9 Smart Ways for Small Businesses to Incorporate Generative AI

Tanya Wetson-Catt • 4 December 2023

There is no escaping the relentless march of AI. Software companies are rapidly incorporating it into many business tools. This includes tools like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and others.


Many people are still concerned about where AI will go. But there is no denying that it makes certain work more efficient. It can generate custom images on demand. Or write a company device policy draft in seconds.


Staying ahead of the curve often means embracing cutting-edge technologies. Even if you’re a little wary about what the future holds.


Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is unique from the AI of a few years back. It can create, innovate, and optimize. These functions have become a game-changer for businesses of all sizes.


Leveraging Generative AI, small businesses can unlock a world of possibilities. This includes everything from enhancing customer experiences to streamlining operations.


Have you felt bombarded with AI tool options? Unsure where to begin with leveraging it for your business? Let’s explore some smart and practical ways to incorporate GenAI. 


1. Personalized Customer Experiences


Generative AI algorithms can analyse customer data and preferences. Using these, it can create personalized experiences.


48% of customers expect specialized treatment for being loyal to a company.


Some of the ways AI can help you improve customer experience include:


  • Tailored product recommendations
  • Customized marketing messages
  • Custom coupons
  • Proactive engagement


These things help small businesses enhance customer satisfaction, fostering brand loyalty.


2. Presentations & Graphics Creation


Generating a great sales presentation can be time-consuming. AI tools can automate this process. Microsoft Copilot is one of these. It can take meeting notes and prompts and create a presentation. Including images!


Have you ever had trouble finding a promotional image? Tell Bing’s new AI tool what you need. You’ll get several options, tailored to your description.


AI-driven platforms can produce relevant and engaging graphics. This frees up valuable time and saves money for business owners.


3. Chatbots for Customer Support


AI-powered chatbots on websites and social media platforms are becoming commonplace. This is because they enable businesses to provide instant customer support. Which is exactly what people expect these days.


These chatbots can handle frequently asked questions. They can also assist with product inquiries and customer transactions.


They help some companies provide round-the-clock help for customers. But without having to pay for extra staff hours.


4. Data Analysis and Insights


Generative AI can process vast datasets to extract meaningful insights. Small businesses can use AI algorithms to analyze important data.


Such as:


  • Market trends
  • Customer behaviour
  • Operational data


These insights can inform strategic decision-making. Which helps businesses refine their offerings and marketing strategies.


5. Product Design and Prototyping


AI in product design process allows businesses to explore many design variations rapidly. AI algorithms can generate prototypes and simulations. They do this based on specified parameters. This enables businesses to visualize products before investing in physical prototypes.


6. Supply Chain Optimization


AI can optimize supply chain operations. It can predict demand, identify inefficiencies, and suggest inventory levels. It takes away the human error component. As well as fees up teams from tedious administrative work.


Businesses can reduce costs and improve efficiency. AI automates a lot of the supply process. This helps ensure products are readily available when customers need them.


7. Dynamic Pricing Strategies


AI-driven pricing algorithms can help companies make better pricing decisions. Pricing your products and services can be tricky. You don’t want to go too low or too high.

AI helps businesses quickly analyse:


  • Market trends
  • Competitor pricing
  • Customer behaviour

 

These data insights help companies optimize pricing strategies. Businesses can also dynamically adjust prices based on demand. This maximizes profits while remaining competitive in the market.


8. Human Resources and Recruitment


Generative AI can streamline the recruitment process. The hiring process includes a lot of work reviewing resumes. Many candidates don’t make the interview stage.


AI can help by analysing resumes and screening candidates for you. It can even help with conducting initial interviews. Businesses can find the best talent to drive their growth faster.


9. Predictive Maintenance


Downtime on a production line is costly. Proactive maintenance is vital. It’s another area where Generative AI can help.


The technology can predict maintenance needs based on data analysis. It helps businesses avoid costly downtimes. It proactively addresses maintenance requirements. As well as helps to ensure smooth operations.


Unsure How to Get Started with AI at Your Business?


Generative AI opens a world of opportunities for small businesses. It can also add to the complexity of a technology infrastructure.


We can help you use it effectively and affordably.


Give us a call today to schedule a chat.

