Small Business and AI

By Dave Costello, TCV Growth Partner and ChatGPT-

As a small business owner have you wondered how you could use artificial intelligence (AI) that is all the rage over the last several months? I am certainly no expert in the uses of AI in small businesses, and I am not the most technically savvy person either. I’m basically an accountant that is curious about how things around me work, especially in business.

So where did that curiosity lead me? I opened a “FREE” ChatGPT account and started asking it questions. Here’s the instruction I gave it for the below article:

Write a post with 800 words in a conversational style describing how small business owners can use artificial intelligence to be more effective in their business and how to get started.

Here’s what it wrote (very slightly edited by me, NOT a techie):

Title: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Small Business Success: A Practical Guide

Introduction:

Attention small business owners! Have you ever wondered how you can make your business more efficient and stay ahead of the competition? Well, look no further than the world of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has the power to revolutionize the way you run your business, streamline processes, and boost productivity. In this post, we'll explore how small business owners can harness the potential of AI to be more effective in their operations and provide some practical tips on getting started.

Understanding AI:

Before diving into the specifics, let's demystify AI. At its core, AI refers to computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. These systems can analyze vast amounts of data, learn from patterns, make predictions, and automate routine processes. In simpler terms, AI allows machines to mimic human cognitive functions and take on complex tasks with remarkable accuracy.

Areas where AI can benefit small businesses:

1. Customer Insights and Personalization: AI-powered tools can help you gain valuable insights into your customers' behavior, preferences, and buying patterns. By analyzing data from various sources like social media, surveys, and transaction records, AI can help you understand your customers better and tailor your products or services to their specific needs. Personalized recommendations and targeted marketing campaigns based on AI-driven insights can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and boost sales.

2. Process Automation: Tedious and time-consuming tasks can eat away at your precious time as a small business owner. AI can automate these repetitive processes, allowing you to focus on more strategic aspects of your business. From data entry and inventory management to scheduling and customer support, AI-powered tools and chatbots can handle mundane tasks with speed and accuracy, freeing up your time for higher-value activities.

3. Predictive Analytics: Predicting future trends and outcomes is crucial for making informed business decisions. AI can analyze historical data, detect patterns, and generate accurate forecasts. This can help you anticipate demand, optimize inventory levels, and make strategic pricing decisions. By leveraging predictive analytics, you can reduce costs, minimize waste, and improve overall operational efficiency.

Getting Started with AI:

Now that we've covered the potential benefits, here are some practical steps to help you get started with AI in your small business:

1. Identify Pain Points: Identify areas within your business operations that can benefit from AI. Is it customer service, inventory management, or marketing? Pinpoint the pain points that could be alleviated by AI-driven solutions and prioritize them based on their potential impact.

2. Explore AI Tools and Platforms: Research AI tools and platforms that align with your specific needs and budget. There are numerous AI solutions available, ranging from comprehensive software platforms to specialized tools for specific tasks. Look for user-friendly options that integrate well with your existing systems.

3. Start Small and Scale Up: Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to implement AI across your entire business all at once. Start with a small-scale pilot project in one area, gather feedback, and fine-tune the implementation. Once you gain confidence and see positive results, gradually expand the use of AI to other parts of your business.

4. Leverage Cloud-based Services: Cloud computing has made AI more accessible to small businesses. Instead of investing in expensive hardware and infrastructure, consider leveraging cloud-based AI services. Companies like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure offer AI capabilities through their platforms, allowing you to pay for what you use without the burden of high upfront costs.

5. Embrace Chatbots: Chatbots are an excellent entry point for AI adoption. They can handle basic customer queries, provide product recommendations, and even facilitate transactions. Implementing a chatbot on your website or social media platforms can enhance customer service and improve response times, even outside regular business hours.

Guess what!! You just used AI! As did I in writing this post!

My recommendation is to learn about and get acclimated to AI and its potential uses. This information above was obtained with the free ChatGPT account. The paid account, $20 a month I think, has many, many tools to make using AI even more effective in your business. I’ve seen a couple presentations and talked with other folks who have begun to use AI and they all say the speed of change in its adoption and use in business will be DRAMATIC!! One fellow I spoke with told me he used AI to complete a task in 1 hour that used to take him ½ a day to do. That’s a dramatic increase in efficiency! And like me, he is just starting to learn about AI.

Remember, information gained through use of AI is not perfect and may not be totally accurate. Make sure you confirm anything that you aren’t sure about. There’s even a footnote in the ChatGPT site that reads “ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts”.

Happy to have a conversation to help you get started! If I can do it, you can also do it. Reach out to me at dave@tcv-growth.partners.