Scaling with AI

Most teams are experimenting with artificial intelligence in business. Very few are truly leveraging AI in business to drive measurable growth.In this episode of Scaling With AI, Alex Bacon speaks with Nikki Laker, Marketing Director at Opus Technology, about what artificial intelligence (AI) in business looks like when it moves beyond prompts and into performance. This is a practical, grounded podcast about AI for leaders who want results, not theory.Nikki shares how she built a custom “unicorn” GPT that identifies keyword gaps, generates SEO and GEO content, maps internal links and tracks time saved. In the first month alone, her small marketing team reclaimed five full working days. They also explore how AI-powered sales assistants are accelerating research, improving outreach and shortening sales cycles.The conversation goes deeper into artificial intelligence marketing for small business, measuring AI visibility, using Reddit strategically, and balancing tools like ChatGPT, Copilot and Claude. It is an honest look at business growth AI in action, including the tensions, experiments and mindset shifts required to make it work.If you are serious about scaling through artificial intelligence in business, this AI and business podcast will give you practical insight and a clearer path forward.

AI governance is often treated as an afterthought. Something to tidy up later, once the tools are live and the excitement has died down. In this episode of Scaling With AI, Alex Bacon is joined by Dr Ben Thompson, AI governance and compliance expert, to unpack what responsible AI adoption actually looks like in the real world.Drawing on his background in education leadership, data protection and AI regulation, Ben explains why governance and data security needs to start before any tools are rolled out, not after. They explore the growing risk of shadow AI, where employees quietly use tools like ChatGPT, note takers and browser plugins outside any policy or control, and why this creates serious blind spots for leaders who may think everyone is happy using Microsoft Copilot.The conversation also breaks down the EU AI Act in plain English, why UK businesses cannot ignore it, and how a simple risk based approach can give teams confidence rather than slowing them down. From one page AI policies to cultural trust, training and leadership responsibility, this episode cuts through fear and complexity.If you are a founder, operator or senior leader trying to scale AI without losing control, this is a practical, grounded listen.

Most AI conversations are about speed, automation, or replacing people. Paul Green takes a very different view.In this episode of Scaling With AI, Alex Bacon sits down with Paul Green, MSP marketing expert and founder of MSP Marketing Edge, to explore the reality of AI adoption. One where AI acts as a high-quality assistant, not a shortcut or a substitute for human judgement.Paul shares how his business produces hundreds of pieces of marketing content every month, why humans still sit at the centre of that work, and how tools like ChatGPT are used to improve quality, consistency, and decision-making rather than churn out more content for the sake of it.The conversation digs into why systems matter more than shiny AI tools, what many MSPs are getting wrong about AI adoption, and how fear around data, security, and rapid change is slowing progress. Paul also shares a compelling example of an MSP using internal AI to spot patterns, reduce churn, and make better strategic decisions, pointing to how AI-led advisory services could evolve.A practical episode for founders and operators exploring real AI use cases, with clear lessons for MSPs who want to move past hype and help clients use AI to think better, not just faster.

AI is everywhere in sales right now. But if your sellers are using it wrong they risk doing more harm than good.In this episode of Scaling With AI, Alex Bacon is joined by sales coach Gavin Kowalski, founder of Method Engine, to unpack what effective AI use in B2B sales actually looks like in practice. Drawing on his work with MSPs, cloud and technology sales teams, Gavin shares where AI is helping sellers move faster, where it creates lazy output, and why strategy matters far more than tools. They explore how top performing sales reps use AI for account research, note taking, proposals, and coaching without producing generic copy that fails the sniff test. The conversation also tackles the reality behind SDR automation, why leadership is often the blocker to better adoption, and how sales teams can turn their own data into a real advantage. This is a grounded, honest discussion about blending AI with human judgement, learning through play, and sharpening core skills like copywriting rather than outsourcing thinking. If you lead a sales team, coach sellers, or want to scale revenue with AI without losing credibility, this episode is for you.

