Compound Leverage

I met with a new client who runs a service business.

They asked me a question that's becoming increasingly common:

"Should I make wholesale changes to my workflow with AI?”

My answer is always no. Instead, I advise saying, “Let’s break the process into the key pillars, then identify what would have the most significant impact on your business in the next 12 months and start there. After a few wins, you can expand into other parts of the process.”

This is about more than just service businesses. Leaders across industries are looking for ways to leverage AI without the risks and costs of large-scale implementations.

The key? Having Zero to 1 instead of Zero to 100 thinking.

From my years as a management consultant, SaaS Founder, and 9-to-5er, I've seen countless tech projects.

Whether it's a small Zapier automation or a large-scale enterprise software rollout, success comes from being tight and focused on your goals. Light a software startup.

Here's why:

1. Lower risk, faster implementation

2. Quick wins build momentum

3. Easier adoption by your team

4. Flexibility to adjust as you learn

All projects start with great intentions. But the dream vs. reality gap widens when leaders swing for the fences instead of aiming for first base. The odds of scoring are far greater with single after single vs. hoping for the big outcome at once.

This holds for AI projects.

Use the THINK Method for Small AI Wins:

The leaders I talk to often share a common theme:

"My growth is capped because our process has too many manual steps. The only way to grow is hiring more people to work a process that isn't scalable."

Sound familiar?

AI can help. But not by trying to automate everything today. Start with one task. Get a win. Then, build on that success.

Are you ready to take the first step?

My challenge to you is:

Identify one manual task in your business process that's holding you back.

Then, work on a small AI automation that would make a big difference.

Marvin