Core to the PrimeTime experience is a commitment to helping independents navigate digital challenges and opportunities. As AI continues to dominate the conversation, several PrimeTime sessions focused on simplifying AI to uncover practical applications that help businesses save both time and money.
These sessions included the event’s kick-off keynote featuring Mike Bechtel, and the digital mainstage presentation led by Mark Kinsley.
Former CEO of Englander and current CEO of The FAM, Kinsley, approached AI through a lens of curiosity. “Get your hands in the clay,” he urged, challenging attendees to experiment daily and think of AI as an assistant or toolkit, useful for everything from administrative tasks and content creation to automation and workflow unification.
Photo credit: Nationwide Marketing Group
If AI sounds like a gamechanger for your business, it can be when used effectively. Let’s look at a few practical applications you can implement today.
3 Simple Ways to Tap into the Power of AI for Your Business
1. Just start
If you haven’t yet logged into an AI application, pick one or two and begin experimenting, just as Kinsley suggested. Ask the chatbot questions and test a few prompts — the more specific, the better — to see what you get back.
Not sure which apps to try? Consider these options to get started:
- ChatGPT — One of the most well-known AI chatbots, ChatGPT is easy to use whether you’re new to AI or ready to level up your usage.
- Microsoft Copilot — If you regularly use Microsoft products, this option integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 to support data analysis, document creation, scheduling, and more.
- Google Gemini — This AI assistant integrates with Google-based tools, offering similar benefits to Copilot but for those who prefer the Google suite of products and services.
These are just a few of the many assistant-style AI tools available. A quick online search will reveal more to consider. Additionally, numerous platforms and services already include built-in AI tools designed to streamline and personalize your experience, including Podium, Canva, Adobe, Intuit QuickBooks, and other business solutions.
2. Eliminate frustration
What is the most frustrating or time-consuming task on your plate right now? Ask your preferred AI tool for ways to simplify or automate that responsibility. The goal is to make your day-to-day work easier while improving the final result.
3. Decide whether free or paid tools best fit your needs
Many AI tools are currently available at no cost, making it easy to begin experimenting. However, free versions often come with usage limitations and may not provide the level of privacy or advanced functionality you desire.
As you become more comfortable using AI and identify which tools work best for you, consider whether upgrading to a paid subscription makes sense.
To help you decide, ask yourself:
- Am I consistently reaching the limit of queries in the free version?
- Would upgrading give me access to features I actually need?
- Are privacy concerns keeping me from using AI tools to analyze data or enhance internal workflows?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, a paid version may give you more tailored results, greater security, and better overall value.
Apply AI to Customer Growth
For retailers today, AI isn’t just changing how you operate; it’s changing how your customers shop. Meet them where they’re searching by using AI-focused SEO strategies that help your business show up in AI-driven search results.
