How to choose an AI consultant for your small business
Choose an AI consultant who starts with a task you want to improve, explains what AI cannot do, shows how they test their work, and keeps a person in control of customer-facing output. Use the 10-question scorecard below to compare candidates.
What should an AI consultant ask you first?
A good consultant asks about your business before mentioning technology. Expect questions about which tasks take the most time, who does them, which tools you use, what a mistake would cost, and how you will know it worked. If the first call is a demo of a product, you are being sold to, not advised.
What is the 10-question AI consultant scorecard?
Ask every candidate these questions and compare the answers. Give 2 points for a good answer, 1 for a partial one, 0 for a warning sign.
| Question | A good answer sounds like | A warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What task will we improve first? | A specific task with a measurable goal | "Everything" or a vague transformation |
| 2. How do you decide if AI is the right tool? | Willing to recommend simpler automation, or no AI | Recommends AI for every problem |
| 3. How do you test before launch? | A set of real questions or cases, with outputs reviewed | "It works out of the box" |
| 4. What happens when the AI is wrong? | Human hand-off, review steps, and alerts | No plan |
| 5. Who can see my customer data, and where is it stored? | A clear answer on access, storage, and tools used | Vague answers, or deferring the question |
| 6. What do I own at the end? | Workflows, content, and accounts in your name, with export | Locked in to the vendor with no way out |
| 7. How is the project priced? | Scope-based, with the cost factors listed | One unexplained number, or hidden usage fees |
| 8. What do you need from my team? | Named inputs and an estimate of their time | "Nothing" |
| 9. How will we measure success? | Metrics agreed before work starts | No metrics |
| 10. What will you not do? | Clear limits and exclusions | Promises of guaranteed results |
How should I compare two AI proposals?
- Check that each proposal names the specific task and the result you want.
- Compare what is included: testing, review steps, training for your team, and support after launch.
- Compare ongoing costs as well as the project price, such as tool subscriptions and usage fees.
- Ask what you will own and whether you can move the work to another provider.
- Score each candidate with the table above and talk to the highest two.
What does an AI consultant cost?
It depends on the number of workflows, the tools to connect, how messy the inputs are, and how much review is needed. A good proposal lists these factors. Enterprise97 agrees scope and price after a free consultation.
Common questions
Do I need an AI consultant, or can I use tools myself?
You can use many tools yourself for simple tasks. A consultant helps when the work spans several tools, handles customer-facing output, or needs testing and review you do not have time for.
How long does an AI project take?
It depends on scope. A single workflow or chatbot is much smaller than a custom system. A good consultant gives a timeline after scoping the task.
Should I worry about my customer data?
Yes. Ask where data is stored, who can access it, and which tools process it. Get the answers in writing before work starts.
Let's Build Your Business with AI.
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Last updated: 6 November 2026