I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
Keeping It Real
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I'm taking a break from all the logistics related to real estate and moving because, frankly, I'm alarmed. Last week, Delta Airlines announced it will be utilizing AI to set airfare prices based on individual behavior and habits of their prospective customers. This means that the person sitting next to you on your next Delta flight might have paid significantly more or less than you not because they booked early or splurged for the window or aisle, but because of who they are, how they shop, how often they fly, etc. Yeah, it's as creepy and seemingly unethical as it sounds. But, you can bet that if Delta claims it's increasing profits for them, the other airlines will follow suit and other sectors won't be far behind. It reminds me of the time I got offered my very first job at a prestigious advertising agency after graduating college. The position was the same as a male friend of mine's who'd started working there the week before. They offered me $500 less than him and were not willing to increase my pay to meet his salary. Of course, I didn't take the job, but I never forgot that experience and when I was further along in my career, I refused to bid out jobs to that company whenever I had the chance. Just like that experience, this reeks of discrimination, only dressed up to sound like progress, and reminds me of the AI-driven dynamic pricing strategy supermarkets floated last year. I'm not gonna lie, it's all beginning to feel like a dystopian society that ends up as the broken civilization depicted within a Cormac McCarthy novel. But here's a little good news... Now more than ever, I'm convinced an undeniable power play for small businesses is going to be a focus on real, human customer experience and support and a level of honesty and transparency that AI just can't manage and that companies employing AI in these ways don't seem to care about. Does AI have its place in helping you achieve greater efficiency and supporting growth and scalability? Absolutely. But it's about leveraging AI to support you without compromising your values, ethics, or reputation in the process. I know I can't be the only one giving all these new AI applications some side-eye even as I find new ways to incorporate the technology for my and my community's benefit. Here are three questions to ask yourself whenever you're thinking of adding AI to your business strategy:
If you're struggling to fit AI or human touch into your strategy, reach out to me. I'd love to help you. Until next time...stay cool and stay focused on what your customers truly value when doing business with you. PS -If you missed it, last month I was Movin' On Up on my own terms.
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Easily Said & Done
I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
In all the hubbub of my crazy summer something pretty major happened that I completely ignored: My business turned 15. No celebratory notes or announcements. No cards or flowers. No social media posts. Not really even a second thought until weeks later when I casually mentioned it to a friend and they were amazed and said, "Let's celebrate." But, I didn't feel like celebrating. Or, more exactly, I didn't feel I had the time to celebrate. I was moving into my new apartment, getting my mom...
Hi Reader, These days, every time I open up TikTok or Insta or LinkedIn, someone is telling me more bad news. A lot of it is about the economy or what's going to negatively impact the economy in the coming weeks. When I look at news alerts on my phone, it's the same, only more global and more soul-crushing in terms of war and famine and violence. My emails aren't that much better, clients and students are struggling to keep their businesses going in the face of rising costs, slackening sales,...
Hi Reader, Man, it's been a minute since my last missive and A LOT has happened. Firstly, I sold mom's house. Yay! We had a buyer who dragged their feet and, even with a $5K credit, backed out right before signing on the dotted line. Of course, I was miffed and a bit worried. But, we immediately held another open house and got an even better bid the very next day. These buyers are motivated, accommodating, and happen to be a lovely family who are happy for us to leave any furniture we don't...