90% of small business AI implementations fail - here’s what nobody tells you about adoption

In this episode, Luke Moroney interviews Mike Mortlock, a leading tax depreciation and quantity surveying expert in Australia who has worked with major brands like McDonald’s, Stockland, and Hilton Hotels. But this conversation goes well beyond property and depreciation. Mike breaks down why most businesses fail: they are often started by technicians who are great at the craft, but unprepared for the realities of running a company. He explains the danger of overcommitting to overheads and “looking big” before the offer is proven, and why early-stage growth is about getting a paying customer, overdelivering, collecting proof, and building relationships. As the business grows, the biggest challenge becomes people. Mike shares why payroll is usually the biggest expense in a company, yet most owners do not measure or optimize “people ROI” the same way they do marketing ROI. They discuss how workforce expectations have shifted, why loyalty is different today, and how leaders must create clear alignment, expectations, and progression pathways to reduce churn and improve performance. The episode also tackles AI: Mike cuts through the hype, explains why many small business AI implementations fail, and shares a practical view on where AI is useful today (augmenting humans) versus where it can harm trust (automated outreach that feels disrespectful to customers). Finally, Mike answers the legacy question: beyond financial success, he wants to be known as a helper, someone who gives honest guidance and does the right thing even when there is an opportunity to “sting” someone.