AI is no longer a future concept — it’s fast becoming the operating environment for modern businesses. As we head into 2026, organisations that fail to get a grip on AI risk falling behind competitors who are already using it to move faster, work smarter, and create real advantage. This thought leadership piece explores how AI is evolving, why inaction is now a strategic risk, and sets out a practical, low-regret path for businesses to take control — turning AI from a source

Many organisations invest heavily in marketing and sales, yet still struggle to convert interest into customers. Often, the problem isn’t effort but insight. This article explores why customers don’t buy, where organisations lose visibility across the customer journey, and how AI — used properly — can help uncover friction points, improve engagement and drive real business outcomes.

Here’s the shift AI is driving: relationship management is becoming as much a science as it is an art.

For many SMEs, business development is part strategy, part instinct, and part juggling act. You might know your key clients well but keeping track of follow-ups, nurturing prospects, or spotting subtle shifts in relationships often comes down to gut feel, inbox searches, and memory. And that’s where AI is starting to quietly elevate what’s possible.

What We Heard from the Frontline Over coffee with my best friend Chris, a procurement lead at a growing UK business, he said something that resonated: “We don’t have a problem with supplier choice - we have a problem tracking how well they perform, when contracts are due, and what risk sits where.” Sound familiar? Many SMEs lack the time, tools, or teams to properly monitor supplier performance or predict issues before they happen. That means missed renewal dates, late deli