Small Business Starter Tier Success
90-Day ROI at SMB Budget Levels
THE ENTERPRISE GAP
"AI is for big companies with big budgets."
I hear this constantly. And it's wrong.
Only 10% of large enterprises currently use AI agents—but the technology they're using isn't locked behind enterprise paywalls. The same large language models, the same automation platforms, the same integration capabilities are available to a 75-person company for a fraction of the cost.
The difference isn't access. It's implementation.
THE SITUATION
A professional services firm with 85 employees came to us skeptical. They'd been burned before—expensive software implementations that promised transformation and delivered shelf-ware.
"We don't need another platform," the operations director told me. "We need someone who understands how we actually work."
Their concerns were valid:
• Limited IT resources (no dedicated tech team)
• Staff already stretched thin (no capacity for lengthy training)
• Previous bad experiences with consultants who disappeared after implementation
• Tight budget that couldn't justify enterprise-tier solutions
THE APPROACH
We started with our Starter engagement—designed specifically for companies who need results without the enterprise price tag or timeline.
The first 30 days focused on one thing: a clear AI roadmap. Not a generic playbook, but a prioritized list of opportunities specific to their workflows, their pain points, their team's capabilities.
Days 31-60 shifted to implementation. We identified three "quick win" automations that could demonstrate value fast:1. Client intake documentation (manual → AI-assisted)2. Meeting summary generation (saving 3-4 hours weekly)3. Internal knowledge base search (reducing repeated questions)
Days 61-90 focused on adoption. Training wasn't a one-day workshop—it was embedded support as the team actually used the tools.
THE TRANSFORMATION
At the 90-day mark, we asked the operations director for her assessment.
"Honestly? I wish we'd done this a year ago. The ROI isn't even close—it paid for itself in the first month."
What changed:
• Team confidence with AI tools went from hesitant to habitual
• Three workflows that used to require manual effort now run automatically
• Leadership has visibility into AI opportunities across the organization
• Staff morale improved (nobody likes repetitive busywork)
THE RESULTS
• Clear AI roadmap within 30 days
• 3-5 quick wins implemented by day 90
• ROI exceeding monthly investment within the first billing cycle
• Foundation for expanded AI adoption without starting over
THE SMB ADVANTAGE
Enterprise AI implementations average 12-18 months to show results. This firm saw returns in 30 days.
They didn't need a massive transformation. They needed targeted wins that built momentum—and a partner who would stick around to make sure adoption actually happened.
That's the difference between AI consulting and AI enablement.
