August 26, 2025 • 26 mins
In this episode of #InMyToolbox with Enrico Pobre, get ahead of the curve with business trends you can’t ignore in 2025.
Enrico breaks down the game-changing ideas shaping the future—from the rise of Artificial Intelligence to shifts in consumer behavior, digital strategy, and beyond. Whether you're building a startup or scaling a legacy brand, this episode is your cheat sheet for staying relevant, resilient, and ready for what’s next.
Disclaimer: The views, information, and opinions expressed in this broadcast are intended for general informational purposes only. They do not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult qualified professionals regarding any specific concerns or decisions. Neither the hosts nor guests are liable for any actions taken based on the content of this program.
Enrico breaks down the game-changing ideas shaping the future—from the rise of Artificial Intelligence to shifts in consumer behavior, digital strategy, and beyond. Whether you're building a startup or scaling a legacy brand, this episode is your cheat sheet for staying relevant, resilient, and ready for what’s next.
Disclaimer: The views, information, and opinions expressed in this broadcast are intended for general informational purposes only. They do not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners are encouraged to consult qualified professionals regarding any specific concerns or decisions. Neither the hosts nor guests are liable for any actions taken based on the content of this program.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Good evening, Malakaibiga. Well, let me ask you something. When
was the last time you looked at AI, you know,
the artificial intelligence, or maybe you look into remote work
or even sustainability, and then while looking into it, you thought, hmm,
that doesn't affect my business.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
You know, look at this guys.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
You know, maybe you're a local shop owner, a contractor,
a service provider, or let's just even consider a freelancer.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
You know, here's the truth.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
These trends are no longer just for the tech giants,
because that's the mindset you know a long time ago,
like Silicon Valley or you know the fourteen five, one
hundred crowd.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
You know, they're right, All of this are right here
in the main streets of America.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
They're knocking on the doors of small businesses like you
and me, entrepreneurs and every day folks trying to stay
competitive out there. All right, okay again, welcome to in
my two box. My name is Enrico Pobra, and.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Today that's exactly what I want to talk about.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
We're going to be unpacking the business trains at twenty
twenty five that you.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Simply cannot afford to ignore.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Again, AI Artificial intelligence or what I mentioned about remote
remote work and Chris, what do you call this a
green business? You know, like environmental friendly. These are not
just future ideas anymore, like how we talked about it
a long time ago.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
They are here today and it's real, you know.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
So if you're not adapting, you know, you're you're you're
handing your competitors definitely an advantage.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
You're giving that advantage to your competitors.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
So whether you're running a family owned business like maybe
a bakery, or even a consultancy agency, you know, or
a small management manufacturing company, or you're launching your next
big idea, well, guys, this topic might you know, definitely
is for you. So I want to dive into it.
(02:27):
You know all of the things that I just mentioned.
So let's talk about artificial intelligence. So AI today that's
actually going to be your new business partner. I try it,
learn it. You know, AI is now your business partner.
And AI is not just a tool. You know, a
long time ago, only large no, not really long time ago,
(02:50):
but you know, only large corporations had access to artificial intelligence,
you know, for for data analysis and business intelligence. Now
AI tools are it could easily be you could easily
subscribe on it into what you know, a subscription based
now and small businesses can leverage this AI tools today.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Definitely.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
AI can help with you know, sales forecasting, even trend spotting,
and even suggesting pricing adjustment based on the demand today
real time example. Give you an example, guys, so, so
I maybe a small coffee shop. You know, you can
use an AI to predict what, you know, what are
(03:35):
the peak hours in this location.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
So you can actually adjust your staffing accordingly.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
That's very important, you know, because that's gonna be definitely
you know, money that you're throwing away if you're not
maximizing your staffing.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Right. So the relatable.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Angle on this one, imagine having a manager who works
twenty for seven maybe right, but you know, doesn't call
in sick and always has the latest data.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
That's actually AI working for your business.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
You can depend on this tool twenty four to seven.
See so, if you're still running sales reports manually today,
you're missing out an opportunity because AI could.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Flag you know, for all of this for you instantly.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
I'll give you an example, guys, AI too is the
new customer service frontliner. Huh see, so consumer today you
know they expect instant responses. Have you actually imagined yourself?
You know, you you try to email somebody or chat someone,
but you know it takes a while before you get
(04:48):
an answer. Today, those tools, you know, some of them
are already AIAI powered chat bots that can handle eighty
percent of the increase and this twenty four seven. So
a AI artificial intelligence doesn't just answer basic questions.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
It learns from you know, from from you and me.
You know, our we are our, we are customers.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
So AI learned from customer behavior, behavior, and it offers
tailored recommendation. So let's say a small e commerce shop,
you know they use AI chat bots to upsell complement
their products.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Someone is actually going to be doing that for you.
So imagine this. When was the last time you got
frustrated waiting for a response from a business?
