The market for generative AI advisory services is growing fast. "Budget-friendly," "starting from ¥X/month" — plenty of options, and plenty of ways to pick the wrong one.
Choosing on price alone is how you end up disappointed.
"I didn't realize I was locked into 6 months." "They just sent documents and nothing actually changed." These are real complaints. This post breaks down the 5 things you should verify before signing up for any AI advisory service.
Check 1: What does the actual price include?
Don't take "starting from ¥X/month" at face value. What matters is what you actually get at the lowest tier.
Ask specifically:
- How many meetings per month are included?
- How many hours of chat support (Slack, etc.) are covered?
- What triggers additional charges?
A plan at ¥100K/month with 4 meetings and unlimited chat may offer better value than a ¥50K plan with 2 meetings and 1 hour of chat. Compare the contents, not just the number.
Check 2: What's the minimum contract length?
This is the most commonly overlooked point — and the most common source of regret.
Some AI advisory services require a minimum 6-month commitment even on their entry plan. That means if the fit isn't right, you're still paying for 6 months.
What to verify:
- Is a 1-month trial available before committing?
- What's the minimum term after the trial?
- Are there cancellation penalties?
If your AI strategy is still taking shape, start with a service that lets you test for a short period. At minimum, look for a 1-month trial option before any longer commitment. (See: Leach's AI Advisory — 1-month trial available)
Check 3: Who actually handles your account — and what can they do?
"Generative AI advisor" doesn't mean much without knowing who's behind it.
Key questions:
- Who actually responds to you? Is it the expert, or are they outsourcing to junior staff?
- Do they know more than just AI? Web infrastructure, databases, security — can they cover these?
- Do they build things themselves? There's a big difference between someone who advises on AI and someone who actively builds and ships AI products.
Many AI implementation issues arise not from the AI itself but from surrounding systems and security. An advisor who only knows AI will miss these — and they won't tell you they're missing them.
Check 4: Can they sit in on vendor negotiations?
One of the most concrete values a good AI advisor provides is reviewing vendor quotes.
When a vendor says "AI system development: ¥5M," can you tell if that's reasonable? Someone with real technical depth can flag unnecessary features and inflated timelines on the spot.
What to ask:
- Is vendor quote review included in the service?
- Does the advisor have any referral relationships with specific vendors or tools? (Conflicts of interest)
- Can they show you examples of cost savings they've achieved?
An advisor who consistently recommends one particular vendor may have a financial relationship with them. You want someone who's genuinely neutral in their technology recommendations.
Check 5: How fast do they respond — and through what channels?
Much of the value of having an advisor comes from being able to get answers quickly when something comes up.
What to check:
- Is real-time chat (Slack, etc.) available between meetings?
- What's the expected response time?
- How far in advance do you need to book meetings?
A service where you can only ask questions via email between weekly meetings won't fit how real work happens. The ability to ask and get an answer the same day is what actually translates into productivity gains.
Summary: Your 5-Point Checklist
| Check | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Real pricing | What's actually included at the entry tier |
| Contract terms | Minimum length and cancellation policy |
| Who handles you | Direct access to an expert with broad technical depth |
| Vendor neutrality | Can they review quotes? Do they have conflicts of interest? |
| Response speed | Same-day chat support available? |
When evaluating AI advisory services, don't let "cheap" or "well-known" be your only criteria. Run through these 5 checks and you'll make a much better decision.
Leach's generative AI advisory service starts at ¥50K/month, with a 1-month trial, same-day Slack responses, and direct access to an AWS 12x certified engineer. It checks all 5 boxes. Start with a free 30-minute consultation.