For businesses beginning their AI journey, starting with simple, high-impact tools can ease adoption and reduce one of the most difficult things – resistance to change. Essential tools you might want to consider:
- Improving Customer Service: Chatbots (e.g., Zendesk, or Intercom) they provide quick responses, improving customer satisfaction and reducing strain on customer service teams.
- Marketing: Common platforms currently exist – like HubSpot and Mailchimp where you can build relationships with customers and enable targeted email marketing and predictive campaign analysis.
- Automation: Software like UiPath and Zapier automates repetitive tasks (e.g., invoicing, data entry), which can save time and reduce errors.
A medium-sized business that has made the strategic decision to implement A into their business and use AI predictive tools effectively is Carhartt, the American workwear brand:
The Inventory Management system optimises its supply chain and manages its multiple stores and warehouses to forecast demand by analysing historical sales data, market trends, and seasonality. Ensuring the right products are available at the right time
Chatbots and Virtual Assistants handle the customer service inquiries on its website, from order tracking to product recommendations.
Marketing Personalisation use data analytics to predict customer preferences and buying behaviours and tailor recommendations and promotions to increase brand engagement and boost sales.
Results:
- Lower inventory costs and better availability.
- Faster customer service response times.
- Increased sales and loyalty through personalised marketing.
These results are within reach for small—to medium-sized businesses. The applications are practical and easy to implement, and more importantly, they empower you to build a stronger connection with your customers and deliver exceptional customer experiences, while giving you a much-needed competitive edge.