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Exactly what I was mentioning a while ago, right, your cause,
your customers is going to be feeling the same.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
If you're running a.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Business, put yourself into their shoe. That's exactly how they're
going to be feeling.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
So, so again, if I were you start with AI
chat on on on Facebook Messenger, it's of course just
cost to it, but you're going to be learning from it.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
You know. It's low cost anyway, and it's going to
be effective. Okay, So another.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Thing AI today, these AI tools are well we talked
about costs, but it's affordable you know, for every business now,
for every small business. You know, these AI tools could
be affordable already. So like the software as a service models,
the SaaS models, you know, they they have made AI
(06:25):
tools like Canva, Jasper, you know, Zo, all of the CRM.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
It's accessible for us low as you know, maybe twenty
bucks or to fifty bucks every month.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
So how much is that, you know, comparing to that
that I mean, that cost compared to the amount of
work that it can do for you because you can
automate design, you know, you can automate customer follow ups
and even content creation without you hiring extra staff. That's
(06:58):
the power of AI today, guys, for small businesses. You know,
so say for example, a local real estate agent, they
use AI to generate property descriptions and maybe even a
social media post.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
There's a lot of tools out there that are you know,
AI generators.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
So you no longer need to hire a full time
designer or a marketer that on that case, you know,
because AI could do it about eighty percent of the
job already and you just have to put the finishing
touches into it. See, I use AI in a lot
of stuff, you know, and definitely finishing touches I do
(07:39):
I still, you know, or of course I keep it
to me that I have to just finalize everything before
I put it out.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
There, you know.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
So start, you know, guys, just start with one AI
tool and don't try to overwhelm yourself with all of
these AI tools because there's a lot there. Just choose
one and learn from it, you know, automate the task.
You know, maybe the way that you that you would
want to do it is to automate the task that's
going that's actually eating a lot of your time today.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
You can start it that way, right.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
So another thing that AI we can use AI for,
you know, AI in in hiring. You know, definitely it
saves time, but of course still needs human judgment. But
some of the some of the some of the items
in hiring, you know, a I can do that for you.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
So AI can filter out and qualified.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Resumes, a I can actually do scheduled you know, the
scheduling of interviews for you, and it can actually assess
candidates as well.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
You know.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
So however, you know the the the all of this AI.
Of course we understand there's what you call cultural fit
or work ethics and you know sometimes me I look
for passion. Of course, all of this still need human judgment.
But then again the other stuff AI can actually do
(09:00):
that for you.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Let's just say a.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
Small marketing agency you know, using AI for maybe to
short this candidates. But still you're going to be doing
the you know, the final interview, especially final interview. It
should be personal, right, so but AI can actually do
the short listing for you. So AI can tell you
who meets the checklist that you have.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
But you know, of course only you can sense if
they click with the team, you know, personality, character and
all of this stuff.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
So but then again when you use this one, always
audit your AI screating process of course, to avoid biases.
Right now, speaking about you, you know AI and you well,
it becomes smarter, you know you, and then you can
actually do some faster decision making for your business. The
AI's role today, guys, is not to replace business owners
(09:55):
like you and me.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
You know, it's just able to.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Enhance decision making and definitely you know, free up sometime
to you which is very important for business owners sometimes
you know business owners or no not sometimes a lot
of times business owners are just.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Overwhelmed and they could not find free time.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
So but you know, with with with the help of
AI today, that will allow you to free up some time.
So when AI handles, like, you know, all of this
routine task, you can focus now on what you're supposed
to be best in doing, you know, like like strategy
or making relationship with the clients and definitely growth of
the business. Let's say a a boutique accounting firm uses
(10:42):
an AI. You know, they use AI to automate reports,
allowing partners to focus now on advisory services instead of
those you know, small tasks that they should not be doing.
So imagine this you stop you know, you by imagining
that you stop wasting.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Hours in the day on admin work.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
You know, because your skill set is not a ten
dollars skill set an hour.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
You know, you're definitely worth more than that, and you
would want to assign that to an AI.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
You know, that's more time for a client meetings and
definitely more time is.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Scaling your business.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
So again delegate low value tasks to AI and invest
your time in high impact areas. Okay, so that's about AI.
I mentioned about remote remote work guys. You know, so
the new American work culture. So today, guys, I don't
know who a monts you are working remotely today. Hybrid
(11:43):
work is now the American standard and even the Philippines.
