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Why I built the A.I.R.O.I. framework

I've built the A.I.R.O.I. framework with these key aspects in mind:

1. Focus on business problems instead of technology

2. Customized solutions VS one-size-fits-all recommendations

3. Prioritize where to start & focus

4. Take into account implementation complexity & current business context

I wanted a comprehensive yet repeatable method that could help each industry separately while keeping the assessment short and actionable.

After working with e-commerce businesses struggling with customer service, executive coaches, and distributors trying to optimize order processing, I noticed patterns. Each industry has specific challenges, but the evaluation approach can be systematic.

The result is A.I.R.O.I. - a framework that evaluates five key dimensions to identify your highest-ROI AI opportunities.

Simple is the culmination of expertise. My end goal is to give you a framework so simple, you won't have to pay over €10k for generic consulting.
Note: Claude (equivalent to ChatGPT) chose the name based on my framework input, I love it!

The A.I.R.O.I. Framework Explained

A: Actionable Business Challenges

What specific problems is your business facing that AI could potentially solve?

This isn't about what's technically possible - it's about what's actually hurting your business. I start here because technology should solve real problems, not create solutions looking for problems. You shouldn't worry here if AI can solve your problem, just list them.

Example: You may find that your team spends 20+ hours weekly answering the same customer questions about shipping and product details. Clear, actionable challenge.

I: Impact Potential

If you solved these challenges, what would the business impact be?

I evaluate potential cost savings, revenue increases, time savings for high-value team members, and customer experience improvements. Not every problem is worth solving with AI.

Example: If your business could reallocate 20 hours of customer service time to retention activities, this might be worth €15,000+ annually in improved customer lifetime value.

R: Repetitive Task Automation

Which processes involve repetitive, time-consuming tasks that follow predictable patterns?

AI excels at automating repetitive work, but only if the tasks follow consistent patterns. I look for frequency, time consumption, and whether the tasks require judgment or just follow procedures.

Example: You might discover your team spends 15 hours weekly extracting the same type of data from client documents. Same process every time, just different documents - perfect for automation.

O: Operational Data Readiness

Do you have the data infrastructure to support AI implementation?

This is where many businesses stumble. You might have a great use case, but if your data is scattered across spreadsheets and in people's heads, implementation becomes much more complex.

Example: If you have two years of quality control data already in your system, predictive maintenance becomes a realistic quick win.

I: Implementation Complexity

How easily can AI solutions be implemented given your current resources and systems?

I evaluate technical requirements, integration needs, expertise required, and change management considerations. The goal is to start with high-impact, low-complexity opportunities.

How I used A.I.R.O.I. on my own business

I ran Turalabs through this framework.

A: Actionable Challenges: As a growing consultancy, our biggest challenge was lead generation. We needed consistent, qualified prospects to build our client base. There is no sales person, I focused on hiring high achieving AI & software engineers, that’s it.

I: Impact Potential: High. Each qualified lead potentially worth 1K€ to €50,000+ in project value. Converting just 2-3 additional clients monthly would transform our growth trajectory.

R: Repetitive Tasks: Prospecting, initial outreach, and lead qualification follow predictable patterns. Perfect for automation.

O: Data Readiness: Minimal data needed. We could start with publicly available business information and basic contact data that we get from online databases.

I: Implementation Complexity: Low. Could implement lead generation automation in 1-2 weeks without complex integrations. We used no code AI & automation tool here (n8n).

Result: We focused on AI-powered lead generation and outreach rather than more complex solutions. It emerged as our clear "quick win" opportunity.

How to Start Using This Framework

You can begin applying A.I.R.O.I. to your business right now:

1. List your top 3 business challenges that consume significant time or resources

2. Estimate the potential impact of solving each (time saved, costs reduced, revenue gained)

3. Identify which challenges involve repetitive tasks that follow consistent patterns

4. Assess your data readiness for each area (digital vs. paper, structured vs. scattered)

5. Consider implementation complexity based on your current systems and capabilities

Plot these on the simple business impact matrix. Chose low effort high impact Implementation.

Most think they need sophisticated AI implementations, when often the biggest impact comes from automating the repetitive tasks that are draining their team's time and energy right now.

The framework helps cut through the complexity to identify these Quick Win opportunities that deliver immediate value while building momentum for more ambitious projects later.

What’s next

I'm currently building this framework into a comprehensive online assessment that will help businesses identify their highest-value AI opportunities in just 15 minutes. The A.I.R.O.I. Assessment will evaluate all five dimensions systematically and provide a personalized Business Impact Matrix with specific recommendations for your industry and situation. I'll be sharing more details about the assessment launch.

What challenges came to mind as you read through the framework? Reply to this email and let me know.

Until next time! 

Amine

P.S. If you'd like early access to the assessment when it launches, just reply with "Early Access" and I'll add you to the priority list.