This morning, I had an enlightening conversation with my neighbor about sourdough bread. We’ve been engaged in a friendly “rivalry” to create the perfect loaf, and she made a profound observation that struck me as particularly relevant to today’s business landscape: “The ingredients never change – it’s all about the method.”
In sourdough baking, it’s always these basic ingredients: flour, salt, and water. What makes each loaf unique isn’t adding new ingredients (although I love me some cheddar and jalapeño!) but it’s how we approach the process.
This perfectly mirrors the challenge that so many businesses are facing right now today with the rapid advancement of AI technology. Your core business elements remain the same, but new found success may be found in transforming your (old!) methods.
Let’s explore seven innovative ways to reshape your current business while maintaining your essential ingredients:
- The Overnight Rise: Automated Content Creation
Just as letting dough rise overnight produces deeper flavors, allowing AI to handle routine content creation gives you time to develop richer, more strategic material. Instead of writing every social media post from scratch, use AI to generate initial drafts while you focus on infusing them with your unique brand voice and expertise. The ingredients (your message and brand) stay the same, but the method becomes more efficient.
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Word of caution though… PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT (I’m screaming from the rooftops here) put out AI produced content only.
Be REAL.
BE RELEVANT.
LET YOUR BRAND HAVE PERSONALITY.
People are craving connection, not more AI generated BS.
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Ok, hoping off my soap box rooftop, and moving on..
- The Folding Technique: Integrated Customer Service
Master bakers know that gentle folding builds better structure than aggressive kneading. Similarly, instead of maintaining separate customer service channels, integrate AI chatbots with human support in a layered approach. Let AI handle initial inquiries while seamlessly folding in human expertise for complex issues, creating a stronger overall support structure.
There is nothing worse than simply not answering someone who takes the time to respond, comment etc. Take the time to build these connections with your audience.
- The Temperature Control: Dynamic Pricing Strategy
Like controlling fermentation through temperature, use AI to dynamically adjust your pricing based on real-time market data. The core product remains unchanged, but your pricing method becomes more responsive and sophisticated, maximizing both accessibility and profitability. - The Scoring Pattern: Personalized Marketing Channels
A bread’s scoring pattern affects how it expands during baking. Similarly, rather than broadcasting the same message across all platforms, use AI to create personalized but slightly different communication patterns for different audience segments.
Your core message stays consistent, but the delivery method adapts to each channel and audience.
- The Steam Method: Data-Driven Decision Making
Steam creates a better crust during baking. Likewise, infuse your decision-making process with AI-driven analytics. Stop relying solely on intuition, as you and I both know that can change depending on your mood.
Let data create a protective layer of validation around your business choices while maintaining your entrepreneurial instincts.
- The Starter Feeding: Continuous Learning Systems
A sourdough starter needs regular feeding to stay healthy. Implement AI-powered learning systems that continuously update your team’s skills and knowledge. The fundamental roles remain the same, but the method of skill development becomes more dynamic and responsive to market needs. - The Proofing Box: Enhanced Product Development
A proofing box creates ideal conditions for dough development. Create an AI-enhanced environment for product development where machine learning can help identify optimal conditions for success while your core innovation process remains intact.
Moving Forward: Your Unique Recipe
Just as every baker develops their own rhythm and feel for the dough, every business will find its own way to implement AI. The key is remembering that you don’t need to change your core business ingredients – your values, mission, and unique value proposition remain constant. Instead, focus on evolving your methods to enhance what already makes your business special.
The AI revolution isn’t about replacing your business recipe; it’s about finding new methods to make your recipe EPIC! Like my neighbor’s sourdough wisdom suggests, excellence often comes not from changing what we do, but from transforming how we do it.
What methods will you transform in your business while keeping your essential ingredients intact?
