To effectively customize AI models while managing costs and timelines, organizations should adopt a clear evaluation strategy that assesses required accuracy and investment returns, considering methods like parameter-efficient fine-tuning, full fine-tuning, custom post-training, and custom pre-training. Model customization should be viewed as an ongoing process that extends beyond simple tuning to include application, infrastructure, and connector adjustments. Successful AI deployment plans integrate flexibility, scalability, and compliance from the start to prevent issues like cost overruns and security concerns. Key strategies include employing dynamic scaling, maintaining security through private deployment and continuous monitoring, and ensuring seamless integration into existing systems with robust strategies and agentic AI solutions. Investing in custom AI with proprietary and synthetic data can preserve accuracy and value, necessitating partnerships with true AI collaborators rather than traditional vendors. By embedding these strategies, businesses can accelerate their AI deployment, minimize setbacks, and achieve meaningful real-world outcomes.