You know, it has been a huge change on how
work now as a standard in the Philippines. You know,
here in the US, the US workforce now expects flexibility
and then forcing full office returns you know, leads to
(12:06):
well resignations. Right, So hybrid setups improve productivity, they lower
commute related stress, and increase employee satisfaction.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Especially in the Philippines.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Right traffic there in the Metrimnila is just terrible.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Can you imagine people now.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
Going to work two hours and then from work to
home it's another two hours. Can you imagine that if
you're working in a remote work that saves you four
hours already for productivity. You know, tech companies offering three
office days maybe here in the United States, and they
can do two remote days. And then because of this,
(12:42):
you know, there is a higher retention rate and that's
exactly what business owners want.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
A higher retention rate.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
So employees don't want to waste ten hours a week
in traffic for just for you know, going to work
you know where in fact, they can do some stuff
already just by being at home. So again, guys, establish
clear hybrid policies in your business, you know, and then
be able to maintain accountability.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Well, guys, you know remote work.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
You can hire the best talent across the United States
if you actually have remote work the entire United States,
not just in your locality, right, So businesses are now
tapping into talent pools in other states where cost of
living and definitely are lower, So it means that salary
expectations are lower too.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
So remote hiring.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Allows businesses to get specialized skills without the overhead of relocation. Say,
for example, a Virginia based start up hiring you know
coders from Ohio or here in Nevada, Las Vegas. That's
going to be saving thirty percent on labor costs definitely, right,
So why limit yourself to local hires when the perfect
(13:51):
fit could be working from another state and can actually
do the same productivity and efficiency. So ensure definitely well
when you do that you have to understand tax implication
when hiring out of state. But then again we're talking
about we're talking about remote workers. Okay, now speaking about
remote workers, we also have what you call virtual offices
(14:13):
and digital workspaces, and it's it's.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Becoming a norm today. You know.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
So platforms like Zoom or Teams, the Microsoft Teams right,
and virtual collaboration tools. This actually have replaced a lot
of physical meeting rooms. Even industries like construction and retails
are already using digital project management system Say, for example,
(14:39):
a Nevada based law firm using.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
Teams for client consultation.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
Why not you know, a meeting that would have been
you know, wh would have taken two hours in traffic
going to your clients or vice versa is done by
twenty minutes just using Zoo. So all you have to
do is to invest in good webcams, you know, microphone
and maybe a good virtual background. Make sure that you're
not you know, you have a very good virtual background,
(15:07):
you know, because your digital presence using Zoom or the.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Likes is now going to be your office.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
See, so remote work here in the United States, the
infrastructure is actually booming in the in the in the
US industry in general.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
You know, so services supporting remote work, like cyber security
or any virtual collaboration.
Speaker 1 (15:32):
You've seen a lot of these cloud storages, right, and
these are now essential. Cyber Security breaches are a major
concern with distributed teams, right, So small businesses subscribing to
let's just say manage it services to protect remote workers.
So if your team works from home, definitely, you know,
one of the things that you want to make sure
(15:53):
to secure your data. You know, like a bank secure.
It's evolved, so data now in cloud. You know, it's
just like money that you're you're protecting. It's like an
asset that you would want to protect, right and again
like a bank that is securing its own vault. So
this is how that's how it works. So don't cheap
(16:14):
out on cybersecurity. That's something that you would need to,
you know, to protect all of these things. Right, So
it's cheaper to prevent a breach than recover from one.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
And you've seen this one guys all over the place.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
Maybe you've heard this from the news, but yeah, it
is actually reality. Okay, So again another thing maybe is
in a remote work keeping team culture alive.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Well, it's actually a.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Challenge, you know, you know, keeping that that that culture
life doing remote work is actually a challenge. But you know,
all of this virtual team building, regular check ins and
online socials are are what other companies are using to
maintain high engagement within their their their their what do
(17:03):
you call this their culture of the business?
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Right, So, disconnected teams lead to of course.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
We already know that you know, to to low morale
and eventually a turnover. Remember we were talking about retention,
but if you have a disconnected team, definitely.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
The turnover is going to be is going to be high.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
So you would want to think of if you're doing
remote work, you would want.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
To think of strategy how you can increase engagement.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Say, for example, a New York based agency hosting a
virtual tree via night or you.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Know, even as you know, even even check ins are actually.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Very important in remote work, right so or maybe we
can have a weekly coffee catch.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Up, you know via zoom.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
So you know, all of these things you might want
just to to to understand how to increase engagement using
all of these tools and having a remote remote team. Okay,
out of sight should not mean out of mind, you know,
because team.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Culture is going to be your glue. So recognize team
achievements always.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
I always believe it when I recognize achievements of my team,
I recognize them publicly, privately, even in digital spaces.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
You are able to do this right.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
So we talked about AI, we talked about you know
this remote work. These are some business trends that you
should not be ignored in twenty twenty five. Let me
give you another one. You know, we call it green business.
This is no longer optional here in United States. American
consumer now prefers eco friendly brands, So state ability is
(18:41):
now a buying decision factor, especially for millennials. In what
do you call this, I'm a gen gen z Okay, So,
businesses that adopts eco friendly practices, believe it or not,
today are actually.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Winning customer loyalty.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Let's just say, uh, I don't know if you if
you see that, but again, you know the gen zs.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Millennials are looking into this one.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
A California cafe switching to a composable cups.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
And you know what do you call this? Straws Maybe are.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Seeing sales growing just because of that switch. So you
might want to look into that green business. Okay, people,
don't just buy products anymore. They buy into the value
attached to your product. Okay, so you know what I
would want to make sure that you know, I advise
(19:37):
you is to promote your eco friendly initiatives actively because
this is going to build your brand story. So right now, guys,
if you're a business, is if if you have a
business today, you might want to ask yourself what's your
brand story?
