Top 5 Ways You SHOULD Be Using AI in Your Business

Introduction: The AI-First Business Revolution

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the business landscape, entrepreneurs and small business owners are discovering that the key to success isn't just adopting AI tools—it's thinking AI-first. According to AI transformation expert Tam Walsh, founder of AI Empowerment Now, businesses with 5-50 employees see the most dramatic transformation when they integrate AI into their core operations rather than treating it as an add-on tool.

The biggest mistake business owners make is using AI as just another tool in their tech stack without rethinking their processes. This approach keeps work disconnected, preventing the productivity gains and profit increases that AI can deliver. Instead, successful businesses are implementing these five strategic AI applications that make their operations cheaper to run and harder to beat.

1. AI-Powered Feedback Mining: Turn Customer Data Into Actionable Insights

What Is Feedback Mining?

Feedback mining uses AI tools like Notion and ChatGPT to organize customer data in ways that reveal bottlenecks and provide specific solutions. This approach transforms scattered customer feedback into strategic business intelligence.

How to Implement Feedback Mining

• Centralize Data: Feed all customer reviews from the past quarter into Notion

• AI Analysis: Use ChatGPT or Notion AI to identify recurring customer complaints

• Solution Generation: Let AI suggest specific fixes for each identified issue

• Pattern Recognition: AI spots problems instantly, saving hours of manual analysis

Real-World Results

When Tam Walsh implemented this system in her own business, she discovered friction in client onboarding that was costing 15% of potential revenue. The AI revealed that some clients were receiving non-functional booking links—a problem that would have taken weeks to identify manually.

Pro Tip: Custom Scheduling Agents

If scheduling issues emerge from your feedback analysis, build a custom scheduling agent using OpenAI's new agent kit. This no-code solution requires no technical expertise—just drag and drop nodes, connect them with prompts, and deploy AI agents that handle complex scheduling tasks automatically.

2. Intelligent Inventory and Operations Management

The Power of Agentic AI

Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence that can take actions on your behalf. For inventory management, this means automated monitoring, alerting, and reordering without constant human oversight.

Recommended Platform: Lindy AI

For beginners, Lindy AI offers the most accessible entry point into agentic AI:

• Automated Monitoring: Set triggers to monitor inventory levels

• Smart Alerts: Receive Slack or WhatsApp notifications when stock dips below thresholds

• Workflow Automation: Automate reordering processes

• No-Code Interface: Deploy automations in less than an hour

• Free Tier: Up to 400 monthly automated tasks at no cost

Business Impact

This approach prevents stockouts, reduces manual monitoring time, and ensures consistent inventory levels without hiring additional staff. Small businesses can achieve enterprise-level operational efficiency with minimal investment.

3. AI Co-Pilot for Sales Outreach: Boost Response Rates Without Hiring

The Sales Automation Strategy

Create an AI co-pilot using platforms like Clay alongside large language model templates to dramatically improve customer response rates while maintaining personalization at scale.

Implementation Steps

1. Template Generation: Use ChatGPT to create personalized email outreach templates based on ideal customer pain points

2. Research Automation: Let AI scan LinkedIn profiles and company websites to personalize each message

3. Performance Tracking: Clay tracks response rates and automatically optimizes templates over time

4. Continuous Improvement: AI learns from responses and refines messaging for better performance

Proven Results

Businesses implementing this AI-driven sales approach typically see 30-40% higher response rates compared to traditional outreach methods. The combination of personalization and automation creates a scalable sales process that improves over time.

4. Create a Company Brain: Centralized Knowledge Management

The Notion-Powered Knowledge Hub

Stop answering the same questions repeatedly by creating a centralized company brain using Notion. This system transforms how teams access and utilize company information.

What to Include in Your Company Brain

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Employee onboarding materials

• Project documentation

• Financial reports

• Company policies and procedures

• Training materials

How Notion AI Transforms Information Access

When team members have questions, they can query Notion's AI instead of interrupting colleagues. The AI:

• Finds relevant information within seconds

• Summarizes complex documents

• Provides step-by-step processes when needed

• Creates new content and formulas on demand

Advanced Features: Agentic Capabilities

Notion AI now functions as an agentic system, meaning it can build tools and automations for you. Simply click the Notion AI interface and describe what you want to create—whether it's a content creator for marketing or complex formulas for data analysis.

5. AI Connectors: Transform Static Tools Into Dynamic Assistants

The Power of Connected AI

AI connectors allow your chatbots to access live data from other applications you regularly use, transforming static AI tools into dynamic business assistants.

Practical Applications

• Calendar Integration: Ask your AI assistant about daily schedules and upcoming meetings

• Automated Briefings: Receive daily agenda summaries automatically

• Real-Time Data Access: AI can pull information from multiple business applications

• Voice Assistant Capabilities: Interact with your business data through voice commands

Setup Instructions

To enable connectors in ChatGPT:

1. Open ChatGPT settings

2. Navigate to connectors section

3. Grant access to your regularly used applications

4. Configure automated tasks and notifications

Important Security Note

Avoid using connectors when in agent mode to prevent potential security vulnerabilities or data leakage. Use connectors for standard AI interactions only.

The Importance of Maintaining Cognitive Skills in an AI World

Balancing AI Use with Brain Training

As AI tools handle more tasks, it's crucial to maintain and develop human cognitive abilities. Early studies suggest excessive AI reliance can impact problem-solving skills, making brain training essential for business leaders.

Recommended Approach

Incorporate daily brain training through platforms like Brilliant, which offers interactive courses in data science, AI, and programming. This approach helps maintain sharp analytical thinking while leveraging AI for operational efficiency.

Key Takeaways for Business Implementation

Strategic Priorities

• Think AI-First: Integrate AI into core processes rather than using it as an add-on tool

• Start Small: Begin with one area and expand gradually

• Focus on Integration: Ensure AI tools work together rather than in isolation

• Measure Results: Track productivity gains and cost reductions

• Maintain Human Skills: Balance AI automation with cognitive development

Implementation Timeline

Businesses that implement these five AI strategies by 2026 will be positioned to operate more efficiently and compete more effectively. The key is starting now and building systematically.

Conclusion: Your AI-Powered Business Future

The businesses that thrive in the coming years will be those that successfully integrate AI into their core operations. By implementing feedback mining, intelligent inventory management, AI-powered sales outreach, centralized knowledge management, and connected AI systems, you can create a business that's both cheaper to run and harder to beat.

The transformation doesn't require massive technical expertise or expensive tools—it requires strategic thinking and systematic implementation. Start with one area, measure the results, and expand your AI integration as you see success.

Remember: the goal isn't to replace human intelligence but to augment it. The most successful businesses will be those that find the right balance between AI efficiency and human creativity, maintaining the cognitive skills that drive innovation while leveraging AI for operational excellence.

About the AI Specialist

This guide is based on insights from Tam Walsh, founder of AI Empowerment Now, who has helped dozens of businesses and hundreds of clients successfully integrate AI into their operations. Her company works with clients from Microsoft, major hospitality groups, and global brands to implement AI-first strategies that deliver measurable results.

For more AI business strategies and implementation guides, visit AI Empowerment Now and explore their comprehensive resources for business transformation.