Harnessing AI for Business Growth
North Mondays Series: Episode 103
Momentum After Milestones
From celebrating the 100th episode of North Monday Episodes to celebrating my birthday in Episode 102, these past few episodes have been full of joy and it warms my heart. I’m grateful for this community. For all the engagement, likes, shares, DMs and even silent reads. We’re building a community of ambitious minds hungry for business growth and I’m here for it.
Today, we’re digging into one of the most powerful shifts happening in the business world: Artificial Intelligence.
AI isn’t just a trend, it’s a full-blown revolution that has moved in and changed the rules of business, innovation, and customer interaction. Whether you’re a one-man startup or a large enterprise, AI changing how we create, sell, communicate, and compete. But like every powerful tool, it comes with its own challenges and learning curves.
Keep reading to find out!
AI Is Here. Are You Ready?
This episode brings back memories of one the most controversial North Monday Article yet and while we all have our various opinions, I think AI is here to stay and the sooner we understand this and integrate it, the better for everyone involved.
Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally reshaping how businesses operate. From automating repetitive tasks to providing deep insights through data analysis, AI is driving productivity, boosting efficiency, and unlocking new competitive advantages.
It’s already being used in everything from customer service chatbots to predictive analytics in sales, and even in crafting personalized marketing content.
But like every gift, it comes wrapped in layers—questions, fears, decision paralysis etc.
So how do we unwrap it without getting overwhelmed?
How do we use it correctly?
Let’s start there.
Challenge #1: Choosing the Right AI Tools
AI tools are like fancy kitchen gadgets in an African home—everyone’s excited to have it but most are gathering dust.You buy it. Fuss around with it, make a thing or two.
Then… crickets.
Why? Because we’re chasing the shiniest thing, not the right thing. The real challenge isn’t whether AI works. It’s figuring out which tool is right for your business goals and how to align them with your existing operations.
So before diving into yet another free trial, pause. Ask yourself:
- What’s really slowing me down?
- Where am I or missing opportunities?
- Is it customer response time?
- Do I struggle with content creation?
- Is there Data I don’t understand?
- Am I losing leads simply because I forgot to follow up?
Once you know your pain point, look for an AI tool that solves one specific problem. For example:
- ChatGPT or Jasper can help with content and copywriting.
- Zapier’s AI integrations can automate workflow between apps.
- HubSpot’s AI tools can enhance CRM and customer engagement.
- Tableau and Power BI use AI-driven analytics for business intelligence.
- Descript can streamline podcast editing and video production with AI.
Don’t just choose a tool, choose a solution that drives clear value and for the love of all things workflow, let it integrate with your existing systems and also be within your budget.
Integration Over Isolation
Another key challenge? Buying tools that don’t talk to each other. AI works best when it becomes an integrated part of your workflow—not an extra step. Businesses often make the mistake of treating AI like a new gym membership—full of hope and short on follow through (Yes, now is a good time to follow through with your new year resolutions or simply accept defeat). AI should become a seamless part of your operations.
Before committing, ask:
- Can this tool integrate with our current systems?
- Will my team adopt it easily?
- Does it actually simplify our work or create more complexity?
- Can it scale with us as we grow?
The best AI tools reduce friction, not add to it. The key is usability and strategic alignment.
The Trend: Democratization of AI
Once upon a time, AI was reserved for tech giants with deep pockets and massive data sets. Today, thanks to platforms like OpenAI, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and countless startups, AI is being democratized—made accessible to everyone, regardless of budget or technical know-how.
One of the biggest enablers of this trend is the rise of no-code/low-code platforms. These tools let non-engineers build smart applications without writing a single line of code. They drastically lower the barrier to entry, making AI implementation a possibility for business owners who aren’t tech-savvy.
It’s no longer about who has the most money. It’s about who’s paying attention.
Think about tools like:
- Zapier AI – for automating workflows.
- Notion AI – for content drafting and summarization.
- Tidio AI – for customer service chatbots.
- Lumen5 – for turning blog posts into video content.
- Runway ML – for video and image editing for stunning visuals.
This democratization means that a small business owner in Lagos or Nairobi can harness the same AI firepower as a Silicon Valley startup—if they know how to use it strategically.
Leveling the Playing Field
Small businesses are now using AI to punch above their weight—analyzing customer data like big firms, generating content like media agencies, and scaling support like enterprise call centers.
For instance, a local e-commerce brand can use AI to:
- Personalize product recommendations based on customer behavior.
- Automatically respond to customer inquiries 24/7.
- Analyze shopping data to fine-tune pricing or product placement.
- Predict future buying patterns and stock inventory accordingly.
- Translate product pages for global customers using multilingual AI models.
The game has changed. It’s not about size; it’s about smart execution.
Making AI Work for Your Business
So, how do you start bringing AI into your business without getting overwhelmed?
Start With Strategy
- Audit your processes – Identify repetitive, time-consuming tasks that can be automated or improved with AI.
- Educate your team – AI is only powerful if your people know how to use it. Provide simple onboarding and training.
- Start small – Pick one use case and run a pilot. This could be AI for customer support, generating social media posts, or writing product descriptions.
- Measure impact – Track time saved, sales generated, or costs reduced. Metrics help validate whether you’re moving in the right direction.
- Scale wisely – Once you see results, expand use cases and invest in smarter integrations that work across departments.
AI adoption should be intentional not rushed.
Focus on Outcomes, Not Hype
It’s easy to get swept up in the latest AI tools and headlines, but real business growth comes from consistent value delivery. Let AI do the heavy lifting so your team can focus on high-level thinking, creativity, and relationship-building.
Remember: You don’t need to be a tech expert to benefit from AI—you just need curiosity, clarity, and courage.
Final Thought: Smart Businesses Build Smart Systems
AI is not here to replace you; it’s here to empower you. Businesses that will thrive in the next decade are not those with the biggest marketing budgets or the flashiest offices but those who build smarter systems using tools like AI.
This is your moment to innovate. The future of business belongs to those who embrace new technologies early, adapt fast, and stay relentlessly focused on delivering value to their customers.
The next industrial revolution is digital and AI is the engine. Are you going to watch it pass by, or will you get in the driver’s seat?
Today’s Question
Are you already using AI in your business?
What’s working? What’s confusing?
Let’s turn this into a conversation.
Drop your wins, tools, and questions in the comments. I’d love to learn from you too.
Here’s to smarter systems, braver business, and building with heart. See you next Monday.
Recent Comments