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  1. <?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:blogger='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439928721689536536</id><updated>2024-11-05T18:52:22.679-08:00</updated><title type='text'>thebusinesswind</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>BUSINESS</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08738020011091151084</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>7</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439928721689536536.post-3120696235624378745</id><published>2024-02-16T00:59:00.006-08:00</published><updated>2024-02-16T00:59:35.185-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Best AI Tools for Small Businesses</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrjmsQhY3Hsj3j-QgxO-LfX-KdwO5kfAZI3w-bSPEOYhrwEzkj-yIdF6w0OP38GxSOp1S4henFIVnFMNTo64OpQWo2GCCRjTgn4Z0i_6Z1v99T7nIriDku3NRoCKkf4sTPIQK1Vj8YJ4pXoY7j2o9MQWvIIoNgcPGCT2-LRpeVAVeyjSa-16NEITxgx4/s600/Best%20AI%20Tools%20for%20Small%20Businesses.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Best AI Tools for Small Businesses&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;400&quot; data-original-width=&quot;600&quot; height=&quot;349&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrjmsQhY3Hsj3j-QgxO-LfX-KdwO5kfAZI3w-bSPEOYhrwEzkj-yIdF6w0OP38GxSOp1S4henFIVnFMNTo64OpQWo2GCCRjTgn4Z0i_6Z1v99T7nIriDku3NRoCKkf4sTPIQK1Vj8YJ4pXoY7j2o9MQWvIIoNgcPGCT2-LRpeVAVeyjSa-16NEITxgx4/w505-h349/Best%20AI%20Tools%20for%20Small%20Businesses.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Best AI Tools for Small Businesses&quot; width=&quot;505&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
  2.  
  3. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;You know you could use AI tools to save time (and money) in
  4. your small business. But with thousands of AI tools available, how do you figure
  5. out which ones to use and how to use them? As a business owner myself, I
  6. struggle with that question.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  7.  
  8. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;I&#39;ve searched sites like FutureTools.io for ideas but
  9. quickly got overwhelmed. When I wrote this article, that site lists nearly
  10. 2,500 AI tools, which will likely be higher when you read this.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  11.  
  12. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Perhaps sheer overwhelm is part of the reason AI adoption
  13. among small businesses, especially very small businesses, remains relatively
  14. low. A recent Bredin SMB Pulse survey of business owners found that:&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  15.  
  16. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;27% of small businesses (20 to 99 employees) are actively
  17. using AI, and 19% are piloting it&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  18.  
  19. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;8% of tiny companies (fewer than 20 employees) report
  20. actively using AI, and another 7% are piloting it&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  21.  
  22. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Nearly 40% of mid-sized companies (100 to 500 employees) are
  23. actively using AI, and 28% are piloting it&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  24.  
  25. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Small businesses must find tools that work for them if they
  26. want to keep up. So, to find out what tools entrepreneurs are using, I queried
  27. members of the AI Copy Club community and asked them to share their favorite AI
  28. tools for saving time in their businesses. Here&#39;s what they use and recommend.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  29.  
  30. &lt;h2&gt;AI tools for small business owners&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  31.  
  32. &lt;h3 style=&quot;margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportLists]--&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-bidi-font-family: &amp;quot;Calibri Light&amp;quot;; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &amp;quot;Calibri Light&amp;quot;; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-list: Ignore;&quot;&gt;1.&lt;span style=&quot;font: 7.0pt &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  33. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;Content distribution and design, customer
  34. service&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  35.  
  36. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;AI tools have been instrumental in freeing up hours for
  37. entrepreneur Kym Tolson, thus allowing her to concentrate on growth, client
  38. engagement, and strategic planning in her business.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  39.  
  40. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;Canvahas has been a transformative tool for my
  41. business, particularly in graphic design. Previously, crafting
  42. professional-level graphics for social media and marketing efforts was a
  43. substantial time commitment, often stretching over several hours each
  44. week,&quot; she says. &quot;Now, thanks to Canvas&#39;s intuitive interface and AI
  45. enhancements, I can produce eye-catching graphics quickly and efficiently,
  46. reducing what used to take hours into mere minutes. This significant
  47. time-saving aspect allows my team and I to focus more on other critical
  48. business areas.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  49.  
  50. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Another tool she loves is Repurpose.io, a repurposing and
  51. distribution platform for video &amp;amp; audio creators, which has streamlined her
  52. content distribution process.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  53.  
  54. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;Before its integration, manually uploading and
  55. adapting content for various social media platforms was a four- to five-hour
  56. weekly endeavor,&quot; she explains. &quot;With Repurpose.io, this task is fully
  57. automated, enabling instant content redistribution across multiple channels.
  58. This automation conserves time and amplifies my content&#39;s reach effortlessly.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  59.  
  60. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Finally, she likes Pickaxe&#39;s customer support tool, which
  61. allows users to create AI-powered tools and embed them into their websites.
  62. Tolson uses it to create bots within her membership communities; the bots
  63. address routine questions from members, a task that previously required a
  64. notable time commitment.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  65.  
  66. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;She says, &quot;This automation has significantly reduced
  67. the time I need to respond to member inquiries, allowing me to focus more on
  68. enhancing the value and experience within these communities.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  69.  
  70. &lt;h3&gt;2. Creative help&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  71.  
  72. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Midjourney is the first AI image generator that works on
  73. prompts. She explains, &quot;I use it to generate images to be used as assets
  74. in my design work. Good AI imagery is hard to find, and working with the bot to
  75. curate usable images requires skill. As an illustrator, I could draw these
  76. pictures with software, but it would often take hours for one image. Using AI
  77. cuts that time down to mere minutes.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  78.  
  79. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Bayless likes using Adobe Firefly to generate alternative
  80. color palettes. &quot;I can take a single image or design and instantly create various
  81. options with the color variation tool. This helps create surface patterns or
  82. stickers that benefit from various colors.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  83.  
  84. &lt;h3&gt;3. Content writing&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  85.  
  86. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Shelley Hunter says her adoption of AI is a story in &quot;three
  87. parts: resistance, acceptance, and adoption.&quot; She wrote over 400 blog
  88. posts under a former personal brand, but she recently left the company–and that
  89. content– behind.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  90.  
  91. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;She wanted to start a new blog but did not want to produce
  92. new content because, as she said, &quot;I&#39;m a slow writer. I have no problem
  93. communicating verbally. Whether conducting interviews, being interviewed,
  94. talking on live radio or TV, or filming a video, I make quick observations and
  95. can easily articulate my thoughts. But when it comes to writing, I obsess over
  96. crafting perfect sentences, minding all grammar rules, adding purposeful
  97. transitions, and more. It takes me forever.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  98.  
  99. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;But she still went ahead and created a new blog. &quot;People
  100. said, &#39;Use ChatGPT.&#39; I replied, &#39;No, it&#39;s garbage,&#39;&quot; she recalls. &quot;I
  101. tried a couple of cursory queries and got such ignorant, lackluster results
  102. that I dismissed the tool entirely.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  103.  
  104. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Hunter researched and found she could combine ChatGPT and
  105. Grammarly to smooth the process. &quot;More importantly, I start each piece of
  106. content with the part I&#39;m best at,&quot; she says. For example, I interviewed a
  107. white hat gift card hacker for a piece about gift card hacking. In another
  108. post, she recorded a video of a gift card experience, And in another, she wrote
  109. a script to capture her thoughts. And then that&#39;s where AI steps in.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  110.  
  111. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;After recording the video, I turn to ChatGPT and the
  112. Video Captions plugin to write the post. I still spend a couple of hours
  113. working on the message, going back and forth with the tools, and pushing until
  114. I get an authentic piece I am proud to put my name on,&quot; she explains.
  115. &quot;The time it takes me to write a blog post may be the same, but I no
  116. longer struggle laboriously. The content and ideas are still mine, but I am
  117. less frustrated with the writing process and can better focus on communicating
  118. the message I want to share.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  119.  
  120. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Note that ChatGPT plugins are currently available with a
  121. paid subscription to ChatGPT. ChatGPT has also recently introduced the ChatGPT
  122. Store, which is presently available with ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise
  123. users.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  124.  
  125. &lt;h3&gt;4. Creating chatbots&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  126.  
  127. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Another vote for Pickaxe comes from Vix Meldrew, who used it
  128. to create a &quot;curriculum bot&quot; for her courses and programs. She says, &quot;I
  129. taught the bot the entire curriculum of my new program so that rather than
  130. students asking me questions the program answers, they can ask the bot! That
  131. will save me time answering questions already answered in the course materials
  132. and save me outsourcing community management. My students can ask questions
  133. about the curriculum, billing, and account inquiries.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  134.  
  135. &lt;h3&gt;5. Meeting notetaking&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  136.  
  137. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Karen Carey uses AI as a virtual assistant for meetings. Carey
  138. states, &quot;Fireflies.ai is a virtual notetaker attending all my virtual
  139. meetings. In addition to taking very detailed notes, Fireflies categorizes and
  140. calculates the number of questions asked, the number of tasks
  141. discussed/assigned, the number of dates mentioned, and categorizes the content
  142. of the meeting for ease of review. Additionally, it breaks down sound bites of
  143. what it considers notable quotes (and) sayings.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  144.  
  145. &lt;h3&gt;6. Content repurposing&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  146.  
  147. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Dianne Shelton loves WritePanda for content repurposing. &quot;This
  148. tool allows me to repurpose my long-form video content into multiple types of
  149. short-form content easily,&quot; she says. &quot;It can create short videos
  150. (reels), blog posts, newsletters, tweet-worthy highlights, and more. It also
  151. allows me to automatically create time stamps and notes for my business podcast
  152. and YouTube channel.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  153.  
