With artificial intelligence set to transform how we manage customer relationships, we spoke to business leaders at the Kent Construction EXPO to understand what’s pushing you forward – or holding you back - when it comes to all things AI.
Flowbird's Commercial Director at Hubspot's 2024 Inbound Conference
At Flowbird, we are very much at the heart of how AI and automation are transforming
customer engagement, building interaction, loyalty and sales. Having recently attended
HubSpot’s global conference in Boston, Commercial Director Rebecca Alksnitis headed
to the Kent Construction EXPO to hear directly from leading UK construction
businesses about what they think about AI.
Doing it Your Way
We soon realised that everyone has a view. As Rebecca explains, “We had some great conversations with EXPO delegates and one thing was clear: everyone has thought about AI and what it means for their business. While most people are aware that AI is coming, there’s a lot of uncertainty and even concern about what to do about it. A few distinct patterns are emerging. Often, people are gaining confidence in tools like Chat GPT in their personal lives, before bringing them into their professional toolkit. More than half of the business leaders we spoke to are already embracing AI, building it into day-to-day processes. Others are not ready to act, but are learning and exploring how AI can transform their operations. There is also a whole group who are just not ready to think about it yet.”
This mirrors the perspective of many Flowbird clients. Rebecca continues, “Every business we work with is looking for efficiency, growth and better interaction with their customers. Each business is unique and needs to embrace AI in a way that suits their specific operations and sales cycles. We are already including AI collaboration in CRM systems for many clients, and they are saving time, creating amazing leads and seeing results. However, we recognise that every business leader is on a personal journey with AI. This came across really clearly in our interactions at the Kent EXPO. Some clients need a slower pace. The challenge is to help every business move forward in a way that works for them.”
Opportunities…and Challenges
So how big is this split? In an on-the-spot poll at Kent EXPO, 73% of people we spoke to were ready to embrace AI, with 27% saying they weren’t yet ready. How does this fairly large group make sure they don’t get left behind? Rebecca shares her thoughts, “One of our approaches is to demystify the journey. At Flowbird, we may have the latest thinking and know what developments are on their way, but in reality, most people don’t need this level of detail. We keep an eye on the future for you, and work with you to explore what will help your business thrive. We then support you to make it happen.”
For those businesses already considering where AI could have the most impact, sales, CRM, marketing and lead generation are top of the list.
For those businesses already considering where AI could have the most impact, sales, CRM, marketing and lead generation are top of the list. The next priority area is customer service, followed by project management, data analytics and reporting.
Not surprisingly, our discussions also uncovered barriers that are stopping businesses from going further. Some felt that a general lack of knowledge about where AI could be used was preventing them from making progress. The challenge of integration was raised frequently, along with cost implications. Many decision-makers also have unanswered questions about data security, verification and governance. Purchasing patterns and online behaviours are changing too, and this will have an inevitable impact on marketing processes. Some companies acknowledged that their staff are reluctant to embrace AI. There are definite mixed emotions about adopting this technology.
From Global to Local
Translating global trends into local action is where the Flowbird team really excels, and feedback from the EXPO was clear: the big ideas are inspiring, but local businesses need achievable solutions. Rebecca explains, “We provide the technical bridge between what’s possible and what you need. Sales automation will definitely help your business save time, become more efficient and increase revenue. We help you select the right automation tools, build in AI to optimise processes and train your team. The benefits are clear: AI doesn’t replace people – it creates collaboration between systems and teams, streamlining and ultimately improving your customers’ experience.”
Rebecca continues, “At HubSpot’s recent conference, we heard a global perspective about how AI is set to transform the way we interact with customers.
Keep Learning
Finally, what advice does Rebecca have for business leaders trying to work out where to go from here? “Firstly, don’t feel overwhelmed. You probably know more than some people, less than others, but you almost certainly don’t need to be an expert: that’s what we’re here for. Try to be open-minded and flexible about what AI means for your business. Take every opportunity to ask questions and explore possibilities. And don’t be afraid to ask for help: we know there’s a real appetite to learn more about AI, and I’m always happy to have a conversation about potential solutions for your business.”
To talk to us about how AI and automation can transform your marketing and sales processes, please call Flowbird on 01233 743240.
Many thanks to the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce for organising the Kent Construction EXPO 2024. Flowbird is proud to be a Chamber member.
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