Free checklist

AI vendor checklist

Bring this to any meeting with an AI consultant or vendor, including us. Tick each box only when you have a clear answer. Print it, or use your browser's print dialog to save it as a PDF.

The work

They named exactly what will exist when the work is done: a working system, a trained team, or a written plan.
They showed me something they built, even with the client name withheld, and said what it replaced.
I know who will do the work, and I have met them.
We agreed how success is measured and what happens if it is not met.

My data

They listed every tool and vendor that will touch my data.
The AI tools, API keys and automations will be in my name, not theirs.
Their access starts narrow, and I know when it ends.
A person reviews anything that sends email, moves money or changes records.

After they leave

I know who maintains it, and what that takes.
My team will be trained to run it.
I have seen an example of their handoff documentation.
The pricing model is clear: hourly, fixed scope or monthly, and what happens if scope changes.
They gave me a reference I can call.
They told me what AI should not do for my business.

Red flags. Any one of these is a reason to pause.

Guaranteed results or an exact ROI before they have seen my operations.
A large retainer as the very first step.
They asked for my passwords instead of their own accounts and permissions.
A partnership or certification they cannot point me to.
Everything runs through their accounts.
No clear answer on where my data goes.

We cover these questions live in our free monthly session. See the next date. Or put us through the checklist yourself on a 30-minute call.

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