The McKinsey Killer: How Print Leaders Are Accessing Enterprise Intelligence Without the Six-Figure Price Tag

By Steve Metcalf, Founder of IMAGINE AI LIVE

What if you could have a team of PhD-level researchers and McKinsey consultants working for your printing business at a fraction of the cost? The emerging combination of deep reasoning and research AI models isn't just changing the game—it's creating an entirely new playing field for businesses of all sizes. The intelligence that was once the exclusive domain of enterprise corporations is now available to everyone bold enough to embrace it.

In the rapidly evolving AI landscape, a transformation is underway that's reshaping how businesses access intelligence. Just six months ago, it existed only in research labs. Today, it's accessible to businesses of all sizes, including those in the printing and packaging industry. I'm talking about the emergence of deep reasoning and deep research AI models—a development so significant that it's democratizing what was once the exclusive domain of enterprise-level corporations with six-figure research budgets.

1/ Deep Reasoning Models: The AI That Actually Thinks

The first whispers of truly "thinking" AI emerged last November when OpenAI unveiled their 'o' series models. Unlike conventional AI that simply responds to prompts with pre-programmed answers, these deep reasoning models actually think through problems.

The difference is profound. With traditional AI, you need to specify both what you want and how to achieve it. With deep reasoning models, you simply define the what—and the AI determines the how. This shift represents more than incremental improvement; it's a fundamental reimagining of human-machine collaboration.

The race to develop these reasoning capabilities has accelerated dramatically. Beyond OpenAI's pioneering work, we're seeing Elon Musk's XAI enter the arena with Grok 3, while Chinese company DeepSeek has launched their R1 model at a fraction of previous costs. This competition is driving both faster processing times and dramatically lower costs, making enterprise-level AI reasoning accessible to businesses of all sizes.

For printing and packaging leaders grappling with production challenges, operational inefficiencies, or growth strategies, these models offer unprecedented support. Imagine having a PhD-level sidekick available to every leader and operator in your company—even on the production floor, where a deep reasoning model could troubleshoot press issues in real-time.

2/ Deep Research Models: Your MBA Team on Demand

If deep reasoning models represent the thinking side of next-generation AI, deep research models constitute the knowledge-gathering component. These specialized AIs scour the internet to conduct comprehensive research on any topic you specify.

Consider what this means in practical terms. Tasks that once required hiring expensive MBA graduates or engaging consulting firms like McKinsey or Boston Consulting Group—often at costs reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars—can now be accomplished in minutes. Whether you need strategic research in your market niche or analysis of emerging industry trends, these models can compile information that would take weeks of manual Google searches, even for experts.

The deep research landscape includes offerings from the expected players like OpenAI and Google (whose Gemini models leverage the company's search expertise), as well as specialized platforms like Perplexity. Each brings unique strengths to the research process, often yielding different but complementary insights.

3/ The Synergy Effect: Combining Reasoning and Research

While each type of model delivers impressive capabilities independently, their true power emerges when used in combination. I've developed a three-step process that unlocks this synergy:

: Start with a baseline AI like ChatGPT 4.5 or Claude Sonnet 3.7 to articulate your research objective. For example: "I need to research regional AI interest groups for potential partnerships."

: Take that initial prompt to a deep reasoning model like OpenAI's o1 Pro. Ask it to refine your research prompt, letting it think through the optimal approach. This creates an expert-level prompt specifically crafted for deep research.

: Take the optimized prompt and simultaneously feed it to several deep research platforms—OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Perplexity, for example. This parallel approach yields diverse perspectives and more comprehensive results.

The outcome? In roughly 30 minutes, you'll receive detailed, citation-rich reports that would have previously cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and taken months to produce. This isn't just faster research—it's research that was previously unattainable for most businesses.

4/ Real-World Applications for Print and Packaging

For printing and packaging companies, these capabilities translate into tangible advantages:

: Deep reasoning models can analyze complex manufacturing variables, identifying inefficiencies invisible to human operators.

: Research models can identify untapped niches or emerging trends, helping companies pivot toward growth opportunities.

: Combined reasoning and research can provide comprehensive competitor analysis, highlighting vulnerabilities and opportunities.

: As we've done at IMAGINE AI LIVE, you can identify potential strategic partners or acquisition targets with unprecedented efficiency.

The defining skill of 2025 and beyond will be the ability to effectively prompt and utilize these advanced AI capabilities. As knowledge becomes available "on tap" to everyone, those who master these tools will possess a decisive advantage.

