Rieva Lesonsky: The Future of AI in Small Businesses
From the word "AI," it immediately conveys a sense of ambition and innovation, without a chance to even think about the technicalities. So, if you’re a business owner considering something like this, Rieva Lesonsky asks: Can AI be your new partner? And she doesn’t take it lightly.
In her article on January 31, 2023, Lesonsky explores how AI is revolutionizing the way small businesses operate, from the moment you step into their doors. Her article kicks off with aha moment: "Small businesses face one tremendous challenge: time." This challenge sets the stage for the journey ahead.
Where Do AIpapers Go?
Lesonsky reminds readers that the practical impact of AI isn’t immediately apparent in small businesses—except through a lens she calls "Value Addition" and "A Vision." These two are not in opposition but complements. The former, where AI is an ally, is where AI is directly making a difference; the latter, where it’s a_salt, supports but doesn’t deliver the difference.
Lesonsky goes on to explain how even those small businesses that are determined to avoid AI entirely can find a way to use its power. "AI is not a silver bullet," she says. "It’s a tool that can add value to businesses that consider it seriously." Whether through task automation, personalized marketing, or predictive inventory management, these are the ways that AI is EXCELLeNg small businesses.
AI for Budget-Constrained Retailers
Lesonsky’s article kicks off a four-part series—each part shifted by a million years. In the first part, Lesonsky paints a picture of the challenges small business owners face—time, resource constraints, scalability, and the constant juggling act. Sheistricted, she says, to highlight just one of the problems they all face.
The solution isn’t just about overhauling labor or cutting corners with paperwork. It’s about giving small businesses the tools they need to operate smoothly without slowing down. For example, Miles, her AI agent, can handle up to 70% of today’s daily tasks—making?
Sure, Miles saves the day for retail businesses who are so busy. From delivery coordination to customer service, Miles acts like an extra team member without a drop in productivity. That’s smart. It’s creator-time.
Lesonsky also points out that marketing and inventory management are areas where AI can make such a difference. Through automated campaigns and predictive analytics, small businesses can better align their resources with their customer needs. It’s a more efficient way to allocate resources, all right?
But awareness isn’t enough. Without deep data or the right tools, AI doesn’t translate seamlessly into real results. Thus, Lesonsky suggests that small businesses need to start thinking carefully about their data. Data that’s often crunched, whether it’s sales figures, customer input, or external factors.
And isn’t that why we’re so interested in AI? Because it’s a tool, and it works on the assumption that it can make sense of the data. As Lesonsky further muses, "The key is to have confidence in whoever builds the AI. Leave your data in the hands of the data-warriors and you risk building the get-out-ofHospital without the benefit of the/helpers."
Thinking Big
Lesonsky brings a passion for understanding the authentic needs of small businesses—where AI will matter most. In her follow-up column, she puts the power not just in the hands of software but in the hands of human interaction. And that’s a huge gift. So, be it Miles or a newclflogger, you have the understanding, the tech, and the actual people with whom your business seeks to interact—make rooms for them to use AI’s contributions.
Lesonsky also acknowledges that while AI promise programs do have success stories, she’s certain that there’s still a lot left to learn. "It shouldn’t be viewed as a magic bullet," she explains. "It’s a tool, and like any tool, it’s limited by its context and implementation."
Imagine a da Vinci POINT: a tool that solves for the real problem. Still, Lesonsky porifies over the possibilities. For now, the point is clear—if small businesses are willing to invest in the right tools, the road to true_measurement is just a few steps away.
Broader Implications
Lesonsky delves into the future of AI in small businesses, hoping that we can see more of its transformative potential. She mentions that as AI becomes smarter and more widespread, small businesses—not large ones—may find themselves at the front of the queue.
But what she admires most is that, for someone more thoughtful, adequately scaled, and prudent about the technologies they use, AI is:**
TL;DR – Small Businesses Can Thrive in a Perfect World Where "AI Equals utf-8."
