GenAI is racing through the enterprise, and expectations are high. Leaders see it as the key to unlocking productivity in an era of leaner teams and rising demands. With U.S. productivity growth slowing since 2005, the pressure is on to do more with less, and GenAI promises a step-change in efficiency, innovation and cost savings.
But turning promise into performance isn’t straightforward. While many employees are dabbling with GenAI tools, few organizations have cracked the code on scaling them securely and strategically across the enterprise.
- Enterprise-wide GenAI deployment drives measurable productivity gains with TELUS reporting 45-minute weekly time savings per employee and 20% efficiency boost for field technicians.
- Strategic implementation framework emphasizes rapid value creation through focused pilot projects, enabling TELUS to scale to 20+ production applications.
- Self-service AI creation capabilities enable 50,000 TELUS employees to build 18,000+ custom copilots across 75 job functions.
- Balanced learning approach combining formal training and peer collaboration ensures sustainable adoption while maintaining enterprise security standards.
When organizations implement GenAI with a thoughtful, strategic approach, the results speak for themselves. In our recent webinar, Bret Kinsella, GM of Fuel iX, shared impressive outcomes from TELUS and TELUS Digital’s internal GenAI efforts:
- Employees are reclaiming nearly an hour of productivity weekly, saving 40-45 minutes on information searches
- Field service technician efficiency has surged by over 20%
- IT service desk operations have become 25% more cost-effective
We’ve seen organizations focus too much on how to use the tools rather than what people can accomplish with them. A successful learning approach combines:
- Formal training: Provide structured courses and workshops to build foundational knowledge
- Collaborative learning: Encourage peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and mentoring
- Hands-on application: Prioritize learning through direct, on-the-job use of GenAI tools
Step-by-Step GenAI implementation guide
1. Identify low-hanging fruit
The most successful implementations begin with enhancing existing processes rather than reinventing workflows. By focusing on everyday, time-consuming tasks that employees already perform, organizations can demonstrate immediate value while building confidence in the technology.
Start with familiar, high-impact tasks such as:
- Document summarization: Reduce time spent on lengthy reports and meeting minutes
- Initial draft creation: Accelerate sales email writing and marketing copy production
- Information synthesis: Enhance research capabilities across departments
Action Step: Choose one routine task in your department that involves processing text or data. Experiment with using GenAI to assist with this task.
2. Enable self-service creation
GenAI adoption lies in democratizing access. When employees can customize AI tools to meet their specific needs, they are more likely to integrate them into their daily workflows and share successful implementations with colleagues.
- Provide access to flexible and secure GenAI tools
- Offer templates or frameworks to guide initial creation
- Encourage experimentation within defined parameters
Action Step: Offer a GenAI platform where employees can create and share simple copilots for their specific needs.
3. Foster a learning community
One of the most effective ways to accelerate GenAI adoption is through peer learning and sharing. Rather than focusing solely on how to use the technology, organizations should emphasize what people are accomplishing with it. When employees see colleagues in similar roles successfully using GenAI for their daily tasks, it helps overcome initial hesitation and sparks innovation across teams.
- Implement short video testimonials showcasing successful use cases
- Establish weekly office hours with AI experts where user can get practical advice and support on how to improve their copilots
- Develop internal forums for sharing tips and use cases
Action Step: Create a "copilot Slack channel" where employees can share their successes in a brief and accessible format.
4. Start small, scale fast
Successful organizations have shown that starting with focused pilot projects allows teams to learn quickly, demonstrate value, and build confidence before expanding their efforts. At TELUS Digital, for example, what started as targeted implementations has grown to over 20 GenAI applications in production, with another 30 to 50 in development, demonstrating how initial successes can rapidly scale across an organization.
- Choose 2-3 departments for initial implementation
- Set clear, measurable goals for each pilot
- Gather feedback and iterate quickly
Action Step: Identify one department with a clear productivity challenge. Implement a GenAI solution and measure the results over 30 days.
5. Address concerns proactively
Organizations need to balance innovation with responsible implementation. This means not only focusing on the technology itself but also on the processes, people and governance surrounding it. By proactively addressing these issues, organizations can create a foundation of trust that accelerates adoption and minimizes risks.
You'll want to be prepared to tackle common issues:
- Provide basic training to address technical skill gaps
- Work closely with IT to smooth integration challenges
- Consult with legal and compliance teams on data privacy and security
Action Step: Create a cross-functional team to address potential barriers before they become roadblocks.
6. Measure and communicate success
Successful GenAI implementation isn't just about deployment—it's about demonstrating tangible business impact.
Track key metrics such as:
- Time saved on routine tasks
- Quality improvements in outputs
- User adoption rates
- ROI on AI investments
Action Step: Establish a dashboard to track these metrics across pilot projects and share results regularly with leadership.
Democratizing GenAI across your enterprise
Fuel iX Copilots makes generative AI accessible to everyone in your organization, regardless of their technical expertise. Just look at the TELUS customer story. Their teams have now created over 18,000 custom copilots, with more than 50,000 employees actively using the platform across 75+ job functions.
By putting GenAI's power directly in employees' hands while maintaining enterprise-grade security and governance, you can accelerate productivity gains across your entire organization.
