Small business owners are feeling the pressure. There’s no shortage of tools and trends to keep up with, and lately, AI seems to be everywhere, from Microsoft Office and Google Docs to Google searches to social media.
But that buzz comes with a question that keeps showing up in forums, networking groups, and even local business meetups:
How should we be using AI in our business?
Some businesses are stuck trying to solve AI as if it were a big puzzle. Others feel overwhelmed by where to start. And many are treating AI like it’s a separate project, something you’ll figure out “later” when you finally have time.
But what if you’re thinking about it the wrong way?
One of the clearest, most helpful metaphors I’ve seen comes from Jeff Sauer at Profit School. He compares how businesses think about AI to the shift from film to digital cameras.
Let’s unpack that and show why changing your mindset could help your team make smarter, faster decisions with AI right now.
From Film to Digital Camera Thinking
Think back (or imagine) the days of film photography. You’d load a roll of film with 12 or 24 shots. Each photo felt precious. You didn’t know what you got until the roll was developed, and mistakes were expensive. So you waited. You planned. You second-guessed.
That’s how many businesses still approach new tools and systems, like film. You wait for the perfect idea, the perfect prompt, or the perfect tool before trying anything.
Now, think about digital cameras. You can take 50 photos in a minute. Review instantly. Try again. Learn what works by doing. Mistakes don’t cost anything.
That’s what AI offers—a low-cost, low-risk way to explore, iterate, and improve.
TL;DR
- AI is a tool, not a project. Use it to support real work.
- Encourage team experimentation—small wins lead to big gains.
- Share what works. Success grows through collaboration.
- Set clear AI guidelines to stay on-brand and accurate.
- Think digital: test, learn, improve—fast and often.
- Keep learning. AI evolves, and so should your team.
AI Can Be a New Set of Power Tools
If the digital camera metaphor doesn’t click, try this: AI is like handing your team power tools. You can still build with a hammer and screwdriver, but it’ll be slower, and the results might not scale.
The power tools don’t replace your team. They amplify them. But here’s the catch: if nobody reads the manual, practices with the tools, or shares what they’ve learned, you’re not going to get much out of them. That’s where most small businesses are stuck.
What Business Owners Are Saying
Browse Reddit threads or business forums, and you’ll see a mix of excitement and anxiety. Here’s what small business owners are asking:
- “What AI tools are worth using?”
- “How do I stop my team from writing robotic-sounding content?”
- “Is ChatGPT secure for client work?”
- “I tried it once, and the results weren’t great. Is it even worth it?”
Yes, it’s worth it, but only if you use AI the right way. And there isn’t really a right way. The path should be collaborative and ongoing.
How to Build an AI Culture on Your Team
You don’t need an AI department. You need curiosity, conversation, and clarity. Here’s where to start:
1. Give People Space to Experiment
Set aside time for your team to test AI tools in their real work. Don’t make it homework—make it part of their job. Use a weekly or monthly meeting to ask:
- What worked?
- What didn’t?
- What did you learn?
Small wins add up.
2. Talk About What’s Allowed
If your team is writing content, do they know whether AI-generated copy is okay to publish? Are they using AI to help with outlines or write full pages? Is that allowed?
You need guidelines. Not to shut things down—but to ensure what’s being created is on-brand, accurate, and helpful to your customers.
3. Share Tools and Templates
If someone builds a custom GPT, uploads your brand voice to an AI tool, or finds a prompt that works well for customer emails, don’t let that stay siloed. Share it. Test it. Improve it.
Success with AI is a team sport.
Why This Approach Works
When you experiment often, you reduce the pressure to get it right the first time. When you talk about what works and what doesn’t, your entire team levels up faster. And when you use AI tools with purpose—not just hype—you build a stronger, more resilient business.
Just like with digital photography, your first shots won’t be perfect. But over time, you get better. And you get there faster when you’re not afraid to click the shutter.
Want to Learn More?
Here are some helpful, trustworthy places to dig deeper:
- Profit School by Jeff Sauer: Offers straightforward advice on AI and digital marketing for small businesses.
- Harvard Business Review: Great articles on AI strategy, ethics, and leadership.
- Reddit – r/smallbusiness: See what real business owners are saying, asking, and struggling with.
How Are You Using AI?
How are you experimenting with AI in your business? What’s working—or what’s falling flat? We’d love to hear.
Need help building better systems, websites, or content workflows that work with AI? Contact Garrett Digital, and we can help you find the right tools and language for your business.
