Episode 2 - Coffee with Chandru | AI for Small Business Owners

[0:01] Hi Chandra. Hi Hamza.

[0:03] Hi Hamza. All right. So I have another question

[0:06] All right. So I have another question which has come up and I'd like to get

[0:08] which has come up and I'd like to get your insights on that. So um in today's

[0:12] your insights on that. So um in today's environment with um AI being uh used

[0:16] environment with um AI being uh used everywhere. Uh the one question that's

[0:19] everywhere. Uh the one question that's coming to my mind is how should small

[0:22] coming to my mind is how should small business owners approach AI?

[0:29] Okay. So that's a fair enough question in today's world given that there is lot

[0:32] in today's world given that there is lot of noise, hype and of course public news

[0:36] of noise, hype and of course public news about artificial intelligence. Um words

[0:39] about artificial intelligence. Um words like chad GPT have become household

[0:42] like chad GPT have become household names. I don't think anybody in this

[0:44] names. I don't think anybody in this world today is not aware about Chad GPT.

[0:47] world today is not aware about Chad GPT. We say that right whenever a brand

[0:49] We say that right whenever a brand becomes like a noun like we used to um

[0:53] becomes like a noun like we used to um say Xerox a paper where Xerox is

[0:56] say Xerox a paper where Xerox is obviously the name of a company and it's

[0:58] obviously the name of a company and it's the right word is to say that uh

[1:00] the right word is to say that uh photocopy this paper but it became so

[1:03] photocopy this paper but it became so prevalent so today anything in AI means

[1:05] prevalent so today anything in AI means people only say charg right while um we

[1:09] people only say charg right while um we have mentioned in the past 7 years or so

[1:12] have mentioned in the past 7 years or so since we started our company and we've

[1:14] since we started our company and we've been discussing about AI AI is much more

[1:17] been discussing about AI AI is much more than just being a chatbot or like a

[1:19] than just being a chatbot or like a language model and uh there is so much

[1:22] language model and uh there is so much of AI uh technology out there tools out

[1:26] of AI uh technology out there tools out there in the world that u everything is

[1:29] there in the world that u everything is being consumed by this uh great

[1:32] being consumed by this uh great fascination around words like chat gypti

[1:37] fascination around words like chat gypti um you know I'm I'm sure there are other

[1:39] um you know I'm I'm sure there are other tools which are even more prevalent in

[1:41] tools which are even more prevalent in the tech world like cursor lovable um

[1:44] the tech world like cursor lovable um bold right and uh probably some more uh

[1:49] bold right and uh probably some more uh industry specific tools as well. Now all

[1:52] industry specific tools as well. Now all of this has led many people to start

[1:54] of this has led many people to start classifying uh AI as just hype just

[1:57] classifying uh AI as just hype just noise right with no substance of fact

[2:00] noise right with no substance of fact but it's also because there is not a

[2:03] but it's also because there is not a very great understanding about AI

[2:06] very great understanding about AI uh amongst the public and u

[2:09] uh amongst the public and u unfortunately there's a lot of

[2:11] unfortunately there's a lot of influencers who speak both for and

[2:14] influencers who speak both for and against AI right it's not the time to

[2:16] against AI right it's not the time to take sides it's more about um trying and

[2:19] take sides it's more about um trying and finding out as to whether a technology

[2:21] finding out as to whether a technology can really help us with our work, with

[2:23] can really help us with our work, with our life, with our career, our business

[2:26] our life, with our career, our business and many other aspects, right? The

[2:28] and many other aspects, right? The technology is only useful um as long as

[2:32] technology is only useful um as long as it can help achieve our objectives. So,

[2:35] it can help achieve our objectives. So, that's a first point

[2:37] that's a first point for a small business owner.

[2:39] for a small business owner. I have another question. Um when you're

[2:42] I have another question. Um when you're talking about technology, right? um how

[2:45] talking about technology, right? um how does a non-technical founder look at uh

[2:49] does a non-technical founder look at uh the various AI technology available

[2:51] the various AI technology available today because I'm sure uh many of our

[2:53] today because I'm sure uh many of our listeners who are small business owners

[2:55] listeners who are small business owners will also feel very overwhelmed with

[2:57] will also feel very overwhelmed with what's happening today.

[2:59] what's happening today. Yeah, just about coming to that point.

[3:01] Yeah, just about coming to that point. So when you say a small business owner,

[3:03] So when you say a small business owner, right, I'm also looking at uh senior

[3:05] right, I'm also looking at uh senior executives who run uh departments uh

[3:08] executives who run uh departments uh business functions that essential

[3:10] business functions that essential essentially business within businesses,

[3:11] essentially business within businesses, right? U so small business does not

[3:14] right? U so small business does not really mean that you just have a few

[3:16] really mean that you just have a few people maybe just a small amount of

[3:18] people maybe just a small amount of revenue. uh for everybody AI is today

[3:20] revenue. uh for everybody AI is today both a challenge as well as an

[3:21] both a challenge as well as an opportunity right and uh in the past uh

[3:25] opportunity right and uh in the past uh 7 years as I said since we started uh

[3:28] 7 years as I said since we started uh training on AI developing projects for

[3:30] training on AI developing projects for customers on AI and now recently with

[3:32] customers on AI and now recently with all the hype around charge GBT and more

[3:34] all the hype around charge GBT and more recently with the sort of tsunami of uh

[3:39] recently with the sort of tsunami of uh developmental work happening through

[3:41] developmental work happening through tools like cursor and labable in fact uh

[3:44] tools like cursor and labable in fact uh interestingly I saw a tweet by uh

[3:47] interestingly I saw a tweet by uh somebody senior enough who said that uh

[3:50] somebody senior enough who said that uh just one hackathon two weeks back that

