Paper companion. Write by hand.

Practical AI for Small Business

A hands-on 90-minute workshop. Use AI to improve the process around your work. Not to replace your judgment.

The Main Rule

Do not use AI to replace your judgment. Use AI to improve the process around your work.

The Five-Part Scaffold

Treat AI like a smart colleague who needs context. Draft your prompt here.

Role / Goal You are a [role]. OR I want to [goal].

Context [Your business and the situation.]

Source [What the AI should use: paste your notes, details, or text.]

Task [What you want it to do.]

Format [How the output should look.]

Three prompts that protect your voice

V1. See every change

Improve only clarity and flow. Keep my main points and my plain wording where it already works. After revising, list exactly what you changed and why, so I can review each edit.

V2. Match my real voice

Here are three short messages I have actually sent to customers. Read them, then write the new message in that same voice. Do not make it sound corporate. [Paste 3 of your real messages, then your request.]

V3. Use it as a thinking partner

I am thinking through a decision for my business. Do not agree with me automatically. First, summarize my idea in your own words. Then tell me what is strong, what is unclear, what I am assuming, what a skeptical customer might ask, and what I should think through next.

Quick reference: the data rules

GO AHEAD (Public and general): Use any reputable AI tool.
BE CAREFUL (Internal): Use a paid or business plan, and check its data terms first.
KEEP IT OUT (Private): Never paste into a chatbot. Strip it out, or use only a tool you have vetted.

Quick reference: hard no

Verify before you act. Check facts, prices, and claims against a real source. Confident does not mean correct.
Keep private data out. Never paste customer, payment, employee, or contract details into a chatbot.
You make the final call. On anything that affects a customer, your money, or your brand, a human decides. AI drafts.
Watch IP and copyright. AI can echo someone else's work. Review anything you will publish or sell.
Check the tool's data terms. Free tools may train on what you type. Use a paid or business plan for anything sensitive.

Your reflections

What's the one task you'll try AI on this week?

What still feels uncertain?

Three words for what you're taking with you.

Good to know.

This workshop gives practical, plain-language guidance, not legal, tax, or compliance advice.

You know your business and your obligations best. When something is high-stakes, check with a professional before you act.

Facilitated by Daniel Umana. dumana.tech

The Five-Part Scaffold

Three prompts that protect your voice

12 add-ons. Star the ones you will use.

Quick reference: the data rules

Quick reference: hard no

Your reflections