NSME Luncheon - May 12, 2026

"AI Without the Hype – Midwest Common Sense for Real Business Growth" by Rob Buchwald, CEO, Akron Innovations – AI‑Driven Business Strategy

This presentation will cut through the buzz around AI to focus on straightforward, down-to-earth strategies that small businesses can implement today. We’ll use relevant examples as of October 2025 with a clear focus on the truly valuable capabilities from the noise. In this session, I will highlight cost-effective, easy-to-adopt AI approaches that align with COSE’s mission of accelerating regional growth. Attendees will learn how to identify genuine opportunities for AI within their operations, select no-nonsense tools under $50/month, and measure real-world outcomes without getting lost in technical jargon or inflated promises.

The session will also include helping businesses identify their internal AI Advocates and how to best empower those advocates to become force multipliers within the business.

What the Audience Will Gain:

• A clear understanding of where AI genuinely adds value in a small- and mid-sized business setting, aligned with COSE’s goal of “accelerating growth and prosperity in Greater Cleveland.”
• Practical steps to pilot an AI use case—such as automating routine tasks, improving customer engagement, or optimizing inventory—using tools that require minimal upfront investment.
• A simple framework for measuring return on investment in under 60 days, grounded in Midwest business realities (labor costs, regulatory considerations, and community impact).
• Confidence to have informed, realistic conversations about AI with staff, partners, and boards—free of hype and focused on tangible results.
• How to protect their business from the ‘Big tech tax’, where the cost of technology services places pressure on operational costs.

Bio:
Rob Buchwald is the founder and CEO of Akron Innovations, a Northeast Ohio consulting firm that specializes in helping small and mid-sized businesses adopt practical AI solutions. With over 25 years of experience in technology strategy and digital transformation, Rob has guided regional enterprises through hands-on AI implementations that drive efficiency, reduce costs, and support sustainable growth. Known for a high‐energy, motivational style, he engages audiences with actionable insights and practical takeaways. With a collaborative, Midwest‐rooted approach, Rob reinforces COSE’s mission—leaving small‐business leaders inspired, confident in their next steps, and united in a shared vision for regional growth.