In this episode, applied AI expert Lee Russell sits down with us to separate real-world utility from the loud extremes of Silicon Valley optimism and dystopian pessimism.
Steering clear of dense, speculative tech jargon, Lee breaks down how automated systems can drastically elevate trade and service-based businesses by automating the mundane and humanising the exceptional. From creating hyper-personalised customer proposal flows to structural team transformations, this conversation outlines an actionable blueprint for business owners to step away from repetitive day-to-day tasks, scale consistently, and leverage machine learning to become highly strategic orchestrators of their own success
Key Takeaways
Genuine ROI in business comes from practicing applied AI rather than getting caught up in the far-off "futurist" predictions of massive societal disruption.
Successful AI integration is an engineering consistency problem rather than a capabilities problem, requiring strict guardrails, thorough context templates, and deliberate constraints to maximise results.
The "10-80-10" model suggests that while AI can efficiently handle the middle 80% of repetitive data processing, human expertise must direct the initial 10% of context setting and refine the final 10% of output.
Rather than causing mass job replacement, the emergence of AI allows high-performing teams to elevate their responsibilities, offload the mundane, and focus entirely on high-leverage human connection.
Episode Quotes
"It is the middle road... It's not going to be as amazing as everyone says, and it's not going to be as bad as everyone says. And that is generally how technology plays out."
"When you're doing AI right, that's the signal we look for: Are you becoming a more human business? Are you spending more time with your clients? More face-to-face time?"
"If you can think in your business: 'How do I get to try before I buy?' and 'I will pay you to interview with me' because I don't want to waste an hour of my time speaking to someone who's not going to get the job... it's been brilliant."
"An AI will be confounded at its current level of a closed door or two sets of data that aren't connected... Humans are insane miracles of evolution. We can look at very strange scenarios that are not normal within your business and look at the context around that instantaneously."
HOST BIO
Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow.
He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting.
Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader.
Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
