Business owners wear many hats, and one of them is social media marketer. Here’s how to do it well without it consuming your time.
AI isn’t optional anymore
ChatGPT
Just last year, I had an IT pro on my team with over 20 years of experience. Smart guy. Talented. But when it came to AI, he dug in his heels. “It’s a fad,” he told me. “In two years, people will go back to Google and search the web. They won’t trust AI.”
Yeah, right after fax machines and Blockbuster stage their glorious return.
He couldn’t see the writing on the wall. And in tech, or any industry, that’s the kiss of death.
You have to be able to innovate. To adapt. To grow with change, not fight it. That mindset clash is exactly why he’s no longer with the company.
AI isn’t just the future. It’s now. Here’s the best part: You don’t need a computer science degree to get going. Anyone can learn the basics. And yes, even you, with your 37 open tabs and a healthy fear of “technical stuff.”
There are free, powerful tools and courses that anyone can tap into. I’ll show you where to begin.
🤖 Why you should care about AI
According to McKinsey, at least 80% of businesses will use AI by 2030.
Even if you’re not a techie, learning how AI works will make you more valuable in your job, help you think more critically about the tech you use, and might even spark a career pivot.
🎓 Try these totally free AI courses
As you’re looking through these classes, you’ll see they’re free, but some offer optional certifications you can buy. Should you spend the money?
Here’s my take: Check out job postings in the field you’re interested in. If you see that certification popping up under the “qualifications” section, it might be worth it. Otherwise, just enjoy the free learning!
Small-biz tip: Don't overlook this digital danger
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Are you the type of business owner who forgets about ex-employees as soon as they’re gone? Failing to remove former employees’ access to your systems and data could lead to security breaches. Don’t let poor offboarding practices be the weak link in your cybersecurity chain.
Small business owners: Simplify your life with one financial tool that does it all
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Are your finances as organized as you’d like them to be? Come on, be honest. For most business owners, the answer is a reluctant no.
As your company grows, you will have more expenses, contractors, KPIs and hands managing it all. If your communication happens through email, over the phone, in messages, and via spreadsheets, you will hit a wall sooner or later.
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Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of fire alarms blaring. You quickly realize your home is on fire and rush your family out of the house safely. Then you realize you never took inventory of your belongings.
Run a small business? Follow this end-of-the-year checklist before 2022 ends
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The new year is right around the corner, which means it’s time for New Year’s resolutions, paperwork filing and holiday vacations. For busy business owners, there’s a lot to keep track of. Make sure you don’t forget anything important with this small business checklist.
Budgeting tip: An easy way to slash your monthly charges
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Your dollars don’t go as far these days. Sure, things are more expensive, but “buy now” buttons and shiny new services add up much faster than we’d like to believe. It’s no surprise that subscription-based business models are so popular.
Don't make the same mistake that cost me $90K
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I’ve been a small business owner for 25 years. Along the way, I’ve had some great successes, along with my fair share of mistakes.
Sometimes those mistakes are easy to recover from. You recognize what went wrong, regroup and try something new. And sometimes you realize, “Uh oh. This is something I can never let happen again.”