Over the past few months, we’ve been speaking with business owners across a wide range of industries. One theme keeps emerging — most small and mid-sized businesses are dangerously underestimating the speed and scale of what AI is about to change.
Many leaders still see AI as something abstract, experimental, or relevant only to tech firms. Unfortunately, that mindset is becoming a real competitive risk.
Having recently revisited The Economic Singularity and observing the acceleration occurring right now, one thing is clear:
AI is not coming “someday” — it is reshaping industries today.
Over the next 12–36 months, we will see:
- Whole workflows automated end-to-end.
- Labour cost structures rewritten, especially in admin, finance, sales, customer service, quoting, scheduling, and compliance.
- Smaller competitors leapfrog larger ones simply because they adopt AI earlier and redesign their processes around it.
- Margin pressure increases for any business not improving productivity faster than its peers.
And yet, many business owners are still operating with a level of comfort that doesn’t match the reality. The most common phrase I hear is:
“We’ll look at AI later — we’re too busy right now.”
But the truth is this:
AI is the first technology wave where late adopters may not get a second chance.
By the time you feel the urgency, your competitors may already be operating with a cost advantage you can’t catch.
So, what does “not being complacent” look like?
Here are four practical starting points:
- Audit your processes.
Identify repetitive, rules-based, or document-heavy tasks. These are typically the quickest wins for AI automation. - Experiment — don’t wait for perfection.
AI tools don’t need a “perfect” implementation plan. Start with small pilots, internal prototypes, or task-level automation. - Train your people now.
Your team doesn’t need to be AI experts — but they do need to be AI-literate. Skills gaps will widen quickly. - Build AI into your 2025/26 strategy.
AI shouldn’t be an afterthought or a “tech project.” It must become a core part of productivity, capability, and margin improvement.
A final thought
In every technological shift, some businesses get disrupted — and others use the moment to reinvent themselves and accelerate.
The difference is almost always awareness and action.
AI won’t replace the business owner. But business owners who use AI will replace those who don’t.
Now is the moment to lean in.
If you’d like help assessing where AI can create the most value in your business or what risks you may be overlooking, MYMAX Advisors can guide you through the transition. Get in touch.
Rob Ashley | MYMAX Strategic Advisor
Rob Ashley is a dedicated business advisor passionate about helping owners unlock the potential in themselves and their businesses. His philosophy is simple: Get Fit, Get Funded, Get Big, Get Out.
Rob brings more than three decades of advisory experience, having built and sold his own practice to PwC, where he later served as a Principal. After many years contributing to the Owner Manager Program (OMP) as a speaker and panellist, he now joins the MYMAX Advisory team.
He is known for his strategic clarity and practical frameworks that drive real economic value, supported by ongoing monitoring and mentoring. A trusted and connected advisor, Rob helps owners gain peace of mind, confidence to grow, and credibility with their bankers.
