As business owners, we're all being inundated with messages about AI. If we're not using AI then we're being left behind. On the flip side a lot of people are sounding warning bells about AI being the death of work by real humans. So which is it?
In my opinion, Al is another set of tools to go in a business owner's toolbox to create efficiencies and help your business grow. However, not all AI tools are created equal, nor do they make sense for all businesses. Al also adds a layer of complexity to an already complex situation. So what are the benefits and drawbacks for local business owners when it comes to Al? What tools should they use? What part of business should AI be used to assist the owner?
Benefits:
The benefits are many. You can automate repetitive tasks, use AI to research and analyze a lot of data, it can help you write content for social media and it can assist with billing, along with a myriad of other functions.There are tons of choices when it comes to AI tools and a wide range of price points (from free to expensive) to suit your budget. If you need help with your business, chances are Chat GPT or some other tool will be able to help you.
Challenges:
Unfortunately, the learning curve with big AI tools like Chat GPT can be extensive. You need to learn how to write prompts correctly to get the info you need. As business owners, the one thing we all have in short supply is time, so using some of these tools can sometimes feel like taking a step backwards.
The other main challenge is in determining what tool is right for your business and connecting the pieces all together. Do you use chat GPT, Microsoft's Copilot or Google's Gemini? There are a lot of choices and each one has their unique benefits. We're back again to who has the time to figure it all out?
Recommendations:
We've had the best success with using purpose built AI tools. Basically they are tools that were designed to perform a specific set of tasks. The learning curve is shorter because the prompt structure is pre-built, and you just tell the tool what you want it to do in plain language. Write five social media posts about the benefits of using AI. It can be as simple as that.
The other key element is using tools that talk to each other. By using integrated tools, they can build off each other and start building the big picture for you and your business. These kinds of integrated systems save time, often save money, and are more efficient at helping your business grow.
So where should you start focusing on your AI journey? First, research. Anything that requires you to find a bunch of information to analyze and use will have time savings when Al is introduced. The other main area is in marketing your business. Writing content, responding to inquiries, chat bots on your website to generating images for social media. There are huge time savings to be found if you have the right tools.
The bottom line, don't be afraid to try some things out. All you have to lose is some time. want to learn about how we help our clients connect the AI dots and the tools we recommend? Give us a call, send us an email or book a Zoom call to learn more.