What does an AI consultant actually do?
An AI consultant helps a business identify where AI can save time or improve a workflow, then turns that into a practical implementation plan. In a small business context, that usually means mapping one repeated process, deciding what should stay human, setting up the right workflow or automation, and documenting it so the team can keep using it after handover.
How much does AI consulting cost for a small business in Australia?
Most engagements start with a free process audit. Paid work is usually fixed-scope and quoted before work begins. A Workflow & AI Systems Consult is typically $450-$900 and includes a practical written output, such as notes, a simple workflow map, and next steps. Smaller workflow setups usually sit between $1,500 and $3,500, and larger AI workflow implementations are commonly $3,500-$7,500+ depending on complexity.
How much does workflow automation cost?
A small workflow setup is usually $1,500-$3,500 when the process is clearly defined and only one workflow needs to be improved. Larger AI workflow implementations are usually $3,500-$7,500+ when the work involves multiple tools, review rules, handoffs, or integrations. The free process audit helps decide whether automation is worth building before you spend money.
How much does an internal knowledge system setup cost?
Internal Knowledge System Setup usually ranges from $1,500-$6,500+ depending on how scattered the documentation is, how many SOPs or notes need structure, and whether the system needs AI-assisted retrieval. The goal is to turn scattered documents, SOPs, prompts, and process knowledge into a searchable system the team can actually use.
What kind of businesses do you work with?
Small service businesses — typically 2 to 20 people — where admin, follow-up, and internal process consistency are costing time and revenue. Common industries include professional services (accountants, bookkeepers, financial advisers), trades businesses (builders, plumbers, electricians), allied health practices, and real estate agencies. Most clients are based in Sydney or operate remotely across Australia.
Do I need to change my current software to work with you?
No. The starting point is always working within the tools you already have — Xero, Gmail, HubSpot, Notion, or whatever your team uses day-to-day. Adding new platforms is a last resort, not a default. If a tool change would genuinely help, that conversation happens openly with a clear cost-benefit rationale.
How long does it take to see results from AI implementation?
Simple workflow improvements — like automating a follow-up sequence or building a reusable prompt template — can show results within the first two weeks. More structural changes, like redesigning an onboarding process or building a knowledge system, typically take four to eight weeks to implement and another month to settle and prove value.
What is a process audit and what does it involve?
The free process audit is a short intake (around 10 minutes) where you describe one admin problem that is costing you time. From that, I map the current workflow, identify where the friction is coming from, and produce a short written action plan with two or three practical fixes — including which can be done with AI and which are just process design problems. You leave with a clear picture of what to do next, regardless of whether we work together further.
Is AI actually useful for a small business with 5 people?
Yes, but the framing matters. For a five-person business, AI is most useful as a way to reduce the repetitive cognitive load on the people you have — drafting, summarising, classifying, and preparing information — rather than replacing roles. The businesses that see the most value from AI are usually the ones that define a clear process first and then attach AI to the repetitive parts of it.
Can you help with AI tools I'm already using, like ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes. Part of the work is often helping teams use the tools they already have more consistently — building prompt templates, setting up workflows, and creating review rules that make AI outputs more reliable. If your team is using ChatGPT or Claude ad-hoc with inconsistent results, that is a solvable problem.
What happens after you finish the implementation — are we on our own?
Everything is documented so your team can maintain and improve it without being dependent on me. The handover includes a short explanation of how each system works, what to do if it breaks, and how to extend it. Optional ongoing support is available for refinement, monitoring, and reasonable running costs for the agreed system. If a workflow needs unusually high API usage, a major paid platform upgrade, or a new third-party subscription, that is scoped before it is added.
Do you work with businesses outside Sydney?
Yes. Most client work is conducted remotely, so geography is not a constraint. Clients are based across Australia — including Melbourne, Brisbane, and regional areas. For Sydney-based clients, in-person sessions are available.
How is this different from hiring a large consulting firm?
Large firms are built for enterprise engagements — complex transformation projects with long timelines and high fees. The work here is deliberately scoped for small service businesses: practical, fast to implement, built inside your existing tools, and documented clearly. The person you talk to is the person doing the work.
How is this different from an AI agency?
An AI agency is often built around broader campaigns, production capacity, or larger delivery teams. This work is narrower and more hands-on. The focus is on one business process at a time, practical implementation inside your existing tools, and a documented system your team can actually maintain. The goal is not to sell more AI. The goal is to make the work run better.