The Track
A Section Blog

7 hard-won lessons from deploying AI at scale

Why shadow AI is probably happening in your company
We surveyed over 5,000 knowledge workers in the second half of 2024 on AI knowledge, skill, and usage. One of the most troubling takeaways: AI use is happening, whether your company sanctions it or not, and the implications are huge.

ChatGPT Canvas: OpenAI's Trojan Horse for Enterprise Domination
If you missed the launch of ChatGPT's Canvas feature, don’t be surprised – its launch didn't generate the usual hype. But Canvas offers an interesting glimpse into the future of OpenAI's strategic direction.

How I use AI to help my boss prepare for board meetings
We’re not shy about sharing our favorite AI use case: Leveraging it as a thought partner. But not all LLMs are created equally – so Section’s Chief of Staff to the COO, Ana, is sharing how they rank as thought partners for one of her most strategic use cases: Preparing the quarterly board deck.

The hidden reasons you’re not using AI every day
We’ve been taught all our lives to value original ideas and hard work, but using AI challenges these principles. But you have to get over this thinking, because your CEO already has.

3 steps to uncover your real competitors (hint: they may not be who you think)
April Dunford is a product positioning expert who helps executives zero in on the real competitive alternatives to their product.
In this post, we’ll share some of her tips.

7 steps to writing a powerful sales pitch
In life, great stories can have a profound impact. Hence why you (we) wept like a baby at the end of Titanic.
But great stories don’t just belong on the big screen. Their power belongs in the business world too. The key to a sales pitch that wins clients, gets business, and drives results? You guessed it. Storytelling.
In this post, we’re going to walk you through positioning master April Dunford’s sales story framework. This is the narrative that helps you easily communicate the unique value of your product to customers.

Which skills matter? Employees and L&D leaders don’t always agree [research]
Which skills matter in the modern workplace – to get promoted, to get ahead, to impact the business? It turns out that employees and learning leaders don’t always agree.
We recently surveyed 10,000 students and 250 learning leaders on the skills that are their biggest priority in 2023.

Want to build the next Airbnb? 4 steps to get started
Airbnb changed the way we travel without purchasing any hotels. Uber made it easier to get around without amassing their own fleet. And DoorDash took care of breakfast without cracking a single egg.
The common thread between these companies is that they’re platform businesses. Rather than selling products directly, they’re providing a platform that conveniently connects sellers and buyers.
How do you follow in their footsteps? Here are four steps that can help you build a platform of your own.