Breakfree Consulting · Case studies

    AI that changed how the work gets done.

    Four enterprise engagements across people, processes and systems. Client names are withheld; each is described by its industry.

    PeopleProcessesSystems
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    From watermelon KPIs to performance that's measured honestly

    An AI-assisted way for managers in three regions to turn strategy into KPIs that connect from the CEO to the front line.

    ~100
    managers
    8
    functions
    3
    regions

    The challenge

    Strategy was cascading as a mix of measurable outcomes and vague intentions, and goals at one level didn't feed the next. The result was "watermelon KPIs": green on the dashboard, red underneath.

    Our approach

    1. Aligned leadership on what a strategic KPI is and how goals should cascade through the organisation.

    2. Equipped managers to use AI to turn their own real goals into measurable, connected KPIs.

    3. Embedded a simple system for validating and tracking KPIs, so the method outlived the programme.

    The impact

    • One common KPI language, from CXOs to line managers, across three regions
    • Strategy linked to team-level measures that every function can own
    • A repeatable way to set, validate and track KPIs, now part of how managers work

    Why it worked

    We didn't teach KPI theory. Leaders and managers worked on their own goals, so the programme produced real KPIs, not notes.

    From opening Outlook to opening Copilot

    An AI-first mindset shift for 1,500 employees across Asia Pacific, rated 4.5 out of 5.

    1,500
    employees
    10
    sessions
    4.5/5
    participant rating

    The challenge

    Copilot was available, but habits hadn't changed. The organisation needed AI to become the first step in everyday work, used safely, across very different markets and roles.

    Our approach

    1. Two journeys designed separately for people leaders and individual contributors.

    2. Two guiding principles anchored every session before any tool was introduced.

    3. Mindset into daily practice with Copilot, plus one-on-one coaching so executives led the change.

    Principle 1 — Value first

    Start from the business problem, then the value, then the return. Never from the tool.

    Principle 2 — Safe and responsible AI

    Understand what AI can and can't be trusted with, and use it within company guidelines.

    The impact

    • AI adoption reframed as a business-value decision, not a software rollout
    • A shared AI-first language and framework across five-plus markets
    • Leaders equipped to build AI-ready teams, with executives visibly leading the change

    Why it worked

    We treated AI adoption as a behaviour change. Starting with why and how to stay safe gave people the confidence to make AI part of their day.

    Classroom training, rebuilt for an AI Trainer

    A human-certified AI Trainer that gets new hires job-ready faster, with learning personalised to each person.

    The challenge

    Classroom process training was slow to scale and the same for everyone. An AI Trainer could change that, but only if it learned from the right content and could be trusted to teach.

    Our approach

    1. Rebuilt classroom content into bite-sized, AI-ready modules, structured so the AI finds the right piece for each learner.

    2. Personalised learning through self-assessment and hands-on simulations.

    3. Built trust in with validation at every step and human maker-checker certification before go-live.

    The impact

    • A faster, more scalable path from training to the operations floor
    • Learning that adapts to each new hire instead of one pace for all
    • A governance model the client can rely on for AI-led training

    Why it worked

    Most AI training projects start with the tool. We started with the content and the controls, drawing on our experience converting classroom training into AI-led learning.

    One source of truth for organisational knowledge

    Scattered SOPs and documents turned into one vetted knowledge source that feeds interactive, mastery-checked learning.

    The challenge

    Knowledge sat across teams and folders. SOPs lacked version control, documents fell behind whenever products or processes changed, and building training from them was slow and one-off.

    Our approach

    1. Vetted before trusted. Every source document was checked for currency, ownership and conflicts, then centralised in one AI-native repository.

    2. Knowledge into learning, by design. The repository feeds learning built on instructional-design principles, matched to the topic, the learner's level and how it's delivered, with a mastery check before anything is marked complete.

    3. Governance built in. Design and safety checks plus a named human reviewer before anything publishes, running on the AI models the client already approves.

    The impact

    • One trusted, current source for SOPs and process knowledge
    • Learning built directly from approved knowledge, reused across programmes and updated everywhere when a source changes
    • An AI layer that fits the client's existing technology and governance, with no rebuild

    Why it worked

    We treated knowledge as a living system, not a folder. Every document is vetted before it's trusted, and every lesson is reviewed by a person before it's published.

    Why Breakfree

    What these engagements have in common

    Different industries, different problems. The same way of working.

    Systems, not just sessions

    Every engagement leaves something that keeps running after we leave.

    Behaviour change at scale

    We change how people actually work, across levels, cultures and countries.

    Designed for every level

    Separate journeys for CXOs, people leaders and individual contributors.

    Human judgement built in

    AI drafts. People decide, review and certify.

    Learning design depth

    Content structured so both people and AI learn from it well.

    Tools you already own

    No new platform to buy. We make your existing AI tools work for you.

    Which of these sounds like your team?

    In a 30-minute discovery session, we'll map where AI can help your people, processes and systems first.