3 Ways AI is Changing How Small Businesses Operate
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AI may still be a new phenomenon but people are adopting it fast. Small businesses can use AI to punch above their weight class and optimize almost every aspect of their business, from invoicing to lead generation. It is such a vast and growing industry that it can be hard to know where to start. Here are the 3 main ways small businesses are using AI, and how you can emulate them for success.
Smaller headcounts: get more out of your existing talent
While AI can never fully replace human beings, SMB leaders are using AI in order to keep headcounts small, and maximize what they can get out of their existing employees. 54% of small business owners in the US who use AI have shared that they have already reduced their headcounts or would in the future. AI can perform many of the more time consuming tasks in a business such as data entry and analysis, optimizing workflow and providing insights. This means that departments do not need to dedicate manpower and time to these tasks; they are constantly running in the background, improving efficiency and saving money.
Increase integration to make your tools more efficient
Most of the software that you already use for your organization probably has AI elements that you can access. Popular software like Zapier, Xero, and Mailchimp offer AI analysis and insights, as well as suggestions to improve and tweak your work. It is worth auditing all of your existing software to see what you already have access to. There are also a number of free online tools that you can use to create AI agents and complex ChatGPT prompts that can automate tasks for you, so you can focus on growing your business.
NOT replacing everyone with AI
While keeping your headcount lean is an advantage of AI use, some businesses can suffer by taking it too far. It’s an attractive prospect, saving thousands on staff salaries and having AI do it all. But AI can only emulate human thought, it can’t replace it wholesale. A Social Media Manager will be able to strategize, jump on trends and bring in new business. There is also a counter-culture moving against AI, particularly on social media. People are craving authenticity, so make sure to keep employees with the human touch around. As the saying goes: “AI might not take your job, but somebody using AI can”. AI is a tool for your staff, not a replacement for them!
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