How to Build an AI Strategy Without Getting Overwhelmed

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

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Starting your AI journey may seem like a daunting task, akin to the aftermath of untangling a web of holiday lights (like the woman above)—flickering, promising, and slightly nerve-wracking.

You've heard about the potential of AI to enhance productivity, but where do you even start? The good news is, it's not as complex as it seems.

When I first added AI to my own toolkit, I'll admit—it felt like learning a new language while juggling flaming torches. But now, it's indispensable. It's doubled my productivity, simplified my content creation, and given me the margin to focus on what matters most. I want the same for you—without the overwhelm.

Here's how to make your first steps into AI not just doable, but surprisingly manageable.

1. Begin with your friction points

Instead of thinking about AI as a massive overhaul, start small. Ask yourself:

Where am I losing the most time or momentum at the moment?

Is it in writing marketing emails? Following up with leads? Tracking tasks that fall through the cracks? Those daily frustrations?

They're your signposts. AI is most helpful when it starts by solving one real, recurring problem.

2. Focus on just one win

There is no need to create a master plan immediately. 

Pick one task—say, writing your weekly newsletter or summarizing meeting notes—and explore how AI could assist.

The trick here is not to get caught up in comparing 57 tools. You don't need "the best one." You need one that gets the job done.

And if you're not sure where to look, you're not alone. You can always reach out—I love helping people figure out the most straightforward path forward. For instance, for writing marketing emails, tools like ChatGPT or Claude Sonnet can be a great start.

3. Build a simple workflow to stay consistent

This aspect is where automation truly shines.

Let's say AI helps you draft emails or generate blog ideas faster. That's great—but if those pieces are still stuck on your desktop, they're not helping anyone.

This situation is where workflow automation steps in to connect the dots. It's the bridge between "this works!" and "this saves me time every week."

You don't have to tackle this yourself—I've got trusted partners who specialize in building automations for small businesses if that's a better fit for you.

4. Don't wait until you know it all

AI doesn't require perfection. It requires a little curiosity and the willingness to try.

💡 According to McKinsey, 80% of leaders say AI boosts productivity—but only 24% of companies have a real strategy.

That gap? It's where small, consistent action makes all the difference.

Ready to make your business run smoother with less stress and more productivity with AI? Let's get started.

Start with this free checklist: Top 10 Manual Tasks You Should Automate Today. It'll give you quick wins and clarity—no tech background is required.

And if questions come up? I'm always happy to help.

If you found this blog helpful, consider sharing it with others who might also benefit from it.
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