[3:52] just one hackathon two weeks back that uh the company called Lavable had

[3:53] uh the company called Lavable had launched people had generated more than

[3:56] launched people had generated more than 2.5 million apps or websites just

[3:59] 2.5 million apps or websites just imagine in just 48 hours. Now this is

[4:02] imagine in just 48 hours. Now this is not something which you can uh sort of

[4:04] not something which you can uh sort of visualize so easily till I tell you that

[4:07] visualize so easily till I tell you that literally represents probably uh 20 to

[4:11] literally represents probably uh 20 to 25% of all the uh existing websites and

[4:14] 25% of all the uh existing websites and apps on the internet today. So the

[4:17] apps on the internet today. So the internet as we know grew over a period

[4:18] internet as we know grew over a period of several decades but AI is moving at

[4:21] of several decades but AI is moving at lightning speed right. However in all of

[4:25] lightning speed right. However in all of this the fundamentals remain the same.

[4:28] this the fundamentals remain the same. So what I would suggest my personal

[4:30] So what I would suggest my personal experience also has been dabbling with

[4:32] experience also has been dabbling with AI now is that first you have to be

[4:34] AI now is that first you have to be clear about your objectives.

[4:37] clear about your objectives. A business owner they have to be clear

[4:39] A business owner they have to be clear about their objectives. Are do you

[4:41] about their objectives. Are do you really want more business? Do you really

[4:44] really want more business? Do you really want more leads? uh do you want to

[4:47] want more leads? uh do you want to reduce the amount of time spent in

[4:49] reduce the amount of time spent in manual tasks? Um do you want to improve

[4:51] manual tasks? Um do you want to improve your cash flow? So the first step that a

[4:55] your cash flow? So the first step that a business owner or a senior executive

[4:57] business owner or a senior executive have to be very very clear is what is

[5:00] have to be very very clear is what is your objective? It's not the technology.

[5:01] your objective? It's not the technology. I forget the technology, right? I'm sure

[5:03] I forget the technology, right? I'm sure there'll be a lot of consultants who are

[5:04] there'll be a lot of consultants who are there who can fit lot of technology to

[5:07] there who can fit lot of technology to your requirements. But what is more

[5:09] your requirements. But what is more important is for you to be clear about

[5:10] important is for you to be clear about your objectives and you are the only

[5:12] your objectives and you are the only person who can determine that. So in my

[5:14] person who can determine that. So in my case for example right I decided that I

[5:16] case for example right I decided that I want to create a what we famously call

[5:19] want to create a what we famously call as a SAS product right software as a

[5:21] as a SAS product right software as a service product under the brand name of

[5:23] service product under the brand name of smartmy.ai

[5:24] smartmy.ai and once I did that and you know over a

[5:27] and once I did that and you know over a period of two years of development and

[5:29] period of two years of development and then uh recently with AI powered

[5:31] then uh recently with AI powered development then I wanted more leads for

[5:33] development then I wanted more leads for this uh particular product. Now as a

[5:36] this uh particular product. Now as a small business owner I have very limited

[5:37] small business owner I have very limited resources and how do I really uh get

[5:40] resources and how do I really uh get leads right I don't have a big sales

[5:42] leads right I don't have a big sales team a marketing team I don't have the

[5:44] team a marketing team I don't have the resources nor the money so first I had

[5:47] resources nor the money so first I had to go through an OKR exercise right uh

[5:50] to go through an OKR exercise right uh what we famously call as the objectives

[5:53] what we famously call as the objectives and key results uh area um re u so let

[5:58] and key results uh area um re u so let me just see if I can just bring

[5:59] me just see if I can just bring something up for you probably it might

[6:02] something up for you probably it might make more um sense

[6:05] make more um sense as we keep discussing right a second as

[6:08] as we keep discussing right a second as I bring this up. Okay, I just did a

[6:10] I bring this up. Okay, I just did a basic um sort of Google search.

[6:14] basic um sort of Google search. So when you look at this particular um

[6:18] So when you look at this particular um term, OKR has been made famous in

[6:20] term, OKR has been made famous in strategy circles. So it's basically a

[6:22] strategy circles. So it's basically a goal setting framework. So this can be

[6:25] goal setting framework. So this can be by individuals, teams or organizations.

[6:28] by individuals, teams or organizations. Right? Now the whole purpose of having

[6:32] Right? Now the whole purpose of having an objective and key results is so it

[6:36] an objective and key results is so it gives you a direction to go what

[6:39] gives you a direction to go what milestones you should reach and what are

[6:41] milestones you should reach and what are the set of uh tactics and techniques you

[6:44] the set of uh tactics and techniques you need to uh sort of implement so that you

[6:47] need to uh sort of implement so that you get key results area. So it's like uh

[6:49] get key results area. So it's like uh each of them building upon each other

[6:51] each of them building upon each other till you sort of meet your objectives

[6:54] till you sort of meet your objectives right now this sort of uh framework you

[6:58] right now this sort of uh framework you use I mean you are free to use many

[7:00] use I mean you are free to use many other frameworks okay is just one of

[7:02] other frameworks okay is just one of them right uh and I'm sure you can use

[7:05] them right uh and I'm sure you can use something like chat GBD to even guide

[7:08] something like chat GBD to even guide you to decide what strategy to use and

[7:10] you to decide what strategy to use and even set up this OKR so in fact I have

[7:13] even set up this OKR so in fact I have actually set up an OKR for myself I

[7:15] actually set up an OKR for myself I can't disclose the actual OKRs for

[7:18] can't disclose the actual OKRs for reasons of you know confidentiality but

[7:21] reasons of you know confidentiality but fundamental idea is that you need to

[7:23] fundamental idea is that you need to actually be very clear in terms of what

[7:27] actually be very clear in terms of what you want to achieve as part of your

[7:28] you want to achieve as part of your business for this financial year or for

[7:31] business for this financial year or for the next few years and once you are very

[7:33] the next few years and once you are very clear with that then you can go on to

[7:35] clear with that then you can go on to figure out what technology is what what

[7:37] figure out what technology is what what I should really do in AI right and then

[7:40] I should really do in AI right and then uh as I said you you can also use Chad

[7:42] uh as I said you you can also use Chad GBD to you know come come and ask hey

[7:45] GBD to you know come come and ask hey what is it that I should use is a

[7:47] what is it that I should use is a strategy tool. Is it OKR or are there um

[7:51] strategy tool. Is it OKR or are there um some other things that I should really

[7:52] some other things that I should really be using?

