Most small businesses don’t have a tools problem. They have a process problem. And adding AI on top of a broken process doesn’t fix it — it just makes the mess move faster.

In this episode, Dr. Mike Donaldson breaks down Lean AI: a framework that starts with your operations, not the technology. You’ll learn where waste is hiding in your day, why you have to clean up the process before you touch any software, and how to tell whether what you’ve built is actually working.

AI is the great equalizer. A team of one or three can have the analytical power of a much larger company — but only if the foundation is solid first.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Most small businesses are already suffering from tool fatigue — “subscriptions for things we don’t use and dashboards we’ve never looked at.” More AI isn’t the answer. Clarity is.

• Lean AI starts with lean thinking, not technology. Ask where the waste is. Ask what adds zero value to the customer. If a customer fills out the same form three times, that’s waste — and that’s where you start.

• “If you automate a broken process, it’s a huge mistake.” Put a chatbot on a broken workflow and all you’ve done is made a hot mess even faster. You’re annoying your customers at the speed of light.

• Fix the process first — even with just a pen and paper. You want AI to inherit a clean, logical workflow. You don’t want it to inherit a mess.

• “We don’t care if the tool is cool. We care if it worked.” Measure results, not excitement. If it’s not saving the time you expected, turn it off.

• AI is the great equalizer. A solo owner or a team of three can now have the analytical power of a Fortune 500 company — but only when the foundation is right.

CONNECT

Have a question for Dr. Mike? Send it to mdonaldson@thotosai.com or visit thotosai.com — your question may become a future episode.

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The Readiness Report: Foundation First. AI Second.