just tactical adaptation. It is a strategic transformation. 💡 Takeaway: Modern wars are won by speed, networks, and adaptability, not just firepower. What are the real risks and advantages of integrating AI into battlefield decisions? Are democratic states prepared for this paradigm shift? #Ukraine #AIWarfare #DefenseTechnology #Geopolitics #InnovationInConflict #MilitaryAI #StrategicShift

Here’s the hidden pipeline killer most sales teams ignore. ~43% of deals aren’t lost to competitors. They weren't even lost to "no decision." They were lost to competing initiatives. While you're focused on beating your direct competitors, the real battle is for budget and attention against entirely different priorities. Your prospect has 25 projects competing for limited resources. Only 5-7 will get funded. Is yours one of them? Most sales teams are completely blind to this reality. They track competitive wins and losses but ignore the bigger threat. Here's how innovative sellers are addressing this hidden pipeline killer: 1️⃣ Map the priority landscape They ask directly: "What are the top 3-5 initiatives your team has committed to this quarter?" If your solution isn't aligned with one of these, you're already losing. 2️⃣ Identify the zero-sum game For every "yes" to your solution, something else gets a "no." The best reps ask: "What would have to come off your plate to make room for this project?" 3️⃣ Quantify the cost of inaction When initiatives compete, ROI isn't enough. You need to establish the cost of NOT implementing your solution. "What happens if this problem continues for another year?" 4️⃣ Connect to strategic priorities Tactical projects get cut first. Strategic initiatives survive. Top performers always tie their solution to the company's publicized strategic goals. 5️⃣ Prepare for budget reallocation Innovative reps build relationships with the teams who control resource allocation. "Who else is competing for the same resources? How are those decisions made?" Your competition isn't just other vendors. It's everything else your buyer could spend time and money on instead.

A client's sales team was hitting 90% of their quota The CEO wanted to fire them all I was confused until I looked at the data: Their top competitor was growing 2X faster with: - 40% fewer reps - 30% higher prices - A product with fewer features How was this possible? We interviewed 20 customers who chose the competitor over my client The answer wasn't in their sales tactics, tech stack, or talent It was in the questions they asked My client's sales conversations followed a predictable pattern: - Talk about their product - Ask about "pain points" - Match features to problems - Present proposal Their competitor did something radically different: They asked questions nobody else was asking Questions like: What would solving this problem allow you to do that you can't do today? How would your customers experience the difference if this improved? What's the cost of maintaining the status quo for another 12 months? These questions shifted the entire conversation from features to business outcomes We completely rebuilt their approach: - Developed an architecture unique to each target industry - Created a framework to move beyond immediate problems - Built "Insight Triggers" that introduced unexpected perspectives - Implemented weekly "Question Labs" to refine and improve approaches The results? - Win rates against this competitor increased from 30% to 50% - Average deal size grew by 40% - Sales cycle shortened by 20% The truth about sales differentiation: In a world where products are increasingly similar, your questions are your biggest differentiator. The most valuable competitive advantage isn't what you know—it's what you help your prospects discover about themselves. Quota isn't the ceiling, it's the floor Your sales team's biggest blind spot isn't competitor knowledge It's customer knowledge Are your sales conversations revealing needs—or creating them? P.S. If you need help with your sales, send me a message

🚀 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐈 & 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞'𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 Deloitte's latest report highlights the intersection of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and Bard with European business strategies, revealing a cautious yet potentially rewarding path forward. Here's what business leaders need to know: 𝟏. 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:  Europe's cautious investment in generative AI, shaped by its regulatory landscape and talent availability, suggests a strategic, responsible integration of AI technologies. 𝟐. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭:  The EU AI Act represents Europe's commitment to a regulated AI future, aiming for innovation balanced with accountability, potentially setting global standards for AI governance. 𝟑. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐯𝐬. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬:  European leaders acknowledge generative AI's potential for enhancing productivity but report lower preparedness in risk management and technology infrastructure. 𝟒. 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐩:  Addressing the digital skills gap and aligning talent development with AI advancements is crucial, given Europe's labor laws and high unionization rates. 𝟓. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞:  Aligning generative AI with organizational strategies and navigating the regulatory environment proactively is key for European businesses to leverage AI for growth and competitive advantage. The European approach to generative AI, focusing on ethical considerations, regulatory compliance, and talent development, offers lessons in sustainable growth and innovation. Delve deeper into how we navigate this digital era responsibly with Deloitte’s insights on AI: https://lnkd.in/eUafrzB7 #AI #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #Innovation #Deloitte

Europe’s ability to remain competitive will depend on how effectively it advances critical technologies ranging from automation and programming to AI, connectivity, clean energy, and biosciences, since these domains are shaping future growth and resilience. When I reflect on this scenario, I see a continent with enormous potential but also a delicate balance to maintain. Ten areas of innovation are emerging as decisive: robotics and automation, programming environments powered by smarter algorithms, 5G and IoT connectivity, secure data frameworks, distributed infrastructure, biotechnologies, quantum and neuromorphic computing, advanced materials, applied AI, and clean technologies. Each of them is reshaping the way industries create value, how societies respond to global challenges, and how sustainable progress can be achieved. What strikes me most is the intersection of these technologies. Applied AI relies on connectivity and trust architecture to generate impact. Cleantech leverages new materials and distributed infrastructure to scale effectively. The Bio Revolution opens new horizons for health, agriculture, and environmental resilience. Progress in one field strengthens progress in others, and this dynamic interrelation is becoming the real driver of transformation. For leaders and decision makers, the question is how to embrace these advances with strategic clarity and responsible governance. Europe’s competitiveness in the coming years will depend on vision, collaboration, and the courage to invest where it matters most. #DigitalTransformation #AI #Cleantech #Innovation #FutureOfWork

Outsmarting Competitors Starts With Understanding Them Knowing what your rivals are doing isn’t enough. To stay ahead, you need to understand why they act, how they think, and what they’ll do next Enter Porter’s Four Corners Analysis—a strategic tool that goes deeper than surface-level competitor tracking. ☑ The Four Corners of Competitive Insight: 1️⃣ Drivers (Motivation) ↳ What are their long-term goals? ↳ What internal or external forces are pushing their strategy? 2️⃣ Current Strategy ↳ How are they competing today? ↳ What’s their positioning, focus, and resource allocation? 3️⃣ Capabilities ↳ What resources, skills, and strengths do they have? ↳ Can they realistically achieve their ambitions—or are there gaps to exploit? 4️⃣ Management Assumptions ↳ What beliefs guide their decisions? ↳ Are they making flawed assumptions about the market or competitors? ☑ Why This Matters: ↳ Predict moves before they happen—and respond proactively. ↳ Spot weaknesses between ambition and ability. ↳ Make smarter strategic bets on pricing, products, and market entry. The real advantage isn’t just tracking competitors—it’s understanding their logic so you can outthink them. P.S. If strategy and competitive intelligence interest you, follow me for more insights.

🇪🇺 Key Insights on Europe's AI Adoption and Global Competitiveness 🚀 Europe stands at a pivotal juncture in its quest to remain globally competitive. As highlighted in Mario Draghi's recent report, AI is poised to be a "crucial driver of productivity," offering a significant growth advantage to those who seize the opportunity. To unlock AI's full potential, businesses across the continent must bridge the maturity gap by investing in technology, upskilling their workforce, and fostering collaboration with policymakers, competitors, and other stakeholders. In partnership with Accenture, the Financial Times this evening hosted a high-level webinar examining how AI is shaping competitive advantage. Featuring C-suite leaders live from World Economic Forum in Davos, this panel was really interesting in shocasing how how AI-driven innovation can strengthen strategic resilience and reinforce Europe’s economic leadership. One of the biggest things I took from the panel, is how the experts shed light on Europe's position in the AI race and what it can do to catch up with the US and China.  🇺🇸🇨🇳 1️⃣ Europe's AI Journey European businesses are increasingly adopting AI, with a strong focus on productivity improvements and innovation. However, Europe has historically lagged in investment in this space, especially in cloud infrastructure, which is crucial for AI growth. Despite this, there is growing optimism, and we can see many European companies are accelerating their AI initiatives. 2️⃣ Challenges & Opportunities A significant challenge is Europe's dependency on external tech giants, particularly from the US and China, for AI models and infrastructure. However, Europe has an edge in data privacy, security, and trust—factors that could position it as a leader in ethical AI deployment going forward. 3️⃣ Global Competitiveness While European companies are progressing in AI adoption, the US and China have invested heavily in AI infrastructure and innovation, creating a more competitive environment. Europe's regulatory focus has sometimes slowed rapid innovation, but it could become an advantage by prioritizing safe and ethical AI development. 4️⃣ AI's Impact on Workforce AI tools enhance productivity, with workers gaining up to an hour daily to focus on creative and strategic tasks. For global firms like Adecco, AI is already improving efficiency in recruitment, allowing recruiters to focus on human relationships rather than mundane tasks. 🌐 The Bottom Line? Europe must invest more in AI infrastructure and adopt a balanced approach—embracing innovation while safeguarding privacy and security. This could be Europe's opportunity to lead in a trusted, secure, and ethical AI future. What do you think? #AI #Innovation #Productivity #Europe #Davos2025 #Tech #GenerativeAI #DigitalTransformation

🚀 Europe’s Armed Forces Face a 15km 'Death Zone'—Startups Could Be the Key to Surviving It Europe’s militaries are confronting a new battlefield reality: a 15km "zone of total death" identified from the Ukrainian frontlines, where traditional logistics and manned operations have become lethal due to drones, electronic warfare, and precision strikes. At the recent UK-Ukraine Defence Tech Forum, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi put it bluntly: “Classical offensive operations are not just ineffective—they’re suicidal in these zones.” 👉 This challenge demands a radical rethink of logistics at the tactical edge. Troops cannot risk driving trucks into these zones. Instead, quiet, electric Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) must be deployed to ferry ammunition, supplies, and even evacuate the wounded—taking humans out of harm’s way. But here’s the breakthrough: AI-driven autonomy is making this possible. Startups like TENCORE are scaling rapidly to meet this need, delivering modular UGVs capable of: ✅ Autonomous navigation in GPS- and comms-denied environments using AI-powered perception and route planning ✅ Real-time adaptation to battlefield threats without direct operator control ✅ Modular mission-switching—from logistics to mine-laying to fire support—on a single platform These vehicles are engineered for extreme resilience and flexibility: battery swaps in under 10 seconds, lego-like repairability, and minimal human intervention. But let’s be clear: 👉 Hardware is now table stakes. It’s software that will win the wars of the future. The edge lies in the software layer: AI that can navigate and decide under electronic warfare and jamming Swarming algorithms that enable distributed, coordinated missions Autonomous decision-making at the tactical edge without waiting for command uplinks 🔥 The startup opportunity? Europe’s militaries urgently need: AI-first, software-defined autonomy platforms Interoperable software ecosystems across NATO forces Rapid software iteration matching the speed of battlefield adaptation In today’s wars, humans are the most expensive and vulnerable resource. AI-enabled autonomy isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the frontline’s survival mechanism. The future of defence will be fought in code, deployed on autonomous machines. 💬 If you’re building robotics, AI, autonomy platforms, or distributed software systems, this is your moment. Let’s connect: Europe’s defence ecosystem is ready for bold innovators. #DefenceInnovation #MilitaryLogistics #UGVs #AI #AutonomousSystems #SoftwareDefinedWarfare #StartupOpportunity #EuropeanSecurity #TechForDefence #Ukraine #KARISTA #PSION #NationalSecurity #Geopolitics #DualUseTech #OmniUse #DefenceTech #VentureCapital #Investing #TechCommandInvesting

AI instead of GPS and satellites: How Farsight Vision by Brave1 participant changed the battlefield Artificial intelligence is the new force multiplier in modern technological warfare. AI has become a core component of many innovations developed by BRAVE1 participants. Farsight Vision is a true game changer — it streams real-time battlefield data even without internet, GPS, satellites, or despite enemy electronic warfare (EW) interference. Farsight Vision processes photos and videos from drones, using AI to generate precise 2D and 3D terrain models for rapid situational analysis in combat environments. The system integrates with all UAVs and leading combat platforms such as DELTA, Kropyva, Combat Vision, MilChat, TacticMap, and others. Thanks to Farsight Vision, the Defense Forces have gained the following advantages: ▪️ Orthophoto maps with 5–7 cm/pixel accuracy created in under an hour ▪️ Automatic detection of terrain changes and new objects ▪️ 3D terrain modeling based on drone imagery and video ▪️ Terrain analysis and operational planning without relying on satellite navigation Farsight Vision clearly demonstrates how AI can deliver a decisive advantage on the battlefield.

Germany's AI defence unicorn Helsing just revealed something extraordinary - and it signals a dramatic shift in how warfare technology is being developed. The company has created an internal "moonshot incubator" called Area 9, dedicated to developing AI agents for the battlefield. This isn't theoretical research - it's active development with 30 dedicated employees expanding to over 40 by year-end. Their current focus? AI battlefield intelligence agents that can process real-time data from satellites, synthetic aperture radar, and reconnaissance drones to analyse battlefields instantly. Imagine asking "show me all the damaged buildings" or "show me all the tyre tracks" and getting immediate, accurate battlefield intelligence. What makes this particularly significant is Helsing's recent €600 million funding round at a €12 billion valuation, plus their secretive partnership with OpenAI challenger Mistral. This isn't a side project - it's serious strategic investment in the future of warfare. The timing is crucial. As Europe races to rearm amid uncertain US support, companies like Helsing are moving from secrecy to transparency. Their first-ever media day this week marks a fundamental shift in how defence tech companies engage with the world. Co-CEO Gundbert Scherf put it perfectly: they're institutionalising "very risky" bets to keep developing futuristic technology rather than just scaling current products. That's exactly the kind of forward-thinking approach Europe needs right now. The implications extend far beyond defence. We're witnessing the emergence of AI agents that can process complex, real-time data streams and provide actionable intelligence instantly. #ArtificialIntelligence #DefenceTech #EuropeanInnovation #AIAgents