AI and the Future of Work: How SME Leaders Can Adapt, Hire, and Build AI-Augmented Teams
Bruce Ross - AI-enhanced Leadership
AI Enablement Strategist | Transforming SMEs with AI-Driven High Performance | Executive Coach | Recent Grandfather!
AI isn’t here to take jobs—it’s here to change how we work. And while that can feel overwhelming, the businesses that embrace AI as a tool, not a threat, will gain a massive edge.
For SME/SMB leaders, AI is already reshaping how teams work, how businesses hire, and what skills actually matter.
The smart move? Get ahead of the shift instead of playing catch-up later.
How AI is Changing Job Roles
Think about the tasks that take up too much time in your business—data entry, admin, scheduling, answering the same customer questions. AI can handle these. But that doesn’t mean people become redundant.
?? What’s actually happening?
? Repetitive tasks are getting automated – Accounting software like Xero now uses AI to sort transactions and generate reports in seconds. AI-powered scheduling tools cut down endless back-and-forth emails.
? AI is making jobs more interesting – Instead of spending hours on admin, teams can focus on strategy, creativity, and decision-making.
? Entirely new roles are appearing in SMEs, including:
?? Your Move: Take a look at your team’s workload. What tasks could AI handle so your people can focus on higher-value work? Our AI Performance System (AIPS) provides done-for-you, uniquely customised AI tools library tailored to each role, addressing every deliverable—so your team gets the right AI support without the hassle of figuring it out themselves.
Hiring for an AI-Driven Workforce
AI isn’t just changing how we work—it’s changing who businesses need to hire. The old way of recruiting based purely on experience? That’s fading. The new priority is finding adaptable, AI-savvy employees who can work with AI tools.
?? What to look for in new hires:
?? AI literacy – They don’t need to be AI experts, but they should know how to use AI tools to make their jobs easier.
?? Problem-solving & adaptability – As AI handles the grunt work, employees who think creatively and solve real business problems will be the most valuable.
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?? Comfort with technology – The best hires won’t be afraid to try new tech—they’ll see AI as an opportunity, not a threat.
?? Your Move: Not sure how to upskill your current team? Our AI Black Belt Training teaches business leaders and employees how to work smarter with AI—so you don’t need to figure it all out alone.
AI + Humans: The Future of SME/SMB Teams
AI works best when it’s teamed up with people, not replacing them.
?? How smart businesses are already using AI:
?? Customer service: AI chatbots handle simple questions, freeing up real people to tackle the trickier, more personal cases.
?? Sales & marketing: AI sorts through leads and helps personalise outreach—but sales teams still close the deals.
?? Operations & finance: AI predicts inventory needs and automates invoicing, cutting out the admin hassle.
?? Your Move: Pick one AI tool and test it in a small way. You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Not sure where to start? Our AIPS tools library provides custom AI solutions designed for every role in your business, ensuring every deliverable is covered—without you having to piece it together.
Final Thought: The Leaders Who Adapt Will Win
AI isn’t something to fear—it’s something to use to your advantage. The businesses that test, tweak, and integrate AI into their workflows now will be way ahead of those that wait.
Your challenge for this week: Pick one AI tool to try. Experiment. See what happens.
And if you want expert guidance, check out our AI Performance System (AIPS) for done-for-you, customised AI tools or our AI Black Belt Training to upskill your team—so you can skip the guesswork and start seeing results.
Have an amazing week
Bruce Ross
Calendly: Book a Call
Strategist | Keynote Speaker | Entrepreneur | CEO | Former County Executive
4 周I love the first sentence! But I also like how you frame AI as an asset instead of a liability. It is a bit scary to have such revolutionary new technology, but it’s all on how we use it.
Business problems are people problems. We work with you to unlock the GENIUS of your people. Get FORTUNE 500 INSIGHTS, RIGHT-SIZED to your business.
4 周Bruce, we couldn't agree more. Everything you mention offers so many opportunities to get leverage, add value, and differentiate from the pack.
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4 周I'm going to bite on the idea that AI is allowing people to focus on strategy, creativity and decision making. I can see how that happens if we ask questions that give us a bigger picture on what needs to happen and where we are lacking. I get that there is more to it as discussed in your article, but those three things are all good reasons to look a little further.
Managing Partner at AUM-IQ specializing in Continuous Process Improvement for continuous AUM growth
4 周Bruce, you saw my comment on Ben's concern re: AI My future with it will likely to help me write a book I'm in the middle of a "Pivot".
Manufacturing & Procurement Talent & Operations Strategist, Communicator, Consultant, Executive Leadership Coach, Certified 6 Sigma & LEAN Black Belt, USAF veteran, author, Predictive Index, Proactive Transformation+FUN!
4 周Bruce Ross - AI-enhanced Leadership finding even more ways to work smarter than working smarter! This is a real different way of looking at things?