The Truth About AI for SMEs

Hi, it’s G! A thinker, tinkerer, and someone who’s spent way too many hours figuring out if AI can actually help small businesses — or if it’s just another buzzword na pang-corporate lang na pang-slide deck lang ng big tech bros.

Let’s be real. The word “AI” sounds futuristic, high-tech, and… expensive. I used to think the same way — like kailangan mo ng PhD or millions in funding para makasali sa AI conversation. But what I’ve learned lately is this: AI isn’t just for the big guys. It’s for sari-sari stores, for travel businesses, for agencies with five people. And yes, for people like us — rebuilding, testing, and figuring things out habang may hawak na kape at naka-pambahay pa.

I get this a lot: “G, kailangan ba talaga namin ng AI?”

Here’s the truth: AI can do amazing things. But it won’t fix what you haven’t clarified.

If your systems are messy, AI will just make the mess faster. Kung gulo ang inventory mo, AI won’t magically fix it for you. If your customer process is broken, AI won’t make people magically happy. And if you don’t know what problem you’re solving, AI will just give you... more tools to get confused by.

But — and this is a big but, parang sa chismis — if you already know your pain points (e.g., manual reports, repetitive replies, wasted hours on spreadsheets), then yes. AI can help big time.

What AI Can Do for Small Businesses

Let me simplify it for you. AI can:

• 🧠 Summarize data fast. Think: weekly reports generated in seconds. Hindi na kailangan ng tatlong oras sa Excel.
• 🧑‍💻 Reply to customer messages 24/7. Like a friendly chat agent that never needs lunch break or bathroom break.
• 📝 Draft social media content, emails, or contracts. Pwede na for mga walang copywriter, or yung copywriter ikaw din.
• 📅 Automate tasks like follow-ups, bookings, and reminders. Para may tulong ka kahit wala kang team of five.

You don’t need to be techy. You just need a clear goal.

What AI Can’t Do

• ❌ Replace your business sense. Sorry, hindi pa psychic si ChatGPT.
• ❌ Fix a product or service people don’t want.
• ❌ Build relationships — that’s still on you. Kahit gaano ka-galing ang chatbot mo, tao pa rin ang hinahanap ng tao.
• ❌ Read your mind (although... ChatGPT comes close minsan 😂)

It’s a tool. Not magic. Kung baga sa kusina, AI is the rice cooker — helpful, but you still need to put in the bigas. And let’s be honest, minsan nakalimutan pa natin isaksak ‘yun.

Real Talk: Where I’m At

Right now, I’m building AI tools for Filipino entrepreneurs — the kind I wish I had when I was running Experience Philippines. Tools that don’t require a huge budget. Tools that make your day easier. Tools that let you breathe, kahit saglit lang.

I’m not doing this from a fancy office with glass walls and bean bags. I’m doing this at home, post-day job, with my laptop, my dog Matteo nearby, and a strong cup of kape na minsan Starbs kasi its my guilty pleasure. And honestly? I like it this way. Walang pretention. Just showing up daily, hoping to help.

I’m also building with the version of me who used to feel small around tech. The one who thought “wala akong alam d’yan” or “baka hindi ako bagay dito.”

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to “Get It All”

If you’re curious about AI but feel overwhelmed, that’s okay. You don’t need to master it. You just need to know what’s eating up your time — and ask, “Can this be done faster or easier?”

If the answer’s yes, maybe AI can help.

If the answer’s no, maybe you just need a nap. Or taho. Or a chat with someone who gets it. And if you ever need someone to break it down without the jargon, nandito lang ako. Promise, walang judgment. Tayo-tayo rin lang ‘to.

If you got this far, thank you. Seriously. If you’re curious, message me. Or better yet — tell me one business task that’s making you say, "Sana may mas madali." Maybe we can build something together.

Till next post, G