Todays guest blog comes from Judit Szekeres, certified Chief AI Officer, and the founder of Brighton-based AI consultancy swell, and one of our Connected100 Business Club members.
When it comes to AI, there's a lot of talk about cutting-edge technology and revolutionary change, new tools. But for most business owners, especially those running small and medium-sized companies, what matters are practical solutions that make a real difference today. It's not about implementing complex systems or transforming your business overnight - it's about finding simple, effective ways to make your team's work easier and more productive through AI.
The Reality on the Ground
Talk to any small business owner about AI, and you'll hear the same practical concerns coming up in team meetings:
Where do we start?
How do we choose the right solutions?
What about costs and ROI?
How do we integrate new tools without disrupting our current work?
These aren't just isolated worries. A recent "Voices of Business" survey by Brighton-based agency BOZBOZ reveals this divide clearly: while 65% of businesses see AI as an opportunity to improve efficiency, many are still hesitant about implementation, with 30% remaining undecided about its impact on their business. This gap between recognizing AI's potential and knowing how to implement it effectively represents both a challenge and an opportunity for our business community.
Opportunities at Every Level
These business challenges haven't gone unnoticed. In January 2025, the UK government published its AI Opportunities Action Plan, highlighting how proper AI adoption could add £400 billion to our economy by 2030. Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, (and local MP for Hove) has put supporting SME’s at the heart of this initiative.
Starting Small, Thinking Big
Success with AI doesn't mean completely transforming your business overnight. Instead, it's about starting with small, practical steps that make an immediate difference - like automating repetitive tasks or streamlining your customer service. These quick wins help build your team's confidence and show the real value AI can bring to your business.
Five Practical Steps to Bear in Mind
Here's a straightforward approach that works for most small and medium-sized businesses:
Basic Preparation:
Review your most time-consuming tasks and processes
Identify areas where repetitive work is slowing your team down
Ensure your team has basic AI training
Document current workflows you might want to enhance
Pick One Project: Choose a single, manageable project to start with. Ideas:
Reviewing and summarising documents
Organising and analysing meeting notes
Writing first drafts of regular reports
Processing and analysing data
Test Before You Scale:
Many AI tools offer free trials or basic versions
Use these to test different solutions before making any significant investments
Get your team involved in testing - they often spot practical issues or opportunities you might miss
Document what works and what doesn't
Make Sure to Measure:
Establish baseline measures before starting
Track time spent on routine tasks (before and after)
Monitor error rates and accuracy
Record team satisfaction with new tools
Document improvements in response times
Build on Success: Once you've had a win with your first project, use what you've learned to tackle the next one. Your team's confidence will grow with each successful implementation.
Remember: The goal isn't to transform everything at once. It's about finding practical ways to make your business more efficient, one step at a time.
A Local Partner for Your AI Journey
swell is a new arrival to the Brighton & Hove business landscape and we are excited to be part of the city’s innovative community. With decades of experience leading teams in both agency and corporate environments, we aim to help local businesses make the most of AI technology - without the complexity or overwhelm.
While there are proven best practices for AI implementation, we don't believe in rigid, one-size-fits-all playbooks. Instead, we combine these tested approaches with a strong understanding of our client’s specific needs and challenges.
How can swell help?
Clear, Practical Advice: Understanding where AI can add immediate value to your operations. Audit the now, plan the future.
AI Training and Workshops: Helping your team get comfortable with AI tools through hands-on learning.
Quick Operational Wins: Starting with manageable projects that show clear results - GPTs, automations, AI-hybrid content and even AI agents.
Ready to Get Started?
Get in touch for straightforward help with AI - whether you need advice on where to start, training your teams, or operational solutions, we're here to help.
Connect with Judit and swell:
Linkedin: Judit Szekeres
Website: https://swell-ai.co.uk/
Book a discovery chat here.
About Judit
I call Brighton my home since 2022. As a true water sign (a friendly Scorpio), living by the sea was always a dream for me.
I am Hungarian by birth, but very much international in spirit.
After an almost 20-year-long global career in marketing, I have turned towards my passion for leveraging technology, and with boundless optimism - to improve our professional and private lives.
Beyond the practicality, my motivation is highly personal: in 2023, as AI tools started transforming the workplace, they were banned at my corporate job. Later in that year I experienced burnout. It was a stark reminder of how modern work can overwhelm any of us if we don't find balance.
The experience ignited a thought: I wanted to start helping other businesses embrace AI thoughtfully. As they say, the rest is history!
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