The Bottom Line: Enterprise Intelligence Goes Mainstream

The emergence of deep reasoning and research models represents nothing less than the democratization of enterprise-level intelligence. What was once available only to corporations with vast resources is now accessible to businesses of all sizes, including printers and packagers.

This isn't simply an evolution of existing technology—it's a revolution in how businesses access intelligence. By combining the problem-solving power of deep reasoning with the comprehensive data-gathering of deep research, companies can achieve insights that were previously unimaginable at their resource level.

For leaders ready to embrace this transformation, the opportunity is now. Those who develop proficiency with these tools today will find themselves at a significant advantage tomorrow, equipped with capabilities that fundamentally alter the competitive landscape.

, happening May 28-30, 2025, in Las Vegas. We'll be hosting a special printing industry track on May 28th in partnership with 

, where you'll learn how to become a prompt engineer, implement AI automation, and deploy AI agents in your business. Spots are filling quickly, so don't miss this opportunity to position your company at the forefront of the AI revolution.

"The combination of deep reasoning and deep research AI delivers enterprise-level intelligence at a fraction of traditional costs."

"Mastering these AI capabilities isn't just a technical skill—it's the defining business advantage of the next decade."

"For printing and packaging companies, these tools offer unprecedented opportunities to optimize operations and identify growth strategies."

The future isn't just approaching—it's here. The question isn't whether these tools will transform your business, but how quickly you'll harness their power to transform it yourself.

The McKinsey Killer: How Print Leaders Are Accessing Strategic Advice Without the Six-Figure Price Tag

AI and Printing: A Match Made in Innovation Heaven

Why the Printing Industry Is Poised to Lead the AI Revolution

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries from healthcare to finance, one sector stands out as an unexpected yet perfect partner: printing. Far from being a relic of the analog age, the printing industry is uniquely equipped to harness AI’s transformative power. With its entrepreneurial roots, fearless embrace of technology, and mastery of complexity, printing isn’t just keeping pace with the AI revolution—it’s poised to lead it. Here’s why this dynamic duo is a match made in innovation heaven.

1/ The Entrepreneurial Edge: A Culture Built for Disruption

At its heart, the printing industry thrives on an entrepreneurial spirit that sets it apart from corporate giants. Many printing companies remain founder- or family-led, fostering a nimbleness that larger, bureaucratic sectors can only envy. This agility translates into rapid decision-making—when a game-changing technology like AI emerges, printers don’t hesitate. They experiment, adapt, and implement, unencumbered by layers of red tape.

This cultural readiness is more than a convenience; it’s a competitive advantage. While other industries deliberate, printing’s entrepreneurial DNA creates fertile ground for AI to take root and flourish. It’s a mindset that says, “If it works, we’ll make it work for us”—and AI is proving to be the perfect fit.

2/ Fearless Pioneers: A Legacy of Tech Adoption

Printers have never shied away from innovation. From the leap to digital presses to the integration of variable data printing, the industry has a proven track record of embracing technologies that enhance quality, efficiency, and profitability. This isn’t reckless experimentation—it’s a pragmatic, ROI-driven approach focused on measurable outcomes: lower costs per image, faster turnarounds, and happier customers.

AI fits seamlessly into this legacy. Whether it’s optimizing workflows, predicting maintenance needs, or personalizing print runs at scale, AI delivers the kind of tangible results printers crave. Early adopters in the industry are already seeing the payoff, positioning themselves ahead of the curve while competitors scramble to catch up. In printing, fearlessness isn’t just a trait—it’s a strategy.

3/ Masters of the Complex: Where AI Meets Its Match

If there’s one thing printers understand, it’s complexity. Every job is a symphony of variables—inks, coatings, substrates, temperatures, speeds, and more—all orchestrated with precision to deliver a flawless product. Add in the challenge of managing intricate customer data, and it’s clear: printers are already experts at juggling the kind of multivariate puzzles AI was built to solve.

This natural synergy is a game-changer. AI thrives on data, and printing generates it in abundance. From fine-tuning press settings to predicting ink consumption, AI can analyze and optimize these variables in real time, taking an already sophisticated process to new heights. For an industry where complexity is second nature, AI isn’t a disruption—it’s the logical next step in an evolutionary journey.

