How AI will change consulting! (Interview with Pavol Sikula from AskBrian)

How AI Will Change Consulting! (Interview with Pavol Sikula from AskBrian)

Hi Everyone and welcome to this session! Today, we have an intriguing topic: how AI will change the lives of management consultants. To delve deep into this, I am joined by a very special guest, Pavol Sikula. Pavol is a former management consultant who transitioned into entrepreneurship by founding an innovative startup called AskBrian.

AskBrian is a virtual assistant powered by RPA technology and some AI capabilities, designed to make the lives of management consultants considerably easier. As a frequent user of AskBrian myself, I can attest to its efficiency. Let's dive into this insightful discussion about how AI, and particularly AskBrian, is reshaping the consulting landscape.

Welcome, Pavol!

Johannes: Welcome Pavol, thank you for joining us today.

Pavol: Thank you, Johannes, for the warm introduction and for inviting me. I am really looking forward to our discussion today.

The AI Revolution in Consulting

Johannes: So, Pavol, a direct question: How do you think AI will change the lives of management consultants?

Pavol: Great question. While it's hard to predict the far future, we can look at the present and the next few years. Currently, AI helps consultants with repetitive, time-consuming tasks like translations and company analysis. In essence, any recurring task with a defined pattern will likely be automated or AI-assisted. This automation will make the job of consultants even more exciting, allowing them to focus more on problem-solving.

Johannes: Many people worry that AI might replace consultants. Do you think that's true?

Pavol: No, I don't believe so. AI will complement consultants by taking over mundane tasks. Those who adapt and learn to use these technologies will thrive, but those who don't may find themselves lagging behind. Comparing it to 20-25 years ago when consultants had to go through annual reports manually, today's databases and analytics tools have made their jobs more efficient without replacing the core of consulting, which is solving business problems.

What is AskBrian?

Johannes: Let's talk a little bit about AskBrian. Can you explain what your service does and how it helps consultants?

Pavol: Absolutely. In consulting, there are often tasks that are necessary but not particularly enjoyable, like translations and data collection. AskBrian is essentially a digital assistant that uses natural language processing to communicate and handle these recurring tasks.

Brian currently offers more than 30 skills, ranging from translations to company analysis, document conversions, and more. The goal is to make these tedious tasks quicker and easier so that consultants can focus on more important aspects of their job.

Johannes: For anyone who hasn't used Brian, it seems like an email bot where you send in your task, and it gets done. Could you elaborate on some of the most popular services Brian offers?

Pavol: Sure. The most popular feature is translation. You can send over any document in any of the 100 supported languages, and Brian will translate it while keeping the original formatting. Another widely used feature is company analysis, where Brian provides detailed reports on public companies. The third popular feature is converting PDFs to editable formats, such as Excel or Word, which can come in handy when you get input from a client in a non-editable format.

Johannes: I can confirm that these features have saved me a lot of time.

Automated Content Generation

Johannes: Let’s talk about your newest feature – automated content generation. How does that work?

Pavol: This feature helps in drafting qualitative content for presentations. Just give Brian a topic, and he'll generate bullets, even images, on it based on the information from the internet and millions of books. In a way, it’s like having an initial draft available within seconds, which you can then review and refine.

Johannes: That's amazing. Where do you see this technology heading in the next 5 years?

Pavol: Ideally, we want every consultant to be using Brian, making it an industry standard. Skill-wise, the horizon is endless. This technology will only keep evolving and surprising us with new capabilities. For example, we are already working on a brainstorming feature where Brian will generate ideas on specified topics.

Entrepreneurship Versus Consulting

Johannes: Switching gears here a bit, since you transitioned from consulting to entrepreneurship, do you find your consulting background useful in your current role?

Pavol: Absolutely. The skills I gained in consulting like project management, problem-solving, and building a strong network have been invaluable. However, running a startup is broader; it involves accounting, legal work, HR, and so much more. So, while consulting prepared me well, entrepreneurship is a different level of complexity.

Final Thoughts and Advice

Johannes: Any advice to your younger self?

Pavol: Aim high and trust your gut. The skills you acquire and the network you build in consulting are incredibly valuable. If you're passionate about an idea and have the determination to see it through, go for it. But be prepared for the challenges; entrepreneurship is hard work.

Johannes: Thank you Pavol for this insightful discussion. Where can people learn more about AskBrian?

Pavol: They can visit our website at askbrian.ai, or connect with me directly on LinkedIn. We offer free trials and demos, so feel free to explore what Brian can do for you.

Johannes: Thanks again, Pavol. To our audience, if you found this useful, please like and comment your questions. If there’s enough interest, we might even schedule a second session. Goodbye!

Keywords

• Management Consulting
• AI in Consulting
• AskBrian
• Digital Assistant
• Automated Content Generation
• Translation
• Company Analysis
• Document Conversion
• Entrepreneurship
• Startup Journey
• Consulting Skills
• Future of Work

FAQ

Q1: What is AskBrian?

A1: AskBrian is a virtual assistant that uses RPA and AI technologies to help management consultants with various tasks like translation, company analysis, and document conversion.

Q2: How does AskBrian’s translation feature work?

A2: You simply send an email with your document and the translation request. Brian translates the document while maintaining the original formatting and sends it back within minutes.

Q3: What is Automated Content Generation?

A3: Automated content generation is a feature where Brian can draft qualitative content, such as bullet points for a presentation, based on the vast information available on the internet and in books.

Q4: Can AI replace management consultants?

A4: No, AI is more likely to complement consultants by automating repetitive tasks, allowing consultants to focus on higher-value activities like problem-solving and strategic planning.

Q5: How do I get started with AskBrian?

A5: You can visit askbrian.ai for more information and request a free trial or demo to see how it can benefit your consultancy work.

Q6: How did consulting experience help Pavol in his entrepreneurial journey?

A6: Consulting experience provided Pavol with essential skills like project management, problem-solving, and building a network, all of which have been invaluable in his startup journey.

Q7: What's the future of AI in consulting?

A7: The future is bright with endless possibilities. AI will continue to evolve, offering more advanced features and automating tasks that we can’t even predict today.