Daniel J. Jacobs's Linkedin Analytics

"AI will transform your business." Okay... but how exactly? Every CEO and business leader I talk to knows AI is the future. But most are stuck in the same loop: 1️⃣ Asking ChatGPT generic questions 2️⃣ Getting generic answers 3️⃣ Ending up more confused than before Sound familiar? Here's the thing: Great AI implementation looks easy—but behind every "magical" solution is a ton of strategy, creativity, and analysis. The illusion? → An AI tool that "just works" → A chatbot that converts like magic → Automation that feels effortless The reality? → Countless hours understanding business pain points → Testing, tweaking, and testing again → Balancing data-driven decisions with creative risks → Staying ahead in a market that's constantly changing AI isn't just about making things look good—it's about making things work well: Getting the right solution to the right problem at the right time—and then getting real results. That's where I come in. I help business leaders cut through the noise and design an AI strategy that actually moves the needle. Instead of chasing trends, let's focus on real business outcomes: → Automating what drains time → Enhancing decision-making with data-driven insights → Creating competitive advantages through smarter workflows The companies winning with AI aren't the ones asking what it can do. They're the ones implementing high-impact strategies fast. ❌ Still stuck in the "What is AI?" phase? ✅ Let's shift to "How do we leverage AI for a real ROI?" Drop a comment or DM me—let's talk AI that works. ♻️ Share this to help someone else elevate their AI strategy today.

M&A success isn’t just about the deal—it’s about IT strategy. Ignore it, and you risk killing EBITDA. 70% of mergers fail—not because of bad financials but because IT misalignment erodes value, delays synergies, and drains capital. IT can be your biggest post-merger advantage—or your fastest path to failure. The smartest dealmakers know how to turn IT from a cost centre into a profit driver. Want to unlock hidden savings and protect your deal’s ROI? Read the full article now: Read the full article now: https://lnkd.in/eesSsSTk

Navigating M&A waters? Your IT ship's taking on legacy water faster than you can bail. Here's the brutal reality no one's talking about: • Systems crashing like dominoes • Security gaps wider than the Grand Canyon • Integration deadlines slipping through your fingers • Value bleeding out faster than your morning coffee Sound familiar? Here's the thing: Most companies treat IT integration like a game of Jenga—pulling pieces randomly and praying the tower doesn't collapse. Spoiler alert: It usually does. The cold, hard truth? 70% of M&A deals sink because of botched IT integration. But here's what the top 1% do differently: 1. They Map the Waters • Audit systems before the deal closes • Identify integration landmines early • Create clear data migration paths 2. They Build a Battle-Ready Crew • Train teams on new systems • Break down silos between departments • Foster a culture of collaboration 3. They Navigate Smart • Roll out changes strategically • Test waters with pilot programs • Keep business running while upgrading Think of it like this: You wouldn't sail through a hurricane without checking the weather. So why risk your multi-million dollar merger without proper IT planning? The difference between smooth sailing and capsizing? Strategic execution. Want to know if your IT integration strategy is watertight? I help companies: • Streamline legacy systems • Secure data transitions • Accelerate merger value Ready to transform your IT integration from chaos to clockwork? DM me "RESCUE" for a free 15-minute IT risk assessment. Remember: In M&A, hope isn't a strategy—but preparation is. #MergersAndAcquisitions #ITStrategy #DigitalTransformation #Leadership

𝐈𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐈𝐓 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞? (Here's why it should be) The smartest companies aren't just fixing—they're building. And it's redefining competitive advantage. Think about it: • Netflix doesn't just stream. ↳ Their IT powers AI that keeps you watching. • Amazon didn't stop at servers. ↳ They built AWS, a $90B+ powerhouse. • Banks aren't just processing transactions. ↳ They're predicting needs and slashing fraud. The shift is clear: IT isn't a cost center anymore. It's your secret weapon for growth. But here's the problem: Most IT teams are stuck in firefighting mode. Always reacting, never creating. It's costing millions in lost opportunities. So how do you flip the script? 1. 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 Use cloud, AI, and automation to cut the busywork. Free your team to innovate. 2. 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐈𝐓 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 Treat IT as a profit center, not an expense. Ask: "How can this drive growth?" 3. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐈𝐓 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 The better IT is, the less noticeable it becomes. Don't let that happen. Showcase your wins. The future belongs to companies that use IT to drive revenue, not just reduce downtime. Is your IT team fixing or building? The answer will define your success. What's one way your IT team is driving growth? --- P.S. If this sparked ideas for your IT strategy, consider sharing it. P.P.S And if you want more insights on turning IT into a competitive advantage, check out my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/ehQ_8xum

