Advisory sprint
AI Platform Owner's Rep
Vendor-neutral AI platform guidance for companies that need to modernize without locking themselves into the wrong stack. I help leadership teams evaluate AI, cloud storage, Microsoft Copilot, file governance, and workflow automation decisions before they become expensive, hard-to-reverse platform commitments.
The problem
Most companies know they need to move faster with AI, but the real decision is not simply "turn on Copilot" or "move files to the cloud." The harder question is whether the company's content, permissions, workflows, governance, and operating model are ready for AI at all.
AI does not fix a messy file system, unclear ownership, inconsistent permissions, outdated documents, or scattered project knowledge. It usually amplifies those problems.
Who it is for
CEOs, presidents, COOs, CIOs, CTOs, operating partners, and senior leadership teams that need an independent, business-oriented advisor before committing to a vendor path.
Especially useful for engineering, AEC, professional services, data, analytics, B2B SaaS, consulting, private equity portfolio, and founder-led companies already invested in Microsoft 365 but unsure whether Microsoft should become the entire AI platform.
What I do
I act as an owner's representative for AI, cloud content, and platform modernization decisions. I do not replace IT, security, implementation partners, or vendors. I help leadership ask the right questions, pressure-test recommendations, and frame the decision as a business operating-model choice, not just a software purchase.
Core deliverables
AI and platform decision brief
A concise executive brief that clarifies the problem, realistic platform options, urgent versus premature decisions, vendor lock-in risk, pilot candidates, and what should wait until the content foundation is cleaner.
Current-state readiness assessment
A practical review of Microsoft 365 usage, Copilot readiness, file structure, permissions, external sharing, sensitive data exposure, project organization, archive practices, shadow AI usage, power-user needs, and governance gaps.
Platform comparison
A vendor-neutral comparison of realistic options such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Copilot, Egnyte, Box, Newforma, Autodesk Docs, M-Files, ChatGPT Enterprise, Claude, Azure OpenAI, and role-specific AI tools.
Architecture recommendation
A recommendation that distinguishes substitutes from complements and defines what role each platform should play in the operating architecture.
AI governance and use-case map
A practical map of low-risk productivity use, internal drafting, meeting notes, document search, project content search, client-facing work, engineering deliverables, proposal support, power-user LLM access, workflow automation, and agentic AI.
Phased roadmap
A staged plan for controlled AI enablement, content and permission cleanup, platform pilots, governance and training, then broader rollout across teams, projects, and use cases.
Vendor support package
Vendor briefing documents, demo scripts, use-case test scenarios, RFP/RFI questions, pilot success criteria, cost model review, risk register, decision matrix, and executive readout.
Implementation partner oversight
Support for evaluating partner recommendations, keeping demos grounded in real workflows, and making sure implementation plans match the company's operating needs.
Leadership decision support
A clear recommendation leadership can act on without overbuying software, underestimating governance, or turning AI loose on messy information.
Operating rhythm
- Diagnose: review the current environment, business goals, platform landscape, AI usage, and known pain points.
- Frame: turn scattered questions into a clear executive decision structure.
- Compare: evaluate viable platform paths and separate near-term action from long-term commitment.
- Pilot: define practical test cases, governance needs, and success criteria.
- Decide: help leadership choose a phased path that preserves optionality while creating momentum.
Common questions
Copilot and Microsoft 365
Should we standardize on Microsoft Copilot? Should Microsoft 365 be our AI platform, or just the productivity layer?
LLM access
Should employees use ChatGPT, Claude, or other LLMs? Which users need power-user access and which use cases need tighter controls?
Content platforms
Should project files move to SharePoint, Egnyte, Box, Newforma, Autodesk Docs, or another platform?
Permission risk
How do we avoid AI surfacing documents people should not see, especially when legacy permissions are inconsistent?
Governance timing
What should we allow now, what should wait, and how much governance is enough before rollout?
Ownership
What belongs with IT, security, legal, operations, or business leadership, and who should own the final decision?
Example engagement
A professional services or engineering firm is considering Microsoft Copilot, Egnyte, and cloud migration at the same time. The company wants AI productivity benefits, but its server files are poorly organized, permissions are inconsistent, and leadership is concerned about committing too deeply to one platform while AI is changing quickly. I help the team phase the decision: enable safe low-risk AI use, assess content and permissions, compare Microsoft, Egnyte, and industry alternatives, define a pilot using real project workflows, then make a platform decision based on evidence rather than vendor momentum.
AI Platform Advisory Sprint
$7,500 fixed fee. Best for a focused executive decision brief, current-state review, platform comparison, and phased recommendation.
Typical duration: 2-3 weeks. Includes leadership discovery, current-state review, platform decision brief, risk and governance assessment, recommended platform paths, phased roadmap, and executive readout.
Owner's Rep Retainer
$5,000-$10,000 per month. Best when the company is actively evaluating vendors, running a pilot, managing implementation partners, or preparing a broader rollout.
Includes vendor meeting support, pilot design, decision support, governance review, executive briefings, implementation partner oversight, AI use-case prioritization, and training and adoption guidance.
Use this when the company needs AI momentum without platform regret.
AI adoption is no longer optional. But committing too quickly to the wrong architecture can create years of operational drag. The right answer is to move in phases, protect optionality, clean up the content foundation, and make platform decisions with enough business, governance, and technical judgment in the room.