EP220 Kickstarting your AI Journey: First Steps for AI-Newbie Entrepreneurs
Release Date: 08/07/2024
EP248 AI for Sales Enablement at Founder Scale (without sounding robotic)
AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs
Founder-led teams can use AI to run effective, specific outreach - without sounding robotic. In this episode of ‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs’, I share a five-part “non-cringe” follow-up, a reusable variable-block system, tone/quality checks, a 5-step SOP you can paste into your AI tool, and a 48-hour challenge to make it real. Inside the episode: The 5-line follow-up that doesn’t make you cringe (context → value → ask → next step → grace). A variable-block library (Persona, Pain, Proof, Offer, CTA) so AI can personalize at speed. Three 60-second QC checks to keep tone...
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EP247 Data, Docs, and your AI Knowledge Base - the 4-Folder System that Makes AI Work
AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs
“AI can’t use what you haven’t organized.” In this solo teaching episode, host Susan Diaz lays out a lightweight, repeatable structure for an internal knowledge base that actually powers your AI - so custom GPTs, Gems, or projects stop guessing and start producing on-brand, accurate work. You’ll learn the difference between rules (how your AI behaves) and knowledge (what it must know), how to build a four-folder knowledge base, ways to keep it fresh, what not to include for privacy/safety, and a 48-hour challenge to prove it on a real workflow. What you’ll learn Rules vs...
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EP246 From AI Literacy To Implementation That Ships (Introducing Northlight)
AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs
Episode summary Three different leaders told me the same thing last quarter: “We tried AI. It felt cool. It didn’t change any results.” Northlight exists to fix that gap. In this episode I introduce Northlight - my AI literacy + implementation firm for teams that are done dabbling and ready for workflow wins they can measure. We turn AI from a novelty into a compounding asset using SOPs, custom GPTs/agents, and responsible guardrails. You’ll also hear a simple 48-hour challenge to prove the value on one real workflow, plus a founder-friendly launch offer for a rapid diagnostic. What...
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EP 245 AI Meets DEI - Building Inclusive Workplaces in the Age of Automation with Gabby Zuniga
AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs
How do diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals evolve in a world being rapidly reshaped by AI? In this episode, I sit down with , founder of InclusiveKind, where she helps organizations across nonprofit and corporate sectors do DEI right through assessments, strategy, training, and policy review. We dig into: The ebb and flow of organizational commitment to DEI since 2020 - and why some companies stick with it while others quietly pull back. Why DEI is not just about race or ethnicity but also about learning styles, generational diversity, and workplace equity at every level. How AI is...
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EP244 Getting Found on AI (and Why SEO Foundations Still Matter) with Andrew Jenkins
AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs
AI search is here. People are using ChatGPT and other tools to discover businesses - but my guest today on the podcast, shows why the foundations of SEO still matter. Andrew is CEO of Volterra Digital, a top-ranked social media agency, and a long-time member of my Marketing Power Circle (MPC). We dive into: Why getting found on AI isn’t a “flip the switch” formula The role of reviews, backlinks, and industry recognition in AI search rankings How Andrew used Clutch.co to build a discoverability flywheel How custom GPTs and vibe coding are transforming small agency workflows The...
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EP243 Canva, AI, and the Future of Design for Non-Designers with Emily Baillie
AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs
In this episode of AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs, I sit down with Emily Baillie, founder of Compass Content Marketing and longtime digital marketing strategist turned AI literacy expert. Emily has been helping businesses navigate digital change for over 15 years. When ChatGPT first launched, she quickly saw the impact AI would have and started teaching AI and marketing workshops - which are now her most requested service. We dive into: Canva’s AI superpowers: from the one-click background remover to magic resize, magic write, and even language translation. Where to start if you’re new...
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EP242 Prototype > Perfection - Deborah Carraro on Learning AI by Doing
AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs
This episode dives into the evolving space where entrepreneurship, education, and AI collide. Host sits down with , an educator, AI leader, and founder of ideborah, to unpack how early-stage entrepreneurs can approach AI with creativity, experimentation, and values alignment. Deborah, who also leads AI efforts at Coralus (formerly SheEO), shares her insights from working with founders and students navigating new tech - often for the very first time. 💡 Key Themes Confidence over perfection: The first step to AI literacy is giving yourself permission to try Small experiments > Big...
