I think we’ve got this whole AI thing backwards.
Most people are waiting for a silver bullet, a single AI implementation support package that magically doubles their revenue while they sleep. Meanwhile, they're still spending four hours a week manually checking time zone alignment for meetings or staring at a blank screen trying to figure out why their website isn't converting.
The truth is, AI isn't a "set and forget" engine. It’s more like a very enthusiastic, slightly literal-minded intern who never sleeps. If you give them the right instructions on a Sunday night, your Monday morning becomes infinitely less painful.
If you’re worried about business execution speed, the answer isn’t more meetings. It’s better workflows.
How to use AI writing assistants effectively
We’ve all seen the generic, "As an AI language model..." drivel. It's the digital equivalent of beige wallpaper. But if you’re still writing your first drafts from scratch, you’re essentially choosing to use a manual typewriter in a world of word processors.
The trick to AI writing assistants isn't asking them to "write a blog post." It's asking them to "critique my logic."
Try this tomorrow: Paste your latest proposal into Claude or ChatGPT. Don't ask it to rewrite it. Ask it to find the three biggest holes in your argument. Ask it where you sound like you're trying too hard to sell.
This approach turns the AI from a ghostwriter into a ruthless editor. It’s much faster to fix a logic gap than it is to polish a boring sentence. If you want to dive deeper into how these models work, you can find more articles on AI that break down the technical side without the jargon.
Automating your beta testing strategy
Two separate clients mentioned frustrations with their beta testing strategy this week. They have a great product, but the feedback loop is slower than a snail on a tea break.
AI is remarkably good at synthesising messy data. Instead of reading through fifty different feedback forms, you can feed those responses into an LLM and ask for a thematic analysis.
- Identify the top 3 friction points.
- Categorise feedback by user persona.
- Draft the "we heard you" email response based on the actual data.
This moves you from "we're thinking about making a change" to "we're implementing the fix" in a matter of minutes. When execution speed is the goal, brevity and data-crunching are your best friends.
Solving time zone alignment and scheduling friction
I’m convinced that more time is lost to "does 3 PM your time work for me?" than to any other business activity. It is the ultimate productivity killer.
While tools like Calendly have existed for years, AI-driven scheduling tools are now taking it a step further. They don't just show when you're free; they understand how you work. They can protect your deep-work blocks and suggest times that don't leave you with a frantic ten-minute dash between calls.
If you’re managing teams across multiple continents, use a simple automation to sync your calendar with a GPT that handles the mental maths of time zone alignment for you. It sounds small, but removing that micro-friction adds up to hours over a month.
For those in the sales trenches, SalesM8 can help streamline these interactions so you spend less time on admin and more time actually talking to humans.
Website feedback and conversion optimisation
One of the most common "potholes" I see is business owners being too close to their own project. You know what your company does, so you assume your website makes it obvious. Usually, it doesn't.
You can use AI tools to act as a "first-time visitor."
Take a screenshot of your landing page. Upload it to a vision-enabled model. Ask it: "What does this company sell, and who is it for?" If the AI gets it wrong, a human visitor definitely will.
Use this feedback to tighten your copy. It’s a five-minute audit that can save you thousands in wasted ad spend. If you're feeling stuck on the implementation side, it might be worth the time to book a consultation to get an outside perspective on your setup.
Concrete steps for your upcoming week
You don't need a month-long strategy session to start being more productive with AI. You just need a few tactical wins to build momentum.
Here is a simple checklist for your Monday morning:
- Audit your "Deep Work" blocks: Use an AI tool to analyse your previous week's calendar and identify where you lost time to administrative clutter.
- The "One-Draft" Rule: Commit to using an AI assistant to outline every internal memo or report. Never start with a blinking cursor.
- The Screenshot Test: Run your most important sales page through an AI vision tool to see if the message is actually landing.
- Feedback Synthesis: Take all the client feedback you received last month and ask an AI to find the "hidden" complaint you haven't addressed yet.
Execution speed isn't about working harder; it's about removing the things that slow you down. AI is essentially a high-powered leaf blower for the "mental leaves" that clutter your desk.
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of what AI might do in five years. But the people who are actually winning are the ones using it today to shave ten minutes off a task they have to do every single afternoon.
Start small, stay curious, and maybe don't trust the AI to write your anniversary card just yet. Some things still require a human touch.
Every Sunday I share practical AI tips to make your week easier at steventann.com. Come say hello.
About the Author
Steven Tann is an AI consultant, author of "You're Selling AI Wrong", and founder of SalesM8. He writes about AI, sales, and running a business from a narrowboat on the English canals. Connect with him at steventann.com.