  154. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Her favorite feature is auto-caption for the AI-generated
  155. reels. She says, &quot;These captions are customizable and allow me to stand
  156. out in the saturated online space. A bonus feature is the face-tracking
  157. capability to create reels based on the speakers on the long-form video. Unlike
  158. other AI repurposing tools, this one seems to have some pretty powerful tools
  159. under one roof.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  160.  
  161. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Shelton also finds the Cheat Layer to be useful for
  162. automating time-consuming tasks. &quot;It&#39;s a no-code automation tool that
  163. allows me to have an AI assistant do certain repeatable tasks that would
  164. otherwise take more of my time or have to hire out a team member for,&quot; she
  165. says. &quot;This tool is complex and flexible to meet each user&#39;s needs. I&#39;ve
  166. only begun to scratch the surface by having simple tasks, such as automatically
  167. creating Canva images based on keywords (which it can research) and auto
  168. posting Facebook posts.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  169.  
  170. &lt;h3&gt;7. Video repurposing&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  171.  
  172. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Katie Goebel recommends OpusClip, which repurposes long
  173. video clips into short ones across multiple platforms.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  174.  
  175. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;As a social media strategist, I love using OpusClip
  176. for my clients&#39; video interviews,&quot; she says. &quot;Within minutes, I can
  177. load a video interview link from YouTube or Vimeo and generate 10-plus short
  178. viral clips. The AI technology sweeps through the content quickly to find clips
  179. with high viral potential. Plus, I love the way it generates captions
  180. automatically.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  181.  
  182. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Goebel adds, &quot;It saves me the time of tedious editing
  183. and combing through hours of footage to find good 60-second sound bytes. Plus,
  184. my clients can focus on creating a high-quality video interview once and then
  185. run it through OpusClip to generate nearly endless clips to repurpose across
  186. multiple platforms.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  187.  
  188. &lt;h3&gt;8. Scheduling&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  189.  
  190. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;One of Kelsey Silver&#39;s favored AI tools is Motion. The cause
  191. why: &quot;After attempting rattling close to each system accessible to solve
  192. this little struggle my brain, I even have among wanting to approach and hating
  193. agendas, I stumbled upon Motion. I can tell you I&#39;ve never whipped out my
  194. credit card so fast.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  195.  
  196. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;[It] syncs all my calendars, completely replaces
  197. Calendly booking links and makes sure everything fits in my preferred meeting
  198. times and eliminates blank page syndrome by scheduling my tasks in available
  199. windows based on the 49,283,409,283 different schedules I have—(okay, it&#39;s just
  200. three: personal 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., business 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 1
  201. a.m., and special stuff 24/7).&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  202.  
  203. &lt;h2&gt;AI tools can help small businesses save valuable time&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  204.  
  205. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;From calendars to creatives, these business owners show the
  206. myriad ways AI tools can be used to keep time. And, of course, in business,
  207. time is money.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  208.  
  209. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Tracking your time will allow you to see where you&#39;re
  210. spending—and perhaps wasting—time. From there, you can identify your high-value
  211. activities and look for AI tools that will help you streamline less valuable
  212. ones.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/feeds/3120696235624378745/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/best-ai-tools-for-small-businesses.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/3120696235624378745'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/3120696235624378745'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/best-ai-tools-for-small-businesses.html' title='Best AI Tools for Small Businesses'/><author><name>BUSINESS</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08738020011091151084</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrjmsQhY3Hsj3j-QgxO-LfX-KdwO5kfAZI3w-bSPEOYhrwEzkj-yIdF6w0OP38GxSOp1S4henFIVnFMNTo64OpQWo2GCCRjTgn4Z0i_6Z1v99T7nIriDku3NRoCKkf4sTPIQK1Vj8YJ4pXoY7j2o9MQWvIIoNgcPGCT2-LRpeVAVeyjSa-16NEITxgx4/s72-w505-h349-c/Best%20AI%20Tools%20for%20Small%20Businesses.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439928721689536536.post-8323193749056856066</id><published>2024-02-16T00:59:00.005-08:00</published><updated>2024-02-16T00:59:32.145-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Include in Your Small Business Website</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihclDWpLjmxcT2Em5xOA-3y0RpBsTSuaN1yhT65xXUB6XM-AtbdXivDI5JwZztJYAtior-uUAIJBCD84tx-95GubJh0sPS7bA4SVmpkd91VvI0V5GXD4ssstUP3pUlO15vRUvMlUN8mcHvFORAxNc_swmHbfra2c986m_QBCR_UW3g64-a5_f2aU_4kp8/s600/Include%20in%20Your%20Small%20Business.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Include in Your Small Business&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;399&quot; data-original-width=&quot;600&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihclDWpLjmxcT2Em5xOA-3y0RpBsTSuaN1yhT65xXUB6XM-AtbdXivDI5JwZztJYAtior-uUAIJBCD84tx-95GubJh0sPS7bA4SVmpkd91VvI0V5GXD4ssstUP3pUlO15vRUvMlUN8mcHvFORAxNc_swmHbfra2c986m_QBCR_UW3g64-a5_f2aU_4kp8/w640-h426/Include%20in%20Your%20Small%20Business.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Include in Your Small Business&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h2 style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;What to Include in Your Small Business Website: The Most Important Features
  213. and Elements&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
  214.  
  215. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;I&#39;ve been covering the small business market for decades. I
  216. remember the &#39;90s—the golden age for entrepreneurs. Startups thrived,
  217. encompassing millions of women and minorities, and the dawn of the accessible
  218. internet changed our world. For most of us, that is.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  219.  
  220. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;It astounds me that today, at the dawn of 2024, about 30% of
  221. small businesses don&#39;t have a website—30%! The bottom line is if you don&#39;t have
  222. a website, it is highly challenging for consumers (potential customers) to find
  223. you. BrightLocal reports that 98% of consumers used the internet to find
  224. information about local businesses.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  225.  
  226. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;To learn more about the value (and necessity) of having a
  227. website for your small business, I talked to Christine Telyan, the founder of
  228. UENI, a website-building company.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  229.  
  230. &lt;h2&gt;Why every small business needs a website&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  231.  
  232. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Christine Telyan: Today, having a website is imperative.
  233. Google any business—no website? It just does not feel professional or credible.
  234. Although social media and marketplaces can be powerful drivers of traffic,
  235. brand awareness, and even sales, relying entirely on them prevents you from
  236. owning your internet real estate, where you control the content without
  237. competitors right beside you.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  238.  
  239. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Social media is crowded, and your posts may not always reach
  240. your followers, while marketplaces like Etsy charge fees and are subject to
  241. changing rules and algorithms. Also, many prospective customers might not be on
  242. these platforms. Therefore, while social media and marketplaces are helpful,
  243. they cannot replace the value of having your website.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  244.  
  245. &lt;h2&gt;Getting started&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  246.  
  247. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;1. User experience: How does the website look to your
  248. customers? The experience should be as welcoming as someone walking through
  249. your shop. Does it look good? Does it work on mobile? Is it fast? These factors
  250. enhance visitor engagement and promote more extended site visits.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  251.  
  252. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;2. Clear calls to action: What actions do visitors want to
  253. take? Whether getting, filling out a contact form, or subscribing to a
  254. newsletter, CTAs (calls-to-action) should be prominently displayed on every
  255. page. We recommend choosing one or two (at the most) actions you want customers
  256. to take.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  257.  
  258. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;3. Information architecture: What does your website tell
  259. search engines? Google and Bing analyze the content and structure of your
  260. website to understand what your business does to position you in search
  261. results. Search engines favor well-structured links, precise keywords, SEO
  262. tags, and descriptive URLs.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  263.  
  264. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Telyan: The cost of a new website depends on how many pages
  265. you need, the quality of design, and the functionality you require on your
  266. website. A do-it-yourself (DIY) website builder can cost $20 to $50 per month,
  267. but you have to do the work yourself, and you have no guarantee that you will
  268. be satisfied with the outcome (if you even finish building it).&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  269.  
  270. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Hiring a web designer or agency to build your website
  271. involves an upfront investment of at least $1,000, plus a retainer for hosting
  272. and maintenance if you do not want to make edits on the platform&#39;s CMS.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  273.  
  274. &lt;h2&gt;Website design and content&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  275.  
  276. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Telyan: Website design should never undermine the usability
  277. of your website. Compress images and manage the code to keep loading time under
  278. two seconds. Avoid using stock images that make your brand feel generic. Don&#39;t
  279. show too many pop-ups that impede the customer experience. Web design must be
  280. equally effective on desktop and mobile, but the two differ in presentation.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  281.  
  282. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;A foundation of minimalism, bold typography, and distinct
  283. brand colors is critical. Layer essential features like booking, e-commerce,
  284. and chat on top to convert visitors.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  285.  
  286. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Lesonsky: Can you suggest the content you should include on
  287. your website when you&#39;re first starting? And how often do you need to update
  288. your content?&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  289.  
  290. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Telyan: Your website should clearly articulate what your
  291. business does, why it stands out, and how [people] can contact you. What
  292. services or products do you sell, and what is your pricing? Include detailed
  293. descriptions (at least 100 words) for each of your offerings, as this has been
  294. shown to increase sales meaningfully.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  295.  
  296. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;An About Us/ Me section that describes your experience,
  297. expertise, and certifications provides necessary credibility for any business,
  298. especially if you are starting. High-resolution images or galleries of your
  299. work, customer testimonials, and an FAQ or blog section can reinforce your site
  300. with keyword-rich content.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  301.  
  302. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Content should be updated regularly to reflect changes in
  303. your business and provide updates to search engines. You are doing well if you
  304. can write two articles per month on a subject you can speak authoritatively
  305. about that is relevant to your business. Updated events pages and photo
  306. galleries (with correct SEO tags) are also valuable. Seasonal pricing changes
  307. or periodic promotions keep existing customers returning to your website and
  308. show new customers that the information they are reading is up-to-date.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  309.  
