The Future is Here—How Small-Town Small Businesses Can Embrace AI
OK, before you jump all over me, please, just hear me out.
I love new things. Like the bigger, shinier, fancier, the better.
But, I also tend to view new things—especially when it’s related to technology—with a healthy dose of skepticism mixed with a bit of middle-aged general apathy.
I don’t always like technology changing. It can seriously stress me out.
Suffice it to say, you’ll never find me standing in line for the newest iPhone. In fact, I’m a proud Android user. So there.
We are on the verge of some serious transformation as it relates to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and there are real-world implications that I think we can (and likely, should) embrace.
The open-source AI platform I’m referring to is ChatGPT.
I first saw it on TikTok. Click HERE to watch the video where I first saw it.
Before I launch into my own thoughts and feelings, I’d like to share a link to a post written by my business bestie, Patrick Kirby, of Do Good Better Consulting. He and I have already had multiple conversations about it and have giggled over the results of less-than-business-focused queries. Turns out, asking an AI system to make you laugh hysterically is totally possible if you know your own sense of humor well enough to write clear questions. (I’d be remiss if I didn’t suggest this right out of the gate…we all need more joy, right?)
Click HERE to read Patrick’s blog post.
He frames out what he believes to be the benefits for nonprofit leaders and fundraisers. Of course, as his #1 fan, I think he’s spot on so start with that if you find yourself filling either of those roles. This is gonna be a game-changer for small non-profits.
My particular bend with this article?
Small business owners in small towns.
Yep. Big shocker, right?
But seriously, one wouldn’t necessarily equate AI with small towns so I’m sure it seems kind of bonkers.
Can’t fault you there; it is bonkers, but not in the way you’d think.
OK, I’ll stop with the preamble…
Here are the ways I think small-town small businesses can embrace AI for good.
Reduce Time Spent on Research
Maybe you aren’t like me and you don’t Google the words “example of…” or “template for…” nearly as often as I do.
If not, are you just actually paying professionals to do everything for you? Wow, must be nice. I’m not jealous in the least. (sarcasm font)
When you’re a scrappy startup or even just a lean and mean Main Street business, you’ve likely started an internet search with the exact same wording.
ChatGPT is so much better! You simply type in whatever it is you’re looking for and within seconds, you get a full example to work with rather than a list of sites that may or may not be trying to sell you something.
I’ve used it personally for contract development, job description building, and LOADS of other SOPs that I just needed a starting point to help me create.
The key is knowing exactly what you’re looking for and being as clear as possible, but seriously, this thing can pull in information related to every field, access styles of writing and “voices” of published people/groups/cultures, and create such clear, cohesive arguments that you’d swear a human wrote it.
It’s absolutely mindblowing.
Don’t freak out yet…we’ll address that niggling uncertainty that’s likely creeping in shortly.
Get More Creative
Because you can literally query just about anything, ChatGPT allows you to ask it to consider other angles and perspectives to make sure you don’t get too myopic about your work or ideas.
For example, I know that as an extrovert, I’m far more likely to recommend things based on that part of my personality. If I’m working with a client whose team is predominantly introverted, it’s helpful to ask ChatGPT to tell me how an introvert might consider my ideas.
You could do that with literally ANYTHING. Sales campaigns, marketing ideas, new product development…the list goes on and on!
We are no longer limited by our own experiences, lenses, contexts, or perspectives.
It’s now more true than ever: the size of our zip code doesn’t determine the size of our life. (Or in this case, business, because I am talking about small businesses here.)
Double Down on Your Humanity
They say we should keep our friends close and our enemies closer.
If you think that technology is going to ruin us (or that robots will take all our jobs away) then this certainly applies here.
Rather than fighting against what is truly an unstoppable freight train of innovation and tech, why not instead, learn it, use it, and recognize where you, as a human who is NOT artificial, can really shine?
Of course, as a personal and organizational development consultant, I couldn’t be more thrilled about this. I mean seriously…what was always referred to as “soft skills” will now become the differentiator for us. Yes! The humans can still win!
But to prove my point even further, I opened up a new chat and asked ChatGPT the following query: “What are the principles of human-centered design for training and development programs?”
Here’s the response it generated (seriously, in like 4 seconds):
“Human-centered design is a design approach that focuses on creating solutions that meet the needs and preferences of the people who will use them. Here are some principles of human-centered design that can be applied to training and development programs:
Empathy: Understanding and being sensitive to the needs, emotions, and experiences of the people who will be participating in the training program.
Collaboration: Involving the participants in the design process and working together to co-create solutions.
Iterative and experimental: Trying out different ideas and prototypes, and gathering feedback to continuously improve the training program.
User-centered: Focusing on the needs and goals of the participants, rather than the goals of the training program itself.
Inclusive: Ensuring that the training program is accessible and welcoming to people with a diverse range of backgrounds and needs.
By following these principles, training and development programs can be more effective, engaging, and meaningful for the participants.”
Isn’t that grand?
Now, this query might be related to my work specifically, but if we’re just focusing on the first part which is related to “human design”, I’m simply showing you that while ChatGPT can clearly articulate what principles would achieve better human-centered programs, it can’t actually do those things.
Only humans can do human things.
Empathy, collaboration, being flexible and iterative, being other-focused, and inclusive?
Those are HUMAN qualities.
The small-town small businesses that embrace a truly human-centric focus from customer services to sales to communication and marketing are the ones who will win.
The future is here friend.
Whether it freaks you out and makes you want to find a deserted island to live off the grid surviving by spearing fish, gathering berries, and collecting rainwater, OR you think this doesn’t affect you and won’t really matter, I want you to see it for what it is.
AI is the great equalizer.
No longer do those of us in small towns have to feel like we don’t have access to the same information. It’s all there for the taking.
No longer is there such a chasm between urban centers and rural places, creating what everyone loves to call “the brain drain”.
Size no longer matters. If you don’t have the team like a bigger business does? Let ChatGPT stand in the stead of those technical skills.
Information is information.
But, humans are humans.
Lean into what only we can do
It’s the only way to win in the increasingly accessible age of information.
What about you? What are you going to use it for? Are you legit too freaked out to consider it? Let me know!
Shoot me a message rebecca@rebeccaundem.com. I’d LOVE to hear from you!
