1.3 Boosting your Business Performance
“Running a small business is tough. This resource gives you practical tools, strategies, and AI-supported solutions to help you save time, cut costs, reach more customers and stay sustainable.”
“Why Businesses Fail”
Business Performance Declines Due To:
- Rising costs
- Seasonal downturns
- Staff shortages
- Poor marketing
- Competition
- Lack of data
- Failure to adapt
When Does a Business Need a Reset?
- Sales declining
- Costs increasing
- Website outdated
- Customers changing
- New technology emerging
- Competition increasing
This page 4 can help identify what needs attention first.
This site is designed to help business owners and entrepreneurs unlock opportunities, reduce risks, being better informed and improve your performance using the power of AI by asking the right questions.
note – You will need to access OpenAI ChatGPT plus which will be suffice for these prompts. ChatGPT will keep a record of your chats and your data submitted to respond to future inquiries to your needs. All chats and data are confidential to your OpenAI chat GPT account and can be erased or kept as a chat log.
8 Topics central to boosting your business; –
Each of the 8 topics has a list of AI prompts so that you can select your response to suit your own business description. Each topic prompt is written in a chat friendly format simply Copy & Paste Prompts into “Ask anything” on your ChatGPT site – these suggested Prompts are practical and adaptable for any small business. If there is not a relevant prompt then word your own prompt and place into the Chat box.
The more information you can attache to your prompt file about your business the more concise the AI response will be.
Note;– AI ‘s Overall Opinion: Yes—this website is worth promoting. It fills a clear gap by combining business basics with modern AI applications in a structured, accessible way. If executed well, it can absolutely support small businesses as a reference resource, especially in Niagara where seasonality and sustainability challenges are pressing.
1. Capabilities of AI to plan, review and get answers
AI has all the capabilities you need;-
1. Predicting Seasonal changes in business activities
2.Being aware of the business environment
3.Using AI to review and suggest improvements
OpenAI ChatGPT Prompts
- “Help me draft a realistic 6-month business plan for [type of business].”
- “Review my current business idea and suggest risks and improvements.”
- “What external factors in my local business environment would affect me?”
- “Create a step-by-step checklist for launching my business in [industry].”
- “What opportunities would I be overlooking in my sector?”
2. Review your website USP,s and AEO’s
Your online presence is your customers first impression.
- Define and sharpen your Unique Selling Points (USP)
- Improve your SEO and web design
- Use AI to generate content, blogs, and booking systems
OpenAI ChatGPT Prompts
- “Analyze my website [insert URL] and suggest how to improve SEO.”
- “What are 5 potential unique selling points (USPs) for a [restaurant/shop/etc.]?”
- “Write an engaging homepage introduction for a small [industry] business.”
- “Suggest free or low-cost booking systems I would add to my website.”
- “How do I make my website more appealing and welcoming to international visitors?”
3. Marketing – strategies & outreach
Reach more of the right customers with less cost.
- Local marketing strategies
- Content planning and social media scheduling
- Email campaigns and promotions
- Building customer loyalty programs
- Location and transport
OpenAI ChatGPT Prompts
- “Where can I find the local marketing strategies by organization for the Niagara Falls area – Ontario”
- ” Advise which social media portals would be most relevant”
- “Who should I have on my email circulation list”
- “How do I create my own WordPress website so I can have control of the content”
- “What information can I put on my website”
4. Control costs and measure sales
Let AI help you streamline your workflow, improve your customer experience, and increase revenue.
- Efficiency checklists
- Sales funnel optimization
- Pricing strategies
- AI chatbot and customer interaction tools
OpenAI ChatGPT Prompts
- “List practical ways to cut overhead costs in a [restaurant/retail] business.”
- “Suggest pricing strategies to stay competitive but profitable.”
- “How can I use AI tools to track and improve my sales funnel?”
- “Design a weekly efficiency checklist to reduce waste and save money.”
