Ever wondered how to practically integrate AI into your business without getting lost in the hype? Arjun Kannan, co-founder of ResideDesk, shares his battle-tested strategies for leveraging AI to streamline operations and boost efficiency. This breakdown distills his key insights, offering actionable tips you can implement today.
📌 Key Idea 1: The “Best of Breed” AI Model Approach 🏆
Headline: Stop searching for the “one size fits all” AI model. Arjun’s secret? He uses a mix!
Simplified Explanation: Different AI models excel at different tasks. OpenAI models are great analysts, Anthropic models are excellent writers, and Google’s Gemini models are top-notch detectives. Choose the right tool for the job!
Real-life Example: ResideDesk uses Gemini for sifting through vast amounts of data, like resident conversations, to pinpoint critical information.
Surprising Fact: Switching between AI models can be as easy as tweaking a few settings in your database.🤯
Practical Tip: Experiment with different AI models to discover their strengths and weaknesses. Don’t be afraid to mix and match!
📌 Key Idea 2: The Human-in-the-Loop Advantage 🤝
Headline: AI isn’t about replacing humans; it’s about empowering them.
Simplified Explanation: Focus on using AI to enhance existing workflows, not fully automate them. Think of AI as shortening the commute, not replacing the destination.
Real-life Example: ResideDesk uses AI to draft emails and summarize conversations, but a human always reviews and approves before sending.
Surprising Fact: This approach saved ResideDesk 20-30 man-hours per week! ⏰
Practical Tip: Identify tedious, repetitive tasks in your workflow and explore how AI can assist, not replace, your team.
📌 Key Idea 3: Unlocking the Power of Unstructured Data 🔓
Headline: Turn your messy data into a goldmine of insights.
Simplified Explanation: Lease agreements, flyers, resident communications—they’re all packed with valuable information, but often in unstructured formats. AI can help extract and organize this data.
Real-life Example: ResideDesk built a tool that converts unstructured property documents into FAQs, boosting their first-day response rate to resident questions from 65% to 85%. Impressive, right?
Surprising Fact: This simple hack dramatically improved ResideDesk’s resident onboarding experience. 🎉
Practical Tip: Identify unstructured data sources in your business and explore how AI can transform them into actionable insights.
📌 Key Idea 4: The Power of Internal AI Champions 💪
Headline: Grassroots adoption is key to unlocking AI’s full potential.
Simplified Explanation: Don’t force AI adoption from the top down. Identify individuals who can benefit from AI tools and empower them to become internal champions.
Real-life Example: Arjun worked with ResideDesk’s billing team to automate check reconciliation using AI and Make (formerly Integromat).
Surprising Fact: This individualized approach can spark organic AI adoption across your entire organization. 🌱
Practical Tip: Find your AI champions! Identify team members struggling with manual tasks and collaborate with them to develop AI-powered solutions.
🧰 Resource Toolbox
- Make (formerly Integromat): Powerful automation platform for connecting apps and automating workflows. Ideal for tasks like check reconciliation and data processing.
- Retool: A low-code platform for building internal tools quickly. ResideDesk uses Retool to create custom interfaces for AI workflows.
- CommandBar: Streamlines user experience with in-app command functionality. ResideDesk uses it for quick access to AI tools.
- Front: Collaborative email client. ResideDesk leverages it for tagging and webhook automation.
- Claude: Anthropic’s AI assistant, known for its writing capabilities. ResideDesk uses it for email drafting and generating mermaid diagrams.
- Gemini: Google’s suite of AI models. ResideDesk leverages Gemini’s strength in finding information within large contexts.
- GenTrace: AI observability platform used by ResideDesk for monitoring costs and performance.
✨ Empowering Your Future with AI
Arjun’s story reveals that practical AI implementation isn’t about futuristic robots; it’s about empowering your team with the right tools to tackle everyday challenges. By embracing a human-centric approach, focusing on specific use cases, and fostering internal champions, you can unlock the transformative power of AI in your business. Start small, experiment, and watch the magic unfold. ✨
