This essential guide to artificial intelligence (AI) aims to equip SMEs and business owner managers with the knowledge and know-how to navigate this new era with success.
How to start using AI in your business
AI looks set to transform how we work and how businesses are run, writes John Cradden. How should your staff be using AI to get tasks completed faster and what platforms and prompts work best?
There’s been a fair bit of scaremongering about the impact that artificial intelligence (AI) is set to have on just about everything, but most businesses are already investing huge amounts of time and money trying to find out the best way to harness its potential.
However, given how AI as a sector is practically just out of the starting blocks, it’s not surprising that some firms are struggling with this.
A good place to start is to look at what AI tools are readily available now within your existing systems and departments to help you transform your business. How should your staff be using these tools to get tasks done faster or improve efficiency? READ MORE
Harnessing AI for operational efficiency
Amid all the chatter about how best to exploit artificial intelligence, there is already one facet of running a business where AI can reliably cut costs or save time: operations.
Granted, day-to-day operations encompass a whole range of functions but there are a range of solutions now available that can support, automate and optimise elements of sales, marketing, recruitment, team management, online security and customer service.
The first step in using any technology is identifying its practical applications, so let’s take a look at AI tools that can help small businesses automate routine tasks, improve accuracy and save time. READ MORE
Overcoming challenges in AI adoption: A Guide for SMEs
Liv McGill looks at practical strategies for SMEs to overcome barriers to successfully adopting artificial intelligence in their business.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force across industries, driving efficiency, innovation, and growth.
While large enterprises often dominate the AI landscape, small and medium-sized enterprises stand to benefit immensely from its adoption. From customer service and supply chain management to energy optimisation and financial forecasting, AI’s potential is vast.
However, SMEs face unique challenges in harnessing this technology. This guide delves into these barriers and offers practical strategies to overcome them. READ MORE
Useful AI productivity tools for work
AI is taking the working world by storm. We look at some of the most popular productivity AI tools for businesses in the world today. READ MORE
Masters of the AI: Irish firms inventing the future
Irish-based businesses are at the centre of the AI revolution. Here are the ones to watch.
The Generational AI (GenAI) revolution that is engulfing the world may not have been started in Ireland, but long before platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini became the current phenomenon, Irish businesses were already making astute use of technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve their product and services.
In turn these products and services are driving greater outcomes for businesses and organisations around the world.
Here are a few to watch: READ MORE
AI-driven customer engagement for SMEs
John Cradden on how clever use of generative AI (genAI) by SMEs can have a transformative effect on customer service and marketing.
As the potential of generative AI quickly begins to manifest itself in the ever-increasing range of new services and online tools that any business can use, customer service is already among the most popular functions being targeted by those with AI-based solutions to offer.
Whether these services involve the use of chatbots, personalised marketing or predictive analytics, the challenge they all seek to address is help companies understand customer behaviour so that they can (1) create more targeted marketing campaigns and (2) improve the overall customer experience. READ MORE
Useful AI prompts for SMEs and entrepreneurs
If you want to start using ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot, Google Gemini or DeepSeek, but aren’t sure where to begin, here are a range of prompts suitable for SMEs, start-ups and marketers.
The prompts in this article are there to help you begin your voyage of discovery in the AI world.
As ChatGPT will tell you, when using prompts always try and add extra details and context for more tailored responses.
When it comes to the complexities of running a business or doing accounts, it is advisable to seek professional guidance as well as conduct your own thorough research. READ MORE
How GenAI will transform marketing
How will GenAI and new trends in digital transform marketing as we know it? John Cradden looks at the key trends and technologies that marketers should use.
For what is a relatively new technology, the adoption of generative AI for marketing purposes has been relatively swift.
The expectation is that the roll-out time for marketing campaigns can be measured in days rather than months thanks to generative AI’s capabilities in areas such as content generation, automation, customer data analysis and the scaling up of personalisation.
So, based on market research insights from the likes of McKinsey & Company and Salesforce, what are the key trends and technologies within generative AI that marketers need to be looking at in 2024? READ MORE
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