For UK managing directors, finance directors and business leaders
Where could AI create more value in your business?
Start with one repetitive workflow. The calculator shows how much valuable capacity it consumes, then helps you think about what that capacity could be worth commercially — in revenue, margin, decision quality or risk.
It takes about two minutes.
A practical starting point. Capacity released is not the same as cash saved.
What the research actually shows
37%
said AI had made a positive contribution to company operating profit.
Personal productivity does not turn into business value by itself.
McKinsey measured reported EBIT impact.
53%
of people who reported saving more than 30 minutes a day used the time for focused work. But 16% used it for more meetings.
*These studies cover different people, businesses and AI tools. They show what may be possible. They don't predict your result. Microsoft's 53% and 16% figures came from people in an early-access study who reported saving more than 30 minutes per day.
Where could AI create value?
AI is not valuable simply because it saves time. The value comes from what your business does with the capacity it releases.
Grow revenue
Faster proposals, better follow-up, opportunities buried in company data, stronger sales preparation and greater sales capacity.
Improve margin
Reducing external agency and support costs, increasing output from existing headcount, removing low-value work and reducing rework.
Create capacity
Valuable people spending less time assembling reports, searching documents, producing routine communications and administering processes.
Make better decisions
Extracting insight from company information, interrogating KPIs, spotting patterns, challenging assumptions and getting information to decision-makers faster.
Reduce risk
Better consistency, fewer missed dates or opportunities, clearer processes, appropriate governance and better access to organisational knowledge.
1 — Pick one workflow
Start with work your team does again and again.
Think reports, meeting follow-up, document checks, customer replies, research or first drafts. Pick one. We can keep this simple.
2 — Add your numbers
Use your best estimates.
Decimals are fine, for example 2.5.
Use an average across everyone involved. Include salary, employer costs and any other employment costs your business normally counts.
If this work includes senior or board time, consider using a higher blended rate. Your finance team may already have a standard figure.
3 — See the opportunity
Your result
Add your numbers above to see what this task could be worth.
4 — Put the capacity to work
Where would you most want to put that capacity to work?
One click. This is where a number starts to become a commercial conversation.
Pick the one that matters most right now.
5 — Check the practical risks
Could this workflow use AI safely?
A valuable opportunity still needs the right controls. Answer five quick questions.
Got a number that makes you think? Talk it through with Rachel.
Map the value and the risksSaved time needs a plan.
Microsoft found that 67% of early Copilot users said it saved time for more important work. Among those saving more than 30 minutes a day, 53% used it for focussed work. But 16% used it for more meetings.
McKinsey's 2026 survey found the same gap at company level. 80% reported better personal productivity. 37% reported a positive contribution to operating profit.
The high performers did more than chase efficiency. They also aimed for growth or innovation and redesigned the work.
“This new generation of AI will remove the drudgery of work and unleash creativity.”
“High performers pursue growth and/or innovation alongside efficiency.”
The lesson? Don't just save time. Decide how the business will use it.
Find where AI could create the most value in your business.
Forthfield helps businesses identify high-value AI opportunities, prioritise the right workflows and turn AI adoption into measurable business outcomes.
Map the value and the risksBook a call with Rachel at Forthfield. We'll look at the workflows consuming your most valuable capacity, test these assumptions and identify the controls needed for a sensible first step.
Want a structured view across your business? See the AI readiness assessment.
- One workflow, not a giant transformation plan.
- Practical value, risks and success measures.
- No pressure to buy software.
Forthfield. Practical AI. Real progress.
Questions people ask
Last reviewed: September 2026
“Numbers are always useful, but they're only the start. The real value of AI comes from what you choose to do next. ”