Written for the person running the business.
Longer pieces on custom AI for Australian small business — what works, what it costs, and what to do first.
11 pieces
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ai-strategy · 6 min read3 signs your Brisbane business is ready for AI (and 2 that say wait)
AI-readiness isn't about size or industry. It's about three specific pre-conditions. Here they are, in plain English.
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ai-strategy · 8 min readCustom AI vs SaaS — what works for a small team
A working decision framework, in plain English, with the numbers we actually see.
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trades · 7 min readHow Brisbane tradies can automate quotes (without turning into a spreadsheet business)
The quote is where the money is won or lost. Here's the automation stack that keeps the human bit human and only takes the boring bit off your plate.
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money · 8 min readHow much does custom AI cost a Brisbane SMB? Real numbers, plainly.
Fixed-price bands, what's included, what's not, and the honest maths on how long it takes to pay back.
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money · 7 min readHow to stop chasing invoices — for a Brisbane trade business
The unpaid-invoice problem isn't a debt-collection problem. It's a systems problem — and here's the one that works.
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operations · 6 min readThe 4pm problem — why Brisbane owners burn two hours a day
It's not the meetings, and it's not the tools. It's the tax you pay for not deciding what today's shape actually looks like — and the fix is boring.
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ai-strategy · 6 min readThe 67% problem — why most Aussie SMBs still can't use AI
Two-thirds of Australian small businesses say they'd like to use AI. Two-thirds also say they've had a bad experience with it. Here's what that means in practice — and what to do about it.
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money · 5 min readThe one email that recovers 30% of your outstanding invoices
It's not clever. It's not templated. It's just what most tradies never send. Here's the wording — and why it works.
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process · 6 min readWhat a real Leak Check actually looks like
Twenty minutes. One call. A straight read either way. Here's the full agenda — and what we deliberately don't do.
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ai-strategy · 7 min readWhy bought AI tools don't fit Aussie SMBs
The apps are impressive. The demos are dazzling. And when the trial ends, three out of four owners cancel. Here's why.
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how-we-work · 4 min readWhy we stopped selling support hours
Every support retainer dies the same way: a timesheet argument between a developer and an owner who each think the other is being unreasonable. Both are right. The unit is wrong.
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money 2026-07-22 7 minHow to stop chasing invoices — for a Brisbane trade businessThe unpaid-invoice problem isn't a debt-collection problem. It's a systems problem — and here's the one that works.
operations 2026-07-22 6 minThe 4pm problem — why Brisbane owners burn two hours a dayIt's not the meetings, and it's not the tools. It's the tax you pay for not deciding what today's shape actually looks like — and the fix is boring.
ai-strategy 2026-07-22 7 minWhy bought AI tools don't fit Aussie SMBsThe apps are impressive. The demos are dazzling. And when the trial ends, three out of four owners cancel. Here's why.
ai-strategy 2026-07-22 8 minCustom AI vs SaaS — what works for a small teamA working decision framework, in plain English, with the numbers we actually see.
trades 2026-07-22 7 minHow Brisbane tradies can automate quotes (without turning into a spreadsheet business)The quote is where the money is won or lost. Here's the automation stack that keeps the human bit human and only takes the boring bit off your plate.
ai-strategy 2026-07-22 6 minThe 67% problem — why most Aussie SMBs still can't use AITwo-thirds of Australian small businesses say they'd like to use AI. Two-thirds also say they've had a bad experience with it. Here's what that means in practice — and what to do about it.
money 2026-07-22 5 minThe one email that recovers 30% of your outstanding invoicesIt's not clever. It's not templated. It's just what most tradies never send. Here's the wording — and why it works.
ai-strategy 2026-07-22 6 min3 signs your Brisbane business is ready for AI (and 2 that say wait)AI-readiness isn't about size or industry. It's about three specific pre-conditions. Here they are, in plain English.
money 2026-07-22 8 minHow much does custom AI cost a Brisbane SMB? Real numbers, plainly.Fixed-price bands, what's included, what's not, and the honest maths on how long it takes to pay back.
process 2026-07-22 6 minWhat a real Leak Check actually looks likeTwenty minutes. One page of notes. A specific straight read. Here's the full agenda — and what we won't do.
Half an hour to find the biggest leak.
Tell us what's going wrong. Michael calls you back — usually the same day — twenty minutes, no pitch, no charge.