  310. &lt;h2&gt;Your website and SEO&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  311.  
  312. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Lesonsky: Getting your website &quot;found&quot; is not
  313. easy, so SEO is crucial for driving organic website traffic &amp;amp; increasing
  314. visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). How do you incorporate SEO
  315. best practices into your website&#39;s design?&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  316.  
  317. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Telyan: SEO is a digital salesperson working for your
  318. business 24/7, driving organic (free) traffic to your website. Done well, it
  319. attracts highly intending visitors because they are searching for what your
  320. website talks about. SEO has two primary pillars: relevance and authority.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  321.  
  322. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Relevance—how closely your website&#39;s content matches what
  323. users search for. Your website pages should be organized with topical headers
  324. and subheaders, use lists, and separate content thematically across pages. Like
  325. the rest of your site, the website title and description (the content you see
  326. on search engine results) should include the keywords (search terms) you want
  327. to rank for. The website&#39;s code should also have structured data. This provides
  328. information to search engines about a website&#39;s content, and the search engines
  329. prioritize and enhance website listings that contain this information.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  330.  
  331. &lt;h2&gt;Measuring site performance&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  332.  
  333. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Lesonsky: Like everything you do in your business, you must
  334. measure your website&#39;s performance. How do you do that? Are there website
  335. analytics tools that you recommend to track user behavior?&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  336.  
  337. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  338.  
  339. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Telyan: You want to track visits to your website and actions
  340. taken on the website: calls, bookings, messages, and sales. Your website
  341. provider should have an in-built tool or give you access to a dashboard that
  342. shows these metrics clearly without you having to set up analytics on your own.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  343.  
  344. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;But, it is worth remembering that a website&#39;s value cannot
  345. entirely be measured in these direct transactional metrics. Often, prospective
  346. customers will check out your website and then call or visit your store. So
  347. businesses should also consider how their overall pipeline of customers,
  348. inquiries, and sales will change once the website is launched.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/feeds/8323193749056856066/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/include-in-your-small-business-website.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/8323193749056856066'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/8323193749056856066'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/include-in-your-small-business-website.html' title='Include in Your Small Business Website'/><author><name>BUSINESS</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08738020011091151084</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihclDWpLjmxcT2Em5xOA-3y0RpBsTSuaN1yhT65xXUB6XM-AtbdXivDI5JwZztJYAtior-uUAIJBCD84tx-95GubJh0sPS7bA4SVmpkd91VvI0V5GXD4ssstUP3pUlO15vRUvMlUN8mcHvFORAxNc_swmHbfra2c986m_QBCR_UW3g64-a5_f2aU_4kp8/s72-w640-h426-c/Include%20in%20Your%20Small%20Business.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439928721689536536.post-3649043174116413783</id><published>2024-02-16T00:59:00.004-08:00</published><updated>2024-02-16T00:59:29.790-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Small Business Trends for 2024</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEWFDnAawHS1Dt3DSnky7ZhFZ9uMYPpkCPVH8T3BdOQk88DtIz9EnnyDNsNUdqeJTrwODiLhRMV6XLk6rNq2p7AvK0eH2A-N01BQAdf4fJoX1XQCM-HbepnXXhm5N2uBUwtplMNJpkcpkkdwRTZC1bfSVlXF3g2OEeL8e1fMnB4uXy_RWJNAcPMBxl80/s600/Small%20Business%20Trends%20for%202024.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Small Business Trends for 2024&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;399&quot; data-original-width=&quot;600&quot; height=&quot;438&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEWFDnAawHS1Dt3DSnky7ZhFZ9uMYPpkCPVH8T3BdOQk88DtIz9EnnyDNsNUdqeJTrwODiLhRMV6XLk6rNq2p7AvK0eH2A-N01BQAdf4fJoX1XQCM-HbepnXXhm5N2uBUwtplMNJpkcpkkdwRTZC1bfSVlXF3g2OEeL8e1fMnB4uXy_RWJNAcPMBxl80/w598-h438/Small%20Business%20Trends%20for%202024.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Small Business Trends for 2024&quot; width=&quot;598&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h2 style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;Experts Share Their Predictions&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;h1&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
  349.  
  350. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Anticipating the future is crucial for small business
  351. success. But it may be incredibly challenging this year since many innovations
  352. and potential changes in areas like community building, personalization,
  353. finances, marketing, technology, and more exist.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  354.  
  355. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;To help figure it out, I asked several small business
  356. experts to share their insights on 2024 trends to prepare you better to
  357. navigate our ever-evolving entrepreneurial world.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  358.  
  359. &lt;h2&gt;Small Business Trends for 2024&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  360.  
  361. &lt;h3&gt;Businesses should commit to communities as a strategic imperative in 2024&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  362.  
  363. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Businesses of all sizes will make fostering the growth of
  364. their local communities a top priority in 2024. It&#39;s of strategic importance
  365. and can provide a competitive advantage. As businesses, we are all responsible
  366. for building stronger economies and more resilient communities.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  367.  
  368. &lt;h3&gt;Customer experience&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  369.  
  370. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Maintaining a strong brand identity and foothold within the
  371. market boils down to how you manage your customer relationships.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  372.  
  373. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;The &quot;customer is always right&quot; mantra is one many
  374. business owners know, abide by, and incorporate into their company cultures.
  375. This is why, in 2024, I predict businesses of all sizes will invest more in the
  376. customer experience to keep their clients happy and returning. Entrepreneurs
  377. will seek tools to help them go the extra mile for their customers. Businesses
  378. will invest in customer experience (CX) teams to ensure clients are happy from
  379. start to end and, most importantly, return for future and repeat business.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  380.  
  381. &lt;h3&gt;Personalization will be crucial for continuing to build client
  382. relationships.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  383.  
  384. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Managing the client flow process with a personalized touch
  385. from start to finish is crucial for success, continued growth, customer
  386. satisfaction, and retention. Ensuring clients feel cared for and their unique
  387. needs are met is a win-win for independent workers and customers.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  388.  
  389. &lt;h3&gt;The future of marketing is going to be incredibly personal&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  390.  
  391. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;It&#39;s not about a hard sell anymore—you need to create a
  392. memorable customer experience that makes [customers] feel a mutual connection
  393. to your business. And that gives them a reason to keep coming back for more.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  394.  
  395. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;In 2024, I expect small businesses to steer even further
  396. into this trend and truly put a personal touch on their marketing
  397. communications. They will learn new technologies and leverage them to
  398. understand their customers&#39; experiences, preferences, and consumption habits to
  399. make them feel like the stars of the show. This approach will create a more
  400. intimate and trusting relationship, leading to more clicks, opens, donations,
  401. followers, sales, and growth.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  402.  
  403. &lt;h2&gt;Finances&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  404.  
  405. &lt;h2&gt;Small businesses continue grappling with significant challenges impacting
  406. their growth and sustainability.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  407.  
  408. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;According to insights recently gathered by Hello Alice, the
  409. struggle to secure capital or find accessible loans remains a pressing issue,
  410. with a substantial 31.4% of small business owners reporting this challenge.
  411. Moreover, the elevated inflation rate poses a considerable hurdle for these
  412. businesses.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  413.  
  414. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Unlike larger competitors, small businesses often lack the
  415. purchasing power to handle this escalating issue, facing a dual challenge:
  416. navigating inflation&#39;s impact while competing in a market where larger
  417. counterparts possess greater financial leverage. This imbalance affects their
  418. day-to-day operations and restricts their ability to invest in critical areas
  419. such as innovation, technology, and expansion efforts necessary for long-term
  420. success. However, small business owners are resilient and the backbone of our
  421. economy, so they will make it through and lead us all into a more robust
  422. economy.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  423.  
  424. &lt;h2&gt;How to weather a recession&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  425.  
  426. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;We are seeing a steady reduction in inflation while
  427. employment levels remain strong. The Federal Reserve&#39;s interest rate policy
  428. seems to be working, and it is reasonable to assume that inflation will
  429. continue to decline from current levels. Given these indicators, we expect the
  430. economy to achieve the &quot;soft landing&quot; the Fed has been targeting,
  431. which means that if there is a recession, it will be short and relatively minor
  432. for most.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  433.  
  434. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Industries that would be most impacted by a down economy:&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  435.  
  436. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;We expect transportation to be one of the hardest-hit
  437. sectors in an economic downturn. The long-haul trucking industry is already
  438. struggling as consumer spending has shifted away from goods &amp;amp; toward
  439. services in recent months. We also expect auto purchases to dip as financing
  440. costs have risen dramatically while used car values have declined. As a result,
  441. many car owners cannot afford to trade in their existing cars to purchase new
  442. ones.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  443.  
  444. &lt;h3&gt;What small businesses can do to prepare themselves financially for a
  445. potential recession in 2024?&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  446.  
  447. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  448.  
  449. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst&quot; style=&quot;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportLists]--&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-list: Ignore;&quot;&gt;·&lt;span style=&quot;font: 7.0pt &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  450. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;Small businesses should determine whether they
  451. will need capital in 2024 and, if so, work to secure it now. Banks have been
  452. reducing contact with small businesses ever since the pandemic, &amp;amp; now, with
  453. higher interest rates putting pressure on bank deposits &amp;amp; greater
  454. regulatory scrutiny, banks are decreasing their loan books even more.
  455. Fortunately, several small business lenders have been expanding their ability
  456. to deliver small business money in the face of this bank contraction. Small
  457. business owners should deliberate exploring options with their banks and
  458. non-bank lenders.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  459.  
