← All use cases / Small business
A one-person plumbing and installation business looking after a community pool spotted wasteful manual processes but had never used AI. He asked ChatGPT questions about the pool system and how to automate it, got a parts list and a plan, and with the previous installer made changes expected to save the pool thousands of euros. He now uses it several times a day for practical problems.
I'm a [TRADE] and one of my clients has [SYSTEM, E.G. A POOL PUMP AND HEATING SETUP] that is run manually: [DESCRIBE HOW IT WORKS NOW]. I think it wastes energy because [REASON]. Explain the options for improving or automating it, the parts I'd likely need, the rough costs and savings, and the questions I should check with the manufacturer or a specialist before proposing it to the client.
Replace the [PLACEHOLDERS] with your own details before you send it.
How to try it
- Describe the setup and the problem in as much detail as you can, including model names.
- Ask follow-up questions until you have a clear plan and parts list.
- Check everything against manufacturer documentation and the relevant regulations before you quote or install anything.
More small business use cases
Learn what goes into a good business plan with Grok
Starting her own business, one user asked Grok to explain the elements of a good business plan.
I'm starting [TYPE OF BUSINESS] in [LOCATION]. Explain the essential sections of a good business plan in plain English, what each section should answer, and the common mistakes beginners make. Then ask me questions, one section at a time, to help me draft mine.
Spot your customers’ hidden problems in old emails with Claude
One business owner fed six months of client emails into Claude and asked it to find patterns. It surfaced three problems his clients were having that he hadn't noticed, and he built a solution for each.
Here are [NUMBER] months of customer emails with names and contact details removed: [PASTE OR UPLOAD]. Find the recurring questions, complaints and requests. Group them by theme, say how often each comes up with a short paraphrased example, and suggest one practical fix or new offer for each of the top three.
Price your handmade work and plan your next steps with ChatGPT
The ceramicist behind Vines & Vessels, a small LA business making wall-hung vases, first used ChatGPT to price pieces from the time and materials that went into them. Later the artist shared longer-term goals and had it break each into steps, which they say gave them guidance when self-doubt crept in.
I make [PRODUCT] by hand. One piece takes about [HOURS] hours and [MATERIALS COST] in materials, and I'd like to pay myself [HOURLY RATE] an hour. Work out a price that covers costs and my time, show the maths, and suggest a sensible range. Then help me with this goal: [E.G. SELL ONLINE BY SPRING]. Break it into small, practical steps for the next [WEEKS] weeks.
Reference: Hacker News