We are deeply honoured to have been featured on SMEhorizon, with the opportunity to showcase how we have been leveraging AI technology to enhance our services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The featured article highlighted the exciting moments of our journey with Xero, from the initial partnership forged back in 2016, all the way to its current stage of AI-powered tools’ exploration.
In this rapidly evolving business landscape, we at 361 Degree Consultancy have been consistently embracing new technologies to better serve our clients.In fact, our commitment towards innovation has been the key push to our strong partnership with Xero in 2016 to upgrade our systems. Today, we are continuing to take another significant step forward by exploring AI’s potential to revolutionise the services that we offer to SMEs.
The article underscores the AI’s ability to transform industries by automating tasks, boosting productivity and providing valuable insights. However, it also acknowledges the huge challenges posed, including scepticism, ethical concerns, as well as data privacy risks. These concerns are common among businesses, as shown through a Xero-commissioned study which found that Singaporean business owners do recognise AI’s benefits but also share some apprehensions.
Fortunately, Singapore’s proactive approach to AI regulation—through initiatives such as the AI Verify Foundation and the National AI Strategy— has provided a solid framework for responsible and effective AI use. This support gives businesses, ours alike, the confidence to explore AI further.
At 361 Degree Consultancy, we are actively experimenting with different AI tools, such as Generative AI (GenAI), to demonstrate their potential value to both our team and our clients. These tools have already streamlined our marketing processes, allowing our team to focus on more strategic tasks. We definitely see AI’s potential in extending beyond automation, envisioning it as an essential tool for delivering in-depth reporting, forecasting and even personalised client interactions in the near future.
Our Director, Ken Leong, has offered the following advice for smaller companies looking to harness AI’s capabilities:
- Identify a pain point: Do not adopt AI simply because of the trend. Focus on specific areas where AI can help to solve existing challenges. For example, small businesses without a dedicated marketing team can use AI to create basic social media content or customer emails, thereby boosting brand awareness.
- Start small and experiment: Begin with manageable AI solutions. Observe how they integrate into your workflow, and make necessary adjustments to achieve the best results.
- Don’t over-trust AI: While AI is useful for generating first drafts or automating tasks, it is not perfect. AI-generated content often needs to be proofread or edited by humans to ensure accuracy, quality and alignment with branding guidelines.
- Embrace the digital ecosystem: Take time to explore available tools in the market to search for the best solution for your needs. Speak to peers or technology advisors, and learn what tools are highly rated within the industry to enhance your service offerings.
This is an ongoing learning journey towards AI adoption. While the path may have its challenges, the future is very promising. As we continue to integrate AI into our operations, we are also excited about the enhanced values that we can pass on to our clients. The insights shared within the SMEhorizon article mirrors our own experiences and highlights the broader potential of AI in driving business success. We look forward to sharing more about our journey with you as we continue to explore the transformative power of AI.
If you are interested in digitalising your internal processes with solutions like Xero, simply contact us at 6515 7906 or email us at enquiry@361dc.com.