[7:54] be using? Right? So, probably in terms of how to

[7:56] Right? So, probably in terms of how to set up an OKR and how do you really u go

[7:59] set up an OKR and how do you really u go about building this whole uh house of

[8:02] about building this whole uh house of OKR, we will tackle in a different

[8:03] OKR, we will tackle in a different podcast and what tools you can use for

[8:06] podcast and what tools you can use for it because it's a more of a strategy

[8:07] it because it's a more of a strategy consulting session. However, at this

[8:09] consulting session. However, at this point of time, it's more important for

[8:11] point of time, it's more important for us to know that you need to have very

[8:13] us to know that you need to have very ambitious and qualitative goals. And

[8:17] ambitious and qualitative goals. And these should be smart metrics which is

[8:21] these should be smart metrics which is your specific, measurable, achieve,

[8:24] your specific, measurable, achieve, achievable, relevant and time bound.

[8:26] achievable, relevant and time bound. Once you are able to finalize this,

[8:28] Once you are able to finalize this, let's say over a period of few days or

[8:30] let's say over a period of few days or few weeks, then you start really looking

[8:32] few weeks, then you start really looking at what AI to you know really use out

[8:35] at what AI to you know really use out over here. Right now let's for a moment

[8:38] over here. Right now let's for a moment assume that your OKRs are set.

[8:41] assume that your OKRs are set. Now the next thing that you would really

[8:43] Now the next thing that you would really want to do is you could do two things.

[8:45] want to do is you could do two things. One um either you can go with an

[8:48] One um either you can go with an external consultant uh whom you trust or

[8:51] external consultant uh whom you trust or probably you um look at some global

[8:56] probably you um look at some global analyst firms. So for the purposes of

[8:59] analyst firms. So for the purposes of the podcast let me just uh share one

[9:02] the podcast let me just uh share one more visual.

[9:05] more visual. So this is by Gartner and this is a

[9:08] So this is by Gartner and this is a visual I saw on LinkedIn that they had

[9:10] visual I saw on LinkedIn that they had post posted and uh Gartner talks about

[9:13] post posted and uh Gartner talks about AI maturity and road map

[9:16] AI maturity and road map right so what are the various

[9:20] right so what are the various uh things that you need to do starting

[9:23] uh things that you need to do starting and then going on to advanced activities

[9:26] and then going on to advanced activities right and uh as with any consulting or

[9:29] right and uh as with any consulting or analyst company there's lot of stuff

[9:31] analyst company there's lot of stuff that you can go through here to

[9:33] that you can go through here to understand what should be your road map

[9:36] understand what should be your road map of using AI based on your OKRs and you

[9:39] of using AI based on your OKRs and you could sort of go through these various

[9:41] could sort of go through these various steps or activities as Gartner is

[9:43] steps or activities as Gartner is suggesting again this the scope of the

[9:45] suggesting again this the scope of the podcast we can't go through what Gartner

[9:47] podcast we can't go through what Gartner is mentioning and probably a lot of this

[9:49] is mentioning and probably a lot of this is IP of Gartner except that it's

[9:51] is IP of Gartner except that it's publicly published so I'm just sharing

[9:53] publicly published so I'm just sharing it and the credits are due to you know

[9:54] it and the credits are due to you know Gartner however one easy thing that I

[9:57] Gartner however one easy thing that I would definitely inform the listeners of

[10:00] would definitely inform the listeners of this uh podcast is

[10:04] this uh podcast is you could actually go into u uh

[10:07] you could actually go into u uh agents.msmartmy.ai.

[10:09] agents.msmartmy.ai. Now why I specifically talk about this

[10:11] Now why I specifically talk about this site is again this site and the tools

[10:13] site is again this site and the tools I'm going to show you are all generated

[10:15] I'm going to show you are all generated using AI.

[10:17] using AI. Uh could I have had a tech team or IT

[10:20] Uh could I have had a tech team or IT team to develop this? Answer is yes. But

[10:22] team to develop this? Answer is yes. But do I really needed to do this? And uh

[10:26] do I really needed to do this? And uh the answer is no. Right? So to help our

[10:29] the answer is no. Right? So to help our clients that are small business uh

[10:32] clients that are small business uh owners or senior execs, we basically uh

[10:36] owners or senior execs, we basically uh devised a AI readiness assessment

[10:39] devised a AI readiness assessment tool free of cost. Anybody can access

[10:41] tool free of cost. Anybody can access it. It's at the footer of this

[10:43] it. It's at the footer of this particular page. And what really happens

[10:46] particular page. And what really happens is that uh anybody who wants to really

[10:49] is that uh anybody who wants to really understand

[10:51] understand what they are you know u

[10:57] what they are you know u doing with AI how do they really sort of

[11:00] doing with AI how do they really sort of uh get ready for uh a AI and uh what

[11:05] uh get ready for uh a AI and uh what sort of insights I have about my own

