AI is more than just a buzzword, it’s a business partner that’s always on call. At SofTouch Systems, we believe that success starts with asking the right questions. These questions owners should ask AI for advice aren’t just about saving time—they’re about unlocking better thinking and smarter strategies.
Whether you’re running a restaurant, a roofing company, or a nonprofit, here are five questions to help you think like an MBA, with AI as your assistant.
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1. “Where is my business underperforming compared to the industry?”
What to ask AI:
“Analyze my recent performance metrics. What areas are weaker than the industry average based on similar business data?”
Why it matters:
Many owners don’t know what “normal” looks like in their market. AI can benchmark your numbers and highlight where you lag, whether it’s sales per employee, customer retention, or cost per lead. What AI can/can’t do.
Pro Tip: Add your own KPIs into the prompt, like: “Compare my customer churn rate to the average for service-based businesses in Texas.”
2. “What are the top unmet needs in my local market?”
What to ask AI:
“Based on industry trends and customer pain points in [your city or state], what unmet needs or service gaps could my business address?”
Why it matters:
Great businesses don’t just react, they anticipate. AI can scan through customer reviews, forums, and trend reports to find patterns and opportunities you might overlook.
Pro Tip: This is gold for developing new services, pivoting your offerings, or positioning yourself against big-box competitors.
3. “What do my highest-value customers have in common?”
What to ask AI:
“Based on my customer list, identify the traits, behaviors, or buying habits of my top 20% most profitable clients.”
Why it matters:
Not all customers are equal. By knowing what your best customers have in common, industry, size, values, pain points, you can target more of them.
Pro Tip: If you track referrals, ask AI to include referral data to see who not only buys, but evangelizes.
4. “What should I stop doing to grow faster?”
What to ask AI:
“Audit my current operations, marketing channels, and product lines. What low-value activities or services should I consider phasing out?”
Why it matters:
Sometimes growth comes not from doing more, but from doing less. AI can help you spot time-wasters, budget leaks, or legacy services that don’t align with your mission.
Pro Tip: Use this prompt quarterly to keep your business lean and focused.
5. “What future trend should I prepare for now?”
What to ask AI:
“Forecast one emerging trend in my industry that will impact small businesses over the next 2–3 years and recommend how I should prepare.”
Why it matters:
This is where MBA-level thinking shines—future positioning. AI scans data at a scale no human can match. It can spot trends in tech, pricing, labor, or customer behavior before they hit mainstream.
Pro Tip: Ask for examples from other businesses that successfully adapted early.
AI Is the Business Partner You Didn’t Know You Had
These questions owners should ask AI for advice aren’t gimmicks—they’re strategy starters. Each one turns AI from a chatbot into a trusted advisor.
At SofTouch Systems, we help clients learn how to use these tools—not just that they exist. Whether you’re ready for advanced dashboards or just starting with ChatGPT, we’ll help you ask better questions, build better processes, and make smarter moves.
Want Help Getting Started?
We offer AI-readiness coaching, prompt libraries, and hands-on integration for your unique workflow. Let’s turn your curiosity into clarity.
Schedule your free AI consultation and start asking smarter questions.