Clarity before code. Strategy before spend.
Before you build anything with AI, you need to know what's actually worth building. I help leadership teams cut through the hype and make confident, grounded decisions about where AI fits in their business.
Most companies are solving the wrong AI problem.
The conversation usually goes one of two ways. Either leadership is convinced AI is essential but can't articulate what it should actually do. Or a team has already spent money on an AI pilot that didn't stick — and they're not sure why.
In both cases, the issue isn't the technology. It's the absence of a clear-eyed look at the business problem first. What does success look like? Who will use this? What data do we have? What does it cost to be wrong?
These questions aren't glamorous. But skipping them is why most AI projects get scrapped six months after launch.
“The best AI strategy I've seen always started with someone saying ‘wait, what are we actually trying to do here?’”
My consulting process
Every engagement is different, but the shape is usually the same.
Discovery & immersion
I spend time understanding your business from the inside — how decisions get made, where the friction is, what data exists and in what shape, and who the real stakeholders are. This is the part most consultants skip. I don't.
Opportunity mapping
I map your business functions against what AI can realistically do today — not in five years. I look for high-value, lower-risk opportunities that your team can actually execute on with your current data and capabilities.
Prioritization & rationale
Not everything should get built. I give you a ranked list of opportunities with honest ROI reasoning, effort estimates, and the dependencies that would make each one succeed or fail.
Roadmap & plan to execute
The output is a clear, executable roadmap — not a slide deck full of frameworks. It includes vendor recommendations, build vs. buy guidance, data requirements, and the internal changes you'll need to make it work.
Execution & ongoing advisory (optional)
I stay on and execute the project hands-on through delivery. Once the work is done, I offer ongoing advisory as needed — sanity-checking decisions and supporting the team as they build on what we've put in place.
Is this the right engagement for you?
This service works best in specific situations. Be honest with yourself about which one fits.
You don't have an AI strategy yet
Leadership knows AI matters but hasn't committed to a direction. You need a clear, defensible plan — not a vendor's pitch deck.
You've tried AI and it didn't work
A pilot failed to reach production. You want to understand what went wrong before investing again.
You're evaluating vendors or tools
You're being pitched by multiple AI vendors and you want independent perspective on what's real vs. hype.
You need to make the case internally
You believe in the AI opportunity but need a credible, board-ready rationale to get the investment approved.
Outcomes from this work
A clear AI position
A written, defensible point of view on what AI means for your business — specific to your sector, your data, and your competitive context.
A prioritized roadmap
Ranked opportunities with honest ROI estimates, effort levels, data requirements, and the sequencing rationale behind each choice.
Confidence to act
Leadership alignment on what to build, what to skip, and what to watch. Fewer debates. Faster decisions. Less wasted motion.
Ready to get clear on AI?
Start with a free 30-minute intro call. I'll ask a few questions, you'll ask yours, and we'll figure out if there's a fit. No pitch, no pressure.
Schedule a free call