cyprus businesses — Cyprus businesses are urged to prepare for global competition as the landscape of consulting and decision-making evolves significantly. Ahmad El Husseini, a management and financial consultant with over 35 years of experience, shared insights on the profound changes facing the industry during an informal discussion.
Cyprus businesses: A Shift in the Consulting Landscape
The conversation highlighted a growing trend where discussions often grapple with uncertainties rather than providing definitive answers. El Husseini pointed out that consulting is becoming more demanding, with clients expecting higher levels of service and quicker results. He noted, “the shift is not only about new tools. It is about how value itself is being redefined in real time.”
Client Expectations Transforming Consulting
As El Husseini elaborated, the expectations from clients are increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. This evolution suggests a shift in the balance of power, where consulting is no longer just about experience-based advice but is also tied to data-driven systems and AI-supported execution. Clients are arriving at consultations better informed and more demanding, pushing consultants to adapt.
The Role of AI in Decision Making
The discussion also delved into the influence of AI on decision-making processes within organisations. El Husseini cautioned that while AI can enhance the speed of analysis, it may lead to riskier and shallower decisions. He stated, “In terms of decision making, AI may cause the process to be more risky and shallow.” This paradox highlights a common challenge: more data does not always translate into better judgment.
Cyprus: Embracing Technology at Different Paces
In Cyprus, there appears to be a disconnect between how individuals and businesses are adapting to AI technologies. While many individuals are quickly integrating AI tools into their daily lives, businesses are often more hesitant, testing new technologies rather than fully embracing them. El Husseini stressed that true integration requires not just the adoption of AI but also an accompanying infrastructure that supports such changes.
Looking to the Future: Globalisation as a Key Factor
As the conversation shifted to future trends, El Husseini identified globalisation as a critical factor for competitiveness over the next five to ten years. He emphasised that businesses in Cyprus must extend their focus beyond local markets and adapt to compete on a global scale. “The most important factor will be the globalisation of products and services,” he remarked, indicating that competition will increasingly come from international players.
Integrating AI Without Losing Human Touch
El Husseini highlighted the importance of integrating AI in a structured manner. He views AI as a valuable tool that can enhance efficiency and speed, but it must complement human effort and robust management processes. The risk, he cautioned, lies in overestimating AI’s capabilities, as businesses might assume that faster outputs equate to better decisions, forgetting the essential role of human judgment.
A Hybrid Future of Consulting and Decision Making
This conversation paints a picture of a transitional phase in the consulting world. The future is not defined by a complete shift to automation or a return to traditional methods, but rather a hybrid model where human experience coexists with artificial intelligence. As El Husseini aptly noted, “The question is not whether AI will be part of the future. It already is.” The real challenge lies in ensuring that organisations can maintain depth in judgment as they navigate an increasingly rapid landscape of change.
