Stop Using AI Like Google: Operations, Automation, and Scaling with Matt Harmsworth

In this episode, Brad sits down with Matt Harmsworth, founder of the ROVAR Group. Matt shares his journey from working as a tree surgeon in Surrey and making grueling motorbike commutes to flying drones over Hollywood film sets like *James Bond* and *Transformers*, before ultimately building a multi-million-pound environmental consultancy.  **KEY TAKEAWAYS** **Build an "AI Engine" Underneath the Business:** Rather than using public AI models for surface-level tasks like basic web searches or content generation, business owners should break down internal operational bottlenecks and build custom, step-by-step AI workflows. **Speed of Implementation Drives Success:** The key differentiator between thriving entrepreneurs and stagnant ones is the speed at which they take action on new insights, advice, and operational adjustments. **Prepare for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO):** As consumers increasingly rely on AI agents and voice assistants to search for services, businesses need to ensure their digital footprint is structured for AI crawlers rather than just traditional web browsers. **Strategic Hires Unlock New Milestones:** Investing in high-leverage expertise such as a fractional CFO or an executive assistant provides the financial clarity and operational freedom required to scale without over-leveraging the business. **Fail Fast and Build Proprietary IP:** Experimenting with internal automations inevitably leads to tools that don't get used. The goal is to fail fast, abandon what doesn't work, and retain the custom systems (IP) that give your company a distinct competitive edge. **BEST MOMENTS** *"The smart thing here is not interacting with this as if it's a Google search engine... it's getting it to do stuff."* *"My bedrock thing in AI consultancy is that you should build an AI engine underneath the business. Find where the bottlenecks are, and then sprinkle the AI fairy dust over the top."* *"Comparison is the thief of joy, and the last thing you should be doing is looking at people that are further on than you and comparing yourself to them."* *"Build a business to sell, even if you've got no intention of selling it."* *"The most successful people I see are implementing straight after those masterminds... You're leveraging their experience, so you've got to take action on it."* HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.