Everyone talks about the cost of AI. Nobody talks about the cost of NOT using it.
The Math
Average small business (10 employees) without AI automation:
| Task | Hours/Week | Annual Cost (@$50/hr) |
|---|---|---|
| Email management | 25 | $65,000 |
| Report generation | 15 | $39,000 |
| Data entry | 20 | $52,000 |
| Meeting admin | 10 | $26,000 |
| Content creation | 15 | $39,000 |
| Customer support | 30 | $78,000 |
| Total | 115 | $299,000 |
With AI automation (realistic 60% reduction):
| Task | Hours/Week | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Email management | 10 | $26,000 |
| Report generation | 3 | $7,800 |
| Data entry | 5 | $13,000 |
| Meeting admin | 4 | $10,400 |
| Content creation | 4 | $10,400 |
| Customer support | 10 | $26,000 |
| Total | 36 | $93,600 |
Annual savings: $205,400
Cost of AI tools: $2,400/year
Cost of implementation: $15,000 one-time
Net savings year one: $188,000
ROI: 10.8x
The cost of NOT using AI is $205,400 per year. Every year.
Free ROI calculator: wedgemethod.gumroad.com/l/ai-automation-roi-calculator
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