  460. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportLists]--&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-list: Ignore;&quot;&gt;·&lt;span style=&quot;font: 7.0pt &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  461. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;Small businesses that streamline operations and
  462. leverage technology to do more work with less labor will be the best prepared
  463. to weather a recession. Many businesses are implementing self-service
  464. technologies or outsourcing customer service and accounting functions, allowing
  465. them to spend more time running daily operations. Small businesses that can
  466. reduce costs without sacrificing customer experience will be the biggest
  467. winners 2024.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  468.  
  469. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpLast&quot; style=&quot;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportLists]--&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-list: Ignore;&quot;&gt;·&lt;span style=&quot;font: 7.0pt &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  470. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;Small businesses should be very judicious when
  471. reviewing new projects or plans for expansion. If the company chooses to
  472. expand, the unit economics of the expansion should be examined to understand
  473. how much it will cost to execute and what profits can be expected. The market
  474. must then be assessed to determine the volume of goods sold at these price
  475. points. Prices are set where the business owner believes that profits can be
  476. maximized while contributing an acceptable level of effort. If the economics
  477. appear marginal, the business owner will want to put a hold on expansion plans
  478. until the market improves.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  479.  
  480. &lt;h3&gt;Whatever the obstacle, small business owners get creative and find ways to
  481. problem-solve and grow their companies.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  482.  
  483. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Last year, according to our small business data, small
  484. businesses continued to show a true spirit of resiliency. A key finding from our
  485. recent small business owner surveys found that half of the companies surveyed
  486. agreed that cash flow management tool consolidation positively impacts
  487. profitability, and 71% said it positively impacts efficiency. Small business
  488. owners now prioritize their digital financial toolkits to improve their
  489. businesses. No matter the challenges, ongoing cash flow management is essential
  490. to effectively running a business.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  491.  
  492. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;This year, we anticipate cash flow management will remain
  493. paramount in day-to-day operations. The need to streamline management to unlock
  494. new efficiencies continues with the help of enhanced cash flow tools, including
  495. analytics, funding, and banking. Many (41%) of the small businesses surveyed in
  496. our inaugural Financial Confidence Report said they &quot;often&quot; or
  497. &quot;always&quot; turn down potential growth opportunities because they are
  498. unsure about their cash flow. There is a wide array of benefits for small
  499. businesses when it comes to consolidating cash flow management tools, and our
  500. data indicates the critical role it plays in helping small companies garner
  501. additional revenue, time, and productivity in the new year.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  502.  
  503. &lt;h2&gt;Franchising&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  504.  
  505. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;There will be continued interest in franchise ownership,
  506. especially from people who want to change careers. That is nothing new, but
  507. ever since the pandemic, the need to do so has increased. Today&#39;s employees
  508. want more control over their hours and their lives. And a good number of them
  509. want to continue working from home. So, look for more home-based franchise
  510. concepts to be developed to meet this need.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  511.  
  512. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;On the financing front, although the Fed will start
  513. loosening things up, don&#39;t expect small business loan interest rates to lower
  514. in a significant way in 2024. New franchisees must submit solid business plans
  515. and make generous down payments for loan approvals.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  516.  
  517. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;The franchise sectors that will be the strongest this year
  518. are food, fitness, and businesses that service the senior population.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  519.  
  520. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Finally, franchise buyers need to do their homework. But
  521. they shouldn&#39;t only focus on the numbers. Contacting and visiting franchisees
  522. in person must be top of mind for anyone serious about becoming a franchisee in
  523. 2024.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  524.  
  525. &lt;h2&gt;Going global&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  526.  
  527. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;From the creator and sharing economies to e-commerce and
  528. traditional brick-and-mortar businesses, 2024 is the year SMBs go global. For
  529. businesses of all sizes, the mindset has shifted mainly beyond the local
  530. neighborhood to the global digital economy. Some 79% of SMBs [have] cited
  531. selling across borders as attention for their growth, and consumers are ready
  532. for it—72% said they&#39;re comfortable buying from businesses in other countries.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  533.  
  534. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Digital payments are transforming opportunities for SMBs to
  535. pay and be paid, making it possible to reach new audiences, easily accept
  536. secure payments, track and monitor spending, increase security and safety,
  537. improve efficiencies, and grow like never before. With payment innovations
  538. allowing for access to earnings in real-time, making it convenient to receive
  539. consumer and B2B payments, getting paid has never been easier. Payment
  540. solutions like virtual cards also help SMBs with the cash flow, purchasing
  541. power, and expense management capabilities needed to thrive in today&#39;s
  542. digital-first world.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  543.  
  544. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;In 2024, we expect small and micro businesses to benefit
  545. from increased digitization that speeds and protects payments, making expanding
  546. beyond geographical borders more manageable.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  547.  
  548. &lt;h2&gt;Marketing&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  549.  
  550. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraph&quot; style=&quot;mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportLists]--&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-list: Ignore;&quot;&gt;·&lt;span style=&quot;font: 7.0pt &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  551. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;Marketers must continue to innovate and stay
  552. ahead of the curve by examining how companies strategically utilize the tools
  553. at their fingertips.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  554.  
  555. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  556.  
  557. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst&quot; style=&quot;mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportLists]--&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-list: Ignore;&quot;&gt;·&lt;span style=&quot;font: 7.0pt &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  558. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;[Our] LocaliQ team identified three key 2024
  559. marketing trends to help best connect with your audience and make an
  560. impression.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  561.  
  562. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportLists]--&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-list: Ignore;&quot;&gt;·&lt;span style=&quot;font: 7.0pt &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  563. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;AI is here to stay. Between ChatGPT, Google&#39;s
  564. Search Generative Experience, Bard, and a whole host of other AI tools cropping
  565. up, it&#39;s imperative to understand the right way to use AI to your advantage.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  566.  
  567. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportLists]--&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-list: Ignore;&quot;&gt;·&lt;span style=&quot;font: 7.0pt &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  568. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;Zero and first-party data will be critical. With
  569. upcoming changes to Google and iOS, companies must be more creative with
  570. tracking marketing. Building an email list, sending a survey, and creating a
  571. lead magnet are a few ways to collect zero and first-party data.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  572.  
  573. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportLists]--&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-list: Ignore;&quot;&gt;·&lt;span style=&quot;font: 7.0pt &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  574. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;New advertising and content formats will be an
  575. advantage. Diversify your strategy to reach customers in new ways, like trying
  576. short-form videos, testing OTT ads, and texting your customers to stand out.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  577.  
  578. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportLists]--&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-list: Ignore;&quot;&gt;·&lt;span style=&quot;font: 7.0pt &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  579. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;Marketing leaders will face severe challenges to
  580. growing brand value and loyalty next year amid an economic rough patch and
  581. changing digital habits. SMBs will need to prioritize communication tools to
  582. combat adversity.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  583.  
  584. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpLast&quot; style=&quot;mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportLists]--&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;mso-list: Ignore;&quot;&gt;·&lt;span style=&quot;font: 7.0pt &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  585. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;AI can only take marketers so far;
  586. personalization and connection will be critical in 2024. AI will improve
  587. performance in three significant ways: optimize media buys, improve dynamic
  588. customer journey mapping, and boost SEO performance.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  589.  
  590. &lt;h3&gt;AI is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in how small and
  591. medium-sized businesses approach marketing.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  592.  
  593. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;AI&#39;s integration into marketing strategies marks a new era
  594. characterized by data-driven insights, creative innovation, and personalized
  595. customer experiences. SMBs and marketers will increasingly leverage AI to
  596. uncover hidden patterns and insights, transforming this data into innovative
  597. marketing strategies, necessitating a move to understand and actively engage
  598. with the data. The role of marketers will evolve, requiring a blend of
  599. analytical insight and creative thinking, setting their strategies apart in a highly
  600. competitive market.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  601.  
  602. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;With AI&#39;s ability to process and interpret consumer data in
  603. real time, marketing personalization will reach new heights. Our 2023 Holiday
  604. Report shows personalized emails have an 87% higher click-through rate. In
  605. 2024, we expect AI-driven personalization to emerge as a fundamental aspect of
  606. marketing strategies for small businesses. Marketers will harness the power of
  607. AI to deliver more intimate and connected customer experiences, fostering
  608. deeper customer engagement and loyalty.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  609.  
  610. &lt;h2&gt;Solopreneurs&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  611.  
  612. &lt;h3&gt;Independent businesses will continue to adopt and embrace innovative tech
  613. to augment their businesses.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  614.  
  615. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;AI will not completely replace workers. Instead, in 2024,
  616. technologies like AI and automation will augment independent businesses and
  617. help them become more productive, giving back time to focus on doing what they
  618. love. According to a recent Visa report, 91% of companies would consider adding
  619. automation and AI over the next 12 months to elevate their companies over their
  620. competitors.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  621.  
  622. &lt;h3&gt;The number of entrepreneurs leveraging passive income will continue to
  623. rise.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  624.  
  625. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Independent workers are monetizing their knowledge and
  626. exploring diversified revenue streams, like affiliates and digital products,
  627. converting their service talent into a digital product to hustle and generate
  628. passive income.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  629.  
  630. &lt;h3&gt;More technology will be built specifically for solo business owners to do
  631. more with less.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  632.  
  633. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;We expect to see an increase in solopreneurs and side
  634. hustles this year. In the U.S., 27.1 million small businesses are run by a
  635. single owner without employees. Building technology for solopreneurs is
  636. critical to their success as they&#39;re forced to do more with fewer resources,
  637. and technology serves as their extra set of hands.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  638.  
  639. &lt;h2&gt;Technology&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  640.  
  641. &lt;h3&gt;SaaS companies will focus on more inclusive technology with intuitive entry
  642. points to cater to older business owners.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  643.  
