--- title: Machado Webinar Series description: Join Machado’s free AI webinar for SMB leaders. Learn how to turn AI hype into safe, practical business impact—without risking your data. image: https://lp.gomachado.com/hubfs/21-1.png --- [![Machado_Logo_FullColor_CMYK-2](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Machado_Logo_FullColor_CMYK-2.png?width=150&height=43&name=Machado_Logo_FullColor_CMYK-2.png "Machado_Logo_FullColor_CMYK-2")](http://gomachado.com) ## Search Something! --- ##### Cut through the noise. Get the facts. ## Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide   --- Sponsored by [![WORC+LAB+Color+white](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WORC+LAB+Color+white.webp?width=258&height=38&name=WORC+LAB+Color+white.webp "WORC+LAB+Color+white")](https://worclab.org/) --- # Upcoming Webinar: The Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide, Chapter 2 Featuring: 5 Business Use Cases for A.I. You will Use Everyday [Reserve my Spot](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e9c1b16-8fef-4750-b27e-cf3c2fc6e9ef@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5) Join us on Wednesday, July 22nd at 10:30 AM.   Virtual Webinar features a 20-Minute Presentation, and then Q&A Panel --- #### Every day, about 600 businesses shut down in the U.S. --- **The Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide was created to solve a problem we keep encountering.**![](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-20-2026-11-59-25-0521-PM.png?width=425&height=454&name=image-png-Jun-20-2026-11-59-25-0521-PM.png) In meeting, after meeting, we heard the same questions - and they all had to do with a dreaded topic: A.I.!   **At Machado, we treat our clients’ technology like it’s our own.**  We understand that running a small business gets harder every year, and having technology that aligns with your business' unique needs can be the difference between keeping the lights on, or not. As part of that mission, every client is supported by one of our vCIO's. Kevin and Bryan work directly with business leaders to evaluate technology strategically and provide the context needed to make informed, confident decisions.   **When it comes to A.I., most leaders don’t lack interest, they lack clarity.** Without clear guidance, businesses are making reactive decisions, purchasing tools without a defined purpose, and ultimately investing in licenses instead of outcomes.   Out of the 600 Businesses that close every day in America, more than half fail because of lack of cash flow or poor execution.  A.I. when deployed the right way, can help solve those problems.  That’s why we built the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide.    The AI Survival Guide is brought to you as part of the Machado Webinar Series - Part 1 was on May 14th; Part 2 is on July 22nd, and part 3 premieres this Fall.  Don't miss out! [Reserve your Spot for Chapter 2](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e9c1b16-8fef-4750-b27e-cf3c2fc6e9ef@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5) ![stop2-Jun-22-2026-07-06-51-8418-PM](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/stop2-Jun-22-2026-07-06-51-8418-PM.png?width=1100&height=102&name=stop2-Jun-22-2026-07-06-51-8418-PM.png "stop2-Jun-22-2026-07-06-51-8418-PM") **What This Is (and What It Isn’t)** This isn’t about hype, trends, or chasing the latest tools.  This is about fundamentals.  At its core, **A.I. is not a technology decision.  It’s an operating discipline** focused on improving business outcomes.  That's why we focus on:   > - **Understanding where A.I. actually delivers value** > - ****Identifying real business problems worth solving**** > - **Applying A.I. in a controlled, measurable way** **Our goal is simple: **h**elp businesses make smarter, more informed decisions** - not just about A.I., but about any technology they bring into their environment.  Because at the end of the day, the fundamentals don’t change.  And when done correctly, A.I. has the potential to significantly impact efficiency, operations, and ultimately, the bottom line.   **Our Approach** **A.I. is m****ost effective when applied to specific, repeatable tasks** such as writing and summarizing content, filtering and organizing information, identifying patterns and trends, and reducing manual, repetitive work.  Outside of these use cases, results can be inconsistent and difficult to measure.  We guide businesses through a structured process:   1. **Start with existing business processes** | Look at what is already happening inside your organization. 2. **Identify inefficiencies and repetitive tasks** | Focus on where time and resources are being consumed. 3. **Pinpoint the right users** | Find employees already doing manual work or experimenting with tools. 4. **Apply A.I. to a specific problem** | Not broadly - but with clear intent and boundaries. 5. **Measure the outcome** | Time saved, consistency gained, or cost reduced. **When approached this way, A.I. becomes a business asset** - not an experiment.       [Reserve your Spot for Chapter 2](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e9c1b16-8fef-4750-b27e-cf3c2fc6e9ef@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5) ![problm-3](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/problm-3.png?width=1100&height=95&name=problm-3.png "problm-3") #### What is the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide? --- **The Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide was created to solve a problem we kept encountering.** In meeting after meeting, we heard the same questions - even if phrased differently, they all pointed in the same direction: At Machado, ***we treat our clients’ technology like it’s our own***. We understand that running a small business gets harder every year, and having  technology that aligns with your business' unique needs can be the difference between staying efficient and falling behind.  As part of that mission, every client is supported by a vCIO. Kevin and Bryan work directly with business leaders to evaluate technology strategically and provide the context needed to make informed, confident decisions. When it comes to A.I., ***most leaders don’t lack interest they lack clarity***. Without clear guidance, businesses are making reactive decisions, purchasing tools without a defined purpose, and ultimately investing in licenses instead of outcomes.   That’s why we built the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide.   ![](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png?width=800&height=101&name=image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png)   **What This Is (and What It Isn’t)** This isn’t about hype, trends, or chasing the latest tools.  This is about fundamentals.  At its core, ***A.I. is not a technology decision.  It’s an operating discipline*** focused on improving business outcomes.  That's why we focus on:   > - **Understanding where A.I. actually delivers value** > - **Identifying real business problems worth solving** > - **Applying A.I. in a controlled, measurable way** Our goal is simple: help businesses make smarter, more informed decisions—not just about A.I., but about any technology they bring into their environment.  Because at the end of the day, the fundamentals don’t change.  And when done correctly, A.I. has the potential to significantly impact efficiency, operations, and ultimately, the bottom line.   **Our Approach** A.I. is most effective when applied to specific, repeatable tasks such as writing and summarizing content, filtering and organizing information, identifying patterns and trends, and reducing manual, repetitive work.  Outside of these use cases, results can be inconsistent and difficult to measure.  We guide businesses through a structured process:   1. **Start with existing business processes** | Look at what is already happening inside your organization. 2. **Identify inefficiencies and repetitive tasks** | Focus on where time and resources are being consumed. 3. **Pinpoint the right users** | Find employees already doing manual work or experimenting with tools. 4. **Apply A.I. to a specific problem** | Not broadly - but with clear intent and boundaries. 5. **Measure the outcome** | Time saved, consistency gained, or cost reduced. When approached this way, A.I. becomes a business asset - not an experiment.   ---   Chapter 1 | The A.I. Fundamentals On May 14th, Ryan, Max, Bryan & Pat cut through all the noise around A.I., and focused on simple steps to make A.I. productivity tools an asset for your business - an asset with a return. To get there, the team explained the biggest risk, the different types of A.I. tools available to small businesses, and why 90% of A.I. deployments currently fail. WATCH      --- [Reserve your Spot for Part 2](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e9c1b16-8fef-4750-b27e-cf3c2fc6e9ef@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5) #### What is the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide? --- **The Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide was created to solve a problem we kept encountering.** In meeting after meeting, we heard the same questions - even if phrased differently, they all pointed in the same direction: At Machado, ***we treat our clients’ technology like it’s our own***. We understand that running a small business gets harder every year, and having  technology that aligns with your business' unique needs can be the difference between staying efficient and falling behind.  As part of that mission, every client is supported by a vCIO. Kevin and Bryan work directly with business leaders to evaluate technology strategically and provide the context needed to make informed, confident decisions. When it comes to A.I., ***most leaders don’t lack interest they lack clarity***. Without clear guidance, businesses are making reactive decisions, purchasing tools without a defined purpose, and ultimately investing in licenses instead of outcomes.   That’s why we built the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide.   ![](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png?width=800&height=101&name=image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png)   **What This Is (and What It Isn’t)** This isn’t about hype, trends, or chasing the latest tools.  This is about fundamentals.  At its core, ***A.I. is not a technology decision.  It’s an operating discipline*** focused on improving business outcomes.  