Maison AI for Teams: Three Key Points for Effective Implementation

Hello.

I am Endo, responsible for product demos of Maison AI and coordination within the GAI Program.
According to a survey on the use of generative AI, approximately 62.8% of corporate users are utilizing AI technologies*1, and it seems that its adoption will become increasingly prevalent. However, there are several hurdles in implementing it within a team, such as differences in individual skills and levels of interest.

In this blog, I will share the lessons learned from introducing and utilizing Maison AI within OpenFashion, under the theme "Three Key Points for Effective Implementation."

*1　Use of Generative AI (Source: ExaWizards) (Japanese article)

For those who are using Maison AI or considering its implementation, I hope this blog will assist in its promotion and utilization.

For more information about "Maison AI," please visit:
https://maisonai.io/

Point 1: Establish an Implementation PM for Smooth Team Onboarding

At our company, we appointed an implementation PM (Project Manager) for each team to promote adoption. An implementation PM plays a role in understanding the usage plan and situation of a new tool, ensuring its integration within the company.

By doing so, we facilitated higher-resolution usage methods across different industries and tasks, promoting daily implementation.

In this blog, we will also bring you real interview feedback from those involved.

Interviewees:

• Internal Implementation PMs
  • Mika Han: Maison AI Development Engineer
  • Naoki Ushiyama: 3DCG Lead
  • Yoshinori Kitagawa: SNS Marketing
  • Miki Endo: Biz Project Management Office

 

First, what was the first thing you did after being appointed as an implementation PM?

Han (Dev): We have a weekly regular meeting with the development team, which seemed like the perfect opportunity. I actually showed Maison AI via screen sharing and discussed how we could utilize this tool.

Ushiyama (CG): Around the same time Maison AI was introduced, there was an AI image contest. Members of the CG team created an AI agent*2 for our brand's director role, and we used this as a foothold for implementation.

Kitagawa (Marketing): In the marketing team, we created an AI agent for email newsletter distribution. By tracking the history function and sharing use cases, we actively spread its usage.

Endo (PMO): In my Biz team, we announced the internal implementation during our weekly regular meeting and conducted regular usage hearings. Each team, starting with the announcement, gradually developed a routine for utilizing Maison AI. 

The key point here is that routines were established in each team, led by the implementation PM. By repeatedly conducting hearings and sharing success stories within the team, individual motivation for implementation increased, ultimately leading to broader team adoption.

*2 AI Agent: Supports tasks based on various professions and roles set by AI.

 

What did you feel from serving as an implementation PM?

Han (Dev): I think I should have spent more time thinking about how to get everyone to use Maison AI more, and perhaps been more creative.

Ushiyama (CG): As a PM, it's crucial to support and assess where members might give up and how they can utilize it in their work. When we found an applicable situation, I realized that taking time to carefully construct templates*3 was necessary.

Kitagawa (Marketing): Definitely, implementation increases productivity, so it's vital for companies to articulate where they get stuck. If the implementation PM fits well, it can lead to workflow improvements, which is a crucial role.

Endo (PMO): We regularly shared utilization methods and brainstormed ways to streamline labor-intensive tasks using AI agents. It was important to engage in activities that would raise the members' utilization consciousness.

The implementation PM plays a crucial role in team communication, identifying and solving problems, and realizing cultural transformation. It's vital for an implementation PM not only to introduce Maison AI but also to design and execute strategies that maximize the team's potential value.

As such, an implementation PM functions not merely as an introducer of a new tool but as a key player driving the entire team's transformation.

*3 Template: A characteristic function of Maison AI that standardizes tasks to increase work efficiency.

Point 2: Constructing a Workflow to Encourage User Behavioral Changes

A tool's mere existence is not enough; it needs to be frequently used in daily operations to enhance overall efficiency. Key to this is figuring out how to induce changes in user behavior.

What challenges or difficulties did you face in promoting its adoption?

Han (Dev): Although we got a "that makes sense" response to the tool's announcement, people often forgot to use Maison AI in their day-to-day work.

Ushiyama (CG): When production started, our CG team found little opportunity to use Maison AI or ChatGPT. It was quite challenging to segment tasks and construct a workflow with AI usage in mind.

Kitagawa (Marketing): The difficult part of implementation is changing users' habits. If the UX and workflow aren't integrated into various operations, those who don't use it continue not to.

Endo (PMO): In the Biz team, we used it mainly for research tasks, but usage would drop off once those tasks were completed. Like other teams, we needed to create a workflow that encouraged continuous use.

As the interviews suggest, encouraging user behavioral change requires reevaluating existing workflows and integrating Maison AI into new routines effectively.

To maximize the tool's impact, it's not just about introducing it, but deeply observing and understanding user habits and workflows, and then designing strategies to integrate the new tool into daily operations, ultimately enhancing the team's productivity and creativity.

These efforts lead to a deeper understanding and utilization of Maison AI across the entire team.

Point 3: Considering Flexible Implementation Methods Tailored to Each Team and Individual

Understanding the diversity of professions and operations within a team and adopting a flexible approach is crucial.

What kind of support was provided in using Maison AI, and what results were achieved?

Han (Dev): Our development team didn't use Maison AI much, so we changed our approach and conducted surveys on how engineers could use AI in their work.

Ushiyama (CG): In the CG team, where job roles are highly specialized, there were roles for which AI could not be consulted. However, those involved in designing based on brand concepts continued to use it. So, the implementation rate is likely to vary significantly by profession.

Kitagawa (Marketing): The most beneficial aspect for the marketing team was the history screen. Especially when struggling with how to write something, the history being a reference was very helpful. Although Midjourney shares prompts and results within the service, ChatGPT prompts are not always applicable to our work.

Endo (PMO): I believe the history function is where Maison AI is most valuable.

 

As a flexible implementation method, it's important to combine individual and team success stories.

• Individual success examples: Design and planning tasks
  • Bouncing off image sources
  • Creating presentation outlines
• Team success examples: Integrating into daily workflows
  • Reviewing newsletter content
  • Creating and reviewing outlines for advertising writing
  • Reviewing prompts for image generation

Furthermore, as the marketing team commented, Maison AI's history function is particularly effective in team implementation. Sharing individual success stories within the team provides hints for new usage ideas and approaches. This feature does not limit itself to individual abilities but expands the capabilities of talented team members.

Conclusion

The three key points for effectively implementing Maison AI in a team are:

1. Establishing an Implementation PM for Smooth Team Onboarding
2. Constructing a Workflow to Encourage User Behavioral Changes
3. Considering Flexible Implementation Methods Tailored to Each Team and Individual

Properly executing these elements can significantly enhance a team's productivity, creativity, and collaboration through Maison AI.

Efficient implementation through an Implementation PM, inducing user behavioral changes, and adopting flexible approaches tailored to each team and individual's needs, ensure that Maison AI responds to organizational demands and maximizes its value.

For a smoother and more effective implementation of Maison AI in your team, utilize these points for implementation!