Small business owners seeking to leverage artificial intelligence to streamline operations and boost productivity can now benefit from the expertise of local business consultant Lance Coffman at Missouri State University’s efactory. Recently selected to participate in America’s SBDC AI U through Google, Coffman, who has been on the Missouri SBDC at MSU team for more than 7 years, is well-positioned to guide businesses through the complexities of AI integration.
“Most of the time, [people are hesitant] because we hear of these over-the-top stories about AI hallucinations,” Coffman said.
His advice to businesses: Approach AI with a curious mindset and start small.
“Begin by automating simple tasks and gradually increase complexity as you gain confidence,” he advised.
According to Coffman, it’s important that users must verify all information AI feeds them. If it’s used properly and the user does his or her own research, AI can revolutionize various aspects of business operations such as task automation, content generation and informed decision making. Tasks that could have taken hours upon hours are now taking thirty minutes. AI is spurring new time savings and changing our focus at work to more value-adding activities.
For those worried about protecting privacy, Coffman encouraged users to refrain from posting personal information in chatbots, just like you wouldn’t post it on social media.
“If you are using ChatGPT’s free version or any of the open-source models like Claude or Gemini…all of your information is used for training,” he said.
You can pay for closed-source AI to keep your information secure, just like any other online post or file. By following these guidelines and using AI wisely, businesses can harness the power of AI to drive growth and efficiency while protecting their reputation.
The power of the prompt
Prompt engineering is a powerful technique that allows businesses to harness the full potential of AI.
To craft effective prompts, it’s important to understand that each AI tool works differently. Leave your questions open and create different prompts for each platform, noted Coffman. Gemini, Claude or ChatGPT – while all similar, they communicate differently.
“Prompt engineering is incredibly important…it’s very much an artform,” Coffman said. “You have to be specific in certain ways. [Prompts] should be detailed enough but not overly detailed.”
Once a user perfects prompt-writing skills, these tools can streamline business processes, he added.
Training and resources
Beyond expert guidance from business consultants like Coffman, efactory offers multi-purpose work and meeting spaces, connections to business resources, a mentorship program, and in-person and on-demand training. These courses, led by professionals who have hands-on experience in their respective fields, can provide:
- Perspective.
- New, actionable tactics and strategies.
- Confidence.
- Opportunities for growth.
Each semester, efactory offers in-depth professional development courses that focus on project management, supervision, talent recruitment and retention, leadership and communication. Meanwhile, you can also find a robust selection of business foundations courses and training for public safety officers through efactory.
Consider your options for 2025 that will propel your career forward.
By Mia McDermott, efactory, contributing writer
