Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept: today, it is a simple, affordable, and incredibly useful tool for small and micro-businesses. Yet, in Brussels, many entrepreneurs still hesitate to take the leap. Lack of time, limited technical knowledge, or perceived high costs: these hurdles are real. The good news? The benefits are immediate, and support is available to help you through this transition.
How AI can transform your business
The advantages of AI are numerous and vary depending on your company's size and sector. However, certain benefits apply to almost every business. Some of the most immediate gains include:
Saving time daily
For a small business, time is often the scarcest resource. AI frees up hours every week by automating repetitive tasks that clutter your schedule without adding real value.
In practical terms, this could mean:
- Drafting emails in seconds: do you often receive the same enquiries? An AI assistant can generate a clear, personalised response based on a few keywords. All you have to do is proofread and hit send.
Example: A B2B freelancer saves 30 minutes a day by automating initial prospect replies. - Generating quotes or service descriptions faster: Enter a few details (type of service, deadline, budget) and AI produces a structured first draft for you to refine.
Example: A graphic designer uses AI to produce quote drafts three times faster than before. - Automatically organising documents: AI can rename files, sort product photos, organise invoices, or find documents in a single click.
Example: A shopkeeper scans invoices; the AI reads them, extracts the amounts, and files them correctly. - Answering FAQs: a conversational assistant can handle simple enquiries 24/7: opening hours, product availability, pricing, or order status.
Example: A beauty salon reduced calls and messages for repetitive queries by 40% thanks to a chatbot on its website. - Managing notes and meetings: recording an internal meeting? AI can transcribe the audio, summarise it, and generate a list of action points.
Example: An estate agency uses an AI assistant to automatically transform voice notes into formal reports.
Ultimately, dozens of micro-tasks disappear, giving you back valuable time for what truly matters: your clients, your strategy, and your growth.
Improving Customer Relations
A smooth, responsive relationship with your clients is essential, but it isn't always easy when you are short on time or staff. AI can provide vital support:
- Leveraging time saved on admin: By using AI for repetitive tasks, you free up more energy to focus on personal client care.
Example: a retailer who uses AI to manage their invoices will be able to devote more time to advising customers. - Faster response times: AI assistants can prepare tailored answers in seconds, even during busy periods.
Example: a restaurant receives many questions about menus and availability; AI generates consistent, personalised replies, improving booking rates. - 24/7 availability: Customers expect to be able to ask questions at any time. A chatbot provides instant answers to basic requests.
- Personalising the experience: AI can recommend products or services based on a customer's specific needs.
Example: a small bookshop uses an AI tool to suggest similar books based on readers' preferences, boosting cross-selling.
Better Business Management
Even with limited data, AI can analyse your activity and help you make better decisions more quickly and with less uncertainty.
- Identifying peak and quiet periods: AI can analyse your sales history to help you anticipate what's coming next.
Example: A food truck uses a simple predictive tool to plan stock based on weather and local events. - Optimising stock levels: excess stock is expensive, but shortages lead to frustration.
Example: a clothing boutique uses a basic AI tool to estimate which items to restock, reducing unsold inventory. - Identifying loyal customers (or those at risk of leaving): AI spots buying habits and flags signs of customer churn.
Example: A trainer identifies which clients to follow up with via targeted promotions.
Even if you're not an expert, you still have access to analyses that were previously inaccessible to VSEs and SMEs.
Boosting your communication
To stay visible, you need to communicate, but content creation is time-consuming. AI helps you produce professional, consistent content that fits your brand identity.
- Writing social media posts: describe your idea, and AI generates several versions (informative, humorous, short, etc.).
- Creating visuals or mock-ups: from flyers and posts to product staging and mood boards, AI provides a solid creative foundation.
- Writing product descriptions: by entering a few features, AI generates effective text that matches your brand tone.
- Drafting newsletters: AI prepares a structured first draft that you can then adjust to your own style.
Staying competitive in an evolving market
For a small business, keeping up with rapid changes can feel daunting. AI helps close that gap:
- Doing more with the same resources: automate, predict, and analyse without having to hire a large team.
- Offering innovative services: AI opens the door to new products or highly personalised services.
- Reacting faster to market trends: less time on manual tasks means more time to adjust your strategy.
- Strengthening your brand image: using AI sends a clear signal: your business is evolving, innovating, and adapting.
How do you get started?
"I don’t know where to start." "I'm afraid it’s too expensive or technical." "I don’t have the skills in-house." Many entrepreneurs share these concerns. To help you get moving, here is our advice:
Define your needs and goals
Start by identifying your priorities. This will guide you toward the AI technologies that best suit your specific challenges.
Learn the lingo
To identify the right tools, it is important to undergo some training. In Brussels, consider the "Use AI in your project" workshop by EFP’s Passeport Réussite or the webinars on the Iattitude website.
Tip: If you hire private trainers, look into the Training Grant (Prime Formation) from Brussels Economy & Employment, which can cover part of the costs.
Start small, think big
Begin on a small scale by selecting one or two tools that meet your immediate business goals. Test and adjust before expanding. Trying to master everything at once is a recipe for getting lost.
Seek expert guidance
More and more AI experts are available to help you choose and implement the right solutions. In the Brussels region, you can also reach out to sustAIn.brussels for support with digital innovation.
Tip: If you use private consultants, the Consultancy Grant (Prime Consultance) from Brussels Economy & Employment can help subsidise the fees.
Explore financial aid
As mentioned before, grants are available for training and consultancy. If you are considering developing your own AI tool, look into project calls from Innoviris, Start AI, and GENAI.