Most AI projects fail before a single line of code is written.
They fail because nobody figured out, in writing, where AI would actually move the needle for the specific business. The vendor showed up with a chatbot. The team showed up with a wishlist. Somebody approved a budget. Six months later, there is a half-built thing, nobody uses it, and the executive sponsor is quietly distancing themselves.
The Assessment is the diagnostic step that almost nobody does. Two to three weeks, fixed fee, no upsell required. You walk away knowing where AI is worth spending money in your business, where it is not, and what to do next.
It is also the most natural way to start a longer partnership. Most engagements that follow are ongoing technology partnerships, not one-off builds. If you take the report and execute it yourself or hand it to another vendor, that is also a fine outcome. The point is that you leave the engagement with a clear plan, either way.
Six Things You Walk Away With
Everything is delivered in writing. Nothing depends on remembering what was said on a call.
Audit of Cost, Time, and Risk
Where in your business is AI removing meaningful cost or time, or reducing real risk? Everything from operations to sales to customer support gets a look.
Tech and Data Inventory
An honest inventory of what you have, what you do not, and what would need to be in place for AI to actually deliver value rather than disappoint.
Prioritized Opportunity List
Three to five concrete AI opportunities, each scored on ROI versus effort, with the trade-offs spelled out so you can actually decide.
90-Day Implementation Plan
What to do first, second, and third, with realistic timelines, costs, and decision points. Not a glossy roadmap that sits in a drawer.
Where AI Will Not Help
An explicit list of the places where AI is the wrong tool. This is the most valuable section. Knowing where not to spend is half the win.
Working Session
A live 90-minute walkthrough at the end. Ask hard questions, push back on the recommendations, and leave with a plan you actually understand and own.
From kickoff call to final written report and working session.
Fixed fee, agreed up front. No surprise scope or hourly drift.
Written report and plan. Execute with me, with another vendor, or in-house.
This is a fit if you are
- Small business owners doing $1M to $20M in revenue who suspect they are falling behind on AI
- Founders who want a sober second opinion before committing to an AI initiative
- Operators who have heard the AI pitches and want someone to translate them into actual P&L impact
- Anyone who needs a written, prioritized plan they can hand to a team, a board, or a future hire
This is not a fit if you are
- Enterprises with dedicated AI teams already in place — you do not need this
- Companies looking for the cheapest possible AI implementation, regardless of fit
- Founders who already know exactly what they want built and just need a developer to ship it
The Process, End to End
Discovery and Inventory
Kickoff call, stakeholder interviews, look at the tools and data you already have. Walk the business end to end.
Analysis and Drafting
Identify and rank opportunities. Score each one on ROI and effort. Write the report and the plan.
Working Session and Handoff
Live walkthrough of the report. Pressure-test the recommendations together. Hand over everything in writing.