How to decide what is right for you
From news to social media to podcasts, artificial intelligence (AI) dominates headlines. You’ve likely heard about generative AI tools for writing, planning, and image manipulation. As a business owner, you may wonder how this could save you time and benefit your bottom line.
As technology advances, AI’s potential to revolutionize business grows. In my career serving SMBs, I hear from Small-to-Medium-Sized Business (SMB) customers consistently expressing the same message: SMBs want to understand how automation and AI can enhance control and efficiency.
The key for these businesses is finding the right technology partner to integrate AI tools that work for them. Here are tips on finding the right technology and tools to make the most of AI for your business.
Unleashing the Potential of AI for Business Advancement
First, let’s clarify what we mean by AI. An AI tool is a software application using artificial intelligence and machine learning for specific tasks. These tools span industries like healthcare, education, finance, marketing, and business. AI is changing and evolving, and you may have heard about or tried the latest in AI technology — Generative AI.
AI tools can be incredibly helpful for small businesses. However, one needs to find the right tool or solution for the jobs one needs to do. Here are some capabilities that AI can deliver for your business:
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Automate Repetitive Tasks: AI can streamline tasks like recording sales data, reconciling accounts, and creating invoices, saving time and reducing human error.
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Improve Customer Engagement: AI-powered chat on your website or social media can interact with customers in real time, enabling prompt responses.
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Enhance Business Promotion: AI can speed up content creation for marketing, helping amplify your brand, speak to your customer base, and reach new customers.
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Analyze Customer Data: AI-powered tools can analyze large amounts of data quickly and deliver actionable information for informed decisions.
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Deliver a Better Customer Journey: AI tools are becoming better adapted and trained, learning from customer behavior to provide a more personalized customer journey.
Considerations Before Embracing AI
Before making any investment or technology change, consider a few factors related to AI capabilities and your business needs:
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Optimizing Existing Tools: Integrating AI doesn’t always mean a new investment. Many situations allow for optimizing existing tools with embedded AI.
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Prioritizing Security: The potential for hacking and data breaches is a risk with some AI tools, particularly free or low-cost options. Partner with a trusted company committed to data safety.
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Supporting Your Team Through Transition: AI can change responsibilities and team dynamics. Communicate with your team early in the process about changes and opportunities.
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Avoiding Rush: Before investing, assess whether AI is right for you. Seek recommendations, explore free trials, and consider product demos.
Choosing the Right AI Partner for Success
A pivotal consideration is the choice of the company to partner with for AI capabilities. Opt for technology partners that collaborate with you to customize AI tools to your needs and facilitate seamless integration. While AI technology continues to evolve, aligning with innovative companies that prioritize SMB needs ensures your business stays at the forefront of this transformative wave.
In the dynamic landscape of AI, strategic partnerships with forward-thinking technology companies can empower your business to harness the full potential of AI. As the technological frontier advances, embracing AI becomes not just an option but a strategic imperative for SMBs looking to thrive in the ever-evolving business ecosystem.
