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Every industry is exploring the options and possible benefits of use it. However, before we get into the next generation technology can do, it's better to think about how to apply it strategically in your business.
For entrepreneurs, there are ways to incorporate AI into operations to help improve processes and free up more time for strategy. However, business leaders should also know the potential pitfalls before diving in head first.
Here are three ways entrepreneurs can test it AI waters and some reasons why they should proceed with caution.
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1. Writing social media posts
AI has been a widely used resource when generating content. ChatGPT has become one of the most accessible ways to use AI to write blogs, newsletters, and social media posts.
When promoting your brand and/or products or services, it can be challenging to deliver the same message repeatedly in new ways. Generative AI can motivate you past writer's block and give you a template to work from to get the creative juices flowing.
While everything generated by AI still requires human review, using it for research and writing allows you to edit faster and customize content to accurately reflect your brand.
2. Creation of accounting efficiency
Streamlining accounting processes is another valuable way that entrepreneurs are turning to using AI. By automating accounting tasks, it can create efficiencies and cut administrative time and costs.
Various AI accounting tools include recommendations for categorizing transactions and provide other data to forecast cash flow and identify transaction errors. Remember that with any use of AI, the more historical data available, the more accurate the help, making it more valuable over time.
3. Increasing customer relationship management
Understanding how customers are responding to your offerings is the most important data an entrepreneur can have. Knowing which products or services are most in demand can help you improve engagement with well-placed incentives and keep (or cut promotion) irrelevant offers.
AI can also help predict future customer behavior and provide insights into current buying trends. This can drive a data-driven strategy, leaving more time to experiment with innovative marketing trends.
ROI of AI
As with any business investment, assessing whether you are getting a favorable return is important. By implementing AI in their business plans, entrepreneurs can save on hard and soft costs. Here are some ways to benefit:
- Time. Many administrative or repetitive tasks can be simplified with AI, easing the pressures of balancing the time it takes to keep growing the company. Identify areas, such as emails, meeting scheduling and content uploads, that can be automated and monitored for results. Think about how much time has been saved and where it could be better used.
- money. Instead of guessing how content works or how products/services sell, AI can give you the data to track trends and customer response. Therefore, you can direct funds to spending on advertising and other promotions proven to work and retire or restructure areas that do not.
- Better experience. As you begin to understand your customer base rather, AI discovers growth patterns that can lead to more sales and opportunities. Some tools can also help you personalize content and business offers for more authentic engagement.
Be wary of AI
Finally, AI can be an advantage, but it also comes with its own challenges. Be careful when adopting new AI tools to ensure they are delivering the intended results.
Common current challenges to be aware of are:
- Incorrect results. AI is limited to the data it's trained on, which means it can produce inaccurate or meaningless results. Instead of just relying on his “intelligence”, be sure to fact-check and correct the data you're receiving.
- Data security. Not all AI tools are created equal, so you'll want to do your due diligence regarding data privacy and security. Confirm how your information is shared and how this sharing ultimately affects you or puts you at risk.
- Updates in progress. AI continues to change and gain sophistication. If you deploy AI tools, you must ensure that you are up to date with the latest versions. This requires additional time, training and tracking, which can hurt overall ROI.
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Keep the human element
As more AI tools become available, consider the value of keeping up to date to ensure it's helping your business grow. AI may not be necessary in the early stages of the venture, but as you grow, it can be a game changer when simplifying the operational flow.
It is best to research and monitor usage closely. Identify areas where current processes could benefit most from efficiency. Whether it's through budget application or generative content implementation, test it out and see how it changes.
Either way, remember that AI is meant to complement the human element, not eliminate it. Reducing the human effort required for administrative tasks frees up time to focus on the importance of customer engagement and creating authentic connections.