Stage 2: Assisted
You have tools in place, but they operate in silos. The raw materials exist \u2014 what\u2019s missing is the architecture to connect them.
What Stage 2 Looks Like
- Some tools are in place — a CRM, project management software, maybe basic email marketing
- These tools operate in silos; data doesn’t flow between them
- Some processes have templates or checklists, but execution is still manual
- Marketing generates some leads, but follow-up is inconsistent and untracked
- There’s awareness that “AI could help” but no clear plan for where or how
Signs You're at This Stage
- Your CRM has thousands of records but no one trusts the data — duplicates, missing fields, outdated contacts
- Your marketing team and operations team use different tools, different metrics, and different definitions of “qualified”
- You’ve tried automating a few things, but they broke or got abandoned within weeks
- Scaling still means hiring; the systems don’t create leverage on their own
What Good Looks Like at Stage 2
You’ve built the raw materials. The tools exist. The data exists. What’s missing is the architecture to connect them into systems that create real leverage.
Stage 2 is where most businesses in the $1M–$25M range sit — and it’s where most get stuck. The tools feel like progress, but without integration, they create as many problems as they solve.
The good news: you’re closer than you think. The foundation is there. The next step isn’t buying more tools — it’s connecting the ones you already have into integrated, AI-driven systems.
Your Next Move
Based on your stage, the recommended next step is the AI Growth System. Here\u2019s why:
- Connects your existing tools into integrated, AI-driven systems across marketing and operations
- Eliminates data silos by building automated workflows that move information where it needs to go
- Delivers measurable results within 90 days — not a roadmap, but working systems
Recommended Reading
Find Out Exactly Where You Stand
The QuickScan gives you a dimension-level breakdown — not just the stage, but where you’re strong and where you’re exposed across operations, marketing, and digital.