As part of our EntrepreneurIA publication, we had the opportunity to speak with Romain Satiat from @aXel Perf. His expertise in business internationalization, training, and funding acquisition is accompanied by a gradual and pragmatic integration of AI into his business processes. Here’s a look back at an insightful conversation.
AI at the Heart of Strategic Consulting
Since 2020, well before the democratization of generative AI, @aXel Perf has invested in automation and artificial intelligence to optimize its operations. The initial goal was to save time on analyzing data from business diagnostics.
“We always conduct a diagnostic or audit before any consulting engagement. AI has enabled us to accelerate this analysis by identifying recurring patterns and inconsistencies invisible to the human eye.” Thanks to AI, the time required to produce these analyses has been reduced from 16 hours to just 2 to 4 hours, enabling faster and more effective decision-making.
A Complementary Tool, Not an End in Itself
At @aXel Perf, AI is not perceived as a substitute for consultants, but as a decision-support tool. “The machine doesn’t do the work for us; it allows us to go further and explore angles we might not have considered.”
The striking example of acquiring three fast-food restaurants illustrates this human-machine synergy. By cross-referencing financial data, AI detected anomalies that were then confirmed by human analysis. Result: legitimate concerns about potential money laundering enabled the client to take precautions before investing.
Far from being a gimmick, AI emerges here as a strategic safety net. The impact on team efficiency is undeniable. Thanks to AI, the workload has been rebalanced. Previously, a consultant worked on two cases per day. Today, they handle six, with an 85% gain in data analysis time. This time savings allows consultants to focus more on human support and offer enhanced availability to clients.
“We’ve considerably reduced processing time while improving service quality. Now, a client can reach us at any time and receive a quick, accurate response.”
Another surprising benefit: the development of creativity within the team. For example, a management controller started using AI to create more compelling visuals and presentations, making reports more accessible and attractive to clients.
Overcoming Resistance to Change
As with any technological transition, implementing AI generated resistance, particularly among more literary-minded collaborators less accustomed to handling advanced digital tools.
“Those with more mathematical or technical profiles were curious from the start. The others took longer to get into it, but today, they’re hooked!”
This phenomenon reflects a broader trend in the professional world: AI initially generates fears, then becomes an indispensable ally once mastered.
Advice for SMEs Hesitating to Adopt AI
For those hesitating to take the plunge, Romain Satiat proposes a methodical approach:
- Start small: don’t try to revolutionize the company immediately, but experiment with simple use cases.
- Test multiple AIs: compare different solutions to understand their potential and limitations.
- Train yourself and train your teams: A well-used AI relies on collaborators who know how to interact with it.
- Secure data: verify where information is stored and guarantee its confidentiality.
- Have a backup solution: AI remains a technological tool that can experience outages. A Plan B is essential.
“AI will become as indispensable as email or smartphones. Better to prepare for it now.”
A Future Where AI and Humans Collaborate
@aXel Perf’s experience illustrates a successful integration of AI in the consulting world. Rather than seeing it as a threat, the team has adopted it as an optimization lever that improves the quality of human work. This transition underscores a major fact: companies that know how to intelligently leverage AI will be those that gain a competitive edge.