That's why we focus on:   > - **Understanding where A.I. actually delivers value** > - **Identifying real business problems worth solving** > - **Applying A.I. in a controlled, measurable way** Our goal is simple: help businesses make smarter, more informed decisions—not just about A.I., but about any technology they bring into their environment.  Because at the end of the day, the fundamentals don’t change.  And when done correctly, A.I. has the potential to significantly impact efficiency, operations, and ultimately, the bottom line.   **Our Approach** A.I. is most effective when applied to specific, repeatable tasks such as writing and summarizing content, filtering and organizing information, identifying patterns and trends, and reducing manual, repetitive work.  Outside of these use cases, results can be inconsistent and difficult to measure.  We guide businesses through a structured process:   1. **Start with existing business processes** | Look at what is already happening inside your organization. 2. **Identify inefficiencies and repetitive tasks** | Focus on where time and resources are being consumed. 3. **Pinpoint the right users** | Find employees already doing manual work or experimenting with tools. 4. **Apply A.I. to a specific problem** | Not broadly - but with clear intent and boundaries. 5. **Measure the outcome** | Time saved, consistency gained, or cost reduced. When approached this way, A.I. becomes a business asset - not an experiment.   ---   Chapter 1 | The A.I. Fundamentals On May 14th, Ryan, Max, Bryan & Pat cut through all the noise around A.I., and focused on simple steps to make A.I. productivity tools an asset for your business - an asset with a return. To get there, the team explained the biggest risk, the different types of A.I. tools available to small businesses, and why 90% of A.I. deployments currently fail. WATCH      --- [Reserve your Spot for Part 2](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e9c1b16-8fef-4750-b27e-cf3c2fc6e9ef@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5) --- #### What is the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide? --- **The Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide was created to solve a problem we kept encountering.** In meeting after meeting, we heard the same questions - even if phrased differently, they all pointed in the same direction: At Machado, ***we treat our clients’ technology like it’s our own***. We understand that running a small business gets harder every year, and having  technology that aligns with your business' unique needs can be the difference between staying efficient and falling behind.  As part of that mission, every client is supported by a vCIO. Kevin and Bryan work directly with business leaders to evaluate technology strategically and provide the context needed to make informed, confident decisions. When it comes to A.I., ***most leaders don’t lack interest they lack clarity***. Without clear guidance, businesses are making reactive decisions, purchasing tools without a defined purpose, and ultimately investing in licenses instead of outcomes.   That’s why we built the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide.   ![](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png?width=800&height=101&name=image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png)   **What This Is (and What It Isn’t)** This isn’t about hype, trends, or chasing the latest tools.  This is about fundamentals.  At its core, ***A.I. is not a technology decision.  It’s an operating discipline*** focused on improving business outcomes.  That's why we focus on:   > - **Understanding where A.I. actually delivers value** > - **Identifying real business problems worth solving** > - **Applying A.I. in a controlled, measurable way** Our goal is simple: help businesses make smarter, more informed decisions—not just about A.I., but about any technology they bring into their environment.  Because at the end of the day, the fundamentals don’t change.  And when done correctly, A.I. has the potential to significantly impact efficiency, operations, and ultimately, the bottom line.   **Our Approach** A.I. is most effective when applied to specific, repeatable tasks such as writing and summarizing content, filtering and organizing information, identifying patterns and trends, and reducing manual, repetitive work.  Outside of these use cases, results can be inconsistent and difficult to measure.  We guide businesses through a structured process:   1. **Start with existing business processes** | Look at what is already happening inside your organization. 2. **Identify inefficiencies and repetitive tasks** | Focus on where time and resources are being consumed. 3. **Pinpoint the right users** | Find employees already doing manual work or experimenting with tools. 4. **Apply A.I. to a specific problem** | Not broadly - but with clear intent and boundaries. 5. **Measure the outcome** | Time saved, consistency gained, or cost reduced. When approached this way, A.I. becomes a business asset - not an experiment.   ---   Chapter 1 | The A.I. Fundamentals On May 14th, Ryan, Max, Bryan & Pat cut through all the noise around A.I., and focused on simple steps to make A.I. productivity tools an asset for your business - an asset with a return. To get there, the team explained the biggest risk, the different types of A.I. tools available to small businesses, and why 90% of A.I. deployments currently fail. WATCH      --- [Reserve your Spot for Part 2](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e9c1b16-8fef-4750-b27e-cf3c2fc6e9ef@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5) #### What is the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide? --- **The Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide was created to solve a problem we kept encountering.** In meeting after meeting, we heard the same questions - even if phrased differently, they all pointed in the same direction: At Machado, ***we treat our clients’ technology like it’s our own***. We understand that running a small business gets harder every year, and having  technology that aligns with your business' unique needs can be the difference between staying efficient and falling behind.  As part of that mission, every client is supported by a vCIO. Kevin and Bryan work directly with business leaders to evaluate technology strategically and provide the context needed to make informed, confident decisions. When it comes to A.I., ***most leaders don’t lack interest they lack clarity***. Without clear guidance, businesses are making reactive decisions, purchasing tools without a defined purpose, and ultimately investing in licenses instead of outcomes.   That’s why we built the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide.   ![](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png?width=800&height=101&name=image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png)   **What This Is (and What It Isn’t)** This isn’t about hype, trends, or chasing the latest tools.  This is about fundamentals.  At its core, ***A.I. is not a technology decision.  It’s an operating discipline*** focused on improving business outcomes.  That's why we focus on:   > - **Understanding where A.I. actually delivers value** > - **Identifying real business problems worth solving** > - **Applying A.I. in a controlled, measurable way** Our goal is simple: help businesses make smarter, more informed decisions—not just about A.I., but about any technology they bring into their environment.  Because at the end of the day, the fundamentals don’t change.  And when done correctly, A.I. has the potential to significantly impact efficiency, operations, and ultimately, the bottom line.   **Our Approach** A.I. is most effective when applied to specific, repeatable tasks such as writing and summarizing content, filtering and organizing information, identifying patterns and trends, and reducing manual, repetitive work.  Outside of these use cases, results can be inconsistent and difficult to measure.  We guide businesses through a structured process:   1. **Start with existing business processes** | Look at what is already happening inside your organization. 2. **Identify inefficiencies and repetitive tasks** | Focus on where time and resources are being consumed. 3. **Pinpoint the right users** | Find employees already doing manual work or experimenting with tools. 4. **Apply A.I. to a specific problem** | Not broadly - but with clear intent and boundaries. 5. **Measure the outcome** | Time saved, consistency gained, or cost reduced. When approached this way, A.I. becomes a business asset - not an experiment.   ---   Chapter 1 | The A.I. Fundamentals On May 14th, Ryan, Max, Bryan & Pat cut through all the noise around A.I., and focused on simple steps to make A.I. productivity tools an asset for your business - an asset with a return. To get there, the team explained the biggest risk, the different types of A.I. tools available to small businesses, and why 90% of A.I. deployments currently fail. WATCH      --- [Reserve your Spot for Part 2](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e9c1b16-8fef-4750-b27e-cf3c2fc6e9ef@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5) --- # The Presenters --- - ![MAx bw-1](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MAx%20bw-1.png?width=1119&height=838&name=MAx%20bw-1.png) **Max Kaplan** **Director of Operations**   - ![BW RYAN](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BW%20RYAN.png?width=1580&height=1071&name=BW%20RYAN.png) **Ryan Renzella** **Director of Business Development** - ![bryan bw-1](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bryan%20bw-1.png?width=1405&height=742&name=bryan%20bw-1.png) **Bryan Brunetti ** **Chief Information Officer** - ![pat bw](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pat%20bw.png?width=490&height=344&name=pat%20bw.png) **Pat Lacouture** **Director of Client Success** --- --- --- --- #### Catch Up on Previous Webinars   Chapter 1 | The A.I. Fundamentals On May 14th, Ryan, Max, Bryan & Pat cut through all the noise around A.I., and focused on simple steps to make A.I. productivity tools an asset for your business - an asset with a return. To get there, the team explained the biggest risk, the different types of A.I. tools available to small businesses, and why 90% of A.I. deployments currently fail.      *Runtime: 40 Minutes* *Recorded: May 14th, 2026* --- [Reserve your Spot for Chapter 2](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e9c1b16-8fef-4750-b27e-cf3c2fc6e9ef@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5) #### What is the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide? --- **The Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide was created to solve a problem we kept encountering.** In meeting after meeting, we heard the same questions - even if phrased differently, they all pointed in the same direction: At Machado, ***we treat our clients’ technology like it’s our own***. We understand that running a small business gets harder every year, and having  technology that aligns with your business' unique needs can be the difference between staying efficient and falling behind.  As part of that mission, every client is supported by a vCIO. Kevin and Bryan work directly with business leaders to evaluate technology strategically and provide the context needed to make informed, confident decisions. When it comes to A.I., ***most leaders don’t lack interest they lack clarity***. Without clear guidance, businesses are making reactive decisions, purchasing tools without a defined purpose, and ultimately investing in licenses instead of outcomes.   That’s why we built the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide.   ![](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png?width=800&height=101&name=image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png)   **What This Is (and What It Isn’t)** This isn’t about hype, trends, or chasing the latest tools.  This is about fundamentals.  At its core, ***A.I. is not a technology decision.  It’s an operating discipline*** focused on improving business outcomes.  That's why we focus on:   > - **Understanding where A.I. actually delivers value** > - **Identifying real business problems worth solving** > - **Applying A.I. in a controlled, measurable way** Our goal is simple: help businesses make smarter, more informed decisions—not just about A.I., but about any technology they bring into their environment.  Because at the end of the day, the fundamentals don’t change.  And when done correctly, A.I. has the potential to significantly impact efficiency, operations, and ultimately, the bottom line.   **Our Approach** A.I. is most effective when applied to specific, repeatable tasks such as writing and summarizing content, filtering and organizing information, identifying patterns and trends, and reducing manual, repetitive work.  Outside of these use cases, results can be inconsistent and difficult to measure.  We guide businesses through a structured process:   1. **Start with existing business processes** | Look at what is already happening inside your organization. 2. **Identify inefficiencies and repetitive tasks** | Focus on where time and resources are being consumed. 3. **Pinpoint the right users** | Find employees already doing manual work or experimenting with tools. 4. **Apply A.I. to a specific problem** | Not broadly - but with clear intent and boundaries. 5. **Measure the outcome** | Time saved, consistency gained, or cost reduced. When approached this way, A.I. becomes a business asset - not an experiment.   ---   Chapter 1 | The A.I. Fundamentals On May 14th, Ryan, Max, Bryan & Pat cut through all the noise around A.I., and focused on simple steps to make A.I. productivity tools an asset for your business - an asset with a return. To get there, the team explained the biggest risk, the different types of A.I. tools available to small businesses, and why 90% of A.I. deployments currently fail. WATCH      --- [Reserve your Spot for Part 2](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e9c1b16-8fef-4750-b27e-cf3c2fc6e9ef@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5) #### What is the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide? --- **The Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide was created to solve a problem we kept encountering.** In meeting after meeting, we heard the same questions - even if phrased differently, they all pointed in the same direction: At Machado, ***we treat our clients’ technology like it’s our own***. We understand that running a small business gets harder every year, and having  technology that aligns with your business' unique needs can be the difference between staying efficient and falling behind.  As part of that mission, every client is supported by a vCIO. Kevin and Bryan work directly with business leaders to evaluate technology strategically and provide the context needed to make informed, confident decisions. When it comes to A.I., ***most leaders don’t lack interest they lack clarity***. Without clear guidance, businesses are making reactive decisions, purchasing tools without a defined purpose, and ultimately investing in licenses instead of outcomes.   That’s why we built the Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide.   ![](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png?width=800&height=101&name=image-png-Jun-19-2026-12-40-27-2722-PM.png)   **What This Is (and What It Isn’t)** This isn’t about hype, trends, or chasing the latest tools.  This is about fundamentals.  At its core, ***A.I. is not a technology decision.  It’s an operating discipline*** focused on improving business outcomes.  