As much as I love automating systems, AI has me taken aback a bit. 

Show of hands – Is anyone else giving AI the side eye? I mean. It doesn’t even have jokes. 

ChatGPT has been a hot topic in our office lately. As an author, I immediately scoffed at it. But since ChatGPT lacks emotion, it was pretty unsatisfying. Technology will always evolve, and we must evolve with it. The question is, how do you incorporate automation and AI in your business and still maintain that integral, human communication at the same time?

Automating your business and utilizing AI while maintaining your integrity and humanity can be achieved through a combination of strategies. Here are some ways to accomplish this:

• Identify areas for automation: Begin by analyzing your business processes and identifying tasks that can be automated without sacrificing the human touch. Look for those repetitive, time-consuming activities that can be streamlined using technology. 
• Create system recordings and documents: AI can’t do it all! You still need humans to help you run your business. But what if someone is out, has an emergency, or just wants to take that sabbatical that Mike Michalowicz told you to take? Here’s what we do in my business: For each process we have, our team creates a Loom recording and Tango document to illustrate and train other team members. This means that when we each take that four-week vacation, nothing falls to the wayside and there are limited disruptions in productivity (read, profitability!)
• Implement AI-powered solutions: Leverage AI technologies to automate special aspects of your business. For example, you can use chatbots or virtual assistants to handle customer inquiries and provide support, freeing human resources for more complex interactions. AI can also assist in data analysis, forecasting, and decision-making processes, enabling you to make informed business decisions effectively. 
• Personalize customer interactions: While automation is helpful, it’s essential to maintain a personalized customer experience. Tailor your automated systems to gather relevant customer information and deliver customized recommendations or responses. This can include using AI algorithms to analyze customer behavior and preferences to provide intel on marketing campaigns. 
• Humanize your communication: Even with AI interactions, don’t lose the human touch. If you do employ systems like chatbots, make sure you use conversational language to make the customer feel as though they’re engaging with a real person. Address them by name and create empathetic responses. 
• Empower employees: Rather than replacing humans, AI can augment their capabilities and enable them to focus on more meaningful tasks. Provide training for your employees so they can work alongside AI technologies effectively. This might involve developing skills in areas where humans excel, such as creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. Encourage collaboration between humans and AI systems to achieve optimal results.

Remember, when it comes to automation and using AI, it’s crucial to strike a balance between automation and maintaining your humanity! By leveraging AI and personalization, your business will be able to scale and still connect with customers and clients on a human level.

Wishing you health and wealth – and I wrote that.

-Mike