From the MKFM Event to Conversations with Local Business Leaders
Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to speak with business leaders across Milton Keynes, from discussing AI and commercial growth on MKFM to meeting founders and directors at local networking events.
One theme emerged repeatedly. Businesses aren’t asking whether they should adopt AI anymore. They’re asking how to apply it in ways that improve sales, marketing and operational performance without creating additional complexity.
Those conversations reinforced something we’ve been seeing across our work: the greatest opportunity isn’t simply introducing AI tools. It’s redesigning the workflows that connect people, processes and technology.
The conversations we had
Across the event, we spoke with business owners from a range of industries and growth stages. Although every organisation faced different challenges, many of the conversations pointed towards similar themes.
Some businesses were exploring AI for the first time, while others had already introduced tools such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. The common question was no longer “What can AI do?” but “Where can it genuinely create value for our business?”
Discussions frequently centred around improving customer acquisition, reducing manual administration, increasing visibility across sales pipelines and enabling teams to spend more time on higher-value work. These are exactly the kinds of commercial challenges that benefit from combining strategic thinking with well-designed workflows and intelligent automation.
Three Themes We Heard Repeatedly
AI interest is high, but implementation remains uncertain.
Growth is being limited by disconnected commercial processes.
Business leaders want practical outcomes, not more software.
Great to meet local business leaders at MKFM