[11:07] sort of insights I have about my own organization's AI maturity use this

[11:09] organization's AI maturity use this quick tool I think it's about 10

[11:10] quick tool I think it's about 10 questions or so and uh once you do This

[11:14] questions or so and uh once you do This answer this you

[11:17] answer this you get a comprehensive analysis and this

[11:20] get a comprehensive analysis and this analysis across five key dimensions of

[11:23] analysis across five key dimensions of AI readiness which about strategy, data,

[11:26] AI readiness which about strategy, data, talent, infrastructure and governance

[11:28] talent, infrastructure and governance and you get a personalized insights in

[11:30] and you get a personalized insights in total confidentiality. we don't store

[11:31] total confidentiality. we don't store the data anywhere and uh you also have

[11:34] the data anywhere and uh you also have actionable recommendations coming up

[11:36] actionable recommendations coming up over here right and again this app also

[11:39] over here right and again this app also was in consultation with AI and of

[11:42] was in consultation with AI and of course my own background as an analyst

[11:44] course my own background as an analyst and uh how typically consulting and

[11:46] and uh how typically consulting and transformation engagements actually

[11:48] transformation engagements actually happen but I'll try to make it more

[11:50] happen but I'll try to make it more simpler because I don't want to add to

[11:52] simpler because I don't want to add to too much hype uh given the current hype

[11:54] too much hype uh given the current hype which is there so all I do is for

[11:56] which is there so all I do is for example I click on the first

[12:00] example I click on the first uh thing in terms of what are the

[12:02] uh thing in terms of what are the various sort of uh uh what you can call

[12:06] various sort of uh uh what you can call questions that are there right I was

[12:08] questions that are there right I was answering this earlier so probably you

[12:10] answering this earlier so probably you are uh seeing this that I have answered

[12:12] are uh seeing this that I have answered all of these uh out over here and uh you

[12:16] all of these uh out over here and uh you would see that there are about 10

[12:18] would see that there are about 10 questions

[12:20] questions we really answer the question number one

[12:22] we really answer the question number one says do you have a clear AI strategy

[12:25] says do you have a clear AI strategy which is aligned with business goals

[12:27] which is aligned with business goals right you could answer any of this right

[12:29] right you could answer any of this right no strategy which is a fair enough

[12:31] no strategy which is a fair enough answer or you could just say initial

[12:33] answer or you could just say initial discussions. So now for the purposes of

[12:37] discussions. So now for the purposes of this assessment you'll see that the AI

[12:39] this assessment you'll see that the AI generally saves saves this right and you

[12:43] generally saves saves this right and you can then go on to what is your next

[12:47] can then go on to what is your next thing which says how does your

[12:49] thing which says how does your management or leadership team view AI

[12:50] management or leadership team view AI adoption you could say that okay they

[12:53] adoption you could say that okay they are trying to be very cautious right

[12:55] are trying to be very cautious right there's a lot of text at the bottom you

[12:57] there's a lot of text at the bottom you could answer I'm for the purpose of the

[12:58] could answer I'm for the purpose of the podcast I'm trying to fast forward this

[13:00] podcast I'm trying to fast forward this whole thing right and then you could go

[13:02] whole thing right and then you could go ahead and answer the rest of the

[13:04] ahead and answer the rest of the questions as you would want to specific

[13:07] questions as you would want to specific to your situation, customize to your

[13:09] to your situation, customize to your requirements, right? And uh you can take

[13:12] requirements, right? And uh you can take it as many times as possible along with

[13:14] it as many times as possible along with as many colleagues as you want so that

[13:17] as many colleagues as you want so that you have a very clear understanding and

[13:20] you have a very clear understanding and very simple exercise only 10 questions

[13:23] very simple exercise only 10 questions and uh this is as I said customized to

[13:26] and uh this is as I said customized to your requirements right you could change

[13:28] your requirements right you could change this just with radio buttons quite an

[13:31] this just with radio buttons quite an easy one and you could say that we are

[13:34] easy one and you could say that we are highly siloed in terms of our I'm just

[13:36] highly siloed in terms of our I'm just answering as we are going forward right

[13:38] answering as we are going forward right u things like ethical considerations

[13:42] u things like ethical considerations awareness

[13:44] awareness uh typically in 2025 July as we speak I

[13:49] uh typically in 2025 July as we speak I don't think anybody has a very specific

[13:50] don't think anybody has a very specific plan and uh the approaches are typically

[13:53] plan and uh the approaches are typically adoc at this point of time which is also

[13:55] adoc at this point of time which is also in line with a new technology coming

[13:57] in line with a new technology coming into the uh space. So you would see that

[14:02] into the uh space. So you would see that it has given an AI readiness which is

[14:04] it has given an AI readiness which is specific to your organization based on

[14:07] specific to your organization based on the answers that you have just given and

[14:09] the answers that you have just given and you would see that it has given you a

[14:11] you would see that it has given you a score of 2.2 that is you are only

[14:12] score of 2.2 that is you are only developing AI readiness. So it says

[14:15] developing AI readiness. So it says continue building on your foundation

[14:16] continue building on your foundation with structured approaches and uh you do

[14:20] with structured approaches and uh you do have and what I call as a you know

[14:23] have and what I call as a you know spider diagram but fundamentally you

[14:25] spider diagram but fundamentally you would see that this across the various

[14:27] would see that this across the various dimensions which are important in terms

[14:30] dimensions which are important in terms of the readiness across the various

[14:32] of the readiness across the various areas and the scores against each of

[14:36] areas and the scores against each of these areas are also mentioned out here

[14:38] these areas are also mentioned out here like things like talent you're only

[14:40] like things like talent you're only scoring 2.5 out of 5.0 zero right and

