In today’s email:

• Article: AI Isn’t Just for Big Tech - Here’s How Small Teams Can Crush It

• AI in Action: How we created an AI-generated podcast from this article in seconds

For years, AI felt like the exclusive playground of big tech companies, but not anymore. With the right approach, even small teams can leverage AI to drive growth, enhance productivity, and boost customer satisfaction.

Don't think AI fits in your business? Think again. AI can take many forms. Imagine a 10-person bakery using AI to streamline online orders, forecast demand, and even automate customer queries.

This is your playbook for adopting AI—a step-by-step guide to help small teams thrive in the age of artificial intelligence.

Why a Hybrid AI Strategy Works for Small Businesses

A hybrid strategy blends top-down direction from leadership with bottom-up experimentation from employees. Here’s why it’s perfect for small teams:

• Collaboration is Easier: Small teams can communicate quickly and effectively, making it easier for leadership to guide and employees to execute.

• Maximizing Limited Resources: With tighter budgets, AI efforts must align with business goals. Leadership focuses on high-impact tools, while employees can test affordable options that deliver quick returns.

• Agility is Key: Small businesses can pivot rapidly. This flexibility means they can adapt their AI strategy based on what’s working in real time.

It starts at the top.

Leadership Sets the AI Vision: Start with the “Why”

Successful AI adoption starts with leadership defining the vision. Leaders must show they’re committed to AI by integrating it into daily routines, like using AI tools in meetings. By leading by example, they create buy-in across the team.

Think of AI tools like a new team member. Proper onboarding and training are essential to get the most out of them.

👉 Start Here:

• Integrate AI into Daily Routines: Begin by using simple AI tools like ChatGPT to generate meeting agendas or brainstorm ideas.

• Define the Vision: Clearly articulate why your team is adopting AI. Is it to save time? Boost creativity? Make this vision tangible for everyone.

But leadership alone isn’t enough. To make AI successful, you need to empower your whole team.

A few simple ways to start implementing AI.

1. Empower Teams with AI Literacy and Training

AI can only be as powerful as the people who use it. Ongoing AI literacy training helps employees spot where AI can automate tasks or improve decision-making. This should be part of professional development, encouraging the team to identify areas where AI can make the biggest impact.

AI literacy empowers your team to save hours each week—imagine your marketing coordinator automating email campaigns or your operations manager using predictive analytics to anticipate supply needs.

👉 Start Here:

• Start Training: Access AI training courses and resources, like our own upcoming webinar:

• Identify Biggest Problems: Encourage the team to start by finding their biggest pain points and consider how AI could help solve them.

• Practice with Tools: Provide access to AI tools like ChatGPT or Jasper for experimentation.

2. Appoint AI Champions to Lead Innovation

Not everyone needs to be an AI expert, but every team should have a few "AI Champions"—tech-savvy employees who can experiment with new tools and share their findings with the rest of the team. These champions act as a bridge between leadership’s strategic goals and everyday applications.

Think of AI Champions as superheroes with one mission: to save their team from mundane tasks and endless spreadsheets.

👉 Start Here:

• Select AI Champions: Identify the tech-savvy team members who are eager to learn.

• Encourage Experimentation: Ask them to explore AI tools, follow AI influencers, and share their findings during team meetings.

• Tools for Champions: Introduce tools like Zapier or Make(for automation) for them to experiment with.

3. Crowdsource Ideas from the Frontline

Your frontline employees—whether in customer service, marketing, or operations—often know where the pain points are. Ask them to suggest AI-driven solutions for automating repetitive tasks or streamlining operations. By crowdsourcing AI ideas, you harness their expertise while ensuring AI aligns with practical needs.

👉 Start Here:

• Host Idea Sessions: Regularly ask employees to identify the most tedious and repetitive tasks they face.

• Idea Submission Platform: Use simple tools like Google Forms to gather ideas or run a brainstorming session.

4. Execute AI Projects with Autonomy

Give teams the freedom to experiment with AI projects. Start small—AI chatbots for customer queries, automation tools for marketing, or data analytics for decision-making. Quick wins from these projects can showcase AI’s potential and build momentum.

👉 Start Here:

• Start Small: Choose a simple project—such as creating an AI chatbot using tools like Chipp.ai.

• Assign Ownership: Let individuals or small groups own AI projects, empowering them to learn and iterate without fear of failure.

5. Leadership Can Ringfence AI Projects and Bring in Specialists

Leadership can accelerate AI adoption by identifying specific AI projects to focus on and bringing in AI specialists to guide the team. This exposes employees to the practical uses of AI while introducing them to new tools.

👉 Start here:

Build AI assistants for internal use.

• Focus on a Key Problem: Pick one internal process to optimize—such as automating scheduling or managing inventory—and build an AI assistant to help.

• Work Backwards: Identify the desired outcome and reverse-engineer the process to find which tasks can be automated using AI.

• Build these assistants using tools like custom ChatGPT setups or platforms like Chipp.ai.

• Bring in Expertise: Hire an AI consultant or work with a tech-savvy freelancer to guide the project.

6. Create a Safe Space for Experimentation

Encourage experimentation by fostering a "safe space" where employees can try out AI tools without fear of failure. Innovation thrives when employees feel they can test and learn without harsh consequences.

In this safe zone, mistakes are not only allowed, they’re mandatory! Because if no one’s breaking the AI, are we even trying?

👉 Start Here:

• Encourage Trial and Error: Make it clear that mistakes are part of the process. Mistakes are not only allowed—they’re mandatory!

• Dedicated Time for AI: Set aside time each week for employees to play around with new tools and ideas.

7. Provide Guidance and Oversight

While bottom-up experimentation is key, leadership needs to provide clear guidelines for AI usage. Set parameters to ensure AI is used responsibly and employees are aware of potential risks.

👉 Start Here:

• Set AI Guidelines: Draft an AI usage policy that addresses security and ethical concerns.

• Regular Check-Ins: Hold regular review sessions to understand how AI projects are progressing and make adjustments if necessary.

For small businesses, a hybrid AI strategy strikes the perfect balance. By combining leadership’s strategic oversight with the creativity and innovation of employees, small teams can unlock the power of AI without overextending their resources.

And no, AI won’t replace your team—it’ll just give them superpowers.

Ready to take your first step into AI? Reach out today, and we’ll help you create a customized AI strategy that fits your business needs.

AI in Action

ICYMI

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