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Okay?
Speaker 1 (19:50):
So US regulations are pushing businesses to go green, you know,
even as simple as band k you know, they they
as much as possible, they tell you, hey, you know,
go jump into paperless rather than you know, your statements
to be sent to you by paper.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Right. You know, cities and stage are implementing plastic bands.
That's good.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
You know, stricter emission policies and green certification. So non
compliant businesses risk all of these fines and there's going
to be definitely a lot of operational restriction. Say, for example,
San Francisco businesses, you're mandated to reduce plastic packaging by
like fifty percent if I'm not mistaken, you know, So
(20:32):
the whole idea there is, yeah, they are mandated to
reduce plastic packaging. See so don't wait for regulations to
force your hand. What I'm trying to say here, guys,
if you're running a business right now, that's going to
be your direction that you don't.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Want to ignore this yere, You know you have to
be proactive.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
You want to make sure that you have one You
know you're you're ahead of everybody, and you would want
to always stay ahead.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
So now do yourself a favor, do your business a favor.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Favor check if your state offers incentives for eco friendly initiatives,
maybe that's gonna be a good push for you if
you're not there yet.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
So sustainability is going to be a strong marketing edge.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
You can use this one definitely in elaborating what your
business is all about. Eco Friendly businesses definitely differentiates themselves
in crowded markets, so this could actually.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Set you apart.
Speaker 1 (21:26):
So green initiatives attract positive pr and create an emotional
connection with customers.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
That's exactly what you want.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
So let's just say, for example, a local printer offering
recycled paper options. This will actually gain a lot of
premium clients because of just that switch becoming green. So
going green, guys, can be your biggest selling point. It
just shows you that you care beyond the profits.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
So document your green initiative. That's something that you can do.
You know, people want to see proof, not just the claims.
Another thing that you.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
Would want to look into sustainability and green efforts is
green startup are booming across the US. Investors are aggressively
funding eco friendly starts up startups, you know, from renewable
energy to zero waste solution. Well, you know even traditional
businesses right now are people in toward green business models.
(22:24):
So startup turning plastic ways into construction materials. You know
that maybe getting a major VC backing, especially if you're
looking for funding right now. You know, just like all
the businesses that I consult, they're looking for funding. But
this might be something that's going to be pushing.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
All of this.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
You know, interested funders you know or like you know,
the vcs out there, they might be interested. That might
just be going to be changing your strategy or the game.
Green businesses definitely are not charity projects anymore. They could
be a high return investment just because you did that switch.
(23:03):
So if you're launching something new, you won't want to
make sure that you touch something that is green from
the very very start. Okay, so again we talked about
business trends. Maybe banks and investors they would maybe favor
eco friendly businesses.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
So all of this, uh what do you call this?
Speaker 1 (23:23):
H Environmental social governance compliance has become is becoming now
a standard checklist for again, those funders that you're looking for,
they would want to see that into your into your
executive summaries. Right, So green businesses often you know they
get they get lower indust rate, so grants this is
(23:45):
there might be some grants waiting for you there and
and of course priority this could be for for for
the investors. Just because you made that sweitch, I'm not
saying you know that you know every SBA is looking
for that.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
But then again there's studying.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
You know, you're not gonna be losing anything, you know,
because if you just make that switch SBA, you know
who knows back back up this green businesses they could
offer you loans no, or maybe they could be giving
you better terms for sustainable practices. Going green, guys, isn't
just good ethics today especially, it's gonna be good for
(24:21):
your wallet and growth of your business. So prepare that
ESG plan, attach it into your business plan, make your
business investor friendly. All right, So we talked about business trends,
we talked about AI, we talked about remote work, and
now we talked about sustainability or going green. So, guys,
(24:41):
this is actually what it boils down to. AI is
no longer a futuristic gimmick. If you still thinking that way,
well you're left behind already, right, So remote work again,
it's no longer a temporary pandemic fix, you know, like
a few years ago, right during pandemic and going well,
that's not just a corporate pr play. It's part of
(25:03):
strategy now and you would want to attach into your businesses.
It's becoming a survival strategy for businesses of all sizes again, literally,
guys of all sizes. You if you're SMEs, small medium enterprises,
this actually goes with you too.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
So in twenty twenty five this.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Year, right, even though we're half of the year ready,
the small businesses owner who automates, who adapts, you know
to who gives flexible work for the employees and embrace sustainability,
I tell you will definitely out based competitors who are
still stuck in nineteen ninety five.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
I don't know twenty fifteen.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
So you don't need a million dollar budget to start
this one, right. All you have to do just go,
you know, do your due diligence, look into all these
things that I mentioned to you. Automate one task using AI,
open up to hiring remote, switch one packaging material to
an eco friendly alternative. Those small steps, guys, could actually
compound into a competitive advantage that you.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
May have not seen yet or may not even believe.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
If I can put it that way, that's you know,
definitely just gonna be so hard to catch up to.
