12 Feb. From Strategy to Execution

Once strategy is clear, execution has to start somewhere. In part 11 we discussed that AI is not your strategy but a tool. This post outlines a practical entry point – and why negotiations are often a smart place to begin.

Why? Because negotiations sit at the intersection of strategy, execution, risk, and human judgment. They surface priorities, expose trade-offs, and make weak assumptions visible - fast. They also usually have a defined scope, lifetime and involve a broad cross section of stakeholders across the organization. A good place to get started. 

A pragmatic starting point in negotiations looks like this:

1. Make preparation explicit.
   Clarify what “good preparation” actually means.
   What decisions must be made before entering the room?
   What information really matters?
   Where do mandates, limits, and escalation paths come from?
   
   
2. Define the process first.
   Use a shared structure so preparation, roles, and follow-up don’t depend on individual style.
   Consistency creates the guardrails AI needs.
   
   
3. Add AI where it reduces friction - not responsibility.
   Let AI help structure information, compare options, draft scenarios, or support reflection.
   Keep judgment, trade-offs, and accountability firmly human.
   
   
4. Measure what changes.
   Shorter preparation time? Less rework? Fewer escalations? Better decision clarity?
   Simple signals are enough at the start.
   
   

AI won’t replace negotiators. But it will raise the bar for preparation, alignment, and decision discipline. And that’s not a technology question - it’s an organizational one.

This series wasn’t meant to close a topic. It was meant to open one. If it helped you look at your next negotiation a little differently - calmer, clearer, more structured - then it did its job.

Thank you for following the journey.

If you’d like support along the way, we’re happy to help - at all levels:

• Capabilities, built by humans.
• Effectiveness, anchored in clear processes. Your tailored version of the WIN process.
• Efficiency supported by focused AI. Training, preparation or checklist AI tools. 

 
We work in different formats, depending on where you are: introductory discussions, condensed master classes, or hands-on team workshops.

If this resonates, reach out – and let’s find the right starting point together. 
welcome@c-to-be.de
mr@markus-rarbach.de

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