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. Your success is our strategy!No longer want to receive my newsletter but don't want to miss my special offers and announcements? Click here. |
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?
Hi Reader, Something I've been enjoying of late are multiple influencers showcasing the limits of ChatGPT and the like. One guy asks it some pretty basic questions, such as to name a number between one and one hundred that includes the letter 'a.' (Spoiler alert: there aren't any). ChatGPT lies to his face over and over again. Another one provides examples of business fails due to AI. Some are pretty extraordinary. But here's the thing, this isn't just a harmless gimmick, it's a warning cry,...
Have you seen the video of McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski trying to promote the new Big Arch burger ahead of its March 3rd launch? How about any of the many, many videos or memes negging on it for a host of reasons, including how Kempczinski refers to the burger as "a delicious product" or his failure to take a real bite of it, seeming almost disgusted by it. To me, there are three great marketing stories going on here. 1. Going Viral Isn't the Goal Yes, there is such a thing as bad PR and...
This fall my mom was diagnosed with mild-to-moderate dementia. While sad, it did not come as a surprise. It's one reason I sold her house and we moved in together late last summer. At first, I planned outings to the Y and other senior programs, scheduled visits from family and friends, coordinated physical therapy appointments, and designed little daily activities to keep her engaged and stimulated. This winter it's gotten harder and harder to get mom out of bed let alone dressed and out the...