Video: How Truly SMB Helps Small to Midsize Businesses Adopt AI

Small and mid-sized businesses are under pressure to adopt AI, but many don’t know where to start. In this episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV, host Katie Bavoso sits down with Tim Rookes, CEO of Truly SMB, and Matt Kiernan, CTO, to discuss how SMBs can adopt AI responsibly, securely, and with measurable business impact.

With customers across the UK and North America, Truly SMB focuses on helping organizations become “tech fit” through incremental, outcome-driven AI adoption—especially within the Microsoft ecosystem. The conversation explores why SMBs are underserved by the channel, how Microsoft Copilot is changing day-to-day work, and why AI adoption must be an ongoing journey, not a one-time project.

This episode is ideal for MSPs, IT leaders, and SMB decision-makers looking to understand practical AI adoption, Microsoft Copilot use cases, and how service providers can guide long-term transformation.

Topics & Time Codes

00:00 – Introduction to Truly SMB Who Truly SMB serves and why SMBs are the backbone of the economy 

01:26 – Why SMBs Struggle With AI Adoption The challenges small businesses face when adopting new technology 

05:03 – What “Tech Fit” Really Means Defining tech fitness and how Truly SMB benchmarks customer readiness 

08:10 – AI Adoption Is Not One-and-Done Why continuous enablement matters more than single training sessions 

10:49 – Real-World Microsoft Copilot Adoption Story How accountability and follow-ups drive real AI usage 

13:09 – New CEO Vision for Truly SMB Tim Rooks on leadership, rebranding, and long-term strategy 

17:41 – AI Strategy for SMBs in 2026 How Truly SMB helps customers start small and see quick wins 

19:47 – Using AI Internally: “Customer Zero” How Truly SMB applies AI to its own operations 

21:45 – Microsoft Copilot vs. Public AI Tools Why Copilot is a safer, easier entry point for SMBs, according to Tim and Matt 

26:43 – Partnering With the UK’s Largest Chamber of Commerce Helping 12,000 businesses adopt AI responsibly 

28:15 – Why SMBs Are Underserved by the Channel The business case for investing in SMB-focused AI solutions 

29:58 – What’s Next for Truly SMB in 2026 AI roadmaps, customer obsession, and platform innovation 

35:03 – How to Get Started With Truly SMB Taking the free Tech Fit assessment