How To Implement Practical Generative AI Into Your Business:
If you have been hearing a lot about AI lately but wondering what it actually means for your business, you are not alone.
Many SME owners assume artificial intelligence is just for tech giants. But in 2025, that could not be further from the truth. Tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Notion AI are now affordable, intuitive and can be extremely useful for businesses of all sizes.
I recently spoke with one of my clients, a joinery business owner in Kent who manages a small team and multiple tasks, including marketing. Initially hesitant about ChatGPT, he assumed AI was only for tech experts. After trying it to draft a follow-up email, he was impressed by the professional quality. Since then, he has used ChatGPT for blog posts, social media planning and client video scripts. He describes it as “like having a junior marketer on hand.”
Whether you’re in professional services, trades, retail or hospitality here are 3 practical ways generative AI can help you save money and time without needing to be technical:
1. Marketing Content Creation
If keeping up with blogs, newsletters or social media feels overwhelming, AI can help you generate:
- Blog drafts based on a few bullet points
- Social media posts tailored to your audience and tone
- Customer emails that sound human, not robotic
- SEO-friendly web copy to improve Google rankings
2. Customer Service and Admin Support
AI can help streamline repetitive communication and support tasks, such as:
- Drafting responses to common enquiries
- Writing follow-up messages or proposals
- Generating FAQs or product descriptions
- Creating meeting summaries or client call notes
3. Process Automation and Workflow Help
You can also use AI to assist with your back-office workflows:
- Create systems and SOPs (standard operating procedures)
- Draft contracts or staff onboarding documents
- Build spreadsheet formulas or budget summaries
- Generate to-do lists or schedules based on priorities
Where to Start (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
If you are not sure where to begin, here is a simple plan:
- Choose one task you regularly repeat such as customer follow-up emails.
- Try using a tool like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot to generate a draft.
- Edit it to fit your voice, and test the results.
- Keep a log of what works well, and gradually add more tasks.
Generative AI is no longer a futuristic concept. It is a tool that business owners are using right now to get ahead.
If you are still on the fence, ask yourself this: What would you do with three extra hours a week? AI could be the difference between surviving and scaling in the next twelve months.