  644. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;This year, small business-focused technology companies will
  645. focus on products that meet older business owners where they are. Generation X
  646. and baby boomers comprise 86.8% of all small business owners in 2023. Older
  647. generations didn&#39;t grow up with the technology that younger business owners are
  648. accustomed to—and today&#39;s SaaS platforms will need to include business owners
  649. who are slower tech adopters to provide more opportunities and access to new
  650. solutions.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  651.  
  652. &lt;h3&gt;SMBs embrace AI and scale back on SaaS providers.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  653.  
  654. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;The euphoria of AI will start to fade as the focus shifts to
  655. efficiency: As we brush off the newness of AI and automation, companies will
  656. begin to phase out of the trial period and start adopting helpful tools and
  657. solutions that create meaningful improvements across the front end and back
  658. office.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  659.  
  660. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Tentativeness in the market will begin to ease. Coming out
  661. of today&#39;s volatile economy and the increases in the cost of capital, SMBs will
  662. start to invest more across the tech sector, with a significant focus on
  663. manufacturing advances across the supply chain.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  664.  
  665. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;SMBs are leveling up by scaling back on SaaS providers; if
  666. they already haven&#39;t, most small businesses will migrate to become digital
  667. natives. To reduce costs and increase productivity from a management
  668. perspective, companies will seek to limit SaaS providers and target partners
  669. that offer multiple solutions on one platform.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  670.  
  671. &lt;h3&gt;Change is the only constant in the small business landscape.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  672.  
  673. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;2024 is sure to bring new challenges and opportunities for
  674. business owners. Despite the uncertainty, specific trends will continue to
  675. impact the small business landscape, including the proliferation of technology
  676. in small business operations.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  677.  
  678. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;According to Bank of America&#39;s 2023 Small Business Owner
  679. Report, 80% of business owners digitally optimized their businesses in the
  680. prior year. I expect entrepreneurs to continue integrating new technologies
  681. into their companies in 2024. Whether artificial intelligence to streamline
  682. payroll and bookkeeping or augmented reality to provide clientele with a more
  683. immersive experience, entrepreneurs&#39; continued embrace of technology will help
  684. them save time, stay planned, and reach new audiences as they grow their
  685. businesses in 2024.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  686.  
  687. &lt;h3&gt;Generative AI will transform SMBs&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  688.  
  689. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Across various domains, such as climate change, healthcare,
  690. education, and transportation, organizations of different scales harness
  691. artificial intelligence&#39;s power to address intricate global issues. To harness
  692. this power successfully, companies must commit to providing inclusive access to
  693. generative AI, a technology I consider the most transformative of our era.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  694.  
  695. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;To see impact, cutting-edge technology must become more
  696. readily accessible, allowing for more opportunities to leverage these tools to impact
  697. the world positively—which is specifically relevant for SMBs. By integrating AI
  698. into their operations across diverse industries and geographies, I firmly
  699. believe that SMBs can leverage advanced technologies like AI to address some of
  700. our most pressing societal challenges in 2024 and beyond.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  701.  
  702. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/feeds/3649043174116413783/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/small-business-trends-for-2024.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/3649043174116413783'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/3649043174116413783'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/small-business-trends-for-2024.html' title='Small Business Trends for 2024'/><author><name>BUSINESS</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08738020011091151084</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEWFDnAawHS1Dt3DSnky7ZhFZ9uMYPpkCPVH8T3BdOQk88DtIz9EnnyDNsNUdqeJTrwODiLhRMV6XLk6rNq2p7AvK0eH2A-N01BQAdf4fJoX1XQCM-HbepnXXhm5N2uBUwtplMNJpkcpkkdwRTZC1bfSVlXF3g2OEeL8e1fMnB4uXy_RWJNAcPMBxl80/s72-w598-h438-c/Small%20Business%20Trends%20for%202024.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439928721689536536.post-9097082983664321851</id><published>2024-02-16T00:59:00.003-08:00</published><updated>2024-02-16T00:59:26.757-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Small Business Cybersecurity Plan</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRgDTZABoG2rxUJrT0XUiw9wdrOna1CJnyih8Qv70ZRRt4P6dNNBTsfkDDkOVYRi8xKnBcW7ORBVkO3M4KuPuXZsn3QBBW61TjFq-525NFmTQvPQU4eW6MzAl8sZ7szV2I3PIYTQ0BtfEpbbgLezd8Dgcn2LaZrB0cd_nRxTJB4iJi72wxhflUAB8QE8/s600/Small%20Business%20Cybersecurity%20Plan.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Small Business Cybersecurity Plan&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;399&quot; data-original-width=&quot;600&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRgDTZABoG2rxUJrT0XUiw9wdrOna1CJnyih8Qv70ZRRt4P6dNNBTsfkDDkOVYRi8xKnBcW7ORBVkO3M4KuPuXZsn3QBBW61TjFq-525NFmTQvPQU4eW6MzAl8sZ7szV2I3PIYTQ0BtfEpbbgLezd8Dgcn2LaZrB0cd_nRxTJB4iJi72wxhflUAB8QE8/w640-h426/Small%20Business%20Cybersecurity%20Plan.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Small Business Cybersecurity Plan&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h2&gt;Why a Small Business Cybersecurity Plan Should Be a Priority in 2024&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  703.  
  704. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;While we mostly hear about data breaches, ransomware
  705. attacks, and other hacking attempts affecting large companies, 50% of cyber
  706. attacks target small &amp;amp; medium-sized businesses, and over 60% of those
  707. attacks go out of business. For many small businesses, understanding the latest
  708. cybersecurity technology can be as challenging as keeping up with emerging
  709. cyber threats and risks—never mind the ever-changing regulatory landscape and
  710. new compliance demands.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  711.  
  712. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Meanwhile, tight budgets can make getting ahead of
  713. increasingly sophisticated cyber threats even more difficult for smaller
  714. companies. That is why investing in a cybersecurity strategy should be at or
  715. near the top of the priority list of every small business in 2024.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  716.  
  717. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;How can small business owners bolster their cybersecurity
  718. positions despite persistent resource challenges, budget constraints, and
  719. accelerating change? The foundation for robust SMB cybersecurity is an
  720. effective cybersecurity strategy that reflects business goals, addresses critical
  721. gaps, and delivers measurably improved cyber resilience. Developing a
  722. business-aligned two-year to five-year cybersecurity strategy is one approach
  723. to ensuring business success.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  724.  
  725. &lt;h2&gt;A cybersecurity plan as a business enabler&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  726.  
  727. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;A business-focused security strategy helps keep you on a
  728. path to efficient and effective outcomes and ensures your cybersecurity
  729. investments are a business enabler. Cybersecurity exists to serve the business.
  730. So, before implementing new controls or even analyzing risks, start by
  731. identifying what your business is trying to accomplish.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  732.  
  733. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;For example, if your business strategy focuses on growth, your
  734. small business&#39;s cybersecurity plan needs the skill to scale and support that
  735. growth easily. This might mean prioritizing specific changes to your security
  736. program to help sales and marketing or some other key growth area of your
  737. business. From there, you can make better tactical choices, like investing in a
  738. security tool.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  739.  
  740. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;You want to demonstrate to customers, employees, potential
  741. investors, and other stakeholders that the company takes cybersecurity
  742. seriously. This can be a competitive differentiator that helps keep existing
  743. customers and attract new ones, improve employee retention, make your business
  744. attractive to potential investors, and more. A cybersecurity program reduces
  745. risk, thereby preserving a business&#39;s value and creating new value.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  746.  
  747. &lt;h2&gt;Consider business risks in a cybersecurity strategy.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  748.  
  749. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;A cybersecurity plan that aligns with business goals also
  750. factors in business risks. This helps ensure the security program reduces the
  751. chance of top threats like ransomware attacks and data exfiltration.
  752. Understanding risks also supports a faster and more effective incident
  753. response, thus potentially reducing financial and reputational damage should an
  754. attack occur.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  755.  
  756. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;But to reduce cyber risk or coordinate incident response,
  757. employees need direction and guidance—i.e., a formal security policy. Having a
  758. formal plan shows employees that the company takes cybersecurity seriously, so
  759. they will, too. A plan also serves as a guide for employees to follow to ensure
  760. compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and internal security
  761. goals.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  762.  
  763. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;For example, a security policy can guide employees in collecting,
  764. storing, and processing sensitive data. It can also influence technology
  765. purchases to ensure interoperability with other systems and help avoid
  766. “security silos” caused by individual employees or teams choosing technology in
  767. a vacuum.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  768.  
  769. &lt;h2&gt;A “product strategy” alone is insufficient.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  770.  
  771. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Security products can be vital to a business&#39;s success,
  772. especially those that offer essentials, like multifactor authentication (MFA),
  773. encryption, and endpoint detection and response (EDR). But a security strategy
  774. that’s just a “product strategy” can waste precious resources, fail to meet the
  775. needs of a business, and still leave a business exposed to unacceptable and
  776. avoidable cyber risks. Tactical decisions, like what products to buy, should be
  777. steered by a business&#39;s goals and any potential risks. If your business aims to
  778. embrace cloud-based technology, for instance, then your security tool purchases
  779. should reflect that.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  780.  
  781. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Another problem with a product-centric security strategy is
  782. increased administrative, integration, and training complexity. Many small
  783. businesses have an overload of security products from multiple vendors, each of
  784. which must be kept operational, updated, licensed, etc. Many times, these
  785. products are not fully implemented or are not complementary to each other.
  786. Small businesses should invest in security solutions suited to their business,
  787. complementary under one unified umbrella, and won’t be wasted or inefficiently
  788. used.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  789.  