AI is changing the legal sector fast, but what actually works in practice? What AI skills do people in the legal industry need?In this episode of Scaling with AI, host Alex Bacon is joined by Rachel Hawkins, Senior Legal Operations Manager at Osborne Clarke, to unpack how a global law firm is moving from AI experimentation to real delivery.Rachel shares how Osborne Clarke has built a responsible, scalable approach to AI in a highly regulated environment. From early experimentation with private GPT models to transforming end to end legal workflows, this conversation goes beyond hype and into what law firms are actually doing today.You will learn:How law firms are adopting AI responsibly without slowing innovationThe difference between horizontal AI use and true process transformationWhy governance, trust and education matter more than toolsHow AI is changing client expectations, pricing models and junior rolesWhat leaders in legal and professional services can learn from this approachA practical, honest episode for legal leaders, innovation teams and anyone serious about using AI to deliver real impact.A look at the skills, tools, strategy and processes needed for successful AI adoption in legal services.

Julian Goldie, SEO agency founder, explains how AI content automation helped him scale from freelancer to an eight-figure business without hiring at speed.In this episode of Scaling with AI, Julian Goldie joins Alex Bacon to break down how AI is being used to scale content and operations in real businesses. The conversation is aimed at founders, agency owners and consultants exploring AI for business growth.Julian shares how AI tools are used to automate content creation at scale across YouTube, LinkedIn and short-form video, reaching millions of people each month. He explains the role of AI voice and video cloning, automated scripting, and structured quality control systems that allow small teams to compete with much larger organisations.The episode also covers practical AI use cases in SEO delivery, backlink outreach, reporting automation and cost reduction. Julian discusses how to avoid AI hallucinations, where human input still matters, and how to introduce AI into teams without sacrificing quality.If you are looking to use AI for content automation, marketing scale or operational efficiency, this episode offers clear, real-world insight. Listen now to learn how to scale with AI, not headcount.

AI search is changing how every brand gets found and trusted online - and most businesses are not ready for what is happening right now.Get practical advice on preparing your brand for AI search with James Foote, SEO Director at Polaris. James joins Alex Bacon on the Scaling With AI Podcast to unpack how AI search, AI overviews and generative search are reshaping brand visibility for marketing and business leaders. This episode explores the real impact of SEO, GEO, AEO and AIO on e-commerce, B2B and consumer search behaviour, making it ideal for leaders who need clarity on what is shifting and what to do next.James shares why brands are behind the curve, how AI search models like Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT are influencing product discovery, and why reputation management is becoming essential again. We also look at the rise of spam tactics in AI search and how to stay visible without risking your brand.You will learn how to measure your AI search baseline, create content that matches user intent, and get ahead of emerging trends such as agent shopping, visual search and contextual content for e-commerce.If you want to understand AI search and build a brand strategy that is ready for what comes next, this episode is for you. Listen now.

Business and marketing leaders are rethinking how they create and scale content in an AI driven world. In this episode of Scaling with AI, Jon Buckthorp from Differentiated joins Alex to explore how AI content creation is transforming user behaviour, marketing workflows and customer expectations.Jon explains how AI can act as a genuine content partner, improving research, ideation and writing so teams can produce higher quality work at speed. He shares why brands must move away from thought theatre and focus instead on clarity, depth and measurable value. The discussion breaks down the growing gap between what users say they want and what they actually engage with, plus why traditional content marketing models are struggling to keep up.You will also hear practical examples from Differentiated, covering generative AI, personalised content journeys, AI assisted workflows and the real world impact these tools can have on marketing performance.If you want to understand how AI can elevate your content strategy, meet rising user expectations and give your team a smarter way to work, this episode of Scaling with AI will help you stay ahead.

What happens when a global retailer like ASOS puts Microsoft Copilot in the hands of its people? In this episode of Scaling with AI, Alex Bacon explores how AI adoption can succeed when non-tech teams lead the change.Hannah Adams, ASOS’s former Head of Learning and Development, shares how she helped employees embrace Copilot—from early resistance to practical everyday use. She explains what really drives engagement, how to turn sceptics into advocates, and why learning design matters more than technology.Expect insights on building confidence, embedding AI into real workflows, and making “AI for everyone” a reality. Whether you’re running a small team or scaling an SME, you’ll take away practical lessons to launch your own Copilot rollout without the chaos.ASOS, Microsoft Copilot, AI adoption, SME leaders, digital transformation — how do non-tech teams make AI work in practice? If you're an SME leader, founder, and manager planning a Copilot rollout or exploring how to embed AI tools into daily work - this episode is a must.This episode also features a new segment of the show with Ben Lee who is reviewing a new AI tool every episode. This week Ben reviews Tella.

