iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 19/09/2026

Something I've been saying for a while: stop asking which AI model to use. Start asking which broken process you're automating. The model is the easy 10%. The other 90% is the work nobody wants to do.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 30/08/2026

@emollick.bsky.social, just finished Co-Intelligence. This was one of my favorite points: "The strengths and weaknesses of AI may not mirror your own, and that’s an asset. This diversity in thought and approach can lead to innovative solutions and ideas that might never occur to a human mind."

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 15/08/2026

www.linkedin.com/pulse/bottle... Stop being your business's biggest bottleneck. This article is your escape plan to shift from Hero to Architect by auditing rules, fixing friction, and using AI as fuel for a designed system.

linkedin.com

The Bottleneck Resignation: Why Your Business Needs You to Step Down and How AI Can Help

If your business falls apart when you step away for a week, you're not a leader. What you really are is a bottleneck.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 02/07/2026

A great offering CAST! AI literacy is such an important undertaking in today’s digital world and to give people the space to learn and explore. Keep up the great work!

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 05/06/2026

AI orchestrator job listings grew 1,294% in one year! The top skill? Understanding business processes. You can't tell if an agent is misbehaving if you don't know what the process was supposed to do. Before you think about deploying an AI agent it is critical to know your business processes.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 20/05/2026

www.fastcompany.com/91543359/85-... 85% of workers can’t connect AI training to their job. Small businesses actually have an edge here. No corporate curriculum to sit through. Just pick the most annoying task on your plate and start there.

fastcompany.com

85% of workers can't connect AI training to their job

New research from Docebo shows why AI adoption is stalling. Here's what works.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 16/05/2026

A Vermont bagel shop owner tried AI marketing and got blowback. He handled it with grace. The question he needed before hitting post: what do your customers actually trust you for?

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 14/05/2026

@praddenkeefe.bsky.social just finished London Falling. Wow! Your storytelling was amazing. I was imagining being in your shoes as an investigative journalist and pulling the thread on this story and all the interesting characters that emerged. Really incredible work.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 04/05/2026

CEOs dealing with implementation reality want to slow down. Boards watching competitor headlines want to accelerate. That gap is where bad AI rollouts are born.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 04/05/2026

Interesting result, but “build a diverse AI ecosystem” raises harder governance questions than alignment itself. Who designs it? Who prevents one actor from quietly dominating the whole arrangement?

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 23/04/2026

Charity staff are going rogue with AI, 42% using personal accounts at work, half of them not even sure if it’s allowed. Meanwhile, orgs are still fumbling on policy and training. The tech enthusiasm is there. The support structures really aren’t.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 13/04/2026

Stanford AI Index: $581B invested in AI in 2025, mostly into big tech. Meanwhile small businesses sit paralyzed by analysis. The gap isn't technical anymore, it's strategic. Stop waiting for perfect info. Pick one problem, test it, measure results.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 10/04/2026

@markhamillofficial.bsky.social I am pretty sure we could crowd fund a few x-wing fighters if you want to get Red Squadron back together and take a run at this Death Star.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 22/03/2026

UK data shouldn’t come as a surprise, it’s what we’ve seen everywhere: leadership deploys AI to look innovative, then wonders why it doesn’t deliver. Define success before you buy the tool. Everything follows from clarity.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 14/03/2026

"AI brain fry" is what happens when companies skip the implementation strategy and go straight to "use AI more." You can't just hand someone a Ferrari and say drive. The study nails it, we need onboarding for AI the same way we do for people.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 05/03/2026

Most AI decisions stall because leaders are trying to solve a problem and explore an opportunity at the same time. Those are different conversations. Mix them up and nothing ever resolves.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 03/03/2026

Someone told me yesterday: 'I was so confused about AI. I thought I was behind. After talking to you, I realized I was just making a smart decision to wait.' That's the feeling I'm going for. Relief, not urgency.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 28/02/2026

Cutting 40% of staff to prove AI competence is investor theater. You can’t automate what you don’t understand. Companies eliminating the workers who actually grasp their business operations. Strip institutional knowledge and your AI becomes an expensive paperweight.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 27/02/2026

Before you implement AI, document your current process. I mean actually write down what you're doing. Most companies find they can improve 20-30% just by standardizing what they're already doing. Then you know if you actually need AI.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 26/02/2026

The companies that succeed with AI have one thing in common: they know exactly what problem they're solving before they talk to any vendors. The ones that fail start with vendor demos. Demo first = disaster. Problem first = success.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 25/02/2026

Team alignment is the #1 predictor of AI success. Not budget. Not technology. Team alignment. If your team doesn't want it, it won't work. So ask them first. Really ask them. Listen to the real concerns.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 24/02/2026

I've seen companies spend $100K on AI to solve a $30K problem. I've seen them spend nothing and solve it with a $15K hire. The difference isn't the budget. It's whether they did step 2 of my framework: calculate the actual cost of the problem.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 22/02/2026

Weekly recap: AI isn't always the answer. Sometimes the smartest move is to wait. If you're feeling pressure to implement AI, you're not alone. And you're not wrong to be skeptical.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 21/02/2026

Have you said no to an AI implementation? I'd love to hear your story. What made you confident in that decision? Sometimes the best business decisions are the ones you didn't make. Drop a reply below.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 20/02/2026

Most AI projects don't deliver the promised ROI. Not because AI is bad, but because expectations are unrealistic. Here's the real question: can you describe a specific problem and a realistic 12-month ROI? If not, you're not ready yet. And that's actually smart.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 20/02/2026

Just watched “The Pitt.” Love how it shows AI not as hero or villain, but a mirror for how broken the healthcare system is. It can handle charting, but not tough calls. The real issue isn’t the tech, it’s burnout, overload, and people running on fumes. Tools help, but they can’t replace judgment.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 20/02/2026

AI doesn’t make you better or lazier, it shows which one you already are. If you’re curious, it’s a jetpack. If you’re coasting, it just speeds up the emptiness. It’s not about the tool. It’s about you. The real question is what you do with it.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 19/02/2026

Vendors promise 30% efficiency gains. But they don't mention implementation delays, training costs, change management, and data quality issues. By the time you factor it all in, those gains shrink fast. Before you implement AI, ask: what's my realistic ROI in 12 months?

