Updated on July 17, 2025
Small business owners are feeling the pressure. There’s always some new tool or trend to keep up with, and AI is everywhere right now, from Microsoft Word and Google Docs to Instagram captions and Google Search results.
With all the noise, a question keeps popping up in forums, business meetups, and local networking groups:
How should we actually be using AI in our business?
Some folks treat AI like it’s a riddle they need to solve. Others feel overwhelmed and kick the can down the road. And many are treating it like a separate project, something to deal with “later” when they have more time.
But what if that whole way of thinking is getting in the way?
One of the most helpful comparisons I’ve seen comes from Jeff Sauer at Profit School. He compares how businesses approach AI to the switch from film to digital cameras. It’s simple, but it clicks.
Let’s take a look at why that mindset shift matters and how it can help your business start using AI today in ways that are low-risk and actually useful.
From Film to Digital Camera Thinking
If you remember using film, you know the drill. You loaded a roll with 12 or 24 shots. Each photo mattered. You had to wait to get the film developed before you knew if any of them were good. So you planned carefully. You hesitated. You second-guessed.
That’s how a lot of business owners still approach new tools. Wait for the perfect use case. Spend weeks deciding which app to try. Put off testing until you’ve got time to “do it right.”
Now think about digital cameras. You take 20 photos in 30 seconds. Review them instantly. Try again. Keep what works, delete what doesn’t.
That’s what AI makes possible: a fast, low-cost way to experiment, iterate, and improve.
You’re not burning film. You’re learning by doing.
TL;DR
- AI isn’t a separate project. It’s a tool that supports the work you already do.
- Start small. A few internal wins can lead to big changes.
- Talk openly. Teams improve faster when they share what’s working.
- Set ground rules so your AI use stays consistent and trustworthy.
- Think like a digital camera: test, learn, improve—often.
- Keep learning. AI is evolving fast, and your skills should, too.
AI Can Be a New Set of Power Tools
If the camera comparison doesn’t land, here’s another one: AI is like giving your team power tools. You can still build with a hammer and screwdriver, but it’s going to take longer and might not hold up at scale.
Power tools don’t do the work for you. They make skilled people faster and more capable. But if nobody’s trained or willing to try them, you’re stuck.
That’s where a lot of teams are right now. AI is available, but not being used well—or at all. Not because it doesn’t work, but because no one’s set the stage for how to start.
What Business Owners Are Saying
Search Reddit threads, Facebook business groups, or even Slack channels for local networking orgs, and you’ll see the same questions pop up:
- “What AI tools are actually useful for small businesses?”
- “How do I keep our content from sounding robotic?”
- “Is ChatGPT secure for working with client info?”
- “I tried it once, and the results were bad. Should I even bother?”
Yes, you should. But only if you’re willing to treat AI as part of your toolkit, not a magic trick. It won’t work on autopilot. And it won’t give you perfect answers every time. But it will help your team move faster, try more ideas, and waste less time once you get the hang of it.
How to Build an AI Culture
You don’t need an AI department or a fancy strategy. You need curiosity, clear boundaries, and a place for your team to share what they’re learning.
1. Give People Space to Experiment
Start by giving your team permission to try AI tools inside their day-to-day work. Not as extra credit—make it part of the job.
Ask questions during team check-ins:
- What did you try?
- What went well?
- What didn’t work?
- What could we use again?
Encouraging experimentation lowers the risk and builds confidence. It’s how teams get better over time.
2. Talk About What’s Allowed
Be clear about how and when AI is okay to use. Can team members use ChatGPT to draft blog posts or customer emails? Should a person review anything AI-generated before publishing?
Write it down. Be specific. This isn’t about control—it’s about protecting your brand and your customers.
3. Share Tools and Templates
If someone on your team writes a great prompt or builds a GPT that nails your brand voice, don’t keep it a secret. Share it. Let others build on it. Save time across the board.
Set up a shared doc, Slack channel, or internal wiki where people can post their tips and tools.
Why This Approach Works
When teams try things in real work, rather than in a vacuum, they build real skills. When they talk about what they tried, others learn faster. And when they use AI with intention, they save time, reduce busywork, and improve output without burning out.
AI is not going to fix a broken strategy. But it can help a brilliant team move faster and get more done, especially when they’re not afraid to take some blurry shots along the way.
Want to Learn More?
Here are a few trusted places to dig deeper:
- Profit School by Jeff Sauer – Great for practical AI + marketing advice, especially for small business teams
- Harvard Business Review – Regular articles on AI leadership, strategy, and team management
- Reddit – r/smallbusiness – Honest takes from real business owners
How Are You Using AI?
What’s worked in your business? What flopped? We’d love to hear from you.
If you’re looking to build better systems, content workflows, or marketing strategies that make AI work for your business, not the other way around, contact Garrett Digital.
