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Impro.ai is a tech company developing and pioneering a new technology field called Performance Technology, which we believe will be a game changer in the business world, bridging the gap between coaching and performance to empower both individuals and organizations.
Josh Blair, CEO and co-founder of Impro.ai, is at the forefront of this breakthrough. Using a combination of real people (Impro Performance Strategists, or IPS) and AI, the platform not only improves the way employees think, act, and practice, but also provides actionable insights to executives. Impro.ai will not only empower individuals, it will revolutionize the way organizations operate.
The essence of performance technology
It's fair to say that performance technology is designed to address a common organizational frustration: the disconnect between acquiring new knowledge and changing the mindset, behavior, and habits that improve performance. “Most corporate learning is a great experience for employees and a great engagement tool and employee retention tool,” Blair explains. “But the translation of new knowledge into improved performance is minimal.” The need for systems that enable employees to effectively apply new skills in their daily work has never been greater.
Traditional corporate learning models often involve periodic training sessions that, while engaging, fail to instill lasting behavioral change. This is where Impro.ai comes in, providing a continuous learning environment driven by real people (performance strategists) and seamlessly integrating it into team members' daily work, so performance improvement is no longer theoretical, but practical and effective.
Leveraging AI for personal and organizational growth
Impro.ai combines the expertise of performance strategists with the power of AI to improve individual performance. The AI monitors interactions on the Impro platform to identify patterns and provide customized guidance. “Our AI engine looks for patterns and maps them into three broad categories: weaknesses, strengths, and biases,” explains Blair. This targeted approach addresses specific performance issues, leading to measurable improvements.
For example, Impro helps frontline managers develop new habits with daily guidance. “We ask our people to spend five minutes a day working with Impro,” says Blair. “Small changes add up to big changes over time.” The method is rooted in author James Clear's excellent book on “atomic habits,” which emphasizes how small, consistent efforts add up to big results over the long term.
This model of everyday interactions is essential to instilling new behaviors and habits. According to MIT research, repeated actions become automatic in the brain, allowing habits to become deeply ingrained. The study explains that when we repeat a behavior, areas of the brain such as the frontal lobes and basal ganglia become more efficient, requiring fewer neurons to achieve a goal. This neurological rationale underscores the effectiveness of Impro's approach, where small, consistent actions lead to significant and lasting behavioral changes.
Practical Applications and Success Stories
The real impact of performance technology is evident in several success stories. One notable example is TELUS. Blair says, “In our first year working with TELUS, they invested $75,000 and saw a 20x ROI, delivering $1.5 million in net new benefits.”
Another success story is software company Dye & Durham, which saw significant cost savings after a pilot project in their area of business: “We invested less than $5,000 in our company over a three-month period, saving $65,000 and achieving a 17-fold ROI,” Blair recalls.
Impro's success isn't limited to large enterprises. Blair cites the example of Markitech, a healthcare technology company that had plateaued at a certain revenue level. With Impro's guidance, the company identified strategic drivers that helped it break through the revenue ceiling and achieve a 50x ROI.
These examples highlight how performance technology can drive financial benefits and improve organizational efficiency.
The role of data-driven insights
Josh Blair, CEO of Impro.ai
A key benefit of performance technology is its ability to provide actionable insights to executives. As I noted in a past Forbes column, traditional employee engagement surveys often only provide superficial data. Blair emphasizes, “We provide real, meaningful, actionable insights to the executive team around their employees.” This comprehensive data empowers leaders to make informed decisions that directly impact performance.
Blair also highlights the broader implications of these insights: “We understand patterns across platforms, map them to a model of organizational behavior, and provide recommendations to management.” This strategic approach enables companies to identify strengths and weaknesses for more effective management practices.
Performance technology as part of the future of work
As companies move into the future, the integration of performance technologies will become increasingly important. Blair emphasizes the importance of adaptability, stating, “AI will be a major disruptor to the professional world. Individuals will have to reinvent themselves in ways they've never experienced before.” Embracing these changes and leveraging performance technologies is crucial for organizations looking to stay competitive.
Blair's AI predictions have also come true: A PwC report said AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, highlighting its transformative potential.
Performance technology offers powerful tools to businesses looking to improve individual and organizational performance. By combining human insights with AI-driven data, businesses can reach new levels of efficiency and effectiveness.
Blair's work at Impro.ai demonstrates that the future of work is about harnessing the potential of technology to drive meaningful and sustainable growth for employees. Those who adapt and innovate will lead the way, translating new everyday habits into extraordinary performance.
Read the full interview with Josh Blair and Dan Pontefract here Leadership Today Check out the program below or listen on your favorite podcast.
