[VIDEO] Smarter, Faster, Better: AI for Small Business

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a futuristic concept – it’s here, and it’s transforming how businesses operate. During our latest webinar, Smarter, Faster, Better: AI for Small Business Owners, we walked through how SMBs can practically and effectively leverage AI in their daily operations. If you couldn’t join us live, no worries! You can watch the full webinar here on YouTube, and we’ve got a handy recap of the key takeaways below.

Let’s dive in together to explore how AI can enhance workflows, boost productivity, and help your business grow.

1. What is AI, and Why Now?

We started with a simple question: What is AI? Turns out, AI has been around since the 1950s, but only recently has it made a huge splash in the business world. AI breaks down into three categories:

• Narrow AI: What most businesses use today, designed to perform specific tasks (e.g., ChatGPT, self-driving cars).
• General AI: The next stage, where AI would be as intelligent as a human, but we’re not quite there yet.
• Super AI: Think sci-fi – AI that surpasses human intelligence.

For SMBs, we’re primarily talking about narrow AI, which is incredibly effective at helping with specific tasks like automating emails or creating content. And with recent advancements in big data, processing power (like GPUs), and AI models, now is the perfect time to start using AI to make your business smarter, faster, and better. Here’s more on AI’s evolution.

2. Why AI is Surging – The 3 Big Factors

Why is everyone talking about AI? It boils down to three game-changing factors:

1. Data: AI thrives on data, and there’s more of it available now than ever before, thanks to the internet and social media.
2. Hardware: Specialized processors like GPUs and TPUs can crunch massive amounts of data at lightning speed, enabling AI to do more in less time.
3. AI Models: Breakthroughs like the transformer architecture have supercharged AI’s ability to understand and respond to complex prompts.

These advancements mean that AI isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a practical tool that businesses can use to solve real problems today.

3. Popular AI Platforms: What’s the Difference?

There are several AI platforms out there, and each brings something different to the table. During the webinar, we covered three popular options:

• ChatGPT (OpenAI): Ideal for text-based tasks like writing, coding, or automating responses. It’s flexible and integrates easily with other tools like Salesforce.
• Microsoft Copilot: Seamlessly integrated into Office 365, it’s perfect for automating tasks in Excel, drafting emails, and even creating entire presentations.
• Google Gemini: Google’s AI engine is great for augmenting search and integrating into Google Workspace tools like Docs and Sheets, though it’s still playing catch-up with Microsoft in terms of integration.

Each platform shines in its own way, but choosing the right one depends on your existing tech ecosystem and what tasks you want to streamline. Learn more about Microsoft Copilot.

4. How to Get the Most Out of AI: Crafting Better Prompts

One of the most important skills when using AI is knowing how to ask the right questions. In the webinar, we discussed how crafting effective AI prompts can dramatically improve the quality of the results you get.

Here’s a simple formula for better prompts:

1. Define the task: Be specific about what you want AI to do.
2. Provide context: Include any background information that will help AI understand the situation.
3. Set a persona: Ask AI to respond as if it were a marketer, IT professional, etc.
4. Specify a tone: Do you want the response to be formal, friendly, or casual?
5. Choose a format: Do you need the output in an outline, table, or paragraph form?
6. Give examples: Point AI to something similar so it knows what you’re aiming for.

Clear, thoughtful prompts lead to better, more useful results. Think of it like giving directions – the more detailed you are, the faster AI gets you where you need to go.

5. Practical AI Applications for SMBs

If you’re wondering how AI can help your business specifically, here are some real-world examples we shared during the webinar:

• Automating Repetitive Tasks: AI-powered chatbots can handle routine customer queries, schedule appointments, or provide internal support without needing constant human intervention.
• Data Analysis: AI can sift through mountains of data and pull out the insights that matter most, whether it’s sales trends or marketing performance.
• Content Creation: From blog posts to social media content, AI can draft initial versions that you can refine, cutting down on the time it takes to create materials.
• Personalized Experiences: Tailor customer recommendations based on past behavior, similar to how Amazon suggests products based on your shopping history.

These AI applications can save time, reduce manual effort, and allow you to focus on growing your business. Learn more about automating tasks with AI.

6. Maximizing AI in the Microsoft Ecosystem

For businesses already using Microsoft 365, AI integration through Copilot can be a real game changer. Here are a few ways it can help:

• Task Automation in Teams: Copilot can summarize meeting notes, assign follow-up tasks, and keep projects moving efficiently.
• PowerPoint Creation: No more spending hours formatting slides! AI can generate entire presentations for you, complete with speaker notes and visuals.
• Email Summarization and Drafting: Copilot can summarize long email threads and even draft responses, helping you stay on top of communications.

With so much of the business world operating on Microsoft tools, Copilot’s deep integration makes it an excellent tool for boosting productivity.

7. Data Security: Protecting What Matters

One of the most common concerns about AI is data security. When using platforms like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, it’s important to protect your company’s sensitive information.

A few best practices to follow:

• Limit what you share: Don’t feed confidential or sensitive information into public AI models.
• Understand privacy policies: Make sure the AI platforms you use comply with your data protection policies.
• Consider private AI models: For companies dealing with highly sensitive data, private AI solutions can be a safer option. Explore private AI solutions.

Being mindful of data security ensures that you can enjoy the benefits of AI without risking sensitive information.

8. What AI Can’t Do (Yet)

AI is a powerful tool, but it has its limitations. Here’s what it still struggles with:

• Understanding emotion and nuance: AI can’t read the room or understand context in the way a human can.
• True creativity: While AI can generate creative content, it can’t truly innovate beyond the data it’s trained on.
• Ethical judgments: AI can follow rules, but it can’t make complex ethical decisions. This is where human oversight is critical.

While AI is great at streamlining tasks and offering data-driven insights, it still needs human involvement for tasks that require empathy, creativity, and judgment.

Get In Touch With BNC To Get Started

AI offers incredible potential for small businesses looking to improve efficiency and unlock new opportunities. Whether it’s automating tasks, analyzing data, or helping your team collaborate more effectively, AI can make a significant difference in day-to-day operations. Ready to see AI in action? Watch the full webinar here on YouTube for more insights and a live demo of how these tools work in real-time.

Need help deciding which solution is right for your business? Contact BNC today to schedule a free consultation. Let’s work together to ensure your IT environment is secure, efficient, and ready for growth! Your company may be on the lookout for more comprehensive IT solutions than just secure browsing, and we’re here to help. If you’re looking for a managed IT services provider in Dallas or Denver with experienced IT/Security consultants, BNC will work closely with your team to evaluate your specific needs and provide tailored solutions that strengthen your cybersecurity defenses. Don’t wait until a cyber incident occurs to realize the importance of comprehensive cybersecurity measures. Contact BNC, a managed IT services company in Denver & Dallas today to begin your journey toward a safer and more secure digital future. Together, we can safeguard your business and protect it from the ever-present threats in the world of cybercrime.