​By: Kathy Kent Toney, Chief AI Strategist & Founder, Kent Solutions

When I first delved into the world of AI, I anticipated a few shortcuts and some help with repetitive tasks. What I didn't foresee was the profound transformation it would bring to my work and client service. The unexpected benefits of AI have been a revelation.

I've been pleasantly surprised in ways I never saw coming. From proposals to growth plans, AI has seamlessly integrated into my workflow, much like a partner I didn't know I needed.

Here are six surprising ways AI has helped me in my business:

1. Smarter Work, Faster Results
Drafting proposals used to take hours of polishing. With AI, I now create clean, professional drafts in a fraction of the time, freeing me to focus on strategy.

And then there were contracts. Comparing a redlined draft against a final version used to be exhausting. Now, AI gives me a clear breakdown of the differences in minutes. What once felt overwhelming is now simple.

Takeaway: AI isn't just fast; it delivers clarity and peace of mind.

2. Creativity Where I Needed It Most
AI has not only streamlined my workflow but also sparked creativity where I needed it most. It has been instrumental in brainstorming fresh ideas and structuring larger projects, such as strategic growth plans. What once seemed daunting became manageable with AI as my creative partner.

Takeaway: AI is more than automation — it's a creative partner for vision and planning.

3. Serving Clients in New Ways
The most rewarding surprise has been the impact on my clients. When I show them how AI can support their marketing — from newsletters to social posts — they feel empowered and excited. Teaching them has been just as valuable as the automation itself.

Takeaway: Sharing AI knowledge builds trust and deepens loyalty.

4. Turning Conversations Into Action
Another practical win has been with meeting transcripts. Instead of letting notes sit, I use AI to summarize discussions and create clear action items for both sides. A 45-minute call instantly becomes a roadmap with next steps.

Takeaway: AI helps conversations gain momentum, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.

5. A Better Rhythm for My Day
AI has not only revolutionized my business but also my daily routine. It helps me design efficient workflows that keep me focused and productive. When the day runs smoothly, everything else falls into place, thanks to AI.

Takeaway: AI can enhance not only your business but also your everyday workflow.

6. The Biggest Surprise of All?
The truth is, AI has evolved from a tool to a partner in my work. It helps me think, create, and deliver at a higher level. It's like having a knowledgeable assistant who can handle repetitive tasks, freeing me up to focus more time and energy on strategy and creativity.

If you're curious about how ready your business is to harness these kinds of surprises, take my AI Readiness Assessment. In just a few minutes, you'll see where you stand — and where AI could make the most significant difference for you.

Do you ever wonder if AI can be doing more for you?

Here's the good news: you don't need to be techy—or even that curious—to benefit from AI. If you've ever wished for a clone just to keep up, a simple AI assistant might be the next best thing.

AI Assistants Are Quietly Saving Hours, Easing Your Workload
According to McKinsey, small businesses using AI save an average of 5 to 8 hours a week on administrative tasks. That's nearly a full day back every week—without adding anyone to payroll.

In my case, I used to spend three hours writing a blog post and skipped LinkedIn altogether. Now? I write a blog in 30 minutes and generate six LinkedIn posts in under 15. That's over 3.5 hours a week I've reclaimed—just by shifting how I work.

What Can These AI Assistants Actually Do?
Think of them like reliable, no-drama assistants that don't need sleep, coffee, or context switching. With the right tools and prompts, they can help you:

1. Plan your day based on energy and urgency
2. Reword emails in your voice
3. Summarize messy notes or meeting transcripts
4. Sort your to-do list by impact
5. Follow up with leads (without you even thinking about it)

Small tasks? Yes. But when they run consistently, they give you back focus—and sanity.

The Best No-Code Tools for Building Your AI Assistant
Here are the top tools grouped by function:

Planning, Focus, and Daily Support

1. ChatGPT (Free or Plus): Acts like a sounding board, planner, and editor in one—with the right prompts
2. Notion AI: Great for organizing notes, SOPs, and team updates
3. Tability: Keeps team OKRs and goals on track with lightweight updates

Client Communication & Follow-Up

1. Springboard: My favorite CRM for automating email workflows, lead follow-up, and reminders
2. Tidio or ManyChat: Easy-to-use chatbot tools for websites or Messenger
3. Chatbase: Lets you train a bot on your documents so it can answer FAQs for you

Workflow Automation

1. Zapier: Links tools together to handle tasks like email sends, CRM updates, or tagging
2. Make: Similar to Zapier but with more customization and logic branches
3. Trello + AI Power-Ups: Adds smart automation to visual project boards

A Quick Word on ChatGPT's New "Agent" Feature
Some of you may have heard about OpenAI's new Agent tool. It can browse, plan, and even try to act on tasks like booking a service or placing an order. It's a powerful tool, but it's important to note that it's not infallible. Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has cautioned users not to rely on it for high-stakes tasks. It's exciting, but still has some room for improvement. Think of it like a sharp intern—helpful under supervision, not ready to run solo.

