Business owners gathered at the Killara Hotel for a practical and timely workshop focused on how artificial intelligence was already transforming the way small businesses operated, marketed their services, and engaged with customers.
Hosted as part of a growing series of business education sessions, the evening was designed to cut through the noise and hype surrounding AI and focus on what actually worked in real-world business settings.
Rather than treating AI as a distant or overly technical concept, the workshop demonstrated how it was already being used in everyday business operations—from automating repetitive tasks to improving customer communication and streamlining marketing activities.
The emphasis throughout the session was on practicality, accessibility, and immediate application, ensuring that attendees could walk away with ideas they could implement straight away, regardless of their technical background.
What Was Covered
The workshop explored how small and medium-sized businesses were beginning to integrate AI into their operations in simple but effective ways.
Key topics included:
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What artificial intelligence could realistically do for small businesses at their current stage of adoption
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Simple and practical “quick wins” that helped business owners save time, reduce administrative workload, and improve marketing effectiveness
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Real-world examples of how retail and service-based businesses were already using AI tools to improve customer engagement and operational efficiency
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Practical strategies and tools that attendees could begin applying immediately within their own businesses
Throughout the session, the focus remained on making AI understandable and actionable, rather than complex or intimidating. Participants were encouraged to think about where automation and AI support could reduce pressure in their business and free up time for higher-value activities.
Practical Application Over Theory
One of the key strengths of the workshop was its emphasis on real-world application. Instead of abstract theory, attendees were shown practical examples and use cases that demonstrated how AI tools could be integrated into everyday business tasks.
This included areas such as:
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Streamlining email and customer communication
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Supporting content creation and marketing consistency
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Improving internal workflows and task management
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Enhancing customer experience through faster and more personalised responses
Business owners were encouraged to consider not just what AI could do, but where it would make the most immediate impact in their own operations.
Your Speakers
The session featured two experienced industry professionals who brought both technical knowledge and practical business application together.
Yiya Sun of Optimise AI shared insights into how AI tools were being implemented in accessible, everyday ways. Her focus was on helping business owners translate AI from a complex concept into practical systems that improved efficiency, decision-making, and workflow management.
Alongside her, George Votava, Founder of Net Fusion Technology, brought over 15 years of experience in digital transformation and technology adoption. He provided a strategic perspective on how AI was shaping business growth, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Together, they delivered a balanced perspective combining both strategic insight and hands-on application.
Why Business Owners Attended
The workshop attracted retail and service-based business owners who were looking for practical ways to stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital environment.
Attendees came with a shared goal: to better understand how AI could help them:
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Reduce time spent on repetitive tasks
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Lower operational costs
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Improve marketing performance and customer engagement
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Compete more effectively in an increasingly digital-first marketplace
Rather than focusing on technology for its own sake, the session was grounded in business outcomes—efficiency, growth, and customer experience.
A Focused and Practical Session
The evening provided a structured yet accessible introduction to AI for business owners who wanted clarity rather than complexity. The combination of expert insights, real-world examples, and practical discussion ensured that attendees left with a clearer understanding of how to begin using AI immediately within their own businesses.
With a light meal and complimentary drink included, the event also provided space for networking and informal discussion, allowing attendees to share ideas and experiences with other local business owners.
Overall, the workshop delivered a practical, no-nonsense introduction to AI in small business, helping participants move from curiosity to confident action.