How to Make AI Work for You: Practical Tips from Experts

The AI revolution is here, and it’s changing everything. Just like the internet, AI is reshaping how we work.

At a recent Executive Roundtable, top executives agreed: AI is here to enhance our work, not replace us. It will help handle routine tasks, giving us more time to focus on strategic and creative work.

We’ll explain how teams can start adopting AI effectively, focusing on solving real problems instead of trying to automate everything at once. We’ll also share practical insights to help you build confidence in using AI and start with the available tools.

What Is AI’s Role In Your Business?

AI is here to help, not replace. Think of it like a tool that makes your job easier. Instead of doing repetitive tasks, AI can take care of them so you can focus on the things that need your attention. 

For example, it can handle scheduling meetings, sorting emails, or answering simple customer questions. This frees up your time for creative and more meaningful work. 

More than 60% of business owners report that AI boosts productivity. It’s not just about saving time—AI helps you work smarter. But it isn't here to take over your job. It’s meant to work alongside you, making your role more efficient. 

You can think of it like a teammate who helps with the heavy lifting, letting you spend more time on the parts of your job that require a human touch, like making decisions or solving complex problems.

The AI Revolution: How Is AI Changing the Way We Work?

AI is as big as the internet was when it started changing everything. Just like the internet brought new ways of connecting, learning, and working, AI is doing the same thing now. It's transforming how businesses operate, making things faster and wiser.

97% of business owners believe AI tools like ChatGPT will help their business. Like the internet, AI is becoming a core part of business. 

Imagine how businesses couldn’t run without the internet today—AI is becoming just as important. It’s helping companies grow, reach more customers, and improve their services.

We have to get comfortable with the internet, and we need to get cozy with AI. It’s not just a trend—it’s the future of our work.

The Foundation of AI: Data and Adoption

To make AI work for your business, there are two essential foundations: Data and Adoption. Without these two in place, AI won’t be as effective. 

First, you must ensure you have good data to feed into the AI tools. Second, your team must be ready to adopt AI into their daily workflows. Let’s dive deeper into both of these.

1. Data

Think of data like the fuel that powers the AI engine. Without enough data, AI can’t learn, predict, or provide valuable insights. Businesses create tons of data daily—emails, phone calls, Slack messages, meeting notes—this is unstructured data. 

For AI to work, it needs structured data (like customer info or sales reports) and unstructured data (like chat logs or email threads).

The more organized and clean your data, the better AI can perform. For example, HubSpot’s AI-powered CRM uses data to analyze and predict sales trends. 

Companies using HubSpot’s complete AI CRM closed 31% more deals than those using a single HubSpot hub. This shows just how important it is to have quality data to feed into your AI system.

So, start by gathering and organizing your data. Bring together everything from emails, customer feedback, transaction records, and internal communications. The more data you have, the more accurate and effective your AI tools will be.

2. Adoption

Adoption is just as important as data. It doesn’t matter how advanced your AI tools are if your team isn’t using them. 

Your team should embrace and integrate these tools into their daily routines. This requires a shift in mindset. Employees need to see AI as a helpful tool, not a replacement for their jobs.

One way to ensure successful adoption is by providing training and support. Make sure your team understands how AI works and why it’s useful. 

HubSpot’s recent survey found that 74% of marketing professionals already use AI, but the way to success is ensuring the tools are well understood and embraced by your team.

Adoption also means setting up a change management plan. Introducing AI should not feel like a top-down decision—it should be a collaborative process. When employees are involved in decision-making and understand the benefits, they’re more likely to use AI tools effectively.

In the end, data without adoption won’t lead to results. Encourage your team to start small, solve real problems, and gradually expand how they use AI. As adoption grows, so will the positive impact on your business.

Harnessing the Power of AI: The 3 Essential E's

To successfully integrate AI into your business, it helps to understand the three components that drive its impact: Efficiency, Enablement, and Experience. These three “E’s” outline how AI can make your workflows smoother, boost team performance, and improve customer interactions. 

Let’s break each one down and see how they can transform the way you work.

1. Efficiency

Efficiency is using AI to automate repetitive, low-value tasks that take time and energy. Think of it as letting AI handle the busywork so your team can focus on more meaningful, high-impact activities. 

AI tools can automatically schedule meetings, sort emails, or assist with customer service inquiries.

For instance, HubSpot’s AI Copilot has helped companies reduce the time spent on customer support, automatically handling over 35% of support tickets. 

This leaves the team to focus on more complex issues. The same principle applies across other areas—AI takes care of routine tasks, so your team can accomplish more in less time.

