How to start with AI? - and why every step counts
Let’s face it—AI is everywhere. You’ve probably heard colleagues say, “We should do something with AI” But figuring out where to start? That’s where most companies get stuck.
At CROPLAND, we believe that A.I. should be practical, valuable, and tailored to your business—not just trendy. That’s why we developed the Start AI Trajectory: a hands-on, interactive journey that helps you move from AI ideas to real, concrete plans.
Why companies hesitate—and why that’s normal
Despite the hype, many businesses are hesitant to adopt AI In fact, according to the AI Barometer (EWI 2024):
- 68% of Flemish SMEs don’t use AI at all,
- and 53% of those have no plans to start in the coming year.
Why? Because the world of AI often feels vague, technical, and—let’s be honest—a little overwhelming. There’s uncertainty around ROI, technical feasibility, and where to begin. The Start AI Trajectory exists to break through that fog.
“We help companies move from ‘We should do something with AI’ to ‘We know exactly where to start.’”
So, what is the Start AI Trajectory
It’s a structured but flexible 3-step process designed to inspire your team and build towards tangible next steps—without getting lost in the tech talk.
🔍 Workshop 1: UNDERSTAND
We start with the big picture: your strategy, challenges, and success factors.
Then we give you a no-jargon crash course on AI—what it is, how others use it, and how it could work for you.
Think of this as laying the foundation: we align on what AI means for your business, not someone else’s.
“By mapping out these elements, we lay the foundation to identify the right AI components in the following workshops.”
💡 Workshop 2: EXPLORE
Time to get creative. We lead an interactive ideation session using tools like Miro to map ideas directly to your business challenges.
This is where your team’s insights come to life, and where the potential of AI becomes concrete.
“Apply your AI knowledge to your own business and brainstorm solutions that truly make an impact.”
🎯 Workshop 3: BRING TO LIFE
We bring structure to the chaos. Together, we evaluate your ideas based on business value and feasibility.
Then we prioritize, and we work out the first steps of a business case for one or two key AI applications.
“A strong business case helps you demonstrate the value and impact of your AI ideas.”
What do you walk away with?
- A tailored AI maturity scan
- A shared understanding of AI in your team
- A concrete shortlist of AI ideas
- A prioritization framework
- A business case outline for one or more AI solutions
- A handy PDF with all workshop outputs, ready to share internally
All of this is done in just a few weeks—with limited time investment from your side.
“The best AI ideas come from the people who know the business inside out—not just the tech team.”
What makes this approach different?
✔ It’s not tech-first, it’s business-first
✔ It’s interactive, visual and clear—no fluff
✔ It aligns your whole team, from IT to operations to management
✔ It helps you move from “We should do something” to “We’re doing this, and here’s why”
Trusted by companies like yours
“The program created alignment. The internal knowledge level was significantly raised.”
— Frank De Weser, CEO Syntegro
“Not technology for the sake of technology, but real business goals.”
— Lorenz Couckuyt, Co-founder CADIS
“We ended up with concrete projects. Our employees will genuinely be relieved of workload soon.”
— Kim Wybo, Partner La-On
Ready to take your first smart step with AI?
Let’s make your AI journey clear, concrete, and custom-built.
Want to see how other companies are turning AI ambition into real-world results? Or are you simply looking to stay up to date on the latest AI developments and news?
Follow CROPLAND on LinkedIn for ongoing insights, practical examples, and updates on how our Start AI Trajectory continues to support businesses in taking confident, strategic steps with AI.
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