I am not an AI expert. In fact, I am not customarily an early adopter of new technology. I like to wait till all the bugs are worked out and things are cheap and easy. You won’t find me in line outside the Apple store waiting to buy the iBrain version 2.0NERD.
As a humble management consultant, I want to share a few suggestions on how to use AI to make you faster and better at work.
Time is our most precious commodity. Everything takes longer than it should in our overscheduled, overstimulated work week. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is simple to use if you know how to ask a good question. It is powerful, bringing a universe of knowledge to your phone. And, it is practical for everyday use, whether you want to get rid of acne or learn the basics of quantum mechanics.
Let me share a few practical examples.
- Gain instant expertise: Picture this: You’ve got a prospect meeting in 24 hours, and the topic is as foreign to you as ancient hieroglyphics. Fear not. AI transforms you into an overnight expert. It can instantaneously familiarize you with technical or industry topics, including insights, jargon, and stats.
- Reduce data overload to useful knowledge. AI can transform mountains of raw data into actionable insights. You can have it analyze and summarize spreadsheets, reports, and even legal contracts. It predicts trends, identifies opportunities, and provides strategic recommendations, all at lightning speed. This allows decision-makers to act swiftly and confidently, backed by data-driven intelligence.
- Create effortless presentations: Crafting PowerPoint or Word presentations can feel like assembling IKEA furniture blindfolded. Using either Google or Microsoft simple AI based programs, it can convert your rough outline to a complete presentation or build it from scratch. No more agonizing over layout, font sizes or color schemes—AI’s got your back.
- Write/blog quickly and expressively: Need a newsletter or blog post? AI can churn out articles for any topic, length or writing style you desire. It might slip in a dad joke or two, but that’s part of its charm. You will learn to have your AI assistant write as you want to write, and it learns your style.
If you are new to AI, start with these tips.
- Just try it: You don’t need to read a book or take a class. Just download one of the popular programs that fit with your work system – Microsoft Copilot, Google Assistant or ChatGPT. They are all easy to use and are usually cheap or free.
- Precision matters: Be specific with your AI requests. It’s not a mind reader (yet). Give clear instructions, including the context of your inquiry. The more precise, the better the results.
- Teach it your style: Whether your approach is detailed and analytical or blunt and edgy, AI will learn to adapt. Just tell it. AI’s humor can be quirky, so let it know your style and tone.
- Help it learn: AI thrives on feedback. Treat it like a student, and don’t be afraid to repeat questions/inquiries until it knows what you want. Tell it what worked, what bombed, and watch it evolve.
And there you have it—a streamlined guide to making AI work for you. It’s here, it’s now, and it’s changing the game. Embrace AI as your new workplace superpower and watch as it transforms your productivity, creativity, and success. The future is now, and it’s time to seize it.