How to Win Back 2 Months Per Year with Strategic AI Implementation

HIGHLIGHTS

•  Learn how businesses achieve 20% productivity gains with practical AI automation

•  Discover the tools and platforms that deliver the best ROI for business automation

• Explore real-world AI use cases from email management to content creation

• Understand why AI adopters have an "unfair advantage" in today's marketplace

INTRODUCTION:

In this value-packed episode of AI Biz Hour, hosts Andy Wergedal and John Allen welcome Alex Northstar, a fractional Chief AI Officer who helps businesses implement practical AI solutions. Alex shares his proven methodology for identifying high-value automation opportunities and reveals how even small organizations can achieve dramatic productivity gains through strategic AI implementation. This episode cuts through the hype to deliver actionable insights for putting AI to work in your business.

Meet Your Fractional Chief AI Officer Alex Northstar

Alex Northstar has built a career helping businesses implement AI solutions that deliver measurable results. His journey from bug collector (showing early interest in categorization and taxonomy) to Google corporate trainer and now fractional CAIO reflects his long-standing interest in systematic processes and human-machine communication.

"Most people outside tech spaces are still living in 2017. The competitive advantage gap is widening dramatically between AI adopters and non-adopters." - Alex Northstar

Alex typically works with clients for 2-3 months, taking them from "zero to AI literate" with a focus on achieving approximately 20% productivity increase—equivalent to winning back about two months per year.

The AI Implementation Process

Alex's methodology focuses on rapid results and measurable outcomes:

1. Target decision-makers (CEOs) rather than managers

2. Meet with department heads to identify repetitive tasks and pain points

3. Develop customized AI solutions from his library of 50-60 automation workflows

4. Implement solutions and track results (time/cost savings)

"If a human costs $20 per hour, an AI automation costs 2 cents per day." - Alex Northstar

This dramatic cost difference explains why Alex has effectively replaced approximately 30 positions with automations over the past two years.

The Optimal AI Tool Stack

Alex recommends a carefully curated set of tools for business automation:

• Make.com - His preferred automation platform with visual workflow design

• Zapier - Popular but more expensive automation alternative

• N8N - Underestimated tool that allows setting up your own server for unlimited automations

• ChatHub.gg - Tool for comparing different AI models ($18/month)

• OpenAPI - Used for integrating AI into automation workflows

• Microsoft Copilot - Enterprise AI solution (noted as less user-friendly)

• Gamma.app - For AI-powered presentation creation

Alex emphasizes focusing on solving specific business problems rather than chasing the latest AI tools or announcements.

Real-World AI Use Cases

Email Management System

Alex detailed an automation that:

• Scans emails hourly

• Categorizes messages by priority

• Prepares responses for important emails

• Notifies users via Slack

• Drastically reduces time spent managing correspondence

LinkedIn Content Generator

• Monitors selected accounts for inspiration

• Researches industry topics via web search

• Creates original posts using AI

• Delivers publication-ready content without manual effort

Virtual Assistant Enhancement

• Uses AI to multiply the effectiveness of virtual assistants

• Enables one VA to do the work previously requiring multiple people

• Creates significant cost savings while improving output quality

FEATURED TOOL/TECHNOLOGY:

 Make.com: The Automation Powerhouse

Alex specifically highlighted Make.com as his preferred automation platform. Its visual workflow design makes it easier to demonstrate value to clients, while offering better affordability compared to Zapier. This platform serves as the foundation for many of Alex's custom automations, allowing seamless integration with AI through API connections.

EXPERT CORNER:

Alex Northstar on the Future of Work

Alex predicts we'll see an acceleration of current AI business advantages rather than a sudden "AGI moment." The gap between AI-enhanced and traditional businesses will continue to widen dramatically.

"Workers who embrace AI can become 3-5x more valuable. Some companies now refuse to hire people who don't use ChatGPT." - Alex Northstar

His vision isn't about replacing humans but freeing them from mundane tasks. "Put AI to work for you" is Alex's core message, with the ultimate goal being to use technology to live "a better human life" with more time for family, health, and side projects.

QUICK HITS:

• Conduct a personal AI audit to identify repetitive daily tasks consuming your time

• Start with solving your own problems before tackling organizational challenges

• Aim to win back 1-2 hours per day through strategic AI implementation

• Don't get distracted by new tool announcements; focus on solving concrete problems

• Learn the fundamentals of effective prompting and basic automation concepts

• Consider working with virtual assistants who are AI-proficient to multiply effectiveness

• When generating images with AI, English prompts generally produce better results

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Make.com - Preferred automation platform

• Zapier - Popular automation tool

• N8N - Self-hosted automation platform

• ChatHub.gg - AI model comparison tool

• OpenAPI - For API integration

• Microsoft Copilot - Enterprise AI solution

• Gamma.app - AI presentation creator

• Virtual Synergy Inc. - Show sponsor providing virtual assistant services

COMING UP:

Join us for upcoming episodes featuring more practical AI implementation strategies and business use cases. Follow Andy and John on social media for announcements about future guests and topics.

CONNECT WITH AI BIZ HOUR:

• Andy: @andywergedal

• John: @AiJohnAllen

• Show: @aibizhour

• Website: aibizhour.com

Ready to implement AI in your business?:

Start by identifying one repetitive task that consumes at least 30 minutes of your day. Then explore how tools like ChatGPT, Make.com, or Zapier might automate that process. Share your automation journey with us using #AIBizHour, and join us live for our next episode to ask your questions directly!