Recently, it appears that AI is either our savior, our replacement, or the cause of chaos. I’ve been considering how to assist you in distinguishing the valuable information from the irrelevant. To start with, it’s not malicious and it’s not going to ruin your enterprise. You can make more informed decisions regarding AI once you begin utilizing it. AI is already aiding me with coaching, marketing, and problem-solving.
Enhance your mentoring or coaching skills
I serve as a mentor for small business owners through SCORE.org. During a standard coaching session (my expertise lies in digital marketing and social media); I frequently recommend that my clients conduct market research. Then, I share my screen and allow my client to pose inquiries (in the realm of AI, these are termed prompts, not questions) to ChatGPT, such as:
Why am I not getting responses to my Facebook posts? What price should I set for my product or service, considering the competition nearby? Can you develop a business plan for me to secure a loan? How many competitors are there for my service in the following zip codes? (Competition tends to be tough for landscapers, home repair and remodeling, beauty salons, food trucks, restaurants, bookkeeping, and childcare, among others.) The advantage of ChatGPT is that the client, with my assistance, can formulate follow-up prompts and obtain more profound and useful research. The more detailed your prompts, the more effective the answers will be. Don’t hesitate to use a prompt that spans 250 words. Just ensure you’re specific.
Warning – Clearly, the client must be advised that these answers ought to be verified. The tool may sometimes yield outdated information or fabricate responses to satisfy the query. For more comprehensive recommendations, I recommend technology and management expert Ethan Mollick’s Using AI right now: A quick guide. https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/using-ai-right-now-a-quick-guide
Marketing – Like any nonprofit organization, we need to attract both participants and donors, and we must accomplish this without a significant marketing budget.
So, at the suggestion of a colleague, I utilized my iPhone during one of our social gatherings to film a series of interviews with SCORE volunteers discussing their motivations for volunteering and their benefits. I then edited the interviews. You can do this with iMovie, which has become much more user-friendly, or any other free software you prefer. I created 10 videos, each roughly 30 seconds long. While there was some background noise, I believe my colleagues appear genuine and reliable, perhaps due to the informal, spontaneous style of the videos. I uploaded them to my YouTube channel, where they’ve garnered over 500 views.
Resolving technical issues
Whenever I’m faced with difficulties getting a device or an application to function as I desire, I no longer rely on the HELP or SUPPORT options provided with that service. I obtain far better solutions from ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or Perplexity. 1. I was unable to send messages from my Apple messaging app to my contacts using Android devices. ChatGPT guided me through about a dozen troubleshooting steps (the tone of the chatbot’s replies gradually began to echo my own frustration!). Ultimately, it boiled down to one setting hidden deep within the iPhone. I would never have discovered this on my own, and the so-called help sections for the hardware and software were ineffective. 2. Another time, my thumb accidentally hit the wrong key on the TV remote, and a bothersome robot voice began announcing show titles in the screen directory. I referred to the TV’s physical manual, the online help site, replaced the remote’s batteries, restarted the TV multiple times — nothing worked. It turns out the robot voice is controlled by a well-concealed setting aimed at assisting the blind and visually impaired (a wonderful, thoughtful feature!). I never thought to investigate that setting. But that resolved the issue.
Have inquiries? Contact SCORE for complimentary, expert mentoring and resources to assist you on your small business journey. Visit score.org to learn more.
**Harnessing AI in Your Business: Insights from the Ask SCORE Series**
In the fast-changing environment of business technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a groundbreaking catalyst. The Ask SCORE series, a critical resource for small business proprietors, offers insights on effectively incorporating AI into different business functions. Here are essential takeaways from the series that can assist businesses in leveraging AI’s potential.
### Comprehending AI and Its Uses
AI includes a variety of technologies that empower machines to perform tasks usually requiring human intellect. This ranges from machine learning and natural language processing to robotics. Businesses can apply AI in various sectors:
1. **Customer Service**: AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants can manage customer inquiries, providing around-the-clock support and allowing human agents to tackle more complicated issues.
2. **Marketing Automation**: AI instruments can evaluate consumer behavior, categorize audiences, and personalize marketing efforts, resulting in better engagement and conversion rates.
3. **Data Analysis**: AI can swiftly process large volumes of data, offering insights that enable businesses to make informed choices, recognize trends, and optimize their operations.
4. **Inventory Management**: AI systems can forecast demand, regulate stock levels, and minimize waste, improving supply chain effectiveness.
### Incorporating AI in Your Business
1. **Identify Business Needs**: Analyze areas where AI can provide value, such as increasing efficiency, enhancing the customer experience, or boosting sales.
2. **Select the Right Tools**: There is an array of AI solutions available, ranging from ready-made software to tailored applications. Assess options according to your specific requirements and budget.
3. **Begin Small**: Start with pilot projects to experiment with AI applications in a controlled setting. This allows you to gauge effectiveness and make necessary adjustments prior to a full rollout.
4. **Train Your Staff**: Ensure that your employees are prepared to collaborate with AI technologies. Offer training on how to utilize new tools and grasp AI-driven insights.
5. **Evaluate and Optimize**: Persistently review the performance of AI systems. Utilize analytics to monitor outcomes and fine-tune processes for improved results.
### Tackling Challenges
While the advantages of AI are substantial, businesses may encounter hurdles in implementation. Common challenges include:
– **Implementation Costs**: The initial outlay for AI technology can be considerable. However, consider the long-term savings and efficiency improvements that can counterbalance these costs.
– **Data Privacy Issues**: Ensure adherence to data protection regulations when deploying AI to manage customer information. Transparency and ethical practices are essential.
– **Resistance to Change**: Employees might be wary of AI replacing jobs. Highlight AI’s role as an instrument to enhance human capabilities rather than supplant them.
### Conclusion
Incorporating AI into business functions provides numerous benefits, from enhanced efficiency to improved customer engagement. Insights from the Ask SCORE series underscore the necessity of a strategic approach to implementation, centered on specific business requirements and encouraging a culture of innovation. By embracing AI, businesses can not only remain competitive but also uncover new avenues for growth and success.
