AI Essentials for Small Business: Boost Productivity, Not Fear

Learn how you can turn your AI anxiety into AI advantage with these beginner-friendly workshops to increase your productivity with CEED.

Feeling overwhelmed by AI? You’re not alone — but you don’t have to be left behind.

This beginner-friendly workshop series is designed exclusively for small business owners who are curious about AI but unsure where to start. No jargon. No tech expertise required. Just practical, solutions-driven sessions to show you exactly how to use AI tools to save time, increase productivity, and unlock new potential in your business — without compromising your unique human touch.

In this series, you’ll learn:
✅ What AI really is (and what it’s not)
✅ Simple, everyday ways small businesses can use AI right now
✅ How to automate repetitive tasks and free up your time
✅ Tools and prompts to help with writing, planning, customer service & more
✅ How to stay in control while letting AI work for you

Whether you’re AI-curious or feeling left out of the conversation, this series will help you turn fear into confidence — one small step at a time.

This is a series of virtual events. Reserve your spot here

Week 1 April 29:

Demystifying AI – What It Is, How It Works & What It Means

Speaker: Werner Date : April 29, 2025 Tuesday Time : 5 PM – 6Pm ShapeNot sure where to start with AI? Start here. In this introductory session, we’ll break down what AI really is (without the tech jargon) and how small businesses can use it to save time and boost productivity. We’ll also cover the ethics of AI, data security basics, and how to use AI tools responsibly — so you can feel confident exploring new technologies without risking your business or your customers’ trust.

WEEK 2: May 6

Behind-the-Scenes Boost – AI for Efficiency, Compliance & Risk Manage

Week 3: May 13

Speaker – Kim May 13 – 5 pm Date : May 13, 2025 Tuesday Time : 5 PM – 6Pm Wish you could clone yourself to get more done? AI might be the next best thing. This hands-on session will show you how to automate everyday business tasks — from scheduling meetings to organizing emails and generating reports. Learn how to set up simple, cost-effective automation tools to help you reclaim your time and focus on what matters most in your business.

Week 4: May 20

AI for Customer Service – Respond Faster, Serve Better, Stress LessSpeaker – Shape Date : May 20, 2025 Tuesday Customer service is everything — but it doesn’t have to eat up your whole day. In this session, you’ll discover how AI tools like chatbots, automated emails, and AI writing assistants can help you respond to customers faster, provide consistent, high-quality service — and even help you turn inquiries into sales, without losing your personal touch.

Week 5: May 27

Session 5: Using A.I. and Free Data Tools to Understand Your Market Are you just starting your business and wondering how to figure out who your customers are, what to sell, or what problems you’re solving—even before making your first sale? This beginner-friendly workshop is designed to help new entrepreneurs harness the power of A.I. and free (or super low-cost) data tools to answer the big questions that guide smart business decisions. You’ll learn practical, easy-to-use strategies for discovering valuable insights using tools like: Google Trends – Find out what people are searching for right now. Statistics Canada – Explore population, income, and spending trends. Halifax Open Data – Tap into hyper-local insights relevant to your community. Who is this for? This is a beginner-level class—no experience needed! Perfect for anyone starting a new venture who wants to make smarter decisions using data, without spending a fortune on market research.

Week 6: June 3

Speaker – Priyanka Date : June 3, 2025 Tuesday Time : 5 PM – 6Pm Marketing your business can feel like a full-time job — but AI can help lighten the load. We’ll explore AI-powered tools that help with writing social media posts, generating content ideas, designing graphics, and scheduling content — so you can stay consistent, save time, and show up online without the overwhelm.