How can a sole trader/small business owner use AI to their advantage? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I'm used to seeing articles about AI being used for either highly scientific uses or for generating semi-entertaining nonsense. For a personal business involving managing appointments, documenting meetings, tracking payments etc, can AI help with any of that? Other things include undertaking CPD training, occasional advertising as well as maintaining a website from time-to-time.

The people I know who don't think AI has any use for them belong in this category and work in the area of mental health, yoga teaching / training, nursing and massage therapy.

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[-] drmoose@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Yes of course it can help you. The lack of imagination in this thread is truly astounding.

You have an assistant with you that can instantly answer your questions and help you develop your business:

"what's the most efficient way to track appointments for me on Linux desktop program with minimal budget and I have 4-6 daily appointments. My key features are reminder 30min before appointment and ability to put notes for each appointment"
"help me optimize my meeting structure. I'm in X niche and currently I have 30minute daily meetings that don't follow any structure, what are some de facto meeting structures and post meeting operations in this industry?"

I'm not directing this at OP but to all of the naysayers in this thread - if you can't find use for a tireless, 20$/mo assistant that will instantly answer your questions then you should not be owning any business or leading anything for that matter.

[-] FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

From your examples I suppose you’re saying that something like ChatGPT might help with planning, examining processes for optimisation or making long-term choices rather than day-to-day tasks.

I disagree with you that people don’t belong in business if they don’t see value in AI. I know someone who cleans for a living. They get enough work from the business directory and the system they have seems to be simple enough already to be a candidate for optimisation.

[-] drmoose@lemmy.world -1 points 3 months ago

Eh, it's the same thing. If LLM can help me design a better process for my day-to-day tasks even if it's not part of the process literally it's still part of the process. Just like any growth like reading a book is part of the business process.

Not even going to touch your second paragraph and it's completely unrelated. Cleaning for a living is not "running a small business".

[-] FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.world 5 points 3 months ago

They’re sole traders. They pay taxes, hire equipment, advertise and handle payments. It’s a business.

this post was submitted on 11 Aug 2024

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