Right now, AI feels like the biggest wave of change we’ve seen in decades. If you were around for the dotcom boom, you probably recognize this feeling. Everything’s being flipped upside down, and honestly? We’re all still figuring out what it means.
Here’s the thing though. Most of what we learned about running businesses over the past 20 years might not work anymore. We need to shake things up and explore this new landscape.
Why Small Steps Beat Big Transformations
When everything’s changing fast, there’s a natural urge to have all the answers. We want closure. We want a neat roadmap with clear outcomes.
But let’s be real. Nobody knows exactly how this AI thing will shake out. Trying to transform everything at once? That’s basically guessing with extra steps.
Instead, we focus on evolution over revolution. Think of it like going to the gym. You don’t transform overnight; you show up consistently and make progress.
The “Unfinish” Philosophy
We call our approach “unfinish” (yeah, the D is missing on purpose). It’s about diving in, experimenting, and building things. Most people think their way into action, but we prefer to make stuff and let that guide our thinking.
We’re what you might call “bloomers.” That means we’re optimistic about technology and the opportunities it creates. However, we’re not naive about it either.
The challenges are real. Therefore, we deploy AI mindfully, keeping humans at the center of every decision. Technology should serve people, not the other way around.
Why Small Businesses Are Perfect for This
Right now, we’re focusing on small and medium businesses. Why? Because they’re usually more willing to try new things.
Big companies have layers of bureaucracy that slow everything down. Meanwhile, small businesses can move fast and adapt quickly.
Giving Teams Superpowers
These AI tools can give your team actual superpowers. We’re talking about what we call “super agency.” Basically, it means your people get to make real choices and decisions instead of drowning in busywork.
Think about it this way. AI should handle the boring stuff nobody wants to do anyway. Let it automate the dishes and laundry so your team can focus on creative work and solving real problems.
This helps you cut through bureaucracy and focus on activities that actually add value for your customers. Consequently, your team gets to work on things they care about.
How We Actually Do This: Workflow Archaeology
You can’t just hand out ChatGPT accounts and expect magic to happen. That’s not how this works.
To use AI effectively, you need to understand where these tools fit into your workflows. Every modern business is an information business, whether you realize it or not.
What Is Workflow Archaeology?
We use something called “workflow archaeology.” It’s basically deep detective work into how data moves through your organization.
Think of it like an actual archaeological dig. You’re peeling back layers to understand what’s really happening underneath. Sometimes what you find surprises you.
Our Three-Step Process
Step 1: Understanding Your People and Culture
First, we figure out how people actually work. Not how they’re supposed to work according to some manual, but how they really get things done.
We look at their mental models and the organization’s culture. Culture matters enormously here. You don’t want to destroy what makes your team special just because you’re introducing new technology.
Step 2: Following the Information Trail
Next, we investigate how information flows. Where does data live? What format is it in? How does it move from person to person?
We specifically check whether your information is compatible with large language models. Surprisingly, most organizations don’t realize their data is completely unstructured. That needs fixing before AI can actually help.
Step 3: Starting Small and Practical
Finally, we identify small, practical things AI can automate or assist with. We prioritize projects that deliver high value and are easy to implement right now.
No massive overhauls. Just smart, targeted improvements that make a real difference.
Building Your Roadmap as You Go
We deliver prototypes and proof of concepts so you can test ideas quickly. But here’s what’s really valuable: we help you develop what we call an “emergent roadmap.”
Interestingly, we’ve found that AI conversations often reveal bigger issues. Maybe your information systems needed restructuring anyway. Perhaps you’ve been spending way too much time on tasks that should have been automated years ago.
It’s like that frog in boiling water situation. You’ve been dealing with inefficiencies for so long, you stopped noticing them. Furthermore, AI transformation gives you permission to finally address these problems.
The X-Ray Effect
Workflow archaeology acts like an X-ray for your organization. You might think you know how everything works from the outside.
However, only by examining the inner flow of information can you see where structural changes need to happen. Only then can you add AI power effectively.
You can’t put a turbocharger on an engine that needs its timing belt replaced first. The foundation matters.
Choosing Your Own Future
By taking small, intentional steps, your team gains real competency with these tools. The changes feel natural instead of forced.
Additionally, this approach ensures transformations stay true to who you are as an organization. You’re evolving together with your people, not imposing change from the top down.
This way, you get to choose the future you want to live in. Not the future someone else thinks you should have.
Getting Started
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by AI hype, you’re not alone. The key is starting somewhere practical.
Look at your team’s biggest time drains. Identify tasks that are necessary but tedious. Those are your first targets for AI assistance.
Then dig into your workflows. Understand how information really moves through your organization. Map it out if you need to.
Finally, pick one small experiment and run with it. Build something. Test it. Learn from it. That’s how real transformation happens.