That's why we focus on:   > - **Understanding where A.I. actually delivers value** > - **Identifying real business problems worth solving** > - **Applying A.I. in a controlled, measurable way** Our goal is simple: help businesses make smarter, more informed decisions—not just about A.I., but about any technology they bring into their environment.  Because at the end of the day, the fundamentals don’t change.  And when done correctly, A.I. has the potential to significantly impact efficiency, operations, and ultimately, the bottom line.   **Our Approach** A.I. is most effective when applied to specific, repeatable tasks such as writing and summarizing content, filtering and organizing information, identifying patterns and trends, and reducing manual, repetitive work.  Outside of these use cases, results can be inconsistent and difficult to measure.  We guide businesses through a structured process:   1. **Start with existing business processes** | Look at what is already happening inside your organization. 2. **Identify inefficiencies and repetitive tasks** | Focus on where time and resources are being consumed. 3. **Pinpoint the right users** | Find employees already doing manual work or experimenting with tools. 4. **Apply A.I. to a specific problem** | Not broadly - but with clear intent and boundaries. 5. **Measure the outcome** | Time saved, consistency gained, or cost reduced. When approached this way, A.I. becomes a business asset - not an experiment.   ---   Chapter 1 | The A.I. Fundamentals On May 14th, Ryan, Max, Bryan & Pat cut through all the noise around A.I., and focused on simple steps to make A.I. productivity tools an asset for your business - an asset with a return. To get there, the team explained the biggest risk, the different types of A.I. tools available to small businesses, and why 90% of A.I. deployments currently fail. WATCH      --- [Reserve your Spot for Part 2](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e9c1b16-8fef-4750-b27e-cf3c2fc6e9ef@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5) --- --- --- #### Chapter 1 | The A.I. Basics   --- [Register for Part 2! July 22nd, 10:30am](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3e9c1b16-8fef-4750-b27e-cf3c2fc6e9ef@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5) **AI is a tool - just like a hammer. **   ***In part 1 of Machado's latest webinar series, discover the top five things every small business owner needs to know about AI in 2026:***   1. AI Is Already in Your Business: 75% of employees use AI tools, even if you have not approved them.   2. Productivity Boosts Are Real: Learn how AI can make your team 35% more productive and deliver 40% higher quality work.   3. The Biggest Risk: Unmanaged Data Exposure: Find out why shadow IT and consumer-grade AI tools can put your sensitive data at risk.   4. Choosing the Right Tool Matters: See why integrated, managed AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini are the safest and most effective.   5. How to Get Real ROI: Get a simple, proven four-step plan to deploy AI, measure results, and avoid wasted licenses.   PLUS: Hear from industry experts on the most common mistakes, practical use cases (from meeting summaries to Excel magic), and how to protect your business from cyber threats.     **Recorded on: Thursday, May 14th**   ![Picture21](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Picture21.png?width=720&height=228&name=Picture21.png) #### The Ultimate A.I. Survival Guide Part 1 ###### Catch up on the important parts from Part 1, we tackled 4 Big Topics that are foundational for business leaders:   - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 1 2 3 4 ## The Current Reality for A.I. and Small Business AI is already inside your business, whether you've approved it or not. Today, in the average small business, three out of four employees self-report using AI at work at least once a month. And of that data set, 25% are using AI several times a week, and for good reason. Employees who leverage AI tools in their day-to-day report major improvements in both the quality of their output and also major reductions in the time it takes them to complete tasks. And we finally have some good data to actually quantify that improvement.  Recent studies by Harvard and MIT show that employees who use AI are: 33% more productive, 25% faster, and produce, 40% higher quality output. What's more, AI has shown a tendency to have the greatest impact on your lowest performing employees.   ## Tabs Content Anywhere in the content of your website, you can use the tabs element to present a lot of ordered information in a condensed amount of space.     ## Drag and Drop - You can use the tabs element to present a lot of ordered information in a condensed amount of space. [Learn More](https://www.google.com) ![For-IT-image](https://f.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/25201301/hubfs/For-IT-image.png?width=570&height=438&name=For-IT-image.png) ## Drag and Drop - You can use the tabs element to present a lot of ordered information in a condensed amount of space. [Learn More](https://www.google.com) ![For-IT-image](https://f.