Start Small. Save Hours. Repeat.
It's as simple as picking one task you're tired of doing, choosing one tool, and giving it a chance. Let it free up some space in your week and see the difference it makes.

Want some help with that? Then sign up for my 5-Day AI-Powered Business Boost Challenge! This email challenge will start you on the path of putting AI to work for you!

When most people hear “chatbot,” they think of a little pop-up box in the corner of a website—something that answers a few preset questions and then hands you off to a human. Useful? Sometimes. Intelligent? Not really.

AI agents are a different story.

While chatbots operate based on scripts and decision trees, AI agents think, adapt, and act based on goals, inputs, and changing contexts. They don’t just respond—they interpret, decide, and take action. Instead of asking the same question three different ways to get the correct answer, users interact with an AI agent that understands intent, context, and the next best step.

Let’s break it down even further.

Chatbots are:

• ​Scripted: They follow rigid flows based on keyword triggers or button clicks.
• Limited: They can’t solve complex problems or act outside their preset logic.
• Reactive: They respond to questions but don’t initiate or guide users.
• Static: They don’t learn from past conversations or evolve.

In contrast, AI agents are:

• Goal-oriented: They operate with a defined objective and determine how to reach it.
• Context-aware: They understand user behavior, preferences, and data inputs.
• Multi-functional: They work across systems, trigger actions, and make decisions.
• Adaptive: They learn and improve with each interaction or data set.

For instance, a chatbot might respond to a query about availability with a link to your calendar. An AI agent, on the other hand, would not just provide a link but also check your availability, suggest the best times, book the meeting, and send a confirmation email—all without additional prompts. This level of convenience and capability sets AI agents apart, making them a powerful tool for any business.

AI agents reduce manual work, increase consistency, and scale personalized engagement in a way chatbots never could. They serve as intelligent extensions of your team, automating processes that previously required human involvement—without sacrificing quality or responsiveness.

You can tailor AI agents to fit your business needs, whether you work in marketing, operations, or customer service. And with today’s low-code platforms, which are software development platforms that allow you to build applications with minimal hand-coding, you don’t need a tech team to get started.

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So, you've done the hard part—landed a new customer. That's a win worth celebrating. But here's the thing: getting them in the door is only half the battle. Keeping them? That's where things get interesting.

Most businesses chase new leads like it's a race. But loyal customers? They're where the real gold is. They spend more, refer often, and cost less to retain. And guess what helps keep them around? Yep—intelligent automation.

Your Business Memory, on Autopilot
Have you ever had someone remember your name or favorite order without asking? It feels good—like you matter. Automation gives your business that same memory. From remembering birthdays and follow-ups to tracking last purchases or service tickets, automation helps you deliver those little "I see you" moments that keep customers connected.

With tools like GoHighLevel, you can set up check-ins, reminders, and thank-you messages that feel personal—even if they're running on autopilot.

Smooth Journeys = Happy Customers
Nobody likes clunky. Late emails, missed confirmations, dropped handoffs—they all add friction. But when you automate the routine stuff? You remove the guesswork.

Think appointment reminders, status updates, or "Hey, it's time to reorder" nudges. These little touches reduce frustration and keep things flowing. It's not flashy—it's thoughtful. And customers notice.

Tech That Feels Human (Yes, Really)
Contrary to popular belief, automation doesn't have to be cold or robotic. It's all about how you use it. When you send the right message at the right time, with the right context, automation becomes a powerful tool that can enhance your customer relationships.

You don't need over-the-top perks. Customers just want relevance, timeliness, and a little consistency. That's emotional loyalty, built quietly in the background.

Let Automation Do the Heavy Lifting
As a business owner, you're constantly juggling multiple tasks. The thought of remembering every follow-up, every check-in, every "just touching base" moment can be overwhelming. But here's the good news: automation doesn't replace the human side of your business—it amplifies it, giving you the relief you need.

If you're looking to boost retention and deepen loyalty without doubling your workload, automation can be your ally. It's time to let your systems carry more of the load, giving you more control and empowering you to focus on what truly matters.

But where should you start?

👉 Grab the Top 10 Manual Tasks You Should Automate Today checklist.

Want to stop wasting your time on tasks you shouldn't be doing and focus more on high-value work every day? This guide will help you cut the noise and automate the stuff that's slowing you down.