The difference a steady, local partner makes.
We are not the only team offering AI support. Here is what we think makes our approach worth your consideration — written plainly, without overstatement.
Back to HomeWhat you can expect when you work with us
Singapore-based, not remote-only
We are here, in the same time zone, familiar with how local businesses operate. You can meet us; we understand the local regulatory and commercial context.
Assessment before prescription
Every engagement starts with understanding your actual situation before suggesting anything. We do not arrive with a preferred tool looking for a home.
Transparent about what will not work
We tell you when a proposed approach is not worth the investment at your scale. An honest assessment now saves wasted time and money later.
Support that continues after setup
Tools need tending. We include structured follow-up in every integration and offer ongoing retainers for businesses that want a standing relationship.
Your team is part of the process
We do not install tools and leave. Staff walkthroughs are included so the people who use the tools daily understand them from the beginning.
Written records you keep
Every engagement produces documentation — what was set up, how it works, and who to contact if something needs adjusting. Nothing is left inside someone's head.
Three years of practical work, not theory
Our team has worked with businesses across retail, hospitality, professional services, and education in Singapore since 2022. We have seen which tools hold up in daily use and which ones create more overhead than they remove.
- 85+ small businesses supported across Singapore
- Sector-specific knowledge across service industries
- Consultants with backgrounds in operations and technology
85+
Businesses supported
3+
Years of focused practice
4
Industry sectors served regularly
Tools chosen for the job, not for the trend
We keep a current view of what is available and reliable in the AI tooling landscape. We select based on fit for each business, not on what is newly announced or popular at the moment.
Our approach favours tools with clear pricing, published privacy terms, and a track record of stability — characteristics that matter when a small business is depending on something to run quietly in the background.
Careful selection, not the newest thing
There is no shortage of AI tools available today. The decision of which ones are worth your attention — and which ones are likely to create more work than they save — requires judgement built from direct experience.
- Evaluated against each business's actual workflow
- Preference for tools with stable, transparent pricing
- Privacy implications explained before any connection
The same people, from first conversation to ongoing support
We are a small team, and that shows in how we work. There are no handoffs between departments, no account managers relaying information between you and the people doing the actual work. You speak with the consultant who is handling your engagement.
- Direct access to the consultant on your engagement
- Weekday support included in retainer arrangements
- Response within one working day on all enquiries
Our retainer clients speak to the same consultant every quarter for their review. If you started with Ravi, you continue with Ravi. That continuity means less time re-explaining context and more time on the actual work.
Flat rates, no surprise additions
Our services are priced at a fixed rate with clear inclusions. There are no hourly billing surprises, no charges for the walkthrough that was mentioned in the proposal but billed separately at the end.
Each tier is self-contained. If additional work falls outside the agreed scope, we discuss it before starting — not when the invoice arrives.
A plain comparison
We are not disparaging other approaches — just showing how ours tends to differ in practice.
| Feature | Typical Providers | Teratai Works |
|---|---|---|
| Honest "not useful yet" advice | ||
| Fixed, inclusive pricing | ||
| Staff walkthrough included | ||
| Singapore-based team | ||
| Ongoing retainer with same consultant | ||
| Full documentation handed over | ||
| Entry engagement under S$200 |
Features not commonly offered elsewhere
Surface Reading as a standalone service
Our S$180 assessment session is a complete, self-contained deliverable — not a loss-leader tied to upsells. You receive a written summary you can take to any provider, or keep for internal planning.
Background-first design philosophy
We deliberately configure tools to work beneath the surface of your existing operations — your team interacts through familiar interfaces, not new dashboards. The transition is gradual and low-friction.
Quarterly review included in retainers
Every Still Water Retainer includes a clear quarterly summary — what is working, what has been adjusted, and where we suggest focusing next. Delivered in plain terms, not technical reports.
Plain-words obligation
We have a standing internal commitment: if we cannot explain what we are doing in plain language during the session, we stop and rethink it. Complexity that cannot be explained clearly is usually unnecessary.
Milestones and acknowledgements
SME Centre Referral Partner
Recognised as a referral partner by an Enterprise Singapore–affiliated SME Centre since May 2024.
4.8 / 5 average satisfaction
Across post-engagement surveys conducted from January to April 2025.
85+ businesses supported
Spanning retail, services, education, and hospitality in Singapore since 2022.
SIATP Associate Member
Associate member of the Singapore IT Advisory and Technology Practitioners network.
A Surface Reading is a low-risk place to start.
For S$180, you get a focused session and a written summary of where AI tools might help your business — and where they probably are not worth your attention yet. Reach out and we will find a time to speak.