Birmingham City Council's £216 Million IT Disaster – What Went Wrong? When Birmingham City Council launched its new Oracle Cloud ERP, it was meant to streamline operations. Instead, it triggered one of the worst public-sector IT failures in history—costing £216.5 million, disrupting schools, suppliers, and local services. → Payroll failures left staff unpaid. → Security controls were disabled for 17 months. → Financial chaos forced the council into effective bankruptcy. This wasn’t just bad luck—it was avoidable. In my latest article, I break down five critical mistakes that led to this failure—and how organisations can protect themselves from the same fate.

The Real Reason IT Leaders Lose in the Boardroom Let's cut through the noise about IT leadership and face a brutal truth: You're not losing budget battles because your proposals are weak. You're losing because you're playing the wrong game entirely. Here's what nobody tells you: The boardroom isn't about technology. It's about perception. It's about psychology. Let me break this down: 1️⃣ The Fatal Flaw Most IT leaders walk in with: ↳ Complex data ↳ Technical justifications ↳ Logical arguments But here's the harsh reality: Logic doesn't drive decisions. Emotion does. Fear does. FOMO does. 2️⃣ The Power Shift Stop selling technology. Start selling survival. Wrong approach: "We need a new cloud infrastructure." Right approach: "Competitors with modern infrastructure capture 40% more market share. We're bleeding opportunity costs daily." 3️⃣ The Psychology Play The best IT leaders understand: • Fear of loss > Desire for gain • Social proof > Technical proof • Urgency > Efficiency Think about this: While you're presenting uptime metrics, your competitors are: ↳ Framing IT as revenue multiplication ↳ Converting tech into market dominance ↳ Making inaction look like suicide The brutal truth? If you make IT look like a cost, it will always get cut. If you make IT look like a weapon, it will always get funded. Your move: Stop being the cost center. Start being the competitive edge. Transform from service provider to strategic weapon. Remember: The boardroom battle isn't about better slides. It's about better stories. Want to reshape your IT narrative? Drop a comment with your biggest challenge. Let's turn your next boardroom visit from defense to offense. #ITLeadership #Innovation #Strategy #Growth

M&A IT integration is like sailing through a storm—some companies make it, others capsize. You just inked that massive merger deal. Champagne is flowing, executives are grinning, and the press release is hitting the wires. But here's the dirty little secret no one's talking about: 70% of M&A IT integrations crash and burn. Why? Because most companies treat IT like an afterthought instead of the backbone, it really is. Here's the brutal reality of what happens when IT integration goes off the rails: • Systems clash like toddlers fighting over toys • Data flow slows to a mind-numbing crawl • Security gaps become an all-you-can-hack buffet for cyber villains • Legacy tech turns into an innovation-killing anchor The result? A multi-million dollar dumpster fire that makes your shiny new merger look like a total bust. But here's the thing: It doesn't have to be this way. The difference between smooth sailing and hitting an IT iceberg? Proactive leadership that treats IT like the mission-critical asset it is. Here's what the top 1% of IT leaders do differently: 1. They start IT due diligence before the ink dries on the LOI. 2. They build a rock-solid, standardised IT foundation to prevent costly surprises. 3. They prioritise cybersecurity, not a "we'll get to it later" afterthought. 4. They craft a crystal-clear 90-day integration roadmap to keep business humming. Think of it like this: Merging two companies without a solid IT plan is like trying to perform brain surgery with a butter knife. Sure, you might get lucky and not kill the patient... but do you really want to take that bet? Here's the cold, hard truth: Most M&A deals look great on paper. But when it comes to actually merging systems, data, and tech stacks? That's where things get messier than a food fight at a toddler's birthday party. Want to make sure your next deal doesn't turn into an IT horror show? I'm offering a free 15-minute IT M&A risk assessment. No strings, no pitch – just a brutally honest look at where your integration might go off the rails (and how to keep it on track). Drop a comment below or slide into my DMs with "M&A RESCUE" if you want to book a session. Remember: In the world of M&A, an ounce of IT prevention is worth a metric ton of "oh $#!%" cure. Don't let your multi-million-dollar deal become a multimillion-dollar disaster. #MergersAndAcquisitions #ITIntegration #DigitalTransformation #CIO #M&A

