Loading summary
Transcript3 lines
- [00:05]
A
Yo, I'm the boss of my block Got a store on the scene Used to run on luck now I'm running it lean I got no waste, no fluff just rhythm and flow AI crunching data now the margins grow I track them trends while I sit my teeth Machine learning magic in my SMB from stock to sales it's all on lock thanks to AI we rock this shop Eileen Edge we taking flight saving that time keeping it tight from dawn to dusk we break that wedge Small Business
- [00:32]
B
Big with the AI Lean welcome to Episode two of the AI Lean Edge podcast. Coming to you from my office here at AI Lean Solutions, where we make AI simple, empowering and exciting for small business owners like you. My name is Brian Bricker, your host and the founder of AI Lean Solutions. At 54, with over 25 years in lean process, team management, textbook authoring and radio broadcasting experience, I've definitely seen the struggles and triumphs of running a business. And now I'm definitely passionate about bringing AI to small business folks like you in retail, real estate, law, accounting and professional services. No overwhelming tech, just practical growth. So today this episode is brought to you by AI Lean Solutions. Helping small business owners save time, reduce stress and boost profits with smart, simple AI tools. Are you ready to work smarter? Visit aileansolutions.com and don't forget to follow, rate and share this podcast with a fellow business owner. So if myths about AI kept you from boosting your efficiency or growing your bottom line, today we're diving into the top five myths holding you back. And I promise by the end you'll see how embracing AI can transform your shop, your office or your agency. We'll debunk these myths one by one, sharing real world examples, and wrap up with action steps to get you started. So are you ready to bust open some myths and unlock new possibilities? I know I am. Here's the plan. We'll tackle each myth with a fresh perspective, tie it to your business, and finish with a special offer. Stay tuned for a free, comprehensive analysis of your business and your market to kickstart your AI journey. Okay, let's kick off with myth number one. AI is too complicated for non tech people. Do you believe that AI requires a tech degree or a young tech savvy mindset? And maybe it's just too complicated for the rest of us. Sound familiar? Well, I've heard this from so many small business owners and I get it. But here's the truth. AI has evolved to be user friendly, even for folks like us. Back in my radio broadcasting Days I learned the technology adapts to us, not the other way around. So today's AI tools like Zapier or Shopify's AI plugins come with no code interfaces. Think drag and drop simplicity. You don't need to code, you just need to tell it what to do. These apps can automate emails, track inventory, or schedule appointments for you, saving you up to 20% of your time each week. Imagine that extra hour to connect with a client or plan your strategy on a next move. Let me share a real life story. I was working with a 50 year old small business owner who had a retail store and she was very, very skeptical about AI chatbots. But after a quick setup with our guidance at AI Lean Solutions, those chatbots handled about 80% of our customer inquiries overnight, boosting sales by about 15%. Because her staff could then focus on selling, not answering questions online to customers. That's the power of simple AI and we're here to walk you through it step by step with tailored training and support. So if complexity isn't the barrier, what about jobs? Well, let's move on to myth number two. AI. Myth number two is that AI will replace jobs. Well, myth number two hits a nerve. We've all heard that AI is a job killer. Automating everything humans do and leaving us out of work. I'm telling you, that is not what's happening. I am very excited about the fear and I, I'm, I'm a, I'm a, I'm very passionate about small business owners and small businesses. I believe that small businesses are the foundation of our country. I believe that small businesses are, are necessary for the, the, the success of the United States. I absolutely believe that. And I live it every day and I try to work with small business owners every day to, to promote that and to promote you. But the thing to remember is that AI doesn't replace, it augments. That means that it can take over repetitive tasks. You know, think data entry or scheduling so your people can shine in creative, high value work like building client relationships. Here's a stat to chew on. For every job that AI displaces, they're anticipating it'll create 2.3 new ones, roles like AI trainers or data analysts. So that's a net gain. That is a net gain. So in my 25 years of managing teams, I've seen technology lift productivity by, you know, 40% or more when used. Right. Recently, a real estate agent I was working with used AI to sort leads, sort through all the leads and freed her to close more Deals while strengthening trust with clients. Lean Thinking backs this up because AI empowers your team by eliminating waste, not people. It's about working smarter, not harder. At AI Lean Solutions, we design AI strategies that enhance your workforce, not replace it. So what's next on your mind? What's the next myth we should bust? Let's see. I'm thinking cost. You want to talk about cost for AI? Okay, let's dive into myth number three. AI is too expensive for small businesses. Have you ever heard that AI is a luxury that only big companies can afford? Way out of reach for small businesses like yours, does that resonate? Well, I've been there running tight budgets myself. But here's the exciting news. AI is more accessible than ever. There's free tools like ChatGPT or Grok for content services like Mailchimp AI or Constant Contact, starting at about $10 a month. And they offer powerful features with fast return on investment. The benefits are real. AI can cut operational costs by 10 to 30% through optimization, paying for itself in a matter of weeks. Take a service firm I worked with. They save $5,000 annually on billing with a basic AI tool, reinvesting that into growth. That's the kind of impact you can expect. So our audits are the consulting work we do at AI Lean Solution. We deliver tailored plans that scale with your budget, turning a perceived expense into a profit driver. Think about it. A small investment today could mean thousands saved tomorrow. If you're ready to rethink costs, we'll move on and explore myth number four. So myth number four is that AI is only for big companies. That AI is designed for enterprises, not small operations like yours. Ever feel left out of the tech race? I get it. Big names dominate the headlines. But here's the game changer. AI scales to any size. Tools like Shopify AI help solo retailers compete with giants, while platforms like QuickBooks AI streamline finances for small service firms. Surprisingly, 28% of small businesses are already thriving with AI leveling the playing field. I had a local professional service client who used AI dashboards to match the efficiency of their big firm competition. All on a shoestring budget. Now, you pair that with lean thinking and continuous improvement, tweaking your processes daily, and you can pivot faster than corporate giants. They are like turning the Titanic. Whereas you'll be able to make adjustments overnight or on a weekly basis, at AI Lean Solutions, we craft scalable AI solutions that give you that edge. Now, curious about the security of AI? That is a big topic. So let's move on. To myth number five. Myth number five is AI isn't secure or reliable. That AI risks data breaches or glitches, making it unreliable. Can you really trust it with your business? This one is a big concern and rightfully so. But modern AI has come a long way with 99% uptime and encryption. Vetted platforms like Microsoft Azure comply with General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR rules, keeping your data safe. The benefits? Secure AI reduces errors, building trust with clients, and reliability in operations. A retail client of mine implemented AI for inventory without a single incident, gaining peace of mind and better margins. At AI Lean Solutions, we prioritize secure setups, ensuring you're protected as you grow. So no more excuses. AI is ready when you are. So there we've just busted the top five myths holding you back. AI is accessible, job enhancing, affordable, scalable and secure. Embracing AI with lean thinking opens a brighter future for your business. Remember, it's about working smarter, not harder, and your team and customers will okay, here's your next step. Subscribe to this AI Lean Edge podcast for more tips. Every Monday morning, share this episode with a fellow business owner and visit aileansolutions.com for a free in depth analysis of your business. Also, if you join our email list, I'll even send you my recent report about. If you've got questions, please feel free to email me@infoileansolutions.com let's chat and get you started. Remember, my passion is helping small businesses. I do believe small businesses are the foundation of success in this country and I respect all of you and I want to do what I can to help. So thanks for tuning in. Until next time, keep leaning into AI and let's watch your business soar.
- [11:19]
A
Sam Sa.