[14:45] scoring 2.5 out of 5.0 zero right and then at the bottom interestingly you

[14:46] then at the bottom interestingly you would see that you get the various

[14:48] would see that you get the various recommendations

[14:50] recommendations so you would say that it say um based on

[14:53] so you would say that it say um based on your score it says why don't you create

[14:55] your score it says why don't you create a formal AI strategy document aligned

[14:57] a formal AI strategy document aligned with business objectives

[14:59] with business objectives right and also can you establish KPIs

[15:03] right and also can you establish KPIs for AI initiatives could you develop a

[15:05] for AI initiatives could you develop a road map for AI adoption with clear

[15:07] road map for AI adoption with clear milestones sounds simple but you need a

[15:10] milestones sounds simple but you need a sort of guiding consulting expert

[15:15] sort of guiding consulting expert sitting next to you working with you

[15:17] sitting next to you working with you across these dimensions as well, right?

[15:20] across these dimensions as well, right? And you potentially go on to click on

[15:22] And you potentially go on to click on each of the others like for example

[15:25] each of the others like for example under data. What should you do? Create a

[15:28] under data. What should you do? Create a unified data architecture blueprint

[15:31] unified data architecture blueprint right now click on talent pretty

[15:33] right now click on talent pretty important in today's world. I say like

[15:35] important in today's world. I say like hey can you set up like a a center of

[15:37] hey can you set up like a a center of excellence with dedicated staff and can

[15:40] excellence with dedicated staff and can you like implement formal career paths

[15:42] you like implement formal career paths because people are very worried about

[15:43] because people are very worried about jobs and rightfully so right and could

[15:48] jobs and rightfully so right and could you actually create project teams now

[15:50] you actually create project teams now again though I come from a tech

[15:51] again though I come from a tech background projects are there in any

[15:53] background projects are there in any company right you could be a chemical

[15:55] company right you could be a chemical plant it could be a real estate agency

[15:57] plant it could be a real estate agency everything you do is based on a project

[16:00] everything you do is based on a project deadlines milestones resources um the

[16:03] deadlines milestones resources um the achievements as you go forward. So you

[16:06] achievements as you go forward. So you are you could be very be clear in terms

[16:08] are you could be very be clear in terms of how you want your talent to be part

[16:10] of how you want your talent to be part of your AI strategy and AI journey. Then

[16:13] of your AI strategy and AI journey. Then what is the infrastructure that you need

[16:15] what is the infrastructure that you need for AI implementation? How do you really

[16:18] for AI implementation? How do you really look at your data? Uh because your data

[16:21] look at your data? Uh because your data is your data, right? And data is as

[16:22] is your data, right? And data is as important as your resources, your

[16:25] important as your resources, your chemical plants, as I said, the cash you

[16:27] chemical plants, as I said, the cash you have in the bank. Data is equally

[16:29] have in the bank. Data is equally important and that's the only thing

[16:30] important and that's the only thing which distinguishes you from other

[16:31] which distinguishes you from other companies, your competitors. And then

[16:35] companies, your competitors. And then you could then look at could you have

[16:39] you could then look at could you have some pilot projects running and u

[16:44] some pilot projects running and u finally you look at governance.

[16:45] finally you look at governance. Governance is very important because one

[16:48] Governance is very important because one you can't do whatever you want because

[16:50] you can't do whatever you want because today's compliance issues regulatory

[16:53] today's compliance issues regulatory issues are quite um diverse across many

[16:56] issues are quite um diverse across many countries and ethics and bias is a big

[16:59] countries and ethics and bias is a big challenge in the AI world. So you need

[17:01] challenge in the AI world. So you need to have an AI ethics committee or a

[17:02] to have an AI ethics committee or a group and also what is the approval

[17:06] group and also what is the approval processes for AI projects. What should

[17:08] processes for AI projects. What should be the transparency guidelines for

[17:10] be the transparency guidelines for customerf facing apps like are you going

[17:12] customerf facing apps like are you going to use customer data? Are you going to

[17:16] to use customer data? Are you going to share the IP with your clients first and

[17:18] share the IP with your clients first and foremost? Are they aware that you're

[17:19] foremost? Are they aware that you're going to use their data or are you going

[17:21] going to use their data or are you going to share their data with people like

[17:23] to share their data with people like OpenAI or Google? So you have to be

[17:26] OpenAI or Google? So you have to be upfront clear. So if you for example if

[17:27] upfront clear. So if you for example if you go to our terms of service or the

[17:30] you go to our terms of service or the privacy policy of wise device or

[17:32] privacy policy of wise device or smartmmy.ai you would see that we have

[17:35] smartmmy.ai you would see that we have put in a lot of literature in terms of

[17:37] put in a lot of literature in terms of how we look at our own data data which

[17:40] how we look at our own data data which is generated by our clients and what we

[17:42] is generated by our clients and what we do with client data that we sort of

[17:44] do with client data that we sort of interact with. It could be as simple as

[17:46] interact with. It could be as simple as a client name or a client email ID or it

[17:48] a client name or a client email ID or it could be a very important one such as

[17:51] could be a very important one such as their leads that we manage through CRM.

