How to convert AI cynics ↪️

Hi Non-Techies,

AI For Non-Techies doesn’t have a bingo card*, but if it did, three problems would need to be on it:

1) “We’ve invested in a tool, but nobody uses it.”

2) “We want AI training, but we have so many different types of people.”

3) “I don’t know where to start!”

You’re almost definitely busy, so today I’m going to talk you through how I solve each of these issues in a 2-minute read.

*(Other bingo items would include ‘Blockers’, ‘Matrix’ and ‘My dog’.)

Today's menu:

• Last chance to join the waiting list

• Problem 1) “We’ve invested in a tool, but nobody u …

• Problem 2) “We want AI training, but we have so ma …

• Problem 3) “I don’t know where to start!”

Last chance to join the waiting list

Blimey, my CPD-certified 'Become an AI Trainer’ course launches next week.

The first thing on my to-do list? Send an email to the waiting list with a huge discount, plus tons of other perks (like free resources and maybe an exclusive event).

AI is booming. This 12-week course will qualify you to help others get the best out of it. Just click the button below and fill out the form (it takes about 8 seconds) ⬇️

Problem 1) “We’ve invested in a tool, but nobody uses it.”

Tale as old as time, this. Well, not quite as old as time, but you know, it’s a modern classic.

You’ve just invested a hefty amount in a tool like Microsoft Copilot (it’s usually Copilot), and - despite your best efforts - it gets totally ignored by your team.

Here’s the thing: Your fancy new AI tool isn’t being boycotted because of some ideological stance. More likely, it’s because your team don’t realise what it can do to make their lives easier.

Heather’s tip: Find real-world examples of how AI can make life easier for your team. If you could magically free up an hour for them each day, they’d probably snap your hand off. That’s what you can give them with AI.

Extra resource: I speak about this in more depth on Affiverse’s Affiliate Marketing Podcast. You can listen here if you fancy it.

Problem 2) “We want AI training, but we have so many different types of people.”

AI is digital mustard. Some love it, some hate it. Every team will be comprised of cynics and enthusiasts, whilst some might feel overwhelmed, resistant or outright fearful of using AI in the workplace.

My training team and I have run enough workshops to understand how to get through to each of these types, and if I had to summarise it, I’d use the word ‘transparency’.

Being transparent means acknowledging AI’s limitations as well as its possibilities. I want to be enthusiastic about how powerful AI can be, but honest about where it falls short. AI is here to augment existing talent, not replace it.

Heather’s tip: Whether your team is mostly resistant or enthusiastic, involving them in your AI-related decision-making is a great way to lay the foundations for impactful use of AI in your workplace.

Extra resource: I did a LinkedIn post last week about what a workshop looks like. It goes into more depth about getting everyone involved and invested.

Problem 3) “I don’t know where to start!”

It’s totally fair. AI and overwhelm go together like cheese and chutney.

The solution? Pick one AI notetaker and one LLM (like ChatGPT or Claude). I’ll do a newsletter soon about the best AI notetakers, but when you’re a beginner, it doesn’t really matter which one you pick. The important thing is just having one.

Heather’s tip: It’s amazing what you can do with an AI notetaker and an LLM. Upload a meeting transcript and try a prompt like, “You’re a subject matter expert and consultant. Take the key problems explored in this meeting and create a two-page strategy document that solves them.”

Extra resource: My previous newsletter, ‘Battle of a Billion AI Chatbots’, is a handy resource for learning more about which LLM will suit your needs.

Right then. As I mentioned, it’s T-minus 5 days until the launch of the Become an AI Trainer course, so I’m off to have a word with Calming Cassandra (if you know, you know).

If you have a moment, please let me know whether you liked today’s shorter email:

See you next week,

Heather