You don’t need precise data here, but it helps. But we can work with a few directional figures. Here’s a simple way to think about your potential ROI for AI:
Annual ROI = (Savings + New Revenue + Productivity Gains) – Annual AI Tool Cost
Start by gathering the data points you likely already know:
- Your team’s average monthly support or service costs
- Approximate time saved per employee or per customer interaction
- Average order value or conversion rate if you sell online
- Team size and monthly customer or lead volume
Even rough estimates can help you see the picture. For example, if automating 40% of repetitive customer inquiries saves two full-time staff equivalents, or if faster responses increase conversion by 10%, that’s a measurable business impact.