- “Explain how a chatbot would handle 50% of my customer inquiries.”
5. Staff and premises needs
Do you have the right people in the right place?
This section helps you:
- Match staff levels to demand
- Plan for off-peak and peak seasons
- Assess building layout, signage, and customer flow
- Use AI to assist with recruitment ads and job descriptions
- Land lease contracts and landlords responsibilities to maintain a safe property.
- Your employer rights and employee contracts for seasonal or full time employment.
OpenAI ChatGPT Prompts
- “What roles should I prioritize hiring for in a [size/type] business?”
- “Create a staff onboarding checklist for my business.”
- “How can I motivate part-time or seasonal staff?”
- “Suggest a simple monthly training topic calendar for my team.”
- “Write a staff code of conduct tailored to hospitality/retail.”
6. Check your compliance with regulations & health & safety
Stay compliant while building customer trust.
- Health and safety self-audits
- AI-generated checklists for food safety, licensing, signage, etc.
- Accessibility, insurance, and fire code guidance
- Electrical certificate
- Duty of care for the public
OpenAI ChatGPT Prompts
- “What health and safety laws apply to small businesses in [country/region]?”
- “Give me a food safety self-audit checklist for a small restaurant.”
- “What insurance and licensing requirements apply to [type of business]?”
- “How do I make my premises accessible for disabled customers?”
- “Create a fire safety checklist suitable for my premises.”
7. Find grants, insurance and business support
Find and use available grants, the right insurance to include Legal Expenses Insurance (LEI) – Legal Expenses Insurance and available business supports
- Grant searcher
- Insurance cover options
- Business support groups in your area
OpenAI ChatGPT Prompts
- “List government grants available for small businesses in [region].
- “What types of insurance do I need as a [restaurant/retail] business?”
- “Explain the benefits of Legal Expenses Insurance (ELI) for small businesses.”
- “What local business support organizations should I join in [city]?”
- “Draft a grant application for funding equipment upgrades.”
8. Risks, threats & Opportunities to the sustainability of your business
Discover where your business stands today and where it could go tomorrow.
- Spot market trends
- Anticipate local challenges
- Create a mini business SWOT analysis
- See how other businesses are adapting
- what would make your business fail.
OpenAI ChatGPT Prompts
- “Perform a SWOT analysis for my business in [industry/location].”
- “What market trends should I prepare for in the next 2–3 years?”
- “Suggest ways I can make my business more environmentally sustainable.”
- “What risks would threaten my business in the short and long term?”
- “How are other small businesses in [sector] adapting to new challenges?”
Important – For the most useful and accurate AI responses, gather the following information before you begin.
Recommended data to support each of the 8 topics ;-
1.Data to support the Capabilities of AI to plan, review and get answers.
-Your business type and business plan
-Relevant Marketing, finance, HR, compliance, Operations
-Current tools/software used (accounting, POS, booking systems)
-Comfort level with AI (beginner, experimenting, advanced)
-Trends like summer and winter statistics
2. Data needed to Review your website & USPs
-Website link
-List of your business’s Unique Selling Points (USPs)
-Target customer groups
-Competitor examples (websites or businesses you benchmark against)
3. Data to support Marketing Strategies & Reach
-Target audience (tourists, locals, families, professionals)
-Current marketing channels (website, social media, posters, etc.)
-Marketing budget (Small, Medium,Large)
-Seasonal Marketing (e.g., summer – winter)
-attach Photo’s of your business frontage and signage
4. Data to Control Costs and measure Sales
-Monthly revenue & expenses( even rough numbers help)
-Major cost drivers (Rent, wages, Supplies, utilities)
-Average profit margin (if Known)
-Seasonal variations in sales (e.g., Summer, Autumn, Xmas and Spring)
-Current sales tracking system (POS, Manual or none)
5. Data on present Staff & Premises Needs
-Number of staff and their roles
-Current staffing challenges (recruitment, turnover, training)
-Premises type