Business performance, led by a senior operator

Where is your business leaking profit?

Most businesses sell plenty and can't see where the profit goes. I find the leaks in your pricing, promotions and costs, then fix what's worth fixing. I use AI where it earns its place, and I'll tell you where it doesn't. More than twenty-five years in senior commercial roles, including GM at Briscoe Group and EziBuy.

Answer a few questions See how I work

The operating line: online revenue at Briscoe Group, up 16×

With diagnosis & fixTypical pathIllustrative

Problem

Most businesses aren't short of effort. They're short of knowing where the money leaks.

Pricing drifts. Promotions cost more than they return. Costs sit unreviewed for years. There's no shortage of activity, dashboards or reporting, but not enough shared understanding of what moves profit. Different teams see different truths.

That's drag. And drag is expensive.

Differentiator

The market sells you one half. I've done both.

They sell you the licence

A subscription and a login, with no view on which decisions matter to your P&L.

Evolve: operator, not consultant

I work out where the money leaks, then fix it, using AI where it pays, because I've carried the numbers in a business like yours. Evolve itself runs on AI agents, so I use what I sell.

They hand you the deck

Strategy decks and governance roadmaps. They leave before anything reaches production.

How I work

Four rungs. Each earns the next.

Diagnose

Growth Diagnostic

Where your profit leaks, and where AI helps fix it, ranked by value, effort and risk.

scoped with you

Design

The roadmap

A prioritised plan: the few fixes worth making, in order, with the first move named.

decision-ready

Deliver

The build

I make the first high-value fix and put it into use, where the business uses it. Often AI, sometimes not.

scoped with you

Partner

Fractional data & AI lead

Senior judgement on retainer, a few hours a month, on the decisions your business can't make alone.

monthly

Proof

Where I've done the work.

The record

25+

years in senior commercial roles, including GM at Briscoe Group and EziBuy.

16×

online revenue growth, $6m → $100m, Briscoe Group.

person accountable, from diagnosis to build. You deal with me directly.

Marion, owner of All About a Girl, in her shop — — Marion, Owner, All About a Girl

FAQ

Questions

Where is my business leaking profit?

Usually in pricing that has drifted, promotions that cost more than they return, and costs nobody has reviewed. I measure the leaks first, so we both know what's real, then fix what's worth fixing and use AI where it earns its place.

What does an AI consultant do for a New Zealand business?

I start with a diagnosis: where your profit leaks, and where data and AI will help fix it, ranked by value, effort and risk. Then a prioritised roadmap. Then I make the first high-value fix and put it into use, where your business uses it. Often that's AI. Sometimes it isn't.

What is a fractional data & AI lead?

Senior data and AI judgement on retainer, a few hours a month, without hiring a full-time executive. I make the calls with you that your business can't make alone.

Will AI work for my business?

Not everywhere. The diagnosis says where AI won't pay as clearly as where it will, so you only spend on the parts worth building.

Who will I work with?

Me, Dave Hughes, from diagnosis to build. I've spent more than 25 years in senior commercial roles, including GM at EziBuy and Briscoe Group, where online revenue grew from $6m to $100m.

What kind of business is this for?

Any business with a problem to solve, most often one where profit is leaking in pricing, promotions or costs. If you're not sure you fit, tell me about your business and I'll say so straight.

Do you work outside Palmerston North?

Yes. I'm based in Palmerston North and work with businesses across New Zealand and Australia.