[17:54] their leads that we manage through CRM. So as you can see in a span of let's say

[17:58] So as you can see in a span of let's say 10 minutes or so I have done a complete

[18:01] 10 minutes or so I have done a complete consulting exercise

[18:03] consulting exercise for a client

[18:05] for a client and this is something that uh probably

[18:08] and this is something that uh probably is worth $50,000 to $100,000 and which

[18:12] is worth $50,000 to $100,000 and which we are now giving free of cost to

[18:14] we are now giving free of cost to anybody so that they can understand as

[18:16] anybody so that they can understand as to how exactly they can get started off

[18:18] to how exactly they can get started off with right so I have covered two steps

[18:21] with right so I have covered two steps here till now one

[18:23] here till now one What is the first one I'm

[18:26] What is the first one I'm objectives getting your strategy in

[18:28] objectives getting your strategy in place

[18:31] the OKRs right and the second is getting your

[18:35] right and the second is getting your assessment itself done and that is

[18:37] assessment itself done and that is important

[18:39] important for you uh and I say you I'm talking

[18:42] for you uh and I say you I'm talking about a small business owner or a senior

[18:44] about a small business owner or a senior executive to be on the right path as far

[18:47] executive to be on the right path as far as AI is concerned where the world is

[18:50] as AI is concerned where the world is heading towards and also ensure that you

[18:53] heading towards and also ensure that you lead a normal life, right? I I find many

[18:55] lead a normal life, right? I I find many business owners and executives really

[18:57] business owners and executives really losing the peace of mind. What what is

[18:59] losing the peace of mind. What what is this AI? Why should I get into AI or you

[19:02] this AI? Why should I get into AI or you know being sarcastic about it or cynical

[19:04] know being sarcastic about it or cynical about it or whatever, right? But I

[19:07] about it or whatever, right? But I really take the different approach in

[19:09] really take the different approach in terms of uh that this is a completely

[19:12] terms of uh that this is a completely new way of we going to do things

[19:15] new way of we going to do things probably is a very good opportunity for

[19:16] probably is a very good opportunity for people to re-evaluate the existence of

[19:19] people to re-evaluate the existence of their businesses. is it in line with

[19:22] their businesses. is it in line with their life's philosophy and objectives

[19:25] their life's philosophy and objectives and then you could really pivot out or

[19:28] and then you could really pivot out or maybe strengthen the direction in which

[19:30] maybe strengthen the direction in which you are going. So I would say that uh we

[19:35] you are going. So I would say that uh we have thought really about all of this

[19:38] have thought really about all of this and that's why we built these tools and

[19:39] and that's why we built these tools and we're giving it free of cost to people

[19:41] we're giving it free of cost to people who are is like wanting to start off

[19:43] who are is like wanting to start off with their assessment or whatever so

[19:45] with their assessment or whatever so that you really don't have to spend a

[19:46] that you really don't have to spend a lot of money to even get started and

[19:49] lot of money to even get started and probably that's also something in the

[19:51] probably that's also something in the minds of many business owners as to am I

[19:54] minds of many business owners as to am I first supposed to spend $5,000 am I

[19:56] first supposed to spend $5,000 am I supposed to spend $40,000 you really

[19:58] supposed to spend $40,000 you really don't have to do this just follow these

[20:00] don't have to do this just follow these two steps which you can just use

[20:02] two steps which you can just use Microsoft word or even pen and paper to

[20:04] Microsoft word or even pen and paper to get your objectives right, your key

[20:06] get your objectives right, your key results right and then use the tools

[20:08] results right and then use the tools which is given in smartmy

[20:10] which is given in smartmy agents.msmartmy.ai

[20:11] agents.msmartmy.ai and you you should be well on your

[20:13] and you you should be well on your journey. So I'll just take a break. You

[20:14] journey. So I'll just take a break. You can ask me any questions you have.

[20:17] can ask me any questions you have. Fantastic. Thank you so much Andrew and

[20:18] Fantastic. Thank you so much Andrew and you have shared a whole lot of knowledge

[20:20] you have shared a whole lot of knowledge in terms of the approach that uh small

[20:23] in terms of the approach that uh small business owners should take. Um and this

[20:26] business owners should take. Um and this tool is fantastic. So we'll put a link

[20:28] tool is fantastic. So we'll put a link of this in our uh description as well

[20:30] of this in our uh description as well for those who want to try it for free.

[20:32] for those who want to try it for free. Uh and you're evaluating AI. Fantastic

[20:36] Uh and you're evaluating AI. Fantastic tool. Thank you so much for sharing. And

[20:38] tool. Thank you so much for sharing. And of course I have uh one another question

[20:41] of course I have uh one another question that's coming in my mind is Chandra for

[20:44] that's coming in my mind is Chandra for you as a founder. You're a very

[20:45] you as a founder. You're a very technical person right you have a

[20:47] technical person right you have a background in computer science and you

[20:49] background in computer science and you have been working um in this o AI domain

[20:53] have been working um in this o AI domain for quite some time now many years now.

[20:55] for quite some time now many years now. So uh what about uh business owners who

[20:58] So uh what about uh business owners who do not have a technical background and

[21:00] do not have a technical background and they really are new to AI um what should

[21:03] they really are new to AI um what should be their mindset to get started?

[21:11] Um just as I mentioned in the previous um conversation that um it's a very very

[21:15] um conversation that um it's a very very good time to evaluate your business's

[21:19] good time to evaluate your business's existence your own philosophy. It's got

[21:23] existence your own philosophy. It's got nothing to do with any background as a

[21:25] nothing to do with any background as a computer science person or a technical

[21:26] computer science person or a technical person. Um the way the world is evolving

[21:30] person. Um the way the world is evolving fast is that u you're going to see more

[21:34] fast is that u you're going to see more of this automation and uh less of manual

[21:40] of this automation and uh less of manual inputs and less of u repetitive and

[21:44] inputs and less of u repetitive and monotonous tasks as we go forward. uh

[21:47] monotonous tasks as we go forward. uh probably as I said in u rest of 2025 as

[21:51] probably as I said in u rest of 2025 as we are having this podcast you may not

[21:53] we are having this podcast you may not see that with a single prompt or with a

[21:55] see that with a single prompt or with a single instruction AI can do everything

[21:57] single instruction AI can do everything or so but I'm pretty much sure by next