2. Enablement

Enablement means giving your team the tools and insights they need to perform better. AI can help by providing real-time data analysis, forecasting, and even personalized coaching. 

These insights give teams the power to make smarter decisions without relying on guesswork or hours of manual analysis.

For example, AI tools like HubSpot’s sales tools use data to provide instant insights into customer behavior, which helps sales teams adjust their approach. With this real-time feedback, teams can close deals faster and work more strategically. 

AI doesn’t just save time—it empowers teams with knowledge that makes them more effective and confident in their work.

3. Experience

Experience is all about using AI to create better experiences for your customers. AI helps you meet customer needs quickly, predict their behavior, and personalize interactions naturally. 

AI tools that analyze customer behavior also help companies understand what drives customer satisfaction. 

For example, AI can predict when a customer is likely to churn, allowing businesses to intervene and provide support before they lose the customer. HubSpot’s AI tools have been used to improve customer satisfaction scores, helping companies to retain customers and build loyalty.

Ultimately, using AI to enhance the customer experience leads to stronger relationships and better retention. It’s not just about providing faster service—it’s about offering a more personalized and meaningful experience that meets customers’ needs.

How to Get Started with AI: A Simple Guide to Implementation

Getting started with AI doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s about taking small steps, solving real problems, and gradually expanding your use of AI tools as you get more comfortable. The key is to begin where your business makes the most sense and build from there. 

Here’s a simple guide to help you kick off your AI journey.

1. Start Small: Focus on Solving Real Problems

Don’t try to automate everything at once. Instead, focus on solving a specific problem or addressing a pain point that AI can handle. 

Whether it’s automating customer support, improving lead scoring, or streamlining your marketing tasks, find an area where AI can save you time and improve results.

For example, if your team spends too much time scheduling meetings, start by using AI to automate that process. 

There are many tools out there—like HubSpot’s AI features—that can help with simple tasks. The key is to start with one problem and solve it before moving on to other areas.

2. Use the AI Features You Already Have Access To

You don’t need to invest in a bunch of new tools right away. Many businesses already have access to AI features in the software they use. For instance, HubSpot’s CRM includes several AI-powered tools to help with lead qualification, forecasting, and customer service automation. 

Take a look at the tools you already have and explore how they can be used to streamline your work.

Starting with the tools you already use can help you quickly see how AI fits into your existing workflows. It’s a low-risk way to test AI’s effectiveness without making big changes or investments upfront.

3. Build Confidence with Small Wins

AI adoption is about taking small, manageable steps to build technology confidence. Start with a small project that can show immediate results, and then build from there. 

When you see the positive impact of AI, like saving time or increasing productivity, you’ll feel more comfortable expanding its use across your team.

For example, if AI improves customer support efficiency by handling routine inquiries, celebrate that success! When teams see that AI works and drives results, they’re more likely to embrace it in other areas.

4. Educate Your Team and Encourage Adoption

AI won’t help much if your team doesn’t know how to use it. You can invest in training and ensure your team understands the tools and the benefits of using AI. Provide them with resources and support to help them get comfortable with the technology.

Successful adoption also means creating a culture of experimentation and openness to new tools. Encourage your team to use AI in their daily tasks and be open to feedback. The more they use it, the more they’ll see the value in AI.

5. Measure and Refine Your AI Integration

Once you’ve started using AI, measuring how well it’s working is essential. Track key metrics like time saved, productivity improvements, or customer satisfaction scores. Use this data to refine your AI adoption strategy and adjust as needed.

Remember, AI isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It may take time to integrate it fully into your workflows. But with continuous measurement and refinement, you can maximize its impact on your business.

Embracing AI for a Smarter Future

AI is here to stay, and it’s not about replacing people—it’s about helping us work smarter. You can take your business to the next level by using AI to automate repetitive tasks, empower your team with insights, and enhance customer experiences. 

Start small, focus on solving real problems, and build confidence with each step. Becoming more comfortable with AI will unlock greater potential to streamline processes, boost productivity, and improve customer satisfaction. 

AI isn’t just a trend—it’s the future of work, and with the right approach, you’ll be ready to harness its full power.

Ready to Get Started with HubSpot and AI?

If you’re ready to implement AI tools and make the most of HubSpot, Origin 63 is here to help. Our team specializes in guiding businesses through using HubSpot’s powerful AI features to drive revenue and retention. 

Let us help you streamline your workflows, increase productivity, and ensure your team has the right tools to succeed. Get in touch with us today to start your journey toward smarter, more efficient work!

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