Guide
Red flags when hiring an AI company.
AI consulting is a young market with a lot of noise. These are the warning signs worth checking before you sign anything.
Numbers with no source.
Claims like '2 to 3 times faster adoption' or '10x productivity' with no study behind them are sales copy. Ask where the number came from. A consultant who checks their figures can tell you.
A headcount that does not add up.
A site claiming a team of dozens while only a couple of people are ever named is presenting scale it may not have. Ask who will actually do your work, and who you will be talking to week to week.
A 'top agencies' list they wrote themselves.
A self-published article that ranks the author first, above the big consulting names, is marketing dressed as a ranking. Treat any 'top X' list as an ad from whoever published it.
An hourly rate with no ceiling.
Time and materials with no cap means the final cost is a surprise. A fixed scope agreed in writing protects you from the invoice you did not see coming.
Reseller deals they do not mention.
When a consultant earns a commission on the platform they recommend, that platform shows up in every recommendation. Ask directly whether they hold reseller arrangements.
All show, no delivery.
Hundreds of pages of content sitting on top of a handful of real case studies tells you the marketing is running ahead of the work. Ask to see delivered projects with the outcomes attached.
FAQ
Is a big team a good sign?
Only when it is real and the people are named. A claimed headcount that does not match who actually appears is worth a question.
Why avoid an hourly rate?
An hourly rate with no ceiling can cost far more than a fixed scope agreed up front. Ask for the total number before you start.
How do I check a consultant is independent?
Ask whether they hold reseller deals with any AI platform. When someone earns on a product, expect that product in the recommendation.
Start with the audit.
Two weeks, fixed scope, from A$4,950 + GST. Every number in the report traces to a source record, and the price is agreed in writing before we start.