[21:59] or so but I'm pretty much sure by next year it should come into place so the uh

[22:04] year it should come into place so the uh main thing that uh every uh small

[22:07] main thing that uh every uh small business owner should have in mind is

[22:09] business owner should have in mind is this you be clear about why your

[22:12] this you be clear about why your business exists you be clear why you're

[22:14] business exists you be clear why you're running that business and

[22:17] running that business and just keep triing with AI maybe uh you

[22:22] just keep triing with AI maybe uh you know I would always say that uh you know

[22:25] know I would always say that uh you know if it is possible for you spend at least

[22:28] if it is possible for you spend at least let's say 10% of your time 10% of your

[22:33] let's say 10% of your time 10% of your money on AI related initiatives it could

[22:36] money on AI related initiatives it could be training it could be getting a

[22:38] be training it could be getting a certification it could be buying some

[22:39] certification it could be buying some licenses for some of these tools and

[22:41] licenses for some of these tools and maybe buying even a new MacBook Pro or

[22:43] maybe buying even a new MacBook Pro or something like that so that you can

[22:45] something like that so that you can start

[22:47] start playing around with these AI tools,

[22:48] playing around with these AI tools, right?

[22:50] right? Don't get carried away too much by

[22:51] Don't get carried away too much by somebody giving a certificate saying

[22:53] somebody giving a certificate saying that I will teach you AI and uh you know

[22:55] that I will teach you AI and uh you know uh you have to learn Python programming

[22:57] uh you have to learn Python programming and all of this. See, any amount of

[22:58] and all of this. See, any amount of knowledge is always good.

[23:01] knowledge is always good. But as a business owner, I will always

[23:03] But as a business owner, I will always say that we don't have the luxury of

[23:05] say that we don't have the luxury of time in the world.

[23:07] time in the world. I'm always prioritizing 24 by7. As a

[23:10] I'm always prioritizing 24 by7. As a small business owner, I'm always

[23:11] small business owner, I'm always prioritizing. My mind is always on my

[23:14] prioritizing. My mind is always on my balance sheet. My mind is always on my

[23:16] balance sheet. My mind is always on my customers. My mind is always on

[23:18] customers. My mind is always on operations and my employees, right? I

[23:21] operations and my employees, right? I don't have time to think of other things

[23:24] don't have time to think of other things or whatever, right? So the objective

[23:28] or whatever, right? So the objective would be to say that first come to a

[23:31] would be to say that first come to a firm conviction that AI is going to be

[23:33] firm conviction that AI is going to be the future. Be it any industry, not just

[23:36] the future. Be it any industry, not just because I'm an AI, I'm trying to

[23:38] because I'm an AI, I'm trying to evangelize AI or whatever. Right? I'm

[23:39] evangelize AI or whatever. Right? I'm sure by now everybody realizes why AI is

[23:42] sure by now everybody realizes why AI is so important. The challenge is where is

[23:44] so important. The challenge is where is it going to be important and how do you

[23:47] it going to be important and how do you really approach it which is what we're

[23:48] really approach it which is what we're trying to address in this podcast and as

[23:51] trying to address in this podcast and as small steps

[23:53] small steps you have to definitely as I said if you

[23:55] you have to definitely as I said if you invest 10% of your time every month or

[23:57] invest 10% of your time every month or 10% of your money uh in a year and see

[24:00] 10% of your money uh in a year and see if you can uh gain some more knowledge

[24:02] if you can uh gain some more knowledge play around try to create some apps uh

[24:05] play around try to create some apps uh it could be any domain finance or

[24:06] it could be any domain finance or marketing or whatever I'm sure you will

[24:09] marketing or whatever I'm sure you will start appreciating

[24:11] start appreciating it will open up the sort of constraints

[24:15] it will open up the sort of constraints in your mind. It'll

[24:17] in your mind. It'll throw new challenges. It'll get rid of

[24:19] throw new challenges. It'll get rid of new challenges. Sorry, the old

[24:21] new challenges. Sorry, the old challenges and you will be in a much

[24:23] challenges and you will be in a much better position compared to let's say a

[24:25] better position compared to let's say a month back.

[24:27] month back. uh we always have this uh famous uh

[24:30] uh we always have this uh famous uh thing which we uh say right I mean uh

[24:32] thing which we uh say right I mean uh let me see if I have that picture or

[24:40] uh we always use it in our uh

[24:44] we always use it in our uh uh

[24:46] uh consulting assignments

[24:49] consulting assignments is a transformation of a butterfly. So

[24:52] is a transformation of a butterfly. So it goes through many stages from an egg

[24:55] it goes through many stages from an egg to a larvae to a pupa to an adult

[24:56] to a larvae to a pupa to an adult butterfly.

[24:59] butterfly. Now the question you have to ask is does

[25:02] Now the question you have to ask is does the butterfly

[25:04] the butterfly know that it actually originated as a

[25:06] know that it actually originated as a larva and become a pupa? The answer is

[25:07] larva and become a pupa? The answer is no. Will the egg or the larva know that

[25:10] no. Will the egg or the larva know that it will finally it will become a

[25:11] it will finally it will become a butterfly? The answer is no. But it's

[25:13] butterfly? The answer is no. But it's through a process. Can we do do away

[25:16] through a process. Can we do do away with one or two stages uh and still fast

[25:18] with one or two stages uh and still fast forward the process of making a

[25:20] forward the process of making a butterfly? The answer is again no.

[25:22] butterfly? The answer is again no. Right? So it is always an evolutionary

[25:26] Right? So it is always an evolutionary thing. It's never a revolutionary thing.