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/25201301/hubfs/For-IT-image.png?width=570&height=438&name=For-IT-image.png) ![machado survival guide-2](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/machado%20survival%20guide-2.png?width=400&name=machado%20survival%20guide-2.png "machado survival guide-2") --- # CHAPTER 1 ![WORCLAB GIF 2](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WORCLAB%20GIF%202.gif?width=800&height=70&name=WORCLAB%20GIF%202.gif "WORCLAB GIF 2") ![Screenshot 2026-07-06 113707](https://lp.gomachado.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20113707.png "Screenshot 2026-07-06 113707") ![WORCLAB GIF 2](https://lp.gomachado.com/hubfs/WORCLAB%20GIF%202.gif "WORCLAB GIF 2") ![WORCLAB GIF 2](https://lp.gomachado.com/hubfs/WORCLAB%20GIF%202.gif "WORCLAB GIF 2") --- # WANT MORE? --- [![MACHADO YOUTUBE THUMBNAIL](https://lp.gomachado.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MACHADO%20YOUTUBE%20THUMBNAIL.png?width=611&height=171&name=MACHADO%20YOUTUBE%20THUMBNAIL.png) Check out our Youtube channel for webinar recordings, interesting and insightful content, and the Machado Tech Minute Series!](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNzXQJblN2Atl1gbaVNVoiw) --- --- --- Bringing Clarity to the AI Chaos Will AI be a Boom or a Bust? --- **If you have spent any time on LinkedIn, or overheard the self-appointed office "tech expert", you have heard the roar of the AI hype machine.** Its "transformative," its "revolutionary," and it is either going to save your business or replace your entire staff by next Tuesday. According to recent data, **three out of four employees** are already using AI at work. Here is the catch: most of them are using unmanaged, consumer grade tools like the free version of ChatGPT. In the world of IT, we call this **Shadow IT**. When your team uses personal AI accounts to summarize meeting notes or draft emails, your sensitive company data is essentially "walking out into the parking lot." You lose visibility, you lose an audit trail, and you risk significant data leakage. *Why AI Ma**tters (The Numbers)* Despite the risks of unmanaged use, the productivity gains are too large to ignore. Collaborative studies from Harvard and MIT show that employees using AI are: - **33% more productive** - **25% faster** - **Producing 40% higher quality output** The goal for small to mid sized businesses (SMBs) is not to ban AI—it is to **harness it safely.** *Strategy: Control Over Intelligence* When choosing an AI tool for your business, do not get distracted by flashy features. The most important factor is not how "smart" the AI is; it is how much **control** you have over it. To turn AI into a dependable business asset, you need a tool that lives where your work happens. - **Microsoft 365 Users:** Look at **Microsoft Copilot**. It lives inside Word, Excel, and Teams, using the security permissions you already have in place. - **Google Workspace Users:** Look at **Gemini**. It integrates directly with Docs, Sheets, and Drive. When your AI is **commercial, managed, and integrated**, it follows your existing security rules. No tool switching, no downloading sensitive files, and no "Shadow IT" risk. *A 4 Step Roadmap to Real ROI* ROI does not come from curiosity; it comes from specific time savings. Here is how Machado recommends deploying AI intentionally: 1. **Start Small (10 to 20% of Staff):** Do not roll it out to everyone at once. Start with a small group—specifically those already experimenting with AI or those whose jobs involve heavy writing and research. 2. **Explain the Time Savings:** Before you buy a license, ask: *What work becomes faster or easier with this?* If you cannot link the tool to a specific outcome, you are buying a toy, not a tool. 3. **Establish a Baseline:** You cannot measure improvement without a starting point. If a monthly report takes six hours today, mark that down. Measure again 90 days after deployment. 4. **Avoid Generic Training:** Do not hold a "Cool Things AI Can Do" meeting. Instead, provide **role based training**. Show your team the three things they will use the tool for every single week to get their jobs done faster. ***The Bottom Line*** AI is not a technology decision; it is an **operating discipline**. The businesses that succeed will not be the ones that move the fastest—they will be the ones that move with the most intention. By shifting from unmanaged "parking lot" tools to secure, integrated enterprise platforms, you protect your data while giving your team a massive competitive edge. *[**Ready to secure your business's AI future? CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED**](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d6be79c1-f28d-4eab-bd79-115dc0afb5fa@4f961307-2f61-4df7-9f3e-2ed31a0521a5)* --- *About the Author: Ryan Renzella is the Director of Business Development at Machado, in Worcester, MA. Since 2001, Machado has provided technology leadership and* *predictable outcomes for hundreds of New England businesses.* * [![](https://store-images.s-microsoft.com/image/apps.46485.9007199266245564.44dc7699-748d-4c34-ba5e-d04eb48f7960.df3dbdf7-e6b9-4d2a-a5ad-3b91e430d172)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-renzella/) * --- © 2026 Machado Consulting, Inc. | All Rights Reserved - 32 Franklin Street Worcester, MA 01608 - (508) 453-4700 - [Privacy Policy](https://gomachado.com/privacy-policy/)