Frequently Asked Questions

AI strategy consulting helps businesses figure out where and how AI can create real value. Instead of jumping straight to tools and technology, a strategy consultant starts with your business goals, evaluates your readiness, identifies the highest-impact use cases, and creates a prioritized implementation plan. Think of it as the blueprint phase — you wouldn't build a house without an architect, and you shouldn't implement AI without a strategy.

Development companies build AI solutions. I help you figure out what solutions to build (or buy), in what order, and why. Many businesses waste significant budget by jumping to implementation before they have a clear strategy. I provide the strategic layer — the assessment, roadmap, and architecture — so that when you do hire developers or purchase tools, you're investing in the right things.

No. I focus on strategy, architecture, and enablement. I help you understand what AI can do for your business, design the approach, and ensure your team (or chosen implementation partners) can execute effectively. I'll help you write RFPs, evaluate vendors, and make technology decisions — but the hands-on building is done by your team or contracted specialists.

Most engagements follow a clear progression: (1) Free discovery call to understand your goals, (2) AI Readiness Assessment to evaluate your current state, (3) Strategy and Roadmap development with specific recommendations, (4) Enablement — training your team and supporting initial execution. Some clients do all four phases; others start with just the assessment. Every engagement is scoped to what you actually need.

Engagements typically range from $5,000 to $40,000 depending on scope. An AI Readiness Assessment starts at $5,000-$15,000. A full Strategy and Roadmap is $10,000-$30,000. Ongoing fractional AI strategist retainers run $3,000-$10,000/month. I'll always give you a clear scope and fixed price before we start — no surprise bills.

An AI Readiness Assessment typically takes 2-4 weeks. A full Strategy and Roadmap takes 4-8 weeks. Fractional engagements are ongoing, usually minimum 3 months. Timeline depends on the size of your organization and the complexity of your AI ambitions.

That's exactly what an AI Readiness Assessment answers. But here are some baseline indicators: you have digital data (even spreadsheets count), you have repeatable processes that could benefit from automation, and your leadership is open to change. You don't need perfect data or a technical team to start — you just need willingness to invest in strategy before technology.

The ROI comes from three places: (1) Avoiding wasted spend on AI tools and projects that don't deliver value, (2) Focusing your AI budget on the highest-impact use cases first, (3) Accelerating time-to-value by starting with a clear plan instead of trial and error. Most clients find that the cost of strategy consulting is a fraction of what they would have spent on failed AI experiments without one.

Absolutely. Many businesses have adopted AI tools opportunistically — a chatbot here, a content tool there — without a cohesive strategy. I can audit your current AI landscape, identify gaps and overlaps, and create a unified strategy that ties everything together and scales effectively.

Book a free 30-minute strategy call. We'll discuss your business goals, current challenges, and whether AI strategy consulting is the right fit. No sales pitch — just an honest conversation. Schedule your free call here.