  790. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/feeds/9097082983664321851/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/small-business-cybersecurity-plan.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/9097082983664321851'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/9097082983664321851'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/small-business-cybersecurity-plan.html' title='Small Business Cybersecurity Plan'/><author><name>BUSINESS</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08738020011091151084</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRgDTZABoG2rxUJrT0XUiw9wdrOna1CJnyih8Qv70ZRRt4P6dNNBTsfkDDkOVYRi8xKnBcW7ORBVkO3M4KuPuXZsn3QBBW61TjFq-525NFmTQvPQU4eW6MzAl8sZ7szV2I3PIYTQ0BtfEpbbgLezd8Dgcn2LaZrB0cd_nRxTJB4iJi72wxhflUAB8QE8/s72-w640-h426-c/Small%20Business%20Cybersecurity%20Plan.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439928721689536536.post-8941049925426009569</id><published>2024-02-16T00:59:00.002-08:00</published><updated>2024-02-16T00:59:24.224-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Use AI for Business Growth</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FWZLf1rgeSRSPdnCLTTwYf2MthkJxB71GrDXMsPrnRHrT3y1bYufytAOv7hjvDH4sdhA0O0ZBLA3vaPiT0sE8o0qdXyZWiYEbL9L9PrYfRhjI29mn00SOBnMZCJC7v9TfmvEokiZJIbXQaEBJfzMb7FnPCsUpxqDTX2eygD8J_izJtK-q4Zh3oQBLes/s712/Use%20AI%20for%20Business%20Growth.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Use AI for Business Growth&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;400&quot; data-original-width=&quot;712&quot; height=&quot;360&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FWZLf1rgeSRSPdnCLTTwYf2MthkJxB71GrDXMsPrnRHrT3y1bYufytAOv7hjvDH4sdhA0O0ZBLA3vaPiT0sE8o0qdXyZWiYEbL9L9PrYfRhjI29mn00SOBnMZCJC7v9TfmvEokiZJIbXQaEBJfzMb7FnPCsUpxqDTX2eygD8J_izJtK-q4Zh3oQBLes/w640-h360/Use%20AI%20for%20Business%20Growth.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Use AI for Business Growth&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h2&gt;3 Ways to Use AI for Business Growth in 2024&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  791.  
  792. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;The year 2023 can aptly be summed up as a year of
  793. exploration, with the remarkable debut and early applications of generative
  794. artificial intelligence (AI). As this technology continues to advance rapidly,
  795. 2024 marks a significant turning point for people and businesses alike, moving
  796. beyond the concept of AI and its influence to determining how they can adopt it
  797. for the long haul in impactful ways.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  798.  
  799. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) specifically,
  800. this means assessing the technology&#39;s true impact—and SMB owners have already
  801. begun to scratch the surface. According to a recent Visa survey, 90% of
  802. Generation Z and millennial SMB owners, 91% of Generation X SMB owners, and 70%
  803. of baby boomer SMB owners know AI and understand its potential business
  804. applications.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  805.  
  806. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;While AI can be incredibly valuable for SMBs, it can raise
  807. valid questions and concerns. These challenges potentially stem from the
  808. complexity of the AI landscape, coupled with the limited resources and
  809. technical expertise commonly pervasive within smaller companies.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  810.  
  811. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;The survey also revealed a notable gap in the adoption of AI
  812. among SMBs. While many expressed positive sentiments, only 26% of SMB leaders
  813. have used AI tools like ChatGPT for personal and business purposes, with 45%
  814. yet to embrace its potential benefits. Navigating these intricacies can pose a
  815. significant barrier to AI implementation for SMBs, who will likely gain more
  816. from the technology than their larger counterparts.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  817.  
  818. &lt;h2&gt;Three ways business can drive growth with AI&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  819.  
  820. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;AI is reshaping every industry and transforming how
  821. businesses operate at an unprecedented rate. Amidst these rapid advances, SMBs are
  822. the backbone of world economies, making their AI journey particularly valuable
  823. to drive growth and efficiency. AI adoption can catalyze streamlining
  824. operations, meeting customer demands, and improving productivity. After all,
  825. SMBs aren&#39;t strangers to being tasked with doing more with less.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  826.  
  827. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;According to the survey, 44% of SMB leaders think AI will be
  828. most impactful in customer support or operations, 43% in marketing or
  829. accounting, 37% in financial management, 33% in sales, 29% in human resources
  830. regarding current employees, and 27% in recruiting and hiring.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  831.  
  832. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;If you are still wary of adopting AI or don&#39;t know where to
  833. start, here are three easy steps to integrate AI into your back-end business
  834. process.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  835.  
  836. &lt;h3&gt;1. Start by strengthening its foundation&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  837.  
  838. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;No matter what stage your business is in or what you are
  839. trying to accomplish, every SMB has administrative needs. While these tasks are
  840. critical to the success of business operations, they can be manual and
  841. incredibly time-consuming when every minute spent away from sales activities
  842. can mean dollars out of pocket.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  843.  
  844. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Streamlining routine tasks can help boost operational
  845. efficiencies and bolster bottom lines. AI tools that currently exist to help
  846. automate these foundational tasks are perhaps the easiest to implement when
  847. starting your AI journey.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  848.  
  849. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Consider integrating a virtual assistant tool in business
  850. areas that take too much time, like bookkeeping or time management. These tools
  851. can automate tasks, including data entry, appointment scheduling, and document
  852. organization. It can be as simple as automating customer information input,
  853. setting up an AI-driven workforce scheduling system, or even organizing
  854. computer and cloud files.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  855.  
  856. &lt;h3&gt;2. Foster human-like communication through natural language interactions&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  857.  
  858. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;One of the core aids of AI is its predictive capabilities
  859. and the powerful applications associated with them, which empowers a business
  860. to customize its products and services to meet purchaser demands better. With
  861. technology like ChatGPT, you can integrate natural language processing to
  862. engage with patrons in a conversational tone. Generative AI-powered chatbots,
  863. for instance, can provide instant responses, 24/7 customer support, and
  864. personalized interactions, enhancing the overall customer experience &amp;amp;
  865. promoting brand loyalty.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  866.  
  867. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Generative AI is gaining widespread popularity due to its
  868. ability to replicate human-like conversations and execute routine tasks
  869. efficiently. One of the key benefits of adopting and integrating this
  870. technology is its ability to learn from customer interactions over time. AI
  871. tools can continuously enhance accuracy and efficiency in understanding and
  872. addressing customer needs by analyzing user queries, feedback, and preferences.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  873.  
  874. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Integrating AI-powered assistance into a customer service
  875. strategy offers many advantages. These automated, conversational agents enable
  876. you to provide swift and seamless customer service, effectively diminish wait
  877. times, and lower staffing expenses. For example, suppose you struggle to keep
  878. up with customer queries and requests on your social media business pages. In
  879. that case, this technology can handle the communications on your business&#39;s
  880. behalf, ensuring a responsive and personalized user experience.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  881.  
  882. &lt;h3&gt;3. Personalize customers&#39; experience with hyper-curated recommendations&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
  883.  
  884. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;AI has been seamlessly woven into consumers&#39; daily lives,
  885. offering personalized experiences, understanding preferences, and automating
  886. tasks that make lives easier. Similarly, recent advancements have brought forth
  887. new possibilities for SMBs to extend more ease to consumers. Customers are
  888. motivated to buy from businesses that offer a convenient and easy shopping
  889. experience relevant to their interests. Their satisfaction and loyalty to a
  890. brand often depend upon three characteristics: speed, personalization, and
  891. consistency.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  892.  
  893. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Leveraging AI-powered analytics can enable your business to better
  894. understand your customers by unlocking quick access to large data sets. This
  895. data can generate predictions and customize product and service recommendations
  896. for individual customer needs. Often, with just a click of a button, these
  897. tools can build hyper-curated recommendations for every customer, enhancing
  898. brand engagement and loyalty.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  899.  
  900. &lt;h2&gt;AI technology can help your business grow.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  901.  
  902. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;While AI has only just emerged, it may seem as though it is
  903. now the time to explore its potential. SMBs are well-positioned to take
  904. advantage of AI-driven tools and stand to redefine how they operate and grow.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  905.  
  906. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;So, let&#39;s make this year a transformative one, where AI
  907. technology becomes the key to unlocking new growth engines for your business.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  908.  
  909. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/feeds/8941049925426009569/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/use-ai-for-business-growth.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/8941049925426009569'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/8941049925426009569'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/use-ai-for-business-growth.html' title='Use AI for Business Growth'/><author><name>BUSINESS</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08738020011091151084</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FWZLf1rgeSRSPdnCLTTwYf2MthkJxB71GrDXMsPrnRHrT3y1bYufytAOv7hjvDH4sdhA0O0ZBLA3vaPiT0sE8o0qdXyZWiYEbL9L9PrYfRhjI29mn00SOBnMZCJC7v9TfmvEokiZJIbXQaEBJfzMb7FnPCsUpxqDTX2eygD8J_izJtK-q4Zh3oQBLes/s72-w640-h360-c/Use%20AI%20for%20Business%20Growth.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439928721689536536.post-1775093852053689365</id><published>2024-02-16T00:59:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2024-02-16T00:59:21.036-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Share AI Predictions for 2024</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFsPguaaj97soH5ceBMhuFIh6PDRE6Z2HV_6fnFGLvzYhi-x6NEmvUnjBtfn2zuqSJAd9QZQaj7ACHynhT4IhysmRFxmeCNbAk0e6Fc3HvTqeHlnmc5kJDWuePb_K9Pmbf5ynjTJHCl6GyY-e1R8JnMny22qyqmbvOL78fM0j7NI6LrOJxfMX5iq_HII/s612/Share%20AI%20Predictions%20for%202024.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;Share AI Predictions for 2024&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;303&quot; data-original-width=&quot;612&quot; height=&quot;316&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFsPguaaj97soH5ceBMhuFIh6PDRE6Z2HV_6fnFGLvzYhi-x6NEmvUnjBtfn2zuqSJAd9QZQaj7ACHynhT4IhysmRFxmeCNbAk0e6Fc3HvTqeHlnmc5kJDWuePb_K9Pmbf5ynjTJHCl6GyY-e1R8JnMny22qyqmbvOL78fM0j7NI6LrOJxfMX5iq_HII/w640-h316/Share%20AI%20Predictions%20for%202024.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Share AI Predictions for 2024&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h2&gt;10 Business Owners and Experts Share AI Predictions for 2024&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  910.  
