How to Start Embracing AI-Enabled Services and Lead the Way
AI isn’t just disrupting the services industry. It’s creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape it.
The agencies that win in this moment won’t be the ones waiting to see what happens. They’ll be the ones leading the charge.
If you’re a CEO or founder, now is the time to make the shift—from wondering how AI will affect you to defining how you’ll use it to raise the bar for your clients and your team.
The Shift Has Already Begun
Clients are already adjusting their expectations. They want:
- Faster iteration and prototyping
- Outcomes over hours
- Strategy plus automation, not just deliverables
Value is shifting from “doing the work” to “designing the system that does the work.”
That’s your opening.
If you’re a dev shop, offer agentic software that adapts and learns. If you’re in marketing, lead with campaigns that self-optimize. Bring clients ideas they haven’t even thought to ask for.
Reimagine. Don’t React.
The top firms aren’t pivoting out of fear. They’re using AI to amplify what makes them great:
- Launching high-margin, AI-enabled offerings
- Building strategic IP on top of commodity tools
- Selling new value stories to clients hungry for direction
They’re not just adding AI. They’re using this moment to sharpen their positioning, simplify delivery, and modernize how they operate.
Strengthen Your Foundations
Revolutionary services need more than forward-thinking ideas; they need the operational chops to pull them off. Without clarity, foresight, and data at your fingertips, it’s like trying to sprint while wearing roller skates. Not ideal.
To keep your ship sailing straight in the AI storm, you need:
- A clear grasp of the roles, skills, and resources your new services require
- Scenario planning that doesn’t lock you into a rigid course but lets you pivot with agility
- Real-time insights, on everything from staffing to backlog to revenue, that actually help you make smart decisions
The truth? The firms that thrive in the age of AI won’t necessarily be the ones with the flashiest demos. They’ll be the ones with systems that scale, deliveries that run smoothly, and models they can repeat (and improve) reliably.
Three Power Moves to Get Started
Don’t worry, you don’t have to eat the whole AI elephant at once. Here’s where to start:
- Define new service shapes. Just one for now. Map out how AI changes the way you deliver, then iterate until you get it right.
- Embed agile forecasting. Forget building the perfect 12-step master plan upfront. Plan small, test as you go, and tweak.
- Invest smarter with data. Use forward-looking insights to determine what talents to hire, how to price services, and when to scale up.
AI is a Launchpad, Not a Shortcut
AI is a launchpad, not a shortcut. You still need a clear operational rhythm. A shared view of your people, pipeline, and performance. And the confidence to bet on what’s next.
In the next post, we’ll dig into five key metrics every CEO needs before making a big move, whether that’s launching a new service, exploring M&A, or accelerating growth.
But here’s the message for today:
Don’t wait for disruption. Lead it.
Parallax helps CEOs connect ambition to execution.
Our platform gives you the metrics, visibility, and forecasting needed to grow with confidence. Let’s talk.
