Session Description
Every week, small business owners are told they're falling behind on AI — by vendors with something to sell and competitors who look more advanced than they are. This session cuts through that noise and starts somewhere more useful: your clients.
Before deciding which AI tools to adopt, there's a more fundamental question: what do your clients need that you're not delivering yet? What would they love to be able to do? The businesses getting real returns from AI aren't starting with tools — they're starting with those conversations.
This workshop helps you identify those client gaps, think through whether and how AI can address them, and then apply the RISE framework — Return, Investment, Support, Expectations — to assess whether you're set up to deliver. You'll leave with a clearer picture of where to focus, what it will realistically take, and who needs to own it.
What this session covers
Why most AI decisions are made for the wrong reasons — and how to recognize when you're doing it
How to identify unmet client needs that AI could realistically address
How to evaluate any AI initiative against four practical criteria before you spend another dollar
How to set up for success the person responsible for making it happen — even if that person is you
What a realistic path to AI ROI looks like for a small firm
Learning objectives Participants will leave able to:
Identify the client needs their AI investments should be addressing
Assess their current AI initiatives against four practical criteria (the RISE framework)
Pinpoint where their biggest gap is — return, investment, support, or expectations
Identify next steps to get started, including who is best positioned to do the (additional) work
Target audience
Small business owners who are using or considering AI tools but are unsure whether they're getting a return. Also relevant for service firms and consultants who sell or recommend AI-powered offerings to their clients.
No technical background required. Attendees should have some familiarity with AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Copilot, or similar) — either currently using them, recently trialed them, or actively evaluating them for their business.