  911. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Buckle up, small business owners! 2024 will likely be a wild
  912. ride regarding artificial intelligence (AI). Once just a sci-fi trope, AI rapidly
  913. infiltrates what small businesses do daily.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  914.  
  915. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;AI will soon touch almost every aspect of your company, from
  916. marketing and operations to HR and sales. AI can help you automate tasks,
  917. analyze customer behaviors, and unleash creativity in your team.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  918.  
  919. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;At times, AI will challenge, scare, and delight you. And it&#39;s
  920. going to make you a more intelligent business owner.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  921.  
  922. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;To find out how AI will impact your business in 2024,
  923. business owners and experts generously shared their predictions.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  924.  
  925. &lt;h2&gt;AI predictions for 2024&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  926.  
  927. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;A little more than a year after LLMs [large language
  928. models—a type of artificial intelligence] burst onto the scene, one of the most
  929. exciting future applications of generative AI is in fighting
  930. fraud—specifically, in the opportunity to analyze and learn from an
  931. unprecedented amount of data compared to traditional predictive models. The
  932. next generation of AI has the potential to take insights from multiple domains
  933. and generate new insights, helping to train fraud tools to make more informed
  934. and accurate decisions to differentiate fraudulent transactions from legitimate
  935. purchases.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  936.  
  937. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;AI also brings new challenges to payments. Generative
  938. AI tools will help fraudsters create more realistic phishing scams, making it
  939. harder for consumers to spot the once-characteristic spelling and grammar
  940. errors. This raises the bar for businesses and consumers, who must adapt to an
  941. evolving threat landscape.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  942.  
  943. &lt;h2&gt;Hesitancy with AI will continue for small business owners; meeting
  944. customers where they are will help bridge the technology gap.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  945.  
  946. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;According to a recent EverCommerce customer pulse
  947. survey, 38% of small business owners feel comfortable with AI tools, although
  948. 75% have never used AI tools within their businesses. There is a polarizing
  949. technology gap between small business owners and the customers they service.
  950. SMBs need to build confidence around new tech to leverage the tools their
  951. customers are now accustomed to.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  952.  
  953. &lt;h2&gt;A sharper focus on the development of trusted technology solving for real
  954. customer challenges&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  955.  
  956. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;Large language models (LLMs) and digital assistants
  957. will fundamentally reshape how people interact with software in their personal
  958. and professional lives. However, this is only true if humans can trust the
  959. technology to do the job safely &amp;amp; competently. That&#39;s why, now more than
  960. ever, the people developing AI and using it need to work hand in hand to ensure
  961. AI lives up to its potential.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  962.  
  963. &lt;h2&gt;Unexpected industries will champion the adoption of AI and emerging tech.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  964.  
  965. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;Traditional sectors—including automotive, hospitality,
  966. healthcare, legal services, education, and government—swiftly adopt novel
  967. technologies like AI and associated modules. In 2024, we&#39;ll see some of these
  968. traditional laggards morph into leaders, with some even outpacing early adopter
  969. categories like beauty, fashion, consumer electronics, gaming, or grocery
  970. retail.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  971.  
  972. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;These more &#39;conventional&#39; industries will leverage new
  973. technologies often associated with retail e-commerce, like AI/AI-generated
  974. content, video clienteling, digital showrooms, and connected video commerce
  975. networks faster and more effectively than anyone.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  976.  
  977. &lt;h2&gt;AI will become an integral business tool.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  978.  
  979. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;In 2024, businesses will explore how to use AI as more
  980. than a one-off facilitator of efficiency and productivity. AI will become an
  981. integral tool in daily workflows and a true operational partner. For example, AI&#39;s
  982. ability to &#39;understand&#39; and quickly answer customers&#39; questions in customer
  983. service will help [companies] place orders faster. At businesses of every size,
  984. the opportunities are enormous.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  985.  
  986. &lt;h2&gt;AI will not just be for marketers at significant brands.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  987.  
  988. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;We&#39;re seeing small business owners unlocking the power
  989. of AI. In a recent survey about multiplicative AI, GoDaddy Venture Forward
  990. found that small business owners are keen to grow and save time doing it. Closely
  991. one in four surveyed indicated a willingness to influence outside help for
  992. tasks like creating content. As a result, we&#39;ve announced several AI products
  993. to help entrepreneurs generate content, such as online store product
  994. descriptions, to save time and ultimately attract new customers.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  995.  
  996. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;As we move into 2024, I encourage more small business
  997. owners to experiment with AI and see how it might benefit their businesses in
  998. the long term.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  999.  
  1000. &lt;h2&gt;AI will continue to have a noteworthy impact.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  1001.  
  1002. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;1. Increasing computing power needs: AI&#39;s growth and
  1003. intricacy necessitate unprecedented computational power. As models become more
  1004. complex, cutting-edge hardware advancements will become imperative. The
  1005. emphasis is shifting to infrastructure capabilities supporting the
  1006. ever-expanding AI models.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1007.  
  1008. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;2. AI-enhanced creativity: The confluence of AI and human
  1009. collaboration is ushering in a new age of creativity. AI &#39;hallucinations&#39; are
  1010. not just anomalies but potential catalysts for innovation, presenting fresh
  1011. perspectives. Yet, balancing this potential with ethical considerations will be
  1012. a focal point.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1013.  
  1014. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;3. AI&#39;s revolutionary impact on work dynamics: AI&#39;s
  1015. influence reshapes the workplace, augmenting rather than replacing roles.
  1016. Traditional job descriptions are evolving, blending AI insights with human
  1017. intuition. This transformation underscores the importance of adaptability and
  1018. continuous learning in the workplace.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1019.  
  1020. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;4. AI legislation and regulation: The rapid proliferation of
  1021. AI has made it a focal point for global governments. Striking a balance between
  1022. fostering AI innovation and ensuring public safety remains challenging. The
  1023. regulatory landscape in 2024 will be pivotal in shaping AI&#39;s global trajectory.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1024.  
  1025. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;5. Harnessing the power of synthetic data for AI training:
  1026. The quality and quantity of training data determine an AI model&#39;s efficacy.
  1027. Synthetic data&#39;s potential as a substitute for real-world data is a topic of genuine
  1028. discussion, examining its viability across various applications.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1029.  
  1030. &lt;h2&gt;SMBs will continue to embrace AI as barriers to entry lower and more
  1031. knowledge of AI&#39;s effect on small businesses emerges.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  1032.  
  1033. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;SMBs need to realize that the way AI works for large
  1034. enterprises might not be the same way it will work for their companies. By
  1035. implementing AI in ways that integrate with their already existing business
  1036. processes, SMBs will have a much easier time with this adoption.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1037.  
  1038. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1039.  
  1040. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;This can be a small step, like utilizing AI to help
  1041. choose a new icon for the company, personalizing customer experiences,
  1042. bettering supply chain operations, or even using AI-powered accounting tools to
  1043. help better manage financial systems.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1044.  
  1045. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;As small businesses implement AI, they can&#39;t lose
  1046. focus on data privacy. With the high number of data breaches this past year,
  1047. along with the number of policies coming out globally around consumer privacy,
  1048. SMBs must tread carefully. By adopting their privacy practices around AI, SMBs
  1049. can ensure the protection of customer data.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1050.  
  1051. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;To do both things, SMBs should find a strong software
  1052. provider that focuses on the long game of technology rather than chasing the
  1053. newest trends. With the right software and privacy practices, SMBs can thrive
  1054. as enterprises do when utilizing AI in 2024.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1055.  
  1056. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;In the rapidly evolving landscape of technological
  1057. advancement, AI stands at the forefront of innovation, especially in aiding
  1058. digital transformation.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1059.  
  1060. &lt;h2&gt;&quot;As we look toward the future, AI is poised to play an integral character
  1061. in reshaping industries, optimizing operations, and redefining how we interact
  1062. with technology.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  1063.  
  1064. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;Digital transformation, at its core, is about
  1065. leveraging technology to change how businesses operate &amp;amp; deliver value to
  1066. customers. With its ability to study, analyze, and make decisions, AI is
  1067. becoming a pivotal tool in this transformation. The synergy between AI and
  1068. digital transformation lies in AI&#39;s capacity to process vast amounts of data,
  1069. learn from patterns, and automate complex processes.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1070.  
  1071. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;One of the primary ways AI will influence digital
  1072. transformation is by enhancing customer experiences. Personalization, driven by
  1073. AI algorithms, can tailor services and products to individual customer
  1074. preferences, leading to more engaging and satisfying interactions.
  1075. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are set to become more
  1076. sophisticated, providing real-time, efficient customer service.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1077.  
  1078. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;AI&#39;s role in automating routine tasks will
  1079. significantly impact operational efficiency. By taking over repetitive &amp;amp;
  1080. time-consuming tasks, AI allows employees to focus on more tactical &amp;amp;
  1081. creative aspects of their work. This shift boosts productivity and fosters a
  1082. more innovative work environment. Furthermore, AI-driven predictive maintenance
  1083. in industries can foresee equipment failures before they occur, plummeting
  1084. downtime and maintenance costs.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1085.  