AI is changing how we work – but most teams still don’t know which skills matter or where to start.In this episode of Scaling with AI, Alex Bacon talks with Will Roberts from Digital Peninsula Network about the essential AI skills every business needs to stay competitive. Drawing on insights from the government-funded AI for Workplace Productivity Bootcamp, Will shares how UK leaders and teams are learning to use tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Midjourney to boost efficiency, creativity and confidence at work.You’ll discover how to build an AI-ready workforce, why most training fails to stick, and how to create a culture of experimentation that drives results. They also explore AI in education, the changing expectations of future employees, and how Will uses AI to manage ADHD, turning distraction into focus and productivity.If you’re leading a business or building a career around AI adoption, digital transformation or upskilling, this episode gives you a practical blueprint for success.Listen now to learn how to close the AI skills gap and future-proof your business.

What happens when Microsoft becomes its own test case for AI?In this episode of Scaling with AI, Alex Bacon speaks with George Pearson, Portfolio Lead for Global Partner Support at Microsoft, about the Customer Zero initiative – the internal deployment of Copilot across Microsoft’s vast support organisation.George reveals how Microsoft used Copilot to transform operations spanning 92 contact centres, tens of thousands of engineers, and over a billion customers. He shares what it really took to modernise global customer service: from consolidating 16 CRM systems into one, to cutting admin time and increasing first-call resolution by 31%.You’ll learn why Copilot is more than a writing assistant, how “thoughtful deployment” avoids the rubbish in, rubbish out trap, and why human feedback from engineers proved crucial to success.If you lead a business exploring AI adoption, this conversation offers a blueprint for scaling AI that boosts both customer experience and employee satisfaction.Listen now to learn how Microsoft made AI work in the real world.

What happens when cutting-edge AI meets one of literature’s most beloved characters? In this episode of Scaling with AI, Alex Bacon explores how the University for the Creative Arts partnered with StarPal AI to bring Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen’s world into ours as a fully interactive AI avatar.Discover how students and researchers worked together to design, build and test a digital version of Lizzy that delighted visitors at the Jane Austen House Museum. From witty unscripted conversations to surprising historical knowledge, the project revealed how avatars can transform cultural engagement and make learning more accessible.We unpack the creative process behind shaping Elizabeth’s personality, the role of iteration in refining her responses, and what this experiment means for museums, education, and the wider cultural sector.If you’re curious about how AI avatars can breathe new life into heritage experiences - and what it’s like to chat with Jane Austen’s most famous heroine - this episode is not to be missed.

What does it take for a 187-year-old firm to successfully scale AI across every department? In this episode of Scaling with AI, you’ll hear real-world AI strategy, use cases and implementation lessons from Ben Lee of Bidwells.Most businesses struggle to move AI projects beyond pilot stage. Guest Ben Lee, Head of Data and AI at Bidwells, shares the "Launchpad" framework he developed to move from experimentation to business-wide adoption.Alex and Ben explore:Why time, not technology, kills AI adoption (and the simple fix)The critical step before automating: fixing broken processes firstReady-to-implement AI applications for meetings, research, and documentationHow to scale from experimentation to enterprise-wide transformationThis conversation blends strategy with hands-on examples, showing how traditional businesses can adopt AI in a structured, scalable way. Whether you're starting your AI journey or ready to scale, you'll gain a clear framework to follow.Listen now to learn proven strategies for AI adoption, implementation and scaling across your business.

Everyone’s talking about AI, but is your business ready for it?In this episode, Alex talks with Josh Berry, Technical Director at Bind Media, about why the real power of AI in marketing begins with your data. Before chasing new tools, Josh explains how agencies and brands must centralise, clean and structure their data so it is AI-ready.Josh shares how Bind Media, a certified B Corp, built a modular data architecture that now powers AI agents, marketing automation and smarter decision-making across client campaigns. From optimising Google Ads to scaling lead generation, he shows how the right data layer unlocks efficiency, creativity and better results.You will learn:Why “garbage in, garbage out” matters more than ever in AI marketingHow to take a modular approach to building AI systemsThe cultural shift required to bring teams on the journeyIf you want to use AI to drive business growth rather than just experiment with shiny tools, this conversation gives you the roadmap.Listen now and discover how to future-proof your marketing with data.

