Okay so, let's cut to the chase. I'm a solo operator, not some big agency with a fancy office full of dartboards. That means you work directly with me, every time. No account managers, no layers of bureaucracy. Just straightforward conversations about your business challenges and whether machine learning or data science can genuinely offer a hand.
I'm not here to push a 'solution' you don't need. My goal is to figure out if there's a practical application for these technologies that makes sense for your Cambridge business, one that'll actually give you a return on your investment. If not, I'll tell you. Simple as that.
## What I actually do for Cambridge clients
Mostly, I help businesses in and around Cambridge take their data and do something useful with it. That could mean building a predictive model to forecast sales more accurately, automating a repetitive data-heavy task that's eating up staff time, or creating a recommendation engine for your e-commerce site. Think things like identifying which customers are most likely to churn, or figuring out the optimal pricing for different product lines.
Another common project is setting up a pilot program. Maybe you've heard about AI doing 'x' for a competitor and you want to see if it works for you without committing big bucks. I can help design and execute a small, focused project to test the waters, giving you concrete results and a clear go/no-go decision. It's about getting real answers, not just theories.
## How a Cambridge engagement usually goes
Here's a rough idea of what you can expect when working with me:
1. **Initial Chat & Discovery (1-2 Weeks):** We'll start with a few calls to really dig into your business, your current processes, and where you're feeling the pinch. I'll ask a lot of questions about your data — where it lives, what it looks like, and what you're hoping to achieve. This is where I figure out if I can actually help and how.
2. **Project Definition & Proposal (1-2 Weeks):** If there's a good fit, I'll put together a detailed proposal outlining the specific problem we're solving, the data we'll use, the technology approach, and what the final deliverables will be. This includes a fixed price and a timeline, so you know exactly what you're signing up for.
3. **Execution & Development (4-12+ Weeks):** This is where I roll up my sleeves and build the solution. I'll work closely with your team, checking in regularly. I'm big on transparency, so you'll know what's happening every step of the way. We'll likely iterate a bit as we go, refining things based on real-world feedback.
4. **Deployment, Training & Handover (1-2 Weeks):** Once the solution is built and tested, I'll help you get it into production. This includes any necessary training for your team, documentation, and making sure you're comfortable with how everything works. My goal is to leave you with something you can use effectively, long after I'm gone.
## What it costs, roughly
Look, I don't charge by the hour, and I'm not a fan of open-ended contracts. Almost all my projects are fixed-fee, meaning you know the total cost upfront. For a typical engagement, you're usually looking at something in the low-to-mid five figures range. Smaller, very focused pilots might be a bit less, and more complex, longer-term projects could be more. I'm happy to discuss your specific needs and give you a more precise estimate during our discovery calls. The idea is to make sure the value you get significantly outweighs what you pay.
## Who I'm usually NOT a fit for
I'm not for everyone, and that's okay. If you're a giant corporation with layers of approval processes and a requirement for a team of 20 consultants, I'm probably not your guy. I also don't do 'big data' infrastructure projects from scratch – I assume you already have some data, even if it's messy. If you're looking for someone to just 'do AI' without a clear business problem in mind, or you expect results overnight, I'll kindly tell you I can't help. My sweet spot is working with ambitious SMBs in places like Cambridge who are ready to make a practical, data-driven change.
## Getting in touch
If any of this resonates and you're thinking machine learning or data science might actually be able to move the needle for your business here in Cambridge, let's talk. The easiest way to get started is to book a 20-min call. No pressure, just a chat to see if there's a fit.
FAQs — Cambridge
How do I know if AI is worth it for my Cambridge business?
The best way to know is to identify a specific, repeatable business problem that involves data. If you have a clear challenge where better predictions or automation would make a difference, then it's worth exploring. I can help you figure this out during our initial conversation.
Do you work with companies outside Cambridge?
While I focus on serving local businesses in Cambridge and the surrounding areas, I do take on projects from outside the immediate region if it's a good fit and can be effectively managed remotely. My primary goal is delivering value, regardless of geography.
What kind of data do I need to have?
You don't need perfect, pristine data. Most businesses have 'messy' data. What's important is that you have some relevant data, even if it's in spreadsheets or different systems. Part of my work is often helping clean and prepare that data for use.
What does the first 2 weeks look like after I reach out?
After you reach out, we'll schedule a discovery call to discuss your business and challenges. If there's potential for a project, I'll gather more details, and then aim to provide you with a high-level project outline or proposal within that initial two-week period.
Is a fixed-fee project truly fixed, or are there hidden costs?
My fixed-fee projects are truly fixed. Once we agree on the scope and price, that's what you pay. The only time the cost would change is if you request a significant change to the project scope that we mutually agree upon, which would then result in a new agreement.