4/ The Visual Frontier: AI-Powered Creativity Meets Print’s Tactile Magic

Printing isn’t just about putting ink on paper—it’s about crafting visual experiences that captivate and connect. Enter generative AI, with its ability to create stunning images, manipulate designs, and push creative boundaries. But it’s more than just artistry—AI-generated designs align perfectly with the production workflow know-how printers have honed for decades. We’re not talking two to four variations; we’re talking thousands at scale, variably tailored to individual needs. Printers already have the capability to make this real, leveraging APIs to image-generation AI model providers just as they did with variable text data in the past.

This isn’t uncharted territory—it’s an extension of what printers do best. Pair these AI-driven visuals with embossing, textured coatings, or specialty finishes, and the result is sensory marketing that engages customers on a deeper level. From personalized packaging to immersive direct mail campaigns, the fusion of cutting-edge visuals, scalable production, and print’s haptic expertise opens doors to possibilities as limitless as they are exciting.

The Future Is Now: Your Invitation to Lead the AI Revolution

The convergence of AI and printing isn’t a distant dream—it’s happening now, and it’s amplifying the industry’s greatest strengths. Entrepreneurial agility, a fearless approach to technology, mastery of complexity, and a passion for visual storytelling all position printing as a leader in the AI era. The result? Innovations that blend the tangible power of print with the intelligent precision of AI, creating value that resonates with customers and drives profitability.

PRINTING United Alliance IMAGINE AI LIVE '25

three days of unparalleled access to the latest in AI

special half-day tailored exclusively for printing industry leaders, creatives, and technologists

. This event is your chance to explore cutting-edge tools, connect with innovators, and position your business at the forefront of this transformation. In a world where AI is redefining what’s possible, this is where printing’s future takes shape—don’t miss it.

: “The printing industry’s entrepreneurial spirit and fearless tech adoption make it the ideal breeding ground for AI innovation.”

: “In a field where managing variables is an art form, AI isn’t just a tool—it’s the natural evolution of printing’s craft.”

: “Marrying AI’s visual prowess with print’s tactile impact unlocks groundbreaking opportunities for customer engagement.”

AI and printing aren’t just compatible—they’re complementary. Together, they’re poised to write the next chapter of an industry that’s always been about pushing boundaries. The question isn’t whether AI belongs in printing—it’s how soon you’ll make it part of your story. See you at 

Innovator's Corner: A Real-Time Patent Brainstorm with Steve Metcalf

In a casual conversation over drinks, Steve Metcalf captures a moment of pure innovation with engineer John Brueggemann, demonstrating how spontaneous ideas can transform into potential patents. This real-world example showcases the power of combining entrepreneurial thinking with technical expertise in the age of AI.

Innovation doesn't always happen in boardrooms or laboratories. Sometimes, the best ideas emerge over casual conversations, as demonstrated in this fascinating exchange between Steve Metcalf and accomplished engineer John Brueggemann. Their impromptu brainstorming session reveals the rapid pace at which innovation can move from concept to potential patent in today's AI-accelerated world.

: John Brueggemann emerges as the archetypal polymath inventor, generating ideas at an impressive rate

: His background combines formal training with extensive practical experience

: Steve's method of recording these conversations demonstrates modern innovation capture techniques

: The current limitations in stick welding control and precision

: A self-feeding gun mechanism for stick welding

: Enhanced control over welding rod proximity and stabilization

: Moving rapidly from idea to legal protection

: Utilizing provisional patents as a first step

: Creating a systematic approach to idea protection

This encounter exemplifies the modern approach to innovation: casual, collaborative, and captured in real-time. The combination of Steve's entrepreneurial mindset and John's technical expertise shows how powerful partnerships can lead to patentable innovations, especially when supported by modern tools and AI-enhanced processes.

"Innovation doesn't follow a schedule - it happens in the moments between moments, over casual conversations and random encounters."

"The modern inventor isn't isolated in a workshop - they're out in the world, sharing ideas and leveraging technology to capture and protect their innovations in real-time."

"In the age of AI and rapid technological advancement, the ability to quickly move from concept to provisional patent can be the difference between a good idea and a market-changing innovation."

Imagine AI Live Blog.

Innovator's Corner: A Real-Time Patent Brainstorm with Steve Metcalf

Innovator's Corner: A Real-Time Patent Brainstorm with Steve Metcalf

The Art of Capturing Innovation

The Breakthrough Concept

The Power of Provisional Patents

Conclusion

Key Takeaways

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The McKinsey Killer: How Print Leaders Are Accessing Strategic Advice Without the Six-Figure Price Tag

AI and Printing: A Match Made in Innovation Heaven