A steady hand in uncertain territory
AI transformation isn't a technology problem - it's a human one. We help organisations build the skills, processes, and confidence to work better, quicker, and happier.
An electric bicycle
for the mind
AI is a powerful multiplier that still requires human steering. We believe in co-intelligence - humans and machines working together - not full automation. When asked the question, "Can we automate that?" our approach is "maybe, but should we?"
Better
Higher quality work. Deeper insights. More thorough analysis. AI amplifies human judgment, it doesn't replace it.
Quicker
Hours become minutes. Days become hours. Not by cutting corners, but by removing the friction that slows great work down.
Happier
More time for work that matters. Less drudgery. Greater fulfilment. This isn't a nice-to-have - it's why transformation sticks.
What's at stake
Wasted investment in pilots that never scale. Governance failures that damage reputation. Competitors building capability while your programme stalls. The cost of getting AI transformation wrong is growing. The cost of doing nothing is higher still.
Our Method
Preparation, Prompt, Process, Proficiency - the foundations of effective AI use that we embed in every engagement.
Check, Edit, Own - all AI output must be verified, refined, and owned by the human. No exceptions.
Why AI programmes stall
The learning gap
Skills taught in workshops fade within weeks without sustained reinforcement. Knowledge transfer isn't capability building.
The pilot trap
Experiments that never scale. Foundational skills get skipped, so teams can't build on early wins.
The efficiency paradox
Time saved that never reaches the bottom line. Faster work within broken processes just produces more of what wasn't working.
We've seen these patterns across dozens of organisations. Our approach is designed to address them.
Six ways we help
Training & Transformation
Individual AI Coaching
One-to-one coaching for executives. Hands-on AI tool exploration applied directly to your actual work.
Discovery call (30 mins) → Coaching session (90-120 mins) → Follow-up (2-4 weeks later). Most executives experience a breakthrough in the first session. The usual response: "Why did I wait so long?"
For: CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, Managing Directors, Partners, Founders, Board members
Team Training & Transformation
Multi-week intensive programmes that build lasting capability, not just knowledge transfer.
Week 1: 4 Ps methodology + hands-on exercises. Week 2: Effective prompts and team-specific "plays". Week 3: CEO check methodology and governance. Week 4: Complex workflows and impact measurement. Between-session homework, office hours, and detailed feedback throughout. Plus ongoing reinforcement - because knowledge without practice fades within weeks.
For: Transformation leaders, L&D teams, Department heads, Professional services firms
Strategic Advisory
AI Strategy Review
Rapid, focused engagements answering strategic AI questions. Board-ready deliverables.
Phase 1 (Weeks 1-2): Leadership interviews, capability assessment, competitive landscape. Phase 2 (Weeks 3-4): Opportunity mapping, risk assessment, sector benchmarking. Phase 3 (Weeks 5-6): Strategic positioning document, prioritised roadmap, board-ready presentation.
For: Private equity due diligence, Board AI readiness assessments, CEOs preparing for investment/exit, Strategy teams
AI Transformation Advisory
Ongoing advisory relationships keeping transformation programmes honest.
Monthly 60-90 minute sessions plus written perspective on key decisions. Quarterly deep-dives on specific challenges. Ad-hoc access for urgent questions. We ask the hard questions others won't, drawing on cross-organisational pattern recognition.
For: AI transformation leaders, CDOs and CTOs, CEOs wanting ongoing counsel, Leadership teams navigating rapid change
Value Creation
AI Systems & Process Builds
Workflows, custom tools, and integrated systems built at the right sophistication level.
Level 1: Workflows & Plays - structured processes with human in the driver's seat. Level 2: Custom Tools - purpose-built GPTs and assistants with context and guardrails. Level 3: Integrated & Agentic Systems - AI embedded into business systems with human oversight at checkpoints.
For: Operations leaders scaling use cases, Product teams, Agencies productising expertise
Embedded Transformation Support
Part-time, ongoing presence embedded with your transformation team.
Typically 2-3 days per week for 6-12 months. We build playbooks alongside your team, coach individuals in the flow of work, challenge assumptions, surface problems early, and model what "good" looks like in practice. Transformation is organic - it requires presence, not just advice.
For: Programmes that have plateaued, Organisations building capability for the first time, Leaders wanting a trusted partner in the room
Evidence, not promises
Trusted by teams at
Proven AI transformation expertise
Our team combines decades of enterprise experience with pioneering work in AI transformation. We don't just advise on AI - we've built the methodologies and trained the people who are transforming organizations today.
Early AI Pioneers
Co-authored 8 PROMPT books - the first published just 2.5 weeks after ChatGPT launched in December 2022. Among the earliest practical guides to enterprise AI transformation.
Proven Track Record
200+ executive coaching sessions delivered. 18+ months embedded at leading consulting firms. 1000s of professionals trained. Trusted by BBC, L.E.K. Consulting, Expedia, and Unilever.
Enterprise Heritage
75+ years combined experience across EMI Music, BBC, L.E.K. Consulting, Direct Line Group, MasterClass, and Harrods. We understand how large organizations actually work.
Professional Credentials
- David Boyle: 3+ years at forefront of enterprise AI transformation, 200+ executive coaching sessions, 50+ training sessions, co-author of 8 PROMPT books
- Tim Ryan: 25+ years brand strategy and marketing leadership across cultural sector, transformation expert at Tomorrow London, EMI Music, Setanta Sports
- Dan Freedman: 25+ years strategy and innovation, L.E.K. Consulting alumnus, MBA Alliance Manchester, MSci Physics Bristol, pioneered telematics at Direct Line Group
- Specialist Network: Former executives from Unilever, BBC Studios, Channel 4, ByteDance, Kobalt, plus CEO of $100M IPO (Urbanise)
Practitioners who deliver
Not theorists. Not hype-merchants. People with decades of experience who've done the work and built the capabilities themselves.
25+ years as a brand strategy expert and marketing leader. Executive marketing leadership roles in privately-backed growth and transformation businesses across the cultural sector, including Tomorrow London, EMI Music, and Setanta Sports.
Brings: Commercial strategy, go-to-market, training product development, partnerships
25+ years leading insight and strategy inc. EMI Music, BBC, MasterClass, and Harrods. 3+ years at the forefront of enterprise AI transformation—200+ executive coaching sessions, 50+ training sessions and eight PROMPT books.
Brings: Executive coaching, embedded transformation, thought leadership
25+ years in strategy, innovation, and technology. L.E.K. Consulting alumnus. Pioneered telematics and connected car innovation at Direct Line Group. Co-founded DLG Ecosystems. MBA from Alliance Manchester, MSci Physics from Bristol.
Brings: Due diligence, AI strategy positioning, tech builds, product development
Specialist Consultants
From the authors of PROMPT
In December 2022, just 2.5 weeks after ChatGPT launched, we published our first practical guides to working with AI. Eight industry-specific books have now helped thousands work better, quicker and happier with language models.
How we operate
Every product area has at least two people genuinely interested. Creates healthy friction and ensures continuity.
We don't work with clients that make the team miserable. Selective by design.
10% of our time goes to helping people who can't pay - schools, charities, small businesses, individuals.
Let's talk
Whether you're exploring AI transformation, need a second opinion on your approach, or want to discuss what's possible - we're happy to have a conversation.
hello@steadman.aiNo sales pitch. Just a genuine discussion about where you are and what might help.