An Open Letter to all considering the BDC Launches LIFT: Getting Canadian SMEs off the AI sidelines
Big warning for this new $500M program aims to help over 1,000 SMEs adopt AI.
Find yourself a partner that will guarantee your ROI.
If they can’t, don’t hire them.
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96% of businesses are actually seeing a decrease in results when they invest in AI. It’s called the J-Curve and both McKinsey and BCG found that on average 95% of companies saw regression with no hope on the horizon.
The companies that didn’t – the equation is simple:
What Business outcome are you seeking?
What’s the ROI of improving it?
Workflow Responsible for that outcome
What is the current performance of that process?
Rebuild that workflow with AI augmenting or from an agentic perspective (The app and the harness) replacing parts of the work.
I’ve been deep in this
If that connection can’t be made, please do not take on another loan.
Sincerely,
Matt Symes
CEO, Symplicity Designs
Partner in 9 Businesses
AI Entrepreneur in Residence
