HBR IdeaCast
by Harvard Business Review
Latest Business Ideas
Develop Scenario Planning Tools with AI
Entrepreneurs can create a scenario planning tool that utilizes AI technology like DeepSeek to help businesses navigate uncertainties in their strategies. By allowing users to simulate various scenarios based on real-time data and AI-driven predictions, companies can better prepare for potential risks and opportunities. This tool could cater to businesses looking to make informed decisions in volatile markets. For implementation, founders could develop a web or mobile application that integrates DeepSeek's open-source capabilities, ensuring a secure environment for users to explore different scenarios without compromising sensitive data. By offering this as a SaaS product, the tool could be marketed to corporate clients, particularly in sectors like finance, logistics, and risk management.
From: Are You Considering Chinese AI In Your Strategy?
Integrate Chinese AI for Hyper-Personalization
One actionable business idea is to integrate Chinese AI models for hyper-personalization in specific industries, such as healthcare or consumer goods. Companies can leverage the strengths of Chinese AI tools like DeepSeq, which specialize in delivering tailored solutions faster and at a lower cost than many Western equivalents. By building applications that utilize these AI models, businesses can enhance customer engagement and provide more targeted services or products. For instance, Procter & Gamble is using Chinese AI for interest-based e-commerce to hyper-personalize marketing messages based on user behavior. Entrepreneurs can explore partnerships with AI firms operating in this space or develop their own applications to serve niche markets in healthcare, retail, or B2B services, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
From: Are You Considering Chinese AI In Your Strategy?
Create a Dual AI Integration Platform
Another concrete idea is to develop a dual AI integration platform that allows businesses to effectively utilize both Western and Chinese AI models within their operations. This platform would enable companies to triage AI queries to determine which model—Western or Chinese—will deliver the best results for specific tasks. By implementing such a system, businesses can optimize their processes, reduce costs, and leverage the unique capabilities of each ecosystem. Entrepreneurs could either offer this as a subscription-based service to businesses needing to integrate different AI tools or build the platform as a customizable solution for larger organizations. The initial focus could be on industries with high variability in AI application needs, such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.
From: Are You Considering Chinese AI In Your Strategy?
Personalized AI Communication Coach
This idea is to build a SaaS tool that serves as a personalized AI communication coach, helping professionals maintain authenticity in their digital messages. The tool would integrate into popular email and messaging platforms, analyzing tone, language, and stylistic cues in real time to ensure that automated suggestions align with the user’s personal communication style. By providing feedback on aspects like the appropriate use of emojis, punctuation (such as exclamation marks), sign-offs, and overall tone, the system helps prevent the disconnect that can occur when AI-generated messages feel impersonal or inconsistent with previous in-person interactions. The service addresses the challenge of balancing efficiency with a human touch, especially critical as many leaders and remote workers increasingly rely on virtual communications. Its target users include busy digital entrepreneurs, remote corporate leaders, and professionals who send a high volume of emails and instant messages. Implementation would involve leveraging existing NLP APIs, integrating with common platforms, and fine-tuning models to mimic an individual's unique style. The product would operate on a subscription basis, with potential add-ons for advanced analytics and personalized coaching tips, making it both a practical tool and a revenue-generating SaaS offering.
From: Are You Optimizing Your Virtual Communication Practices?
Virtual Communication Training & Consulting
This business idea is to develop a digital training and consulting service that helps organizations and leaders optimize their virtual communication practices using research-backed strategies such as the PING framework. The service would offer interactive online courses, workshops, and personalized consulting that guide teams in selecting the ideal communication channels for different situations—whether it’s email, instant messaging, or video calls. The training would cover methods to set clear response expectations, establish communication norms, and use structured meeting techniques such as strategic breakouts, polls, and integrated chat functions to boost engagement and reduce stress. In addition, it would help leaders understand how to model best practices in their own communications to set the tone for the entire organization. The idea can be implemented using existing online course platforms or a dedicated membership site, paired with live webinars and one-on-one coaching sessions. This program addresses the problem of miscommunication and emotional disconnect in remote and hybrid work settings, improving teamwork and productivity. Its target audience is digital entrepreneurs, remote team leaders, and HR professionals in companies transitioning to or enhancing virtual operations. Specific tactics include leveraging the PING framework, using case studies from research, and offering customizable communication audits for organizations.
From: Are You Optimizing Your Virtual Communication Practices?
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