[25:28] thing. It's never a revolutionary thing. Right? Though people call it AI as an

[25:30] Right? Though people call it AI as an industrial revolution, but in the

[25:31] industrial revolution, but in the business world, you think revolutions

[25:33] business world, you think revolutions will never succeed. Right? What is more

[25:35] will never succeed. Right? What is more important is for you to go through the

[25:37] important is for you to go through the transformation and it has to happen one

[25:40] transformation and it has to happen one day at a time.

[25:42] day at a time. If you think there is a magical

[25:43] If you think there is a magical consulting exercise and a magical

[25:45] consulting exercise and a magical software and sort of I can invest in u

[25:48] software and sort of I can invest in u you know some uh projects and I'm going

[25:51] you know some uh projects and I'm going to be transformed. The challenge is and

[25:54] to be transformed. The challenge is and people should appreciate is in 2025

[25:56] people should appreciate is in 2025 nobody knows how AI is going to change

[25:58] nobody knows how AI is going to change the world. Neither me nor any uh great

[26:01] the world. Neither me nor any uh great you know AI genius out over there who

[26:03] you know AI genius out over there who are leading the whole and they

[26:05] are leading the whole and they themselves are not in consensus. So they

[26:07] themselves are not in consensus. So they themselves are like probably fighting

[26:09] themselves are like probably fighting out debating with each other on social

[26:11] out debating with each other on social media forums. So I think having the

[26:13] media forums. So I think having the analogy of this butterflies uh life life

[26:16] analogy of this butterflies uh life life cycle stages is a very good one for

[26:18] cycle stages is a very good one for people to understand that you have to be

[26:20] people to understand that you have to be through the process

[26:23] through the process and you will land up as being a

[26:26] and you will land up as being a butterfly on the other side of thing

[26:27] butterfly on the other side of thing because anyway is changing everything.

[26:29] because anyway is changing everything. If you stop if you don't want to be part

[26:31] If you stop if you don't want to be part of the process uh well there's no

[26:34] of the process uh well there's no butterfly right at the end of the

[26:35] butterfly right at the end of the process.

[26:37] process. So it's it's a very simple way that a

[26:39] So it's it's a very simple way that a small business owner should uh really

[26:41] small business owner should uh really look at um and it's got nothing to do

[26:44] look at um and it's got nothing to do again as I said with somebody's

[26:45] again as I said with somebody's technical capabilities. Should you learn

[26:47] technical capabilities. Should you learn something? You have the luxury of

[26:49] something? You have the luxury of learning something. Uh should I become

[26:52] learning something. Uh should I become technically more competent? The answer

[26:53] technically more competent? The answer to all of that is yes.

[26:56] to all of that is yes. But is that critical? Without that I

[26:59] But is that critical? Without that I won't be able to survive in the AI

[27:00] won't be able to survive in the AI world. The answer is no.

[27:03] world. The answer is no. anybody can do right so get your

[27:07] anybody can do right so get your fundamentals in place get your as I said

[27:10] fundamentals in place get your as I said OKRs in place and be clear about the

[27:13] OKRs in place and be clear about the transformation you are in good shape as

[27:14] transformation you are in good shape as you go forward right it's not going to

[27:16] you go forward right it's not going to be easy though that much is for sure I'm

[27:19] be easy though that much is for sure I'm going through that and I do it on a

[27:20] going through that and I do it on a daily basis and I'm telling you it is

[27:23] daily basis and I'm telling you it is but it's it's is high adrenaline you

[27:26] but it's it's is high adrenaline you just get charged up you want to do a lot

[27:28] just get charged up you want to do a lot of stuff you can look at different sort

[27:31] of stuff you can look at different sort of business models emerging

[27:32] of business models emerging And if you're a fan of business models

[27:34] And if you're a fan of business models and being coming from a B school like

[27:36] and being coming from a B school like me, then obviously you want to know

[27:38] me, then obviously you want to know more, you want to try more. So that's

[27:42] more, you want to try more. So that's probably the way that you have to really

[27:44] probably the way that you have to really look at all of this,

[27:46] look at all of this, right? Thank you so much, Andrew. You

[27:48] right? Thank you so much, Andrew. You shared a lot of insights coming in from

[27:50] shared a lot of insights coming in from your own experience over the years and

[27:52] your own experience over the years and I'm sure all the listeners here would

[27:55] I'm sure all the listeners here would find this very very useful. So having

[27:59] find this very very useful. So having said that AI is uh something which is

[28:01] said that AI is uh something which is very new and I'm just uh uh for

[28:05] very new and I'm just uh uh for recapping the whole thing. So AI is

[28:07] recapping the whole thing. So AI is something which is very much part of our

[28:09] something which is very much part of our lives and as business owners it's better

[28:12] lives and as business owners it's better to get started to get started but don't

[28:15] to get started to get started but don't get overwhelmed but take it one step at

[28:17] get overwhelmed but take it one step at a time but the point is you need to get

[28:19] a time but the point is you need to get started right so um we'll come back

[28:22] started right so um we'll come back again in the next episode with uh

[28:24] again in the next episode with uh another interesting topic and I do

[28:26] another interesting topic and I do suggest uh to the learners if you would

[28:28] suggest uh to the learners if you would like any specific topic to be covered in

[28:31] like any specific topic to be covered in our podcast do leave us a message uh in

[28:34] our podcast do leave us a message uh in the comment section and we look into

[28:36] the comment section and we look into that and having said that thank you so

[28:37] that and having said that thank you so much Andrew once again for the wealth of

[28:40] much Andrew once again for the wealth of information and knowledge you're sharing

[28:41] information and knowledge you're sharing with us. Thank you so much.

[28:43] with us. Thank you so much. Thank you. We'll well summarize. We'll

[28:45] Thank you. We'll well summarize. We'll catch up later. Thanks. Bye.