As a business consultant and startup mentor I have the privilege of working alongside startup CEOs, helping them streamline their businesses in resource-constrained environments. Today, halfway through another accelerator program with inspiring international startups, I’d like to share some insights on how AI can elevate a startup’s operational efficiency. The key lies in not just using AI but in developing the mindset to work with it effectively.
One observation stands out: AI is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a tool that’s reshaping the operational core of startups. With so many AI tools now available to streamline everyday work, small companies especially can benefit by choosing the right tools for their needs.
I’m not talking about building AI-powered products but leveraging AI in day-to-day business operations. Here’s how I see it happening in real life, taking just a few examples from my daily work with my clients and mentees:
Refining Business Ideas: AI tools like ChatGPT can serve as sounding boards to refine business concepts. Need to design a pitch deck? AI can help structure our thinking, offering alternative approaches and even generating pitch drafts that are more aligned with investors’ perspectives.
Delegating Tasks: AI can assist in breaking down complex tasks into actionable steps and automatically assigning them to the right people. AI tools streamline meeting and task management, allowing CEOs to focus on high-level strategy while AI organizes the execution.
Streamlining Recruitment: AI can assist in building candidate profiles for key skills, generate interview questions, and even evaluate responses.
This marks a significant change from where we were just a year ago. The reality is: while AI won’t replace people, those who don’t adopt it risk falling behind.
However, working with AI requires a specific skill set:
Methodical Thinking: AI thrives when fed structured inputs. Breaking down complex challenges into clear components is essential for getting the best results.
Curiosity: Asking thoughtful questions unlocks deeper insights. AI excels when it’s prompted to explore multiple perspectives on a problem.
Detail Orientation: Accurate data inputs lead to more precise outputs, making it critical to focus on the finer details.
Clear Communication: AI needs clear, concise instructions. Being able to articulate what you need from AI (and from your team) ensures smoother execution.
Empathy: Understanding how others think and act improves collaboration with both people and AI. Once you understand how AI, like ChatGPT, processes information, you can leverage it more efficiently.
While there are countless tools available, choosing wisely is essential, as adopting too many or the wrong ones can complicate rather than simplify operations. A well-developed critical mindset is valuable when selecting AI tools that will genuinely support your team.
Last but not least. As AI use becomes widespread, businesses must be aware of impending regulatory frameworks. The new regulatory efforts aim to ensure AI is used responsibly and safely, categorizing AI systems by risk and imposing requirements for transparency, fairness, and accountability.
For startups, this means understanding how these regulations will impact everything from data usage to algorithmic decisions, and ensuring compliance to avoid legal pitfalls. As regulations evolve, CEOs must stay informed and agile, integrating these rules into their AI strategies to maintain a competitive edge without sacrificing ethics or legality.
As I continue working closely with startup CEOs, I see the real power of AI in improving speed, scale, and quality. The key lies in not just using AI but in developing the mindset to work with it effectively.
About the author:
Agnieszka Węglarz is an experienced ex-corporate ICT manager, a long time practitioner, business consultant and mentor. She helps tech startups and SMEs to streamline their businesses with limited resources. In her workshops and projects she concentrates on practical aspects of business growth. She runs her own consultancy business and cooperates with Google for Startups as an international mentor in business modeling and growth strategies.