A Founder's Guide to AI: A 30-Minute Starting Plan

Most small business owners know they should "do something with AI".

They just don't know where to start.

Here's a simple, practical, 30-minute plan you can follow to get your first meaningful win — without spending money, without hiring anyone, and without changing your tools.

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Step 1: Identify one repetitive task (5 minutes)

Pick something you or your team do every day or every week:

• Answering similar enquiries
• Writing emails
• Updating spreadsheets
• Filing documents
• Checking orders
• Posting on social media

Choose the one that feels most annoying.

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Step 2: Write a simple "ideal world" version (5 minutes)

In plain English, describe how you wish this task worked.

Examples:

• "When a new enquiry arrives, sort it and draft a reply for me."
• "Summarise my Zoom calls for me and list the action items."
• "Create a weekly social post in our style automatically."

You don't need detail — just the outcome.

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Step 3: Try an AI-assisted version (10 minutes)

Use an AI tool to test one part of that workflow.

Examples:

• Copy/paste an enquiry into an AI model and ask it to sort, summarise, or draft a reply.
• Paste a CV and ask it to extract key skills.
• Paste a long email thread and ask for a summary.
• Ask it to create three social posts based on your brand style.

This step shows you what's possible.

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Step 4: Make it safer and more reliable (5 minutes)

To avoid mistakes:

• Keep humans in the loop
• Approve before sending anything
• Have AI suggest actions, not take actions automatically
• Add clear rules (tone, style, boundaries)

You're building confidence — not racing to full automation.

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Step 5: Decide whether it's worth automating fully (5 minutes)

Ask just two questions:

1. Does this save me or my team at least an hour a week?
2. Is this predictable and repeatable?

If yes → it's a great candidate for automation.

If not → pick another task.

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You don't need a big strategy — you need a small win

AI becomes easier when you stop thinking about "AI projects" and start thinking about tiny improvements.

You only need one small, meaningful win to unlock momentum.

If you want help choosing your first win, try the AI Readiness Check or book a free consultation.