AI is increasingly being deployed by SMEs looking to work more efficiently, reduce costs and serve their customers better. Yet the threshold remains high for many companies. Where exactly do you start, which tools do you choose and how do you involve your team?
In this blog, you will read how to get started with AI in your business in a feasible way. We show you an approach that works for any type of SME, without large investment or technical barriers.
1. Identify where you can make the most profit
Before getting started with AI, it is important to know where it can really make a difference. Ask yourself and your team these questions:
- Which tasks take up the most time today?
- Where do most errors happen due to manual work?
- Which processes are slow or error-prone?
Typical pain points in SMEs:
- Administration: manually processing invoices, preparing quotations
- Marketing: writing social media posts and newsletters yourself
- E-mail management: answering the same customer questions over and over again
- Data analysis: difficulties in extracting insights from CRM or Excel
2. Start small with a low-threshold AI tool
EYou don’t have to automate your entire business right away. Start with one concrete problem and test how AI solves it. At Ittes, we recommend starting with one of these tools from our own AI platform IttesAI:
- Postmaster: automates your entire social media planning.
- NoteAssist: automatically converts meetings into clear summaries.
- Chat AI: helps you quickly generate emails, blog texts or customer replies.
- PDF AI: extracts information from invoices, contracts or reports in seconds
These tools are easy to use and tailored to the needs of Flemish SMEs.
3. Ensure smooth integration into your existing operation
AI works best when it correlates well with the tools you already use today. That’s why we provide smart links with:
- CRM systems such as Salesforce or Monday.com
- Microsoft Teams and SharePoint
- Document management and e-mail platforms
- Social media and marketing tools
This will make your processes work more efficiently, without changing the way you work altogether.
4. Take advantage of subsidies through the SME portfolio
Did you know that you can get up to 30% subsidy for AI courses? Ittes is an approved service provider for consultancy (DV.A249697) and training (DV.O249696) within AI, digitisation and cybersecurity.
You can apply for support for: Customised AI advice, implementation of AI tools, and practical training for you and your team.
We guide you step by step, including the administrative application.
5. Involve your team and provide training
AI is only valuable when your team gets to work with it. That is why we offer short and targeted training courses for each tool within IttesAI. This way, your team feels engaged and trust in the technology grows.
What can you expect from our training sessions?
- Practical workshops tailored to your sector
- No technical entry barriers
- Focus on concrete applications and results
Training is available on site or digitally and is fully subsidisable through the SME portfolio.
6. Evaluate and expand incrementally
After a few weeks, you will often see initial results. Together with your team, evaluate what works well and where there are areas for improvement. Some good KPIs to follow up on:
- How much time is saved
- Whether fewer errors happen in processes
- Whether customer satisfaction has increased
Does the first application work well? Then you can extend AI to other processes, such as HR, sales or finance.
AI doesn’t have to be a complicated or expensive project. By starting with a concrete problem, choosing the right tools and including your team in the story, you will soon take the first steps towards a more efficient operation. Want to discover how AI can concretely help your business? Get in touch with our experts today.