All right, So again, guys, my name is in Rico Corporate.
Thanks for spending this hour with me. Again you're listening
to in my Toolbox. If this episode opened your eyes
to where business is heading, you know, hit that like button,
subscribe and share this with someone who may need this
(26:28):
right and who may need a business reality check. Again,
my name isid Enrico Pulbre. Stay sharp, stay doctible, and
keep your toolbox ready.
Good evening, Malakaibiga. Well, let me ask you something. When
was the last time you looked at AI, you know,
the artificial intelligence, or maybe you look into remote work
or even sustainability, and then while looking into it, you thought, hmm,
that doesn't affect my business.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
You know, look at this guys.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
You know, maybe you're a local shop owner, a contractor,
a service provider, or let's just even consider a freelancer.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
You know, here's the truth.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
These trends are no longer just for the tech giants,
because that's the mindset you know a long time ago,
like Silicon Valley or you know the fourteen five, one
hundred crowd.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
You know, they're right, All of this are right here
in the main streets of America.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
They're knocking on the doors of small businesses like you
and me, entrepreneurs and every day folks trying to stay
competitive out there. All right, okay again, welcome to in
my two box. My name is Enrico Pobra, and.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Today that's exactly what I want to talk about.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
We're going to be unpacking the business trains at twenty
twenty five that you.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Simply cannot afford to ignore.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Again, AI Artificial intelligence or what I mentioned about remote
remote work and Chris, what do you call this a
green business? You know, like environmental friendly. These are not
just future ideas anymore, like how we talked about it
a long time ago.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
They are here today and it's real, you know.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
So if you're not adapting, you know, you're you're you're
handing your competitors definitely an advantage.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
You're giving that advantage to your competitors.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
So whether you're running a family owned business like maybe
a bakery, or even a consultancy agency, you know, or
a small management manufacturing company, or you're launching your next
big idea, well, guys, this topic might you know, definitely
is for you. So I want to dive into it.
(02:27):
You know all of the things that I just mentioned.
So let's talk about artificial intelligence. So AI today that's
actually going to be your new business partner. I try it,
learn it. You know, AI is now your business partner.
And AI is not just a tool. You know, a
long time ago, only large no, not really long time ago,
(02:50):
but you know, only large corporations had access to artificial intelligence,
you know, for for data analysis and business intelligence. Now
AI tools are it could easily be you could easily
subscribe on it into what you know, a subscription based
now and small businesses can leverage this AI tools today.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Definitely.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
AI can help with you know, sales forecasting, even trend spotting,
and even suggesting pricing adjustment based on the demand today
real time example. Give you an example, guys, so, so
I maybe a small coffee shop. You know, you can
use an AI to predict what, you know, what are
(03:35):
the peak hours in this location.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
So you can actually adjust your staffing accordingly.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
That's very important, you know, because that's gonna be definitely
you know, money that you're throwing away if you're not
maximizing your staffing.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Right. So the relatable.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Angle on this one, imagine having a manager who works
twenty for seven maybe right, but you know, doesn't call
in sick and always has the latest data.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
That's actually AI working for your business.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
You can depend on this tool twenty four to seven.
See so, if you're still running sales reports manually today,
you're missing out an opportunity because AI could.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Flag you know, for all of this for you instantly.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
I'll give you an example, guys, AI too is the
new customer service frontliner. Huh see, so consumer today you
know they expect instant responses. Have you actually imagined yourself?
You know, you you try to email somebody or chat someone,
but you know it takes a while before you get
(04:48):
an answer. Today, those tools, you know, some of them
are already AIAI powered chat bots that can handle eighty
percent of the increase and this twenty four seven. So
a AI artificial intelligence doesn't just answer basic questions.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
It learns from you know, from from you and me.
You know, our we are our, we are customers.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
So AI learned from customer behavior, behavior, and it offers
tailored recommendation. So let's say a small e commerce shop,
you know they use AI chat bots to upsell complement
their products.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Someone is actually going to be doing that for you.
So imagine this. When was the last time you got
frustrated waiting for a response from a business?