Let's Talk Tech

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by Tanya Wetson-Catt 12 May 2025
It may seem like the file is gone for good when you delete it from your computer. However, the truth is more complicated than that. A deleted file doesn’t really disappear from your hard drive; it stays there until new data fills up the space it occupied. This process might be hard to understand for people who don’t know much about how computers handle files. We’ll discuss what happens to deleted files, how to recover them, and why they might still be on your device. What Happens When You Delete A File? It’s not as easy as it seems to delete a file. When you send a file to the Trash or Recycle Bin, it is not erased from your hard drive right away. It is instead taken to a temporary storage place and stays there until you decide to empty the bin. The file’s data stays on the hard drive even after the bin is empty; it is marked as free space that can be used by other files. When you delete a file, you remove its record from the file system. The file system is like a directory that keeps track of all the files on your computer. The operating system will no longer know where the file is, but the data inside will still be there. This is why it’s often possible to recover deleted files with special software, as long as the space hasn’t been filled with something else. Getting rid of files is a lot like taking the title off of a VHS tape. People who are looking for the movie can still find it on the tape, but without the name, it’s like the movie doesn’t exist. Also, when you remove a file, you’re removing its label from the file system. The data, on the other hand, stays on the hard drive until it’s over writte n. To manage data successfully and safely, you need to understand this process. For instance, deleting private information might not be enough if you want to be sure it’s gone for good. If you want to delete the information on your hard drive safely, you may need to use extra tools. Next, we’ll explore how to recover deleted files and the importance of backups. How Can I Get Back Deleted Files? To recover deleted files, you need software that can scan your hard drive for data that has been marked as available but hasn’t been written over yet. This method might work if the file was recently deleted and the space it took up hasn’t been filled with new data. How Software for Recovery Works The way recovery software works is by scanning the hard drive for areas that have data in them but are not currently linked to any file in the file system. After that, it tries to rebuild the file by putting these parts back together. How well this process works will depend on how quickly the recovery is attempted and whether the sections have been written over. What File Recovery Can’t Do File recovery works sometimes, but not all the time. It’s much harder or even impossible to recover a removed file if the space it took up has been written over. It’s also possible for the quality of the recovered file to vary, with some files being fully recovered and others only partly. Why Backups Are Important Because file recovery isn’t always possible, it’s important to keep regular copies of important data. This ensures that you can still access a file through your backups even if you delete it and can’t recover it. We’ll discuss more about how different devices handle deleted data and the concept of “secure deletion” in the next section. What Does Happen On Various Devices? Deleted files are handled in a few different ways by different systems. Android phones have a folder called “Recently Deleted” where lost files are kept. This is similar to the “Recycle Bin” or “Trash” on any other computer. Photos and movies deleted from an iPhone are kept in the “Recently Deleted” album in the Photos app for 30 days before being deleted for good. Secure Deletion Secure deletion does more than just delete a file from the file system; it also writes over the space it took up to make sure the data can’t be retrieved. This is especially important if you want to make sure that all of your private data is gone . SSDs vs. HDDs How lost files are dealt with depends on the type of storage device used. Solid-State Drives (SSDs) handle deleted data more efficiently with a method called TRIM. This can make recovery harder than with traditional Hard Dis k Dr ives (HDDs). To keep your information safe on multiple devices, you need to know about these differences. Next, we’ll discuss how to ensure that deleted files are really gone and what you can do to keep your data safe. How to Make Sure Files Are Really Deleted There is more to do than just putting things in the trash or recycle bin to make sure they are really gone. You need to do more to ensure that the data is safely erased. 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by Tanya Wetson-Catt 9 May 2025
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Linux users can use tools like Conky to display system information in a customisable format. 5. Create Custom Icons Creating custom icons is another way to personalise your desktop. By designing or downloading custom icons, you can replace the default icons for folders, files, and applications, giving your desktop a consistent look that reflects your style. Custom icons can make your desktop feel more cohesive and visually appealing. To create custom icons, you can use graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop or free alternatives like GIMP. Once you’ve designed your icons, you can replace the default icons by right-clicking on the file or folder and selecting “Properties” (on Windows) or “Get Info” (on macOS), then dragging your custom icon into the icon preview area. 6. Set Up Multiple Desktops Setting up multiple desktops or workspaces is a powerful feature available on many operating systems. 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by Tanya Wetson-Catt 2 May 2025
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What Are the Best Cloud Storage Providers? Choosing the right cloud storage provider depends on your specific needs, whether you’re looking for personal use or business solutions. Here are some of the top cloud storage providers that offer a range of features and benefits: G oogle Drive : Known for its seamless integration with Google Docs and Sheets, Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage and is ideal for those already using Google’s productivity suite. Microsoft OneDrive: Integrated with Microsoft Office, OneDrive provides a smooth experience for users of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It offers 5 GB of free storage and is particularly useful for Windows users. Dropbox: Famous for its file-sharing capabilities, Dropbox offers 2 GB of free storage and is popular among users who frequently collaborate on projects. iCloud: Designed for Apple users, iCloud provides 5 GB of free storage and integrates well with other Apple services like Photos and Mail. pCloud : Known for its lifetime subscription options, pCloud offers up to 10 GB of free storage and is a good choice for those looking for long-term storage solutions. Box: Focused on business users, Box offers robust security features and collaboration tools, making it ideal for enterprises. It's important to compare these providers based on your individual needs because each one has its own pros and cons. There is a cloud storage service out there that can meet your needs, whether you want free space, tools for working together, or more security. Take Control of Your Digital Space Cloud storage providers are a great way to manage the room on your devices and get more done online. 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