Cloud Connections 2025 | St. Petersburg, FL
“If you think you're moving fast, you're probably not moving fast enough.” That was the core message from Mike Tessler, managing partner at True North Advisory, in his opening keynote at the Cloud Connections 2025 conference.
In a session titled “Don’t Stop Believin’: AI’s Journey in Enterprise Transformation,” Tessler shifted the AI conversation from capabilities to strategy. Instead of showcasing the latest contact center tricks or flashy generative features, he dove deep into how enterprises should approach AI adoption—with urgency, realism, and a clear plan.
Tessler framed the moment as a once-in-a-generation inflection point. Just 866 days since ChatGPT launched, enterprises have been flooded with AI solutions, but many are still struggling with actual implementation. “The field is exploding, but there’s friction,” said Tessler, noting that while consumers quickly embraced AI tools, corporate environments remain slow to adapt.
Three Big Takeaways from Tessler’s Talk
- AI Is Only as Good as Your Data
Enterprises must start by understanding their own data. “Almost every company says, ‘We don’t have data,’” Tessler observed, “but they do. They just don’t know how to surface and structure it.” He suggested simple tools like JSON to codify marketing guidelines or operational principles and inject consistency into AI-generated content.
- Enterprise Strategy Starts with Personal Productivity
Tessler outlined a three-layer AI roadmap used at Boldyn Networks, where he serves on the board:
- Layer 1: Personal Productivity (e.g., Copilot, Gemini)
- Layer 2: Team & Process-Level AI (e.g., AI in network design/deployment)
- Layer 3: New Services & Capabilities enabled by proprietary data
This layered model helps unify enterprise goals and align AI projects with tangible outcomes.
- Start Small, Move Fast, Stay Agile
Forget long IT rollouts, said Tessler. AI adoption demands an agile, iterative approach. Small proofs of concept are key. “Something that wasn’t possible last week might be today,” he warned. “So get started now.”
Real-World Use Cases: Where AI Is Delivering Value Today
Tessler concluded with four examples of AI being used to solve real business problems:
- Spinoco – Helps micro-businesses manage customer interactions by turning every message, call, or DM into actionable tasks, no CRM needed.
- Kiwi Data – Uses AI to extract key terms and obligations from decades of contracts and NDAs, helping enterprises get a grip on what they've signed.
- Tato – Leverages the “exhaust” of UCaaS platforms (transcripts, messages) to identify project risks and drive smarter project management.
- Intent HQ – Delivers hyper-personalized marketing using behavioral data harvested via mobile SDKs.
A Call to Action for the Telecom Community
Tessler left the audience with a challenge: "We have to change the way we do things—or get wiped out by those who do." He encouraged every organization to return home with at least one AI use case to explore. “Try something. Test. Learn. Iterate.”
To request the slides from the keynote, contact: info@truenorthadvisory.com