  1086. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;As businesses generate and accumulate vast datasets,
  1087. AI&#39;s ability to analyze &amp;amp; extract meaningful insights from this data is
  1088. invaluable. AI algorithms can identify trends, predict outcomes, and suggest
  1089. actions, enhancing decision-making processes. This data-driven approach ensures
  1090. that choices are based on empirical evidence, leading to more effective
  1091. strategies and outcomes.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1092.  
  1093. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;However, integrating AI in digital transformation is
  1094. not without challenges. Concerns regarding privacy, security, &amp;amp; ethical
  1095. implications of AI decisions are paramount. Ensuring transparency in AI
  1096. algorithms and maintaining human oversight are crucial steps in addressing
  1097. these concerns. Moreover, as AI becomes more prevalent, the need for skilled
  1098. professionals capable of working with AI technologies will grow, necessitating
  1099. significant investment in education and training.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1100.  
  1101. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;The role of AI in supporting and driving digital
  1102. transformation is set to expand significantly in the coming years. It will
  1103. impact customer experience enhancement, operational efficiency, and data-driven
  1104. decision-making. However, for AI to truly fulfill its potential in aiding
  1105. digital transformation, addressing the accompanying challenges and ethical
  1106. considerations is essential. Embracing AI&#39;s capabilities while mindful of its
  1107. implications will be key to harnessing its power in the digital era.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1108.  
  1109. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/feeds/1775093852053689365/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/share-ai-predictions-for-2024.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/1775093852053689365'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/1775093852053689365'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/share-ai-predictions-for-2024.html' title='Share AI Predictions for 2024'/><author><name>BUSINESS</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08738020011091151084</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFsPguaaj97soH5ceBMhuFIh6PDRE6Z2HV_6fnFGLvzYhi-x6NEmvUnjBtfn2zuqSJAd9QZQaj7ACHynhT4IhysmRFxmeCNbAk0e6Fc3HvTqeHlnmc5kJDWuePb_K9Pmbf5ynjTJHCl6GyY-e1R8JnMny22qyqmbvOL78fM0j7NI6LrOJxfMX5iq_HII/s72-w640-h316-c/Share%20AI%20Predictions%20for%202024.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439928721689536536.post-1330796202515374940</id><published>2024-02-16T00:59:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2024-02-16T00:59:17.956-08:00</updated><title type='text'>AI Legal Services</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWES5iYmAuVgKDWriTQeX6N7vgEV0iUFOwEVQ6dacISR_r1SfqtzgeKjFclVYnvTGWmQoAywp8FazL_Z3hZ_NC2Q1OYmwPfCMl8nEx-apIefYY3Ma0bD8t1fHLXnHyQ9ryks5sAbZTyRPtqz0zAoVD0uT1Nx2LWuM3S1GWWQZF16wywuuU4e-qe35z-g/s610/AI%20Legal%20Services.jpg&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;AI Legal Services&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;405&quot; data-original-width=&quot;610&quot; height=&quot;424&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWES5iYmAuVgKDWriTQeX6N7vgEV0iUFOwEVQ6dacISR_r1SfqtzgeKjFclVYnvTGWmQoAywp8FazL_Z3hZ_NC2Q1OYmwPfCMl8nEx-apIefYY3Ma0bD8t1fHLXnHyQ9ryks5sAbZTyRPtqz0zAoVD0uT1Nx2LWuM3S1GWWQZF16wywuuU4e-qe35z-g/w640-h424/AI%20Legal%20Services.jpg&quot; title=&quot;AI Legal Services&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h2&gt;How AI Legal Services Are Making Legal Help Affordable for Small Businesses&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  1110.  
  1111. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;We saw during COVID-19 that businesses that had legal
  1112. counsel were first in line to receive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds
  1113. and have them forgiven in the wake of many gray areas, potential audits, and
  1114. fraud liability. Now, new online tools are democratizing legal services, making
  1115. it possible for businesses of all sizes, from the startup to the solopreneur to
  1116. the small-town retailer, to get the legal help they need.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1117.  
  1118. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;When do you need legal advice? There are many times when you
  1119. should seek legal counsel, but certainly when starting a business. If you are
  1120. forming an LLC with partners, for example, what will the LLC agreement spell
  1121. out regarding ownership interests, voting rights, liability concerns, and what
  1122. happens in bankruptcy or the dissolution of the business? Similarly, what type
  1123. of corporate entity should you have for tax consequences and liability, among
  1124. other concerns, an S Corp, C Corp, or LLC? Do you have intellectual possessions
  1125. that need protection? There is a long list.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1126.  
  1127. &lt;h2&gt;How AI is enhancing online legal services for small businesses&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  1128.  
  1129. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Online legal services have existed since the first dot-com
  1130. era in the late 1990s, mainly providing small business owners with educational
  1131. materials and forms to handle their basic legal needs and databases for finding
  1132. lawyers. Just like in many other industries, online legal providers are turning
  1133. to AI to enhance and simplify their offerings and make them more accessible. AI
  1134. allows users, no matter where they are, to download forms, read pertinent
  1135. information, and connect with a lawyer.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1136.  
  1137. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Rocket Lawyer, one of the leading providers of online legal
  1138. services, recently announced a new tool called Rocket Copilot to help business
  1139. owners establish a business name, incorporate it, and protect it. Rocket
  1140. Copilot asks a series of questions about the business and then generates names from
  1141. which business owners can choose until they find one that fits.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1142.  
  1143. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&quot;The first thing we ask before the incorporation
  1144. process is what you are going to call your business, and many folks don&#39;t know
  1145. how to name one,&quot; explains Rocket Lawyer CEO Charley Moore. In the future,
  1146. Moore says, the new AI tool will be an assistant for most of the services
  1147. Rocket Lawyer provides.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1148.  
  1149. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;To be clear, the AI tool does not provide legal advice,
  1150. something Moore reiterates. Rocket Copilot still falls into the education
  1151. category, prompting business owners to find an appropriate name and move them
  1152. through the incorporation process. While this tool is helpful and
  1153. well-designed, I would not recommend going through any legal process without
  1154. consulting a lawyer. Rocket Lawyer and other legal tech companies provide
  1155. matchmaking services to find the right attorney near you.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1156.  
  1157. &lt;h2&gt;Regulatory oversight of AI legal tools&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  1158.  
  1159. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;AI is moving at warp speed compared to internet access,
  1160. e-commerce, and mobile, and it is the proverbial genie that will not go back
  1161. into the bottle. That is why regulators globally are looking at where and when
  1162. it should be employed. The growing industry around online legal services is
  1163. also getting more scrutiny from a regulatory standpoint.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1164.  
  1165. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Historically, lawyers were not permitted to have a joint
  1166. business with non-lawyers. Lawyers need to be bar certified, are usually
  1167. required to take current legal education (CLE) courses, and are subject to
  1168. ethical standards and malpractice liability, all with much higher standards
  1169. than those for essential entrepreneurs. Certain states, notably Arizona and
  1170. Utah, are starting to look at accepting alternative business structures (ABS)
  1171. that permit lawyers and non-lawyers to provide certain services. In 2020, the
  1172. Utah Supreme Court created a &quot;regulatory sandbox&quot; to oversee and
  1173. regulate ABS companies issuing innovations to offer affordable legal services.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1174.  
  1175. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;One such company is Salt Lake City-based SimpleCitizen,
  1176. which provides online immigration legal services for individuals seeking
  1177. permanent residency &amp;amp; citizenship in the United States. SimpleCitizen&#39;s
  1178. interface allows filers to upload the information and documents necessary to
  1179. complete their applications. It has lawyers review final applications before
  1180. shipping them to the clients for final submission to U.S. Citizenship and
  1181. Immigration Services.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1182.  
  1183. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Simple Citizen&#39;s president and counsel, Chase Hertel,
  1184. states, &quot;In the family-based immigration space, specifically, so much time
  1185. is spent summarizing intended immigrants&#39; backgrounds and drafting simple
  1186. explanations based on various inputs. In our view, leveraging generative AI
  1187. alongside lawyers can automate this work and free them up to focus on complex
  1188. legal analyses, ultimately providing lower cost legal services to the client.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1189.  
  1190. &lt;h2&gt;The future of online and AI legal services&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
  1191.  
  1192. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;One thing is for sure: the use of AI in the legal profession
  1193. is here to stay. Lawyers use AI tools to draft documents, using the correct
  1194. legal precedents and regulations. This will make tools like Rocket Lawyer,
  1195. SimpleCitizen, LegalZoom, and UpCounsel more valuable and affordable in the
  1196. future. Making legal services more available and at lower cost for all
  1197. Americans is undoubtedly good if done right. But meeting face-to-face with your
  1198. lawyer or via online video and thoroughly checking their background is still
  1199. advisable.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1200.  
  1201. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Skimping when a lawyer is needed creates unnecessary risk
  1202. when starting and running a business. A poorly drafted contract, lease, or
  1203. employment agreement could lead to costly litigation. The old saying goes, &quot;An
  1204. ounce of deterrence is worth a pound of cure.&quot;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  1205.  
  1206. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/1330796202515374940'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/6439928721689536536/posts/default/1330796202515374940'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://thebusinesswind.blogspot.com/2024/02/ai-legal-services.html' title='AI Legal Services'/><author><name>BUSINESS</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08738020011091151084</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWES5iYmAuVgKDWriTQeX6N7vgEV0iUFOwEVQ6dacISR_r1SfqtzgeKjFclVYnvTGWmQoAywp8FazL_Z3hZ_NC2Q1OYmwPfCMl8nEx-apIefYY3Ma0bD8t1fHLXnHyQ9ryks5sAbZTyRPtqz0zAoVD0uT1Nx2LWuM3S1GWWQZF16wywuuU4e-qe35z-g/s72-w640-h424-c/AI%20Legal%20Services.jpg" height="72" width="72"/></entry></feed>

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