Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about AI consulting for owner-operated SMBs
What is an AI Opportunity Audit?
It's a paid 1–2 week diagnostic engagement (£5,000–£15,000 depending on scope). I interview you and 3–5 key team members, map every workflow end-to-end, find the expensive bottlenecks, quantify the £ cost of each, and deliver a prioritised AI roadmap covering quick wins, big swings, and ROI projections. You walk away with the roadmap regardless of whether you hire me to build it.
How much does an AI consultant cost?
The 30-minute discovery call is free. The AI Opportunity Audit is £5,000–£15,000 depending on your business size and complexity. Implementation projects vary by scope, typically £8,000–£60,000+. Monthly advisory retainers are £3,000–£5,000. Most clients see payback inside 12 months — often far faster — based on the £ value the audit identifies.
Do I need technical knowledge to work with you?
Not at all. I'm specifically the consultant for non-technical owners and senior leaders. I translate AI into plain English, ROI numbers, and business outcomes. I also provide team training so your staff feel confident with whatever we put in place.
What types of businesses do you work with?
Owner-operated SMBs with roughly 10–100 staff and £1m–£50m in revenue. Sweet-spot industries include manufacturing, professional services, accountancy, property management, healthcare practices, estate agents, recruitment, and trades businesses with sales teams. The common thread is an owner who's still personally doing work AI could do better.
What if I just want a roadmap, not the build?
Totally fine. The audit ends with a prioritised AI roadmap that's yours to keep — even if you take it elsewhere to implement. No lock-in, no pressure. Most clients do choose to have me build at least the quick-win solutions, but it's never a requirement.
Is there an AI consultant near Plymouth, Devon?
Yes. I'm Chanikul, an AI consultant based in Plymouth, Devon, UK. I work face to face with business owners across Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay, Cornwall, and the wider South West, plus remote engagements across the UK and internationally. Book a free 30-minute discovery call at chanikul.com/book.
How long does an AI Opportunity Audit take?
1–2 weeks from kick-off — discovery interviews, workflow mapping, ROI analysis, and final delivered roadmap. If we move into implementation, typical projects take 2–8 weeks depending on complexity, with you seeing measurable results inside the first month.
Do you build the AI yourself or just consult?
Both. I'm a diagnostic consultant who can also ship — I build live production software solo, including the TRT Platform clinical SaaS for UK men's-health clinics. For client implementations I either build directly using Claude Code or partner with specialist white-label implementers for larger or specialised builds.
Can AI replace my employees?
No, and that's not the goal. AI handles the boring bits — the repetitive admin, copy-pasting, chasing — so your team can focus on the work that actually matters and that you actually pay them for. The MIT research is clear: implementations that frame AI as a replacement fail; implementations that frame it as enhancement deliver the ROI.
Have a question that's not listed here? Get in touch at chanikul@googlemail.com or book a free 30-minute discovery call.