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 18/02/2026

There's a lot of pressure to jump on AI right now. But here's what I've learned: the best strategic decisions sometimes look like you're doing nothing. If you're not ready, you're not ready. And that's okay. Better to wait and be right than to rush and be wrong.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 17/02/2026

Real question: How many times have you been pressured to implement something because 'everyone else is doing it'? I've seen smart business owners waste $50K on AI they didn't need. The best decision isn't always yes. Sometimes it's 'not yet.'

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 16/02/2026

Not every business needs AI. Here's the truth: if you can't describe your problem in one sentence, you're not ready for AI. If your team doesn't want it, it won't work. If you have a process problem, not a tech problem, AI will just automate the mess. Sometimes the best move is 'not now.'

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 15/02/2026

The AI shift isn’t coming, it’s here. The real challenge isn’t the tech, but whether we build a future that works for people. We need smarter systems, yes, but also fairness, support, and time to adapt. Progress shouldn’t leave people behind. Let’s shape it wisely.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 15/02/2026

AI says all the right things but means none of it. No weight, no consequence. Over time, that erodes what honest communication feels like. We’re not just getting smarter tools, we’re changing how we relate to words and each other, without deciding to. That’s worth noticing.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 13/02/2026

Hospital bills are a total maze, so seeing someone use AI to actually level the playing field is incredible. It’s a good news example of how these tools can give regular people some serious leverage.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 12/02/2026

AI will change white-collar work, but it won't erase it. The routine stuff may go, but judgment, empathy, and creativity will still be needed. The future isn’t about replacement. It’s about adaptation. We’ve done it before. We’ll do it again. Focus on what only people can bring.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 12/02/2026

AI isn’t for everyone. But it might be for you — if: - You’re curious - You’re tired of doing the same thing every week - You’d like to save 10 minutes That’s the only checklist you need.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 11/02/2026

Really interesting and thought provoking. AI rights aren’t about consciousness but accountability. As systems make real decisions, we’ll need legal clarity on responsibility. Like corporations, AI may need personhood not because it’s human, but so we can build fair, transparent systems.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 10/02/2026

Most small businesses don’t need an AI strategy. They need an AI experiment. Try one thing. See if it saves time. Decide later.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 08/02/2026

"Crucially, AI is affecting each industry differently. So, we might see fewer entry-level jobs in some industries, but more in others, or growth in specialist roles." I think this is a valid point, it really does come down to our ability to adapt to this changing landscape.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 08/02/2026

Great point, it redefined their role. Same with AI, it’s about job evolution. The future hopefully isn’t human vs. machine, it’s humans with machines, doing more meaningful work. Adaptability wins again.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 07/02/2026

I get the AI backlash but, I am optimistic when I see good news stories like this.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 05/02/2026

Most AI advice starts too late. It assumes you’re ready to build workflows, pick tools, go all-in. But the real first step? 👉 Typing two words in your email. 👉 Hitting “draft.” 👉 Editing what comes back. That’s it. You don’t need a strategy. You need one live try.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 03/02/2026

AI hype is loud, but real value is in quiet wins. Leaders aren't chasing revolution; they're making small, smart moves. Solve one problem, make it count. That's where real AI value begins.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 01/02/2026

AI is changing work, but not every layoff is AI's fault. Some companies are honest; others hide behind the buzz. Real automation is replacing tasks, but "AI-washing" lets leaders off the hook. Let’s call it what it is, sometimes progress, sometimes excuse-making. Transparency matters.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 31/01/2026

Stuck on AI? You’re not behind. You’re just making the decisions in the wrong order. Problem or opportunity? Learn or implement? DIY or guided? Get these right — then pick a tool.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 30/01/2026

Moltbot’s ambition is cool, but let’s not pretend we’re ready for AI with full access to our files and accounts. “Run it locally” doesn’t fix the fact that a misstep could leak everything. Innovation is great, but not at the cost of basic safety and sanity. Let’s slow down.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 29/01/2026

AI won’t improve employee experience by doing more. It starts by asking: “What’s making work harder than it needs to be?” Automate the friction. Protect the human. That’s how you earn trust, not with tools, but with care.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 29/01/2026

Viral AI tools like Moltbot look exciting until you see the cost: security risks, complexity, and uncontrolled access. For small businesses, the real question isn’t “Can it do this?” It’s “Should we let it near our data?” Start with trust. Build from there.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 29/01/2026

Big AI wins in big companies don’t mean small businesses should rush in. The real question isn’t “Are people using AI?” It’s “What problem are you solving?” Clarity before adoption. Always.

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Josh Bell @stonefieldstrategy.com · 27/01/2026

I am going to get this out of the way. "Why don't you actually do AI implementation?" Because someone has to be the one asking, ‘Wait — why are we doing this?’ And I volunteered. I help leaders focus, so the builders have a clear mission. That’s where value starts.

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