How we are using generative AI at Maypop Grove

Balancing efficiency and authenticity

Like everyone, we are working through how generative AI can help.  It hasn’t been about making the tools work the way we want to, it’s been about balancing the use of tools with maintaining vigilant ownership over what the tools help us produce. 

As the thought leader here, I have 35+ years of content and experience, including over 15 years of teaching courseware I developed. Not tooting my own horn here, the truth is it’s a ton of content on innovation, change implementation, sustainability, retail strategy, technology and more.  Hard drives of it.  Just too much.

So you can probably see where AI tools come in, but don’t underestimate the work it takes to work with our generative friends!  I finally figured out how to think of it so I didn’t lose my mind halfway through.  Our generative AI tools are our high potential junior analysts, amazing at synthesizing information, and following instructions (don’t knock that!), but persistently losing the plot on larger picture work, and needing very directed coaching to improve.

Over the past year, we’ve done three full cycles of working through the inventory of tools, topics and templates we have, curating useful sets of value to share.  For my own mental health, I need to get this stuff out while it’s still useful so I can move forward to new things!  Why each revision?  The first one was…bad.  Just bad.  Boring, slow and just not fun.  Okay, dumped that.  Second one, better!  Sleek, concise, getting there….but cold.  Lost my voice, just didn’t represent the intent. 

The test?  I thought of all the UW PM certificate program graduates who told me they listened to the videos or zoom recordings in the car.  Would they want to hear this?  Does it contain the emotional connection as well as the instructional value?  Thank you for being my perfect personae!

This last cycle, benefitting from both my confidence in our processes, and the improvements in tools available to use, feels right.  And yes, for those who live in the requirements world, that was cringeworthy.  Authenticity?  Consistency?  Closer.  I have enough pride of authorship to keep us working on it until I think it passes the criteria of representative of the body of work, and value to those it’s meant for!

At this point, we’re using AI in the normal ways, generating custom images, synthesizing email templates, developing marketing and SEO plans, decoding different applications, and more.  For our content specifically, though, we are being very deliberate.  We have heavily trained GPTs that do not go outside our knowledge store, speak with an informed and tuned voice, and have been toned to represent empathy and compassion in how we present information.  

For audio, if it's not me or other friends, we may be using the elevenlabs PVC I trained with over 4 hours of my own speaking. (It fooled my mom, so I think it will work for us.)  Videos are recorded with Descript, using AI tools to improve recording quality and to perform auto-transcription, and some graphics may be AI generated, but the content and core concept visuals are old school Slides.  (And I have the handwritten sketches the slides were based on to prove origin!)

Just in how I presented this, you can see the balancing act of authentic ownership and effective use of AI tools that constantly evolve.  Here at Maypop Grove, it’s a constant conversation about what we can do better and faster while maintaining the integrity and value of the content, which is my true north.  Transparency builds credibility, so we will update this as our approach changes!

Jennifer Diamond is CEO of Maypop Grove, a coaching and consulting firm focused on the disciplines of leading change, and co-founder of A Matter of Taste, a professional development firm with a culinary twist. 

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