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EP241 Winning Mindset in the Age of AI with Melissa Lloyd
AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs
In this episode, , founder of Aigility Hub, joins host to explore the mindset-first approach to adopting AI. We unpack why tools and tactics should follow clarity, confidence, and intentional leadership. This conversation is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and leaders feeling overwhelmed by tech shifts and wondering how to bring human-centred strategy to their AI journey. 💡 Key Themes: Mindset before tools: Why jumping into automation without alignment is a fast path to failure From fear to fluency: A leader’s journey from AI-skeptic to AI-evangelist Overwhelm is optional: Practical ways...
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EP240 Why your Custom GPT Won’t Work (and the 48-Hour Rescue Mission)
AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs
Ready to stop cursing at that under-performing GPT (that you lovingly built - only to watch it spit out meh)? In this short episode, host breaks down five foundations every custom GPT needs before it can truly earn a spot on your team, plus a 48-hour challenge to tune-up (or totally transform) the bot you already have. What’s inside 🧑💻 The mindset flip: treat your GPT like a junior hire, not a piece of software. ⚙️ SOPs > prompts: why bolting on a clear, bullet-proof workflow instantly levels up output quality. 📚 Rules vs. knowledge base: the single most common structural...
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EP 239 How 3 founders use AI to think 100x
AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs
In this week’s ‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs’ I tap three founders who turned very human skill-sets - strategy, street-level video, personal style - into AI-fuelled growth engines. What we cover Quiz funnels that work while you sleep Growth strategist dissects why most quizzes flop, then shows how she drafts curiosity-packed titles in ChatGPT and lets Interact’s new AI builder spin out all the logic branches in minutes. From one hour of phone clips to 40+ assets , founder of Shutterb, explains how she’d turn everyday “content-paparazzi” into content for days. She walks us...
info_outlineWelcome to Episode 220 of The 4am Report, a practical guide for entrepreneurs at the beginning of their AI journey. In this episode, I’ll give you the foundational steps necessary for assessing and integrating AI into your business operations. I’ll demystify the process and highlight actionable strategies that will have you moving in days and weeks, not months and years!
What you'll Learn:
⚡ Understanding AI and Its Potential Impacts on Small Businesses: We'll start with a basic introduction to AI, including its common forms such as machine learning and natural language processing, and discuss how it can enhance business operations, reduce costs, and improve decision-making.
🔎 Identifying AI Opportunities within Existing Business Processes: Learn how to conduct an audit of your current business processes to pinpoint where AI can be integrated, focusing on high-impact areas like customer service, sales, and marketing.
🔁 Simple AI Tools that Can Automate Routine Tasks: Discover user-friendly AI tools that can streamline operations, featuring general examples like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and specific tools for email management and CRM.
🧮 Statistics Highlight
According to McKinsey, 65% of organizations are now using generative AI, with a significant jump in adoption across various business functions.
Deloitte notes that organizations are transitioning from pilot programs to large-scale deployments, though the anticipated efficiency gains are still emerging.
🇨🇦 Canadian SMBs and AI
78% are looking to adopt AI, with 65% encouraging their employees to use AI tools.
The challenge remains in upskilling talent to utilize AI tools effectively.
🧠 ❤️ Why This Episode Matters
With AI adoption on the rise, understanding how to leverage this technology can set your business apart. This episode aims to build AI literacy and help entrepreneurs implement AI deeply and effectively, beyond superficial use.
🎒 Case Studies and Resources
For real-life examples of small businesses successfully implementing AI tools, revisit EP 218 - Beyond Blogging: 6 Use Cases for ChatGPT that Are Not Content Creation.
Also pop back to explore my detailed tool recommendations and integration strategies from EP 213 - 9 AI-Enabled Tools That Save You 2 Hours a Day.
📢🤫 Special Announcement coming up
Stay tuned for a significant rebranding in EP 222 after 5 years as ‘The 4am Report’. More details coming soon! Hit that subscribe button to stay in the know.