# Steadman > Steadman helps organisations harness AI to work better, quicker, and happier. Human-first transformation from practitioners who deliver. ## Hero ### 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. --- ## Philosophy ### 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. Question "we can automate that" with "but should we?" ### Three Pillars **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 **The 4 Ps** Preparation, Prompt, Process, Proficiency: the foundations of effective AI use that we embed in every engagement. **The CEO Check** Check, Edit, Own: all AI output must be verified, refined, and owned by the human. No exceptions. --- ## The Challenge ### 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. --- ## Services ### 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* --- ## Track Record ### Evidence, not promises - **200+** Executive coaching sessions - **8** Books published - **18+** Months embedded in clients - **1000s** People trained ### Trusted by teams at BBC, L.E.K. Consulting, Expedia, Unilever --- ## Credentials & Expertise ### 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 - first published 2.5 weeks after ChatGPT launched (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) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **What is AI transformation coaching?** AI transformation coaching is one-to-one executive coaching that applies AI tools directly to your actual work. Our coaching sessions are 90-120 minutes where executives experience hands-on AI tool exploration with real business challenges. Most executives experience a breakthrough in the first session. **What is the 4 Ps methodology?** The 4 Ps stand for Preparation, Prompt, Process, and Proficiency. This is the foundation of effective AI use that we embed in every engagement. It ensures teams build lasting capability rather than just knowledge transfer. **What is the CEO Check?** The CEO Check stands for Check, Edit, Own. It means all AI output must be verified, refined, and owned by the human. No exceptions. This ensures quality control and accountability in all AI-assisted work. **Who are the authors of the PROMPT books?** The PROMPT books were co-authored by Steadman's founders, particularly David Boyle. Published in December 2022, just 2.5 weeks after ChatGPT launched, these eight industry-specific books were among the first practical guides to working with AI language models. **How long does team training take?** Team training typically runs over 4 weeks with multi-week intensive programmes. Week 1 covers 4 Ps methodology and hands-on exercises. Week 2 focuses on effective prompts and team-specific plays. Week 3 covers CEO check methodology and governance. Week 4 addresses complex workflows and impact measurement. Between-session homework, office hours, and detailed feedback are included throughout. **What clients has Steadman worked with?** Steadman's team has worked with BBC, L.E.K. Consulting, Expedia, and Unilever. The team has delivered 200+ executive coaching sessions, been embedded for 18+ months in clients, and trained thousands of people in AI transformation. --- ## Team ### Practitioners who deliver Not theorists. Not hype-merchants. People with decades of experience who've done the work and built the capabilities themselves. ### Founders **Tim Ryan, Co-founder and Managing Director** 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* --- **David Boyle, Co-founder, Methods and Transformation** 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* --- **Dan Freedman, Co-founder, Solutions and Delivery** 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 **Will Bainbridge** Workflow analysis, developer and agentic builder **Richard Bowman** Consumer research, insight strategy - former Unilever and BBC **Niki Buitenrust Hettema** Global ML/AI infrastructure, strategy & execution – 15-year Googler **Ben Churchill** AI implementation, workflow tools, CEO of Urbanise ($100M IPO) **Rufy Ghazi** Music technology and transformation - former ByteDance and Kobalt **Simon Jacobs** Analytics, performance measurement, former BBC Studios **Charlie Palmer** Brand strategy, creative industries - former BBC and Channel 4 **Adam Peruta** Media technology, product development, Syracuse University --- ## Heritage ### From the authors of PROMPT In December 2022, just 2.5 weeks after ChatGPT launched, we published the first practical guides to working with AI. Eight industry-specific books helping thousands work better with language models. ### PROMPT Books (all available free) - PROMPT for Brands - PROMPT for Analytics - PROMPT for Startups - PROMPT for Musicians - PROMPT for Movies & TV - PROMPT for Fashion Retail - PROMPT for Podcasts - PROMPT for Real Estate --- ## How We Operate **Two-Person Rule** Every product area has at least two people genuinely interested. Creates healthy friction and ensures continuity. **No-Asshole Rule** We don't work with clients that make the team miserable. Selective by design. **10% Principle** 10% of our time goes to helping people who can't pay, including schools, charities, small businesses, and individuals. --- ## Contact ### 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. **Email:** hello@steadman.ai No sales pitch. Just a genuine discussion about where you are and what might help. --- ## Company Information Steadman Partners Limited Registered office at Harwood House, 43 Harwood Road, London, SW6 4QP Company Number: 16979324 VAT Number: GB 512821911 © 2026 Steadman AI Limited. All rights reserved. Created by Audience Strategies: https://audiencestrategies.com --- ## David's Saturday AI Thoughts *Page: /newsletters/david/* David sends a weekly email to people who are curious about AI. The newsletter page hosts both the email and "the bits that didn't fit" — interesting links and stories that couldn't quite make the cut. Updated every Saturday. Deep-linkable sections: `#email-YYYY-MM-DD` for the email, `#extras-YYYY-MM-DD` for the extras. **Subscribe:** Email david@steadman.ai with subject "Can you add me to your weekly newsletter?"