Four AI Lessons Avidly's CEO Shared with HubSpot

When HubSpot puts your CEO in the hot seat, it’s not just a nod. It’s a cue to listen up.

In this latest interview, Joakim Fagerbakk, Avidly’s CEO, joined Angie O’Dowd, Global VP of the Solutions Partner Program, to unpack why AI isn’t a silver bullet, but it can feel like one when your data’s ready to work.

What came out wasn’t just a partner conversation. It was a field guide for any business leader trying to scale smarter with AI, without getting lost in hype.

“The real opportunity isn’t in the tool. It’s in how well it’s put to work.”
Joakim Fagerbakk, CEO, Avidly

Why This Conversation Matters to You (Even If You’re Not a HubSpot Partner)

Because this isn’t just about agencies or software vendors; it’s about outcomes.

In this 15-minute interview, Joakim and Angie chatted about what’s actually driving business impact right now across sectors like construction, manufacturing, e-commerce, SaaS, and healthcare. What works? What doesn’t? And why do so many AI projects fall flat before they begin?

If you're mid-transformation or stuck at “Where do we even start?”, this is your shortcut.

First Lesson: Your Data Quality Dictates Your AI's Value

Every AI buzzword you’ve seen online? Useless if your systems aren’t clean.

As Joakim put it, most businesses have a “pretty terrible” data state to start with. That’s not an insult — it’s normal. But the ones seeing impact are the ones treating unified, structured data as a competitive edge, not a nice-to-have.

• 70% data accuracy (or less) is typical
• Duplicates, misfields, and legacy silos stall everything
• AI can help clean it, but it’s not a replacement for a good setup

If it feels boring, it’s probably the right thing to prioritise.

Second Lesson: Small Solutions Done Well Cause Big Ripples

Yes, AI can automate the complex. But the biggest wins often start small.

Like a pottery retailer that wanted seasonal customer support coverage. What did they get? An AI agent that now cross-sells and upsells products based on inventory data. This boosted revenue while saving the equivalent of 22 full-time roles.

Or like manufacturing firms using AI for quoting tools—point solutions that prove ROI fast and earn internal buy-in.

It’s not about solving everything. It’s about proving value somewhere, then scaling.

Third Lesson: The Real AI Advantage is in Compounding, Not Instant Overhaul

Everyone wants a “10x” headline. But Joakim warned against that mindset. The best use of AI?

• Faster insight, not just faster processes
• Repeatable playbooks, not ad-hoc wins
• Templated solutions, not one-off fixes

And yes, when used strategically, AI is helping Avidly deliver data projects “10x faster”—sometimes more.

But that only matters if it’s delivering outcomes like…

• Margin improvements
• Revenue uplift
• Customer experience enhancements
• Better forecasting

That’s the real test. Not whether a tool sounds impressive, but whether it makes your business perform better.

Fourth Lesson: Agentic Services Are Already Here

You’ll hear a lot about “agents” this year, the mini-AIs trained to handle workflows or manage processes. Joakim calls them “mini co-workers.” The shift is described like this,

• They’re not replacing teams, they’re accelerating them
• They work best when layered into your actual process maps
• Avidly is already deploying agentic services and seeing measurable gains

That’s the real frontier — AI not just as a helper, but as part of the team.

Why Avidly was Featured

HubSpot didn’t randomly select Avidly. Our track record speaks for itself:

• 5x Global Partner of the Year & EMEA & APAC Partner of the Year 2024
• 2,500+ HubSpot clients served
• Recognised for co-selling and building with HubSpot, not just using it

And as Joakim put it, this isn’t just about tech. It’s about being passionately advisory, solving real business problems with empathy and clarity.

Final Thoughts: Practical Beats Theoretical and Start with Data

AI can be exciting. But it shouldn’t feel like sci-fi. That’s Joakim’s vision: pragmatic, structured, and focused on what delivers impact. Not what just sounds impressive.

If your business is trying to turn strategy into scalable results, start with data. Then build solutions that make your people faster, not replace them.

Want to see how that looks in your world and would like to know how to unlock the team of Agents released by HubSpot at INBOUND 25? Head here.