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Exactly what I was mentioning a while ago, right, your cause,
your customers is going to be feeling the same.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
If you're running a.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Business, put yourself into their shoe. That's exactly how they're
going to be feeling.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
So, so again, if I were you start with AI
chat on on on Facebook Messenger, it's of course just
cost to it, but you're going to be learning from it.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
You know. It's low cost anyway, and it's going to
be effective. Okay, So another.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Thing AI today, these AI tools are well we talked
about costs, but it's affordable you know, for every business now,
for every small business. You know, these AI tools could
be affordable already. So like the software as a service models,
the SaaS models, you know, they they have made AI
(06:25):
tools like Canva, Jasper, you know, Zo, all of the CRM.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
It's accessible for us low as you know, maybe twenty
bucks or to fifty bucks every month.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
So how much is that, you know, comparing to that
that I mean, that cost compared to the amount of
work that it can do for you because you can
automate design, you know, you can automate customer follow ups
and even content creation without you hiring extra staff. That's
(06:58):
the power of AI today, guys, for small businesses. You know,
so say for example, a local real estate agent, they
use AI to generate property descriptions and maybe even a
social media post.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
There's a lot of tools out there that are you know,
AI generators.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
So you no longer need to hire a full time
designer or a marketer that on that case, you know,
because AI could do it about eighty percent of the
job already and you just have to put the finishing
touches into it. See, I use AI in a lot
of stuff, you know, and definitely finishing touches I do
(07:39):
I still, you know, or of course I keep it
to me that I have to just finalize everything before
I put it out.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
There, you know.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
So start, you know, guys, just start with one AI
tool and don't try to overwhelm yourself with all of
these AI tools because there's a lot there. Just choose
one and learn from it, you know, automate the task.
You know, maybe the way that you that you would
want to do it is to automate the task that's
going that's actually eating a lot of your time today.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
You can start it that way, right.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
So another thing that AI we can use AI for,
you know, AI in in hiring. You know, definitely it
saves time, but of course still needs human judgment. But
some of the some of the some of the items
in hiring, you know, a I can do that for you.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
So AI can filter out and qualified.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Resumes, a I can actually do scheduled you know, the
scheduling of interviews for you, and it can actually assess
candidates as well.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
You know.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
So however, you know the the the all of this AI.
Of course we understand there's what you call cultural fit
or work ethics and you know sometimes me I look
for passion. Of course, all of this still need human judgment.
But then again the other stuff AI can actually do
(09:00):
that for you.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Let's just say a.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
Small marketing agency you know, using AI for maybe to
short this candidates. But still you're going to be doing
the you know, the final interview, especially final interview. It
should be personal, right, so but AI can actually do
the short listing for you. So AI can tell you
who meets the checklist that you have.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
But you know, of course only you can sense if
they click with the team, you know, personality, character and
all of this stuff.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
So but then again when you use this one, always
audit your AI screating process of course, to avoid biases.
Right now, speaking about you, you know AI and you well,
it becomes smarter, you know you, and then you can
actually do some faster decision making for your business. The
AI's role today, guys, is not to replace business owners
(09:55):
like you and me.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
You know, it's just able to.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Enhance decision making and definitely you know, free up sometime
to you which is very important for business owners sometimes
you know business owners or no not sometimes a lot
of times business owners are just.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Overwhelmed and they could not find free time.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
So but you know, with with with the help of
AI today, that will allow you to free up some time.
So when AI handles, like, you know, all of this
routine task, you can focus now on what you're supposed
to be best in doing, you know, like like strategy
or making relationship with the clients and definitely growth of
the business. Let's say a a boutique accounting firm uses
(10:42):
an AI. You know, they use AI to automate reports,
allowing partners to focus now on advisory services instead of
those you know, small tasks that they should not be doing.
So imagine this you stop you know, you by imagining
that you stop wasting.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Hours in the day on admin work.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
You know, because your skill set is not a ten
dollars skill set an hour.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
You know, you're definitely worth more than that, and you
would want to assign that to an AI.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
You know, that's more time for a client meetings and
definitely more time is.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Scaling your business.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
So again delegate low value tasks to AI and invest
your time in high impact areas. Okay, so that's about AI.
I mentioned about remote remote work guys. You know, so
the new American work culture. So today, guys, I don't
know who a monts you are working remotely today. Hybrid
(11:43):
work is now the American standard and even the Philippines.
