WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN AI TOOLS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OR STARTUPS?
Believe it or not, the term “artificial intelligence” (AI) dates back to 1956 when John McCarthy, an American computer scientist, coined the term during the first-ever AI conference.
Fast forward to 2023, and we’re in an exciting new era where AI, fueled by powerful machine learning algorithms, is on everyone’s minds. AI has gone from being a tech buzzword to a real game changer in people’s lives. More small businesses and startups are embracing AI technology to propel their growth and success, and you don’t want to be left behind.
If you’re looking for the best AI tools for startups and small businesses to streamline and optimize your workflow and operations, we’ve got you covered. We’ll explore 10 of the best AI tools on the market today that will not only get the job done but also boost the efficiency and profitability of your business!
ARE THERE BENIFITS OF AI FOR MY BUSINESS?
Artificial intelligence tools can help your business operate more efficiently. The key is getting started.
Artificial intelligence tools encompass everything from chatbots to image and video generators, and they can be used by individuals and businesses alike. One of the biggest hurdles for business owners looking to leverage AI technology is likely dipping their toes into the water. From there, the learning curve isn’t as steep as it seems.
“I'm very confident that something that you do right now is easily automated by AI if you're running a small business, whether that's writing marketing copy or building something in Excel or writing an email you don't know how to word,” says Derek Pando, founder of Beeloo, an online business that creates printable activities for kids.
The return on investment can be substantial in terms of the time and money your small business can save.
Integrating AI tools into her team’s daily workflow has helped keep the workload manageable.
WHAT ARE THE BEST AI TOOLS FOR SMALL BUSINESS
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There are many useful AI tools for small businesses—AI can power cybersecurity, aid in customer relationship marketing (CRM), streamline customer service, and help with personal productivity at work.
Cybersecurity software
Each day, security companies discover new threats to business and consumer data.
Even with a low-tech business, your business partners may accidentally expose you to digital threats. Banks, credit-reporting agencies, and major retailers have all unintentionally compromised their customers’ data.
Cybersecurity powered by AI may be able to provide more protection than other types of programs. Instead of dealing with threats after losses, AI security programs look for unusual activity to stop attacks or raise alerts earlier.
AI can also look for irregularities in other systems, such as inventory and accounting, to detect signs of illegal activity.
The unusual activity could even identify opportunities.
For example, a plumbing supply company’s AI notices an unusual order. Why did a decorator order $1,000 of metal pipes and flanges? A follow-up call to the decorator sheds light on the mystery. Apparently, the decorator makes trendy industrial shelving units and light fixtures with the pipes.
The plumbing supply company now sees an opportunity and starts marketing to a whole new group of customers. After learning about the new customer, the company can highlight how trendy and modern it is on social media. Moreover, the company can share light-fixture plans or instructional videos with followers.
CRM software
CRM software is another helpful AI tool that small businesses can use to learn about customers. With each order, it learns more about what customers need and how they interact with your business.
The plumbing supply company with CRM software learns that Harry’s Happy Plumbers (HHP) orders pipes and pipe glue every three months. Using that knowledge, the supply company’s AI offers HHP a coupon for its next pipe and glue order two and a half months after the last purchase.
This offer shows HHP that the supply company appreciates and anticipates HHP’s needs.
CRM software could also automatically send HHP information on new appropriate products based on prior purchases.
Interactive customer service
As you’ve probably noticed, many companies implement AI in business to streamline customer service. AI can help customers by:
• Offering help after normal work hours.
• Using AI voices to respond to customers’ verbal questions over the phone. Websites for small businesses can use chatbots to talk with consumers.
• Looking up information when they use voice search on their mobile devices. Voice answers are ideal for consumers on the move.
• Answering a question before they ask. If a customer looks at troubleshooting pages on a website, the AI can direct them to more help.
• Answering common questions, which is efficient for both the business and the customer.
• Deciding if they need human help and redirecting them.
• Being accurate—AI doesn’t transpose numbers or guess. Program it with accurate information, and it will share the same information.
Productivity
Incorporating AI into your small business is a great way to strengthen productivity and professional development at work. With the right AI program, you’ll be able to:
• Improve workplace communication and save time by asking AI to draft emails.
• Quickly create summaries of various content to get others or yourself up to speed—including summaries for lengthy email threads.
• Ask for edits to your written work to make it more concise, adjust tone, and correct inconsistencies.
• Easily analyze and explore data from spreadsheets.
• Turn written documents into presentations for meetings.
• Create meeting agendas based on chat history.
• Grow professionally as you learn from the AI's suggestions to your work.
How does AI in business add value?
Using AI in business adds value by:
• Analyzing data to understand your customers.
• Constantly learning more about your customers over time.
• Alerting you to threats and irregularities.
• Automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks so people can focus on other, more creative priorities.
• Helping people improve their written communication.
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