Smarter Business with AI

5 Practical Ways to Use AI for Growth and Efficiency

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries, but how can it genuinely benefit your business? Beyond the hype, business owners must consider AI's practical applications, risks, and best starting points for integration. Success depends on aligning AI with your company’s goals, digital maturity, and long-term vision.

Align AI with Your Business Strategy

AI adoption should enhance operations, not just follow trends. While businesses aim for growth and efficiency, AI should support, not replace the human touch that drives customer relationships and innovation.

A major concern is AI depersonalizing customer interactions. For example a poorly implemented AI chatbot could frustrate customers, but when aligned with customer goals it can enhance customer service by providing fast, accurate responses while allowing human representatives to handle complex inquiries. Similarly, AI-driven data analysis helps businesses personalize marketing strategies, offering tailored recommendations instead of generic messaging. The key is applying AI thoughtfully.

A Practical AI Adoption Plan

To successfully implement AI, businesses must:

• Identify inefficiencies AI can improve.
• Research AI tools that align with their needs.
• Ensure privacy and security compliance.
• Train employees to use AI effectively.
• Set guidelines to balance automation with human oversight.

5 Practical Ways to Use AI in Your Business

1. AI-Driven Meeting Summaries
   Save time by using AI tools to transcribe and summarize meetings. These tools capture key points, generate summaries, and even analyze participant engagement.

   Tools to consider: Fathom, Zoom AI, Otter.ai, Read.ai

2. AI-Assisted Research & Content Analysis
   Businesses handling large amounts of data, reports, or market research can use AI to analyze and summarize content efficiently. Google NotebookLM, for example, allows users to upload PDFs, notes, and web links to generate structured insights while keeping data private.

   Tools to consider: Google NotebookLM (private), ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot (general content support, non-private)

3. AI-Enhanced Customer Feedback
   AI-powered surveys, such as SurveyMonkey’s AI tools, can optimize questions, analyze responses, and generate actionable insights. Businesses can use AI to better understand customer sentiment and improve their services.

4. AI Chatbots for Customer Support
   AI chatbots can handle customer inquiries efficiently, reducing wait times and freeing staff for more complex issues. A well-designed chatbot ensures a seamless customer experience while maintaining brand consistency.

   Example: BettyBot, an advanced chatbot that integrates with websites to provide personalized responses and support.

5. AI-Powered Visual Content
   AI tools like Canva streamline marketing content creation by automating design elements and ensuring brand consistency, helping businesses produce professional visuals quickly.

Final Thoughts

AI can transform business operations, from automating routine tasks to enhancing customer engagement. However, successful adoption requires aligning AI with business strategy, ensuring privacy, and maintaining a human element. By taking a thoughtful, strategic approach, businesses can leverage AI to drive efficiency, innovation, and growth.