You know, it has been a huge change on how
work now as a standard in the Philippines. You know,
here in the US, the US workforce now expects flexibility
and then forcing full office returns you know, leads to
(12:06):
well resignations. Right, So hybrid setups improve productivity, they lower
commute related stress, and increase employee satisfaction.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Especially in the Philippines.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Right traffic there in the Metrimnila is just terrible.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Can you imagine people now.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
Going to work two hours and then from work to
home it's another two hours. Can you imagine that if
you're working in a remote work that saves you four
hours already for productivity. You know, tech companies offering three
office days maybe here in the United States, and they
can do two remote days. And then because of this,
(12:42):
you know, there is a higher retention rate and that's
exactly what business owners want.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
A higher retention rate.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
So employees don't want to waste ten hours a week
in traffic for just for you know, going to work
you know where in fact, they can do some stuff
already just by being at home. So again, guys, establish
clear hybrid policies in your business, you know, and then
be able to maintain accountability.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Well, guys, you know remote work.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
You can hire the best talent across the United States
if you actually have remote work the entire United States,
not just in your locality, right, So businesses are now
tapping into talent pools in other states where cost of
living and definitely are lower, So it means that salary
expectations are lower too.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
So remote hiring.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Allows businesses to get specialized skills without the overhead of relocation. Say,
for example, a Virginia based start up hiring you know
coders from Ohio or here in Nevada, Las Vegas. That's
going to be saving thirty percent on labor costs definitely, right,
So why limit yourself to local hires when the perfect
(13:51):
fit could be working from another state and can actually
do the same productivity and efficiency. So ensure definitely well
when you do that you have to understand tax implication
when hiring out of state. But then again we're talking
about we're talking about remote workers. Okay, now speaking about
remote workers, we also have what you call virtual offices
(14:13):
and digital workspaces, and it's it's.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Becoming a norm today. You know.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
So platforms like Zoom or Teams, the Microsoft Teams right,
and virtual collaboration tools. This actually have replaced a lot
of physical meeting rooms. Even industries like construction and retails
are already using digital project management system Say, for example,
(14:39):
a Nevada based law firm using.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
Teams for client consultation.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
Why not you know, a meeting that would have been
you know, wh would have taken two hours in traffic
going to your clients or vice versa is done by
twenty minutes just using Zoo. So all you have to
do is to invest in good webcams, you know, microphone
and maybe a good virtual background. Make sure that you're
not you know, you have a very good virtual background,
(15:07):
you know, because your digital presence using Zoom or the.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Likes is now going to be your office.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
See, so remote work here in the United States, the
infrastructure is actually booming in the in the in the
US industry in general.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
You know, so services supporting remote work, like cyber security
or any virtual collaboration.
Speaker 1 (15:32):
You've seen a lot of these cloud storages, right, and
these are now essential. Cyber Security breaches are a major
concern with distributed teams, right, So small businesses subscribing to
let's just say manage it services to protect remote workers.
So if your team works from home, definitely, you know,
one of the things that you want to make sure
(15:53):
to secure your data. You know, like a bank secure.
It's evolved, so data now in cloud. You know, it's
just like money that you're you're protecting. It's like an
asset that you would want to protect, right and again
like a bank that is securing its own vault. So
this is how that's how it works. So don't cheap
(16:14):
out on cybersecurity. That's something that you would need to,
you know, to protect all of these things. Right, So
it's cheaper to prevent a breach than recover from one.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
And you've seen this one guys all over the place.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
Maybe you've heard this from the news, but yeah, it
is actually reality. Okay, So again another thing maybe is
in a remote work keeping team culture alive.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Well, it's actually a.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Challenge, you know, you know, keeping that that that culture
life doing remote work is actually a challenge. But you know,
all of this virtual team building, regular check ins and
online socials are are what other companies are using to
maintain high engagement within their their their their what do
(17:03):
you call this their culture of the business?
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Right, So, disconnected teams lead to of course.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
We already know that you know, to to low morale
and eventually a turnover. Remember we were talking about retention,
but if you have a disconnected team, definitely.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
The turnover is going to be is going to be high.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
So you would want to think of if you're doing
remote work, you would want.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
To think of strategy how you can increase engagement.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Say, for example, a New York based agency hosting a
virtual tree via night or you.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Know, even as you know, even even check ins are actually.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Very important in remote work, right so or maybe we
can have a weekly coffee catch.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Up, you know via zoom.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
So you know, all of these things you might want
just to to to understand how to increase engagement using
all of these tools and having a remote remote team. Okay,
out of sight should not mean out of mind, you know,
because team.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Culture is going to be your glue. So recognize team
achievements always.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
I always believe it when I recognize achievements of my team,
I recognize them publicly, privately, even in digital spaces.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
You are able to do this right.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
So we talked about AI, we talked about you know
this remote work. These are some business trends that you
should not be ignored in twenty twenty five. Let me
give you another one. You know, we call it green business.
This is no longer optional here in United States. American
consumer now prefers eco friendly brands, So state ability is
(18:41):
now a buying decision factor, especially for millennials. In what
do you call this, I'm a gen gen z Okay, So,
businesses that adopts eco friendly practices, believe it or not,
today are actually.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Winning customer loyalty.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Let's just say, uh, I don't know if you if
you see that, but again, you know the gen zs.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Millennials are looking into this one.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
A California cafe switching to a composable cups.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
And you know what do you call this? Straws Maybe are.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Seeing sales growing just because of that switch. So you
might want to look into that green business. Okay, people,
don't just buy products anymore. They buy into the value
attached to your product. Okay, so you know what I
would want to make sure that you know, I advise
(19:37):
you is to promote your eco friendly initiatives actively because
this is going to build your brand story. So right now, guys,
if you're a business, is if if you have a
business today, you might want to ask yourself what's your
brand story?
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Okay?
Speaker 1 (19:50):
So US regulations are pushing businesses to go green, you know,
even as simple as band k you know, they they
as much as possible, they tell you, hey, you know,
go jump into paperless rather than you know, your statements
to be sent to you by paper.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Right. You know, cities and stage are implementing plastic bands.
