AI Isn't a Goal (or a Strategy)

AI Isn’t a Goal (or a Strategy): How Real Marketers Turn Algorithms into Actual Outcomes

Stop treating AI like a magic lamp; start making it earn its seat at the budget table. In this irreverent, field-tested guide, bestselling author and veteran podcast host and consultant to Forture 500 companies Greg Kihlström distills hundreds of conversations with CMOs, data scientists, and the occasional wide-eyed board member into a pragmatic blueprint for enterprise marketing teams.

Inside, you’ll explore:

• Why “AI first” is a slogan, not a strategy—and how framing AI as a supporting capability keeps it aligned with concrete business objectives.

• The horizontal power of AI: breaking down silos to unlock cross-functional data, deeper customer insights, and revenue your CFO can actually find on the ledger.

• Myth-busting the AI illusion—from “set it and forget it” fantasies to ROI fairy tales—and installing the guardrails that prevent expensive face-plantsbook outline.

• Battle-tested checklists that keep projects grounded when vendors start waving buzzword bingo cardsbook outline.

• Scripts for talking to executives and stakeholders who think ChatGPT will write next quarter’s growth plan all by itselfbook outline.

• Practical playbooks for agentic AI, personalization at scale, and balancing machine efficiency with uniquely human creativity—because “good enough” content at warp speed is still just “good enough.”book outline

• A realism toolkit: glossaries, vendor vetting worksheets, and KPI templates you can swipe on Monday morningbook outline.

Who should read this book?

• Marketing leaders who want measurable impact, not more hype.

• Data teams tired of being AI janitors.

• Board-room skeptics looking for proof, not PowerPoints.

• Anyone who has ever been promised “fully autonomous marketing” and quietly rolled their eyes.

Bottom line: AI Isn’t a Goal (or a Strategy) delivers the unvarnished truth, the frameworks, and the coffee-stain-proof worksheets you need to transform techno-optimism into profit—minus the buzzword hangover. Read this book and give your AI budget the adult supervision it deserves.