'Most sales people are using AI completely wrong'. This is one of Michael's opening statements in this episode of Scaling With AI.Michael discusses how he is using AI tools in his own business to drive sales, and also how sales people can leverage AI tools to improve their sales techniques and performance.Michael is a seasoned sales trainer and coach and discusses how sales people and business leaders can use AI to help them sell more.Michael has grown the business from one-man consultancy business to a full sales training business. Learn about the challenges he faced, the strategies he employed, and how he leverages AI to enhance B2B sales processes. From utilising AI for deep research to avoiding the pitfalls of AI-generated spam, Michael shares valuable tips and experiences that can help any sales professional or business leader. Tune in to explore the opportunities and limitations of AI in the sales cycle, and how authentic, personalised outreach can set you apart in a competitive market.00:00 Introduction to Growth Genie00:46 The Journey of Growth Genie02:37 Challenges and Solutions in Sales03:47 Leveraging AI in Sales08:13 AI in Personal Branding14:17 AI Throughout the Sales Cycle24:23 The Hype and Misuse of AI in Sales25:09 Challenges with AI-Generated Content27:38 AI in Training and Coaching29:27 Leveraging AI for Business Growth31:28 Community and Networking for AI Insights33:06 Adapting to AI in the Workplace36:50 Future Predictions for AI in Sales and Marketing40:43 Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts

Scaling a Lean SaaS business with AI - Chris Allen, CRO & Co-founder of LicensewareIn this episode, Chris Allen from Licenseware shares how a lean Software as a Service business can scale faster and operate more efficiently by embedding AI across sales, marketing, product, and operations.Chris explains how Licenseware uses AI to automate complex software licensing analysis, streamline sales follow-up, power in-product support, and even accelerate product documentation and demo creation. He discusses the cultural mindset that’s helped the team adopt AI, the balance between building and buying tools, and the guardrails needed to manage data security and ethics.You’ll also hear practical examples of AI in action — from cutting the time to market for new features, to reducing headcount while increasing capacity, to uncovering unexpected personal uses like race training plans and fish tank maintenance.Whether you’re in SaaS, enterprise software, or simply curious about applying AI to everyday business problems, this episode is full of actionable insights and hard-earned lessons.

Lessons from Rayo’s Ethical and Scalable DeploymentIn this episode, Matt from Rayo takes you through the practical side of scaling AI in business.Matt shares how the company is embedding AI into its operations to drive growth, efficiency and innovation. Learn about the concept of vibe coding, the ethical considerations that come with advanced AI use, and how Rayo is building secure and scalable processes to support its AI adoption. Matt also reflects on the evolving role of the CTO, how AI is reshaping traditional responsibilities, and what small businesses can do to get started. Whether you’re a business leader or tech enthusiast, if you're exploring how to apply AI in real business settings, this conversation offers practical insights and plenty of food for thought.Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:06 Background of Rayo and UBDS01:21 Company Growth and Achievements02:05 Role and Responsibilities of the CTO04:19 AI Integration in Business07:17 Ethics and Risks of AI28:08 AI in Public Sector34:55 Future of AI and Final Thoughts

Building an AI Innovation Culture to Scale Marketing: Medico Digital's Journey with AIIn this episode, Ollie from Medico Digital shares insights into how the agency is fostering a culture of AI innovation to scale their marketing. Learn how Medico Digital is improving online access to healthcare information, reflecting on the company’s 10-year journey, their goals for international growth, and how they’re embedding AI into their daily operations. Hear about their practical use of AI to enhance engagement, streamline workflows, and support content creation. If you're curious about how AI can enable growth and operational efficiency, this conversation is well worth a listen.00:00 Introduction to Medico Digital00:53 Company Growth and Ambitions02:33 Scaling with AI04:44 AI in Practice06:42 Challenges and Resistance08:53 AI Tools and Implementation17:08 Future of AI and Business19:15 Personal Insights and Conclusion

"Scaling with AI" is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Alex Bacon, aimed at demystifying AI by exploring its practical applications in scaling businesses. Alex leverages his extensive experience in marketing leadership to delve into how companies integrate AI to grow faster and more efficiently. Each episode features interviews with founders and leaders from startups and scale-ups, discussing their journey, AI use cases, challenges faced, and lessons learned. Topics include automation of routine tasks, AI-enabled market research, customer engagement, and content creation. The podcast is available on major platforms like Spotify, Apple, and Amazon, and invites audience participation and feedback via LinkedIn. The ultimate goal is to help traditional businesses embrace AI technologies to enhance their processes and strategies. Subscribe to stay updated and explore the transformative potential of AI in business.