The Hidden Cost of Data Without Direction: Why IT Teams Miss the Mark Let's cut through the noise about IT metrics and face a harsh truth: Most teams are drowning in data while starving for insights. Picture this: Your dashboards gleam with metrics. Reports flood inboxes. KPIs paint pretty pictures. But something's missing. Like a solar panel facing the wrong direction, you're capturing plenty of light—but generating zero power. The Real Problem Isn't Data Collection It's data conversion. Here's what's actually happening: → Teams track everything that moves → Metrics multiply like rabbits → Insights remain frustratingly elusive The result? Resources drain. Morale tanks. Opportunities vanish. Breaking the Concentration Trap Stop collecting. Start converting. Here's how market leaders turn raw data into real results: 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 ↳ Link every metric to revenue ↳ Map data to strategic goals ↳ Cut vanity metrics mercilessly 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ↳ Transform numbers into actions ↳ Build clear decision frameworks ↳ Automate routine insights 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝘁 ↳ Share insights across teams ↳ Create feedback loops ↳ Adjust in real-time The Power of Purposeful Data When data drives decisions, magic happens: → Teams move faster → Resources optimize → Innovation accelerates But here's the kicker: This isn't about collecting more data. It's about making your current data work harder. Your Next Steps: 1. Audit your metrics 2. Eliminate the noise 3. Focus on conversion 4. Build action frameworks Remember: Data without direction is just digital clutter. The question isn't whether you're collecting enough data. It's whether you're converting it into competitive advantage. --- Follow for more insights on turning IT metrics into business impact. ♻️ Share this to help someone else transform their data strategy today #ITStrategy #DataAnalytics #BusinessGrowth #Innovation

Don't Call Me Lucky: The Hidden Truth About Success That Nobody Talks About Let me be brutally honest with you today. When people see "success", they love throwing around the L-word. "You're so lucky!" "What a fortunate break!" "Must be nice to have that luck!" But here's what they don't see: ↳ The 3 AM strategy sessions that failed ↳ The projects that crashed and burned ↳ The moments I questioned everything Let me break this down for you: For every "yes" you see, there were 100 "nos" you didn't. For every win you witness, there were countless defeats in private. For every "overnight success", there were years of invisible work. The harsh truth? Success isn't a lottery ticket. It's a battlefield report. Think about this: While others were hoping for luck, I was: • Testing strategies that failed • Building systems that broke • Learning lessons that stung • Starting over. Again. And again. Here's the real story nobody posts about: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮: 1. Fail more than others try 2. Learn from each setback 3. Adjust your approach 4. Try again, smarter 5. Repeat until it works Remember this: Luck doesn't build businesses. Luck doesn't create innovation. Luck doesn't drive transformation. Persistence does. So the next time someone calls you "lucky", smile and know: They're seeing the destination, not the journey. They're counting the wins, not the attempts. They're measuring the success, not the sacrifice. Wednesday motivation, over. ❤️ (Repost if this resonates ♻️) P.S. What's your biggest "failure turned lesson" story? Share below! #Leadership #Innovation #Success #Growth

If bees ran IT, they’d dominate the enterprise game. Here are 10 reasons why: Most IT frameworks overcomplicate what matters. They chase complexity. They worship process. They miss the point entirely. Here's the uncomfortable truth: Your IT strategy isn't failing because it lacks sophistication. It's failing because it lacks clarity. Let me break this down into what actually works: 1. Horizon Scanning Don't just gather data. Listen for market whispers. Watch where competitors stumble. 2. Value Mapping Stop tracking vanity metrics. Start measuring what moves EBIT. Link every initiative to revenue. 3. Executive Scoring Simple math beats complex models. ROI + Risk + Impact = Priority That's it. 4. Ruthless Elimination 40% of IT spend creates zero value. Cut it. Now. 5. Capacity Reality Check Your team can't do everything. Neither can your budget. Choose wisely. 6. Strategic Matrix High impact, easy wins → Do now High impact, hard wins → Plan carefully Low impact → Kill immediately 7. Pilot First Small tests beat big launches. Validate before scaling. Learn cheap lessons. 8. Stakeholder Buy-in Show, don't tell. Data beats opinions. Results silence critics. 9. Execution Focus Clear ownership. Simple metrics. Regular checks. 10. Quarterly Reset Markets shift. Technology evolves. Stay fluid. The harsh truth? Most IT leaders overcomplicate strategy because they're afraid of simplicity. But success isn't about fancy frameworks. It's about: → Ruthless prioritisation → Clear communication → Measurable impact Stop trying to impress with complexity. Start delivering with clarity. Your move. #ITStrategy #Leadership #Innovation