That's good.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
You know, stricter emission policies and green certification. So non
compliant businesses risk all of these fines and there's going
to be definitely a lot of operational restriction. Say, for example,
San Francisco businesses, you're mandated to reduce plastic packaging by
like fifty percent if I'm not mistaken, you know, So
(20:32):
the whole idea there is, yeah, they are mandated to
reduce plastic packaging. See so don't wait for regulations to
force your hand. What I'm trying to say here, guys,
if you're running a business right now, that's going to
be your direction that you don't.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Want to ignore this yere, You know you have to
be proactive.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
You want to make sure that you have one You
know you're you're ahead of everybody, and you would want
to always stay ahead.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
So now do yourself a favor, do your business a favor.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Favor check if your state offers incentives for eco friendly initiatives,
maybe that's gonna be a good push for you if
you're not there yet.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
So sustainability is going to be a strong marketing edge.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
You can use this one definitely in elaborating what your
business is all about. Eco Friendly businesses definitely differentiates themselves
in crowded markets, so this could actually.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Set you apart.
Speaker 1 (21:26):
So green initiatives attract positive pr and create an emotional
connection with customers.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
That's exactly what you want.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
So let's just say, for example, a local printer offering
recycled paper options. This will actually gain a lot of
premium clients because of just that switch becoming green. So
going green, guys, can be your biggest selling point. It
just shows you that you care beyond the profits.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
So document your green initiative. That's something that you can do.
You know, people want to see proof, not just the claims.
Another thing that you.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
Would want to look into sustainability and green efforts is
green startup are booming across the US. Investors are aggressively
funding eco friendly starts up startups, you know, from renewable
energy to zero waste solution. Well, you know even traditional
businesses right now are people in toward green business models.
(22:24):
So startup turning plastic ways into construction materials. You know
that maybe getting a major VC backing, especially if you're
looking for funding right now. You know, just like all
the businesses that I consult, they're looking for funding. But
this might be something that's going to be pushing.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
All of this.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
You know, interested funders you know or like you know,
the vcs out there, they might be interested. That might
just be going to be changing your strategy or the game.
Green businesses definitely are not charity projects anymore. They could
be a high return investment just because you did that switch.
(23:03):
So if you're launching something new, you won't want to
make sure that you touch something that is green from
the very very start. Okay, so again we talked about
business trends. Maybe banks and investors they would maybe favor
eco friendly businesses.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
So all of this, uh what do you call this?
Speaker 1 (23:23):
H Environmental social governance compliance has become is becoming now
a standard checklist for again, those funders that you're looking for,
they would want to see that into your into your
executive summaries. Right, So green businesses often you know they
get they get lower indust rate, so grants this is
(23:45):
there might be some grants waiting for you there and
and of course priority this could be for for for
the investors. Just because you made that sweitch, I'm not
saying you know that you know every SBA is looking
for that.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
But then again there's studying.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
You know, you're not gonna be losing anything, you know,
because if you just make that switch SBA, you know
who knows back back up this green businesses they could
offer you loans no, or maybe they could be giving
you better terms for sustainable practices. Going green, guys, isn't
just good ethics today especially, it's gonna be good for
(24:21):
your wallet and growth of your business. So prepare that
ESG plan, attach it into your business plan, make your
business investor friendly. All right, So we talked about business trends,
we talked about AI, we talked about remote work, and
now we talked about sustainability or going green. So, guys,
(24:41):
this is actually what it boils down to. AI is
no longer a futuristic gimmick. If you still thinking that way,
well you're left behind already, right, So remote work again,
it's no longer a temporary pandemic fix, you know, like
a few years ago, right during pandemic and going well,
that's not just a corporate pr play. It's part of
(25:03):
strategy now and you would want to attach into your businesses.
It's becoming a survival strategy for businesses of all sizes again, literally,
guys of all sizes. You if you're SMEs, small medium enterprises,
this actually goes with you too.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
So in twenty twenty five this.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Year, right, even though we're half of the year ready,
the small businesses owner who automates, who adapts, you know
to who gives flexible work for the employees and embrace sustainability,
I tell you will definitely out based competitors who are
still stuck in nineteen ninety five.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
I don't know twenty fifteen.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
So you don't need a million dollar budget to start
this one, right. All you have to do just go,
you know, do your due diligence, look into all these
things that I mentioned to you. Automate one task using AI,
open up to hiring remote, switch one packaging material to
an eco friendly alternative. Those small steps, guys, could actually
compound into a competitive advantage that you.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
May have not seen yet or may not even believe.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
If I can put it that way, that's you know,
definitely just gonna be so hard to catch up to.
All right, So again, guys, my name is in Rico Corporate.
Thanks for spending this hour with me. Again you're listening
to in my Toolbox. If this episode opened your eyes
to where business is heading, you know, hit that like button,
subscribe and share this with someone who may need this
(26:28):
right and who may need a business reality check. Again,
my name isid Enrico Pulbre. Stay sharp, stay doctible, and
keep your toolbox ready.
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