Empowering Small Businesses with AI: A Strategic Approach
Small-scale enterprises may often find themselves at a disadvantage when competing against resource-rich conglomerates. However, AI presents a new landscape, offering proven strategies to enhance employees’ ability to embrace and maximize this technology.
Key Takeaways
- Establish clear team expectations.
- Cultivate robust AI communication skills.
- Encourage a mindset of process improvement.
The AI Advantage for Small Businesses
One of the most transformative innovations that AI offers small businesses is the ability to level the playing field. According to Unbounce’s recent report, approximately 30% of small and medium-sized businesses are harnessing some form of artificial intelligence. However, the challenge lies not just in implementing the right tools, but also in equipping employees with the skills and guidelines to make this technology both effective and profitable.
Setting Clear Team Expectations
With any new technology, AI brings both benefits and potential risks. It’s crucial to have proper guardrails in place to protect your company and its customers. This includes a clear and accessible policy outlining how AI can and should be used within an organization, which platforms are approved for its use, and who is authorized to leverage it. This policy will evolve as you integrate more AI tools into your processes.
Training, Training, Training
Before rolling out AI tools, it’s important to provide a general overview of what it is and how it works. This training should include common terminology, understanding the differences among types (such as machine learning, deep learning, and robotics), data cybersecurity, ethics, and the challenges associated with AI biases.
Enhancing Data and Analytic Skills
AI’s ability to process, analyze, and summarize large amounts of raw data is one of its key benefits. However, you don’t want a team blindly inputting information and simply trusting the resulting analyses. Instead, provide additional training and education in the areas of data analysis, interpretation, and visualization.
Promoting Strong AI Communication Skills
AI is designed to respond to inputs in the most efficient way. However, poor inputs will inevitably lead to poor outputs. Businesses need to ensure their teams understand how to guide AI and ensure the technology clearly understands instructions before performing tasks. This process includes asking the right follow-up questions, as AI doesn’t always get it right the first time.
Encouraging New-Tool Use and Experimentation
AI is evolving at a rapid pace. New tools and platforms are emerging daily that can quickly cause a small business to lose its competitive edge. Encourage and incentivize team members to be on the lookout for new tools.
Fostering a Process Improvement Mindset
Most existing business procedures were built for a pre-AI world. Encourage every employee to be a champion for process improvement. Exposure to methodologies such as Six Sigma or Kaizen can equip team members with the skills they need to adapt systems as new technology is implemented.
As an owner, you’re ultimately responsible for providing employees with both the tools and training they need to be successful. It may be beneficial to seek the expertise of a professional coach who can help them navigate these challenging transitions.
