How Artificial Intelligence Revolutionized a Business’s Global Reach

The adoption of generative AI (gen AI) and large language models (LLMs) has become a billion-dollar industry, with many companies investing heavily in these technologies. Despite the significant investment, however, driving business impact through gen AI remains a challenge.

SAP‘s Successful Experiment: Scaling AI for SME Sales

A notable exception to this trend is SAP, which successfully leveraged AI tools to expand its customer base into the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) market. The company’s in-person sales approach had previously been uneconomical for this segment, but by mapping the customer journey and deploying over 40 AI tools, SAP transformed its sales process.

The Impact of AI on Sales Cycles

By implementing these AI-powered solutions, SAP was able to significantly reduce the sales cycle from ’12-18 months’ to just ‘3-6 months’. This marked a substantial improvement in efficiency, allowing the company to support over 22,000 new customer opportunities in 2024.

A Framework for Thoughtful AI Scaling

This case study highlights the potential of thoughtful AI scaling to add significant revenue to large businesses. As companies continue to explore the benefits of gen AI, it is essential to develop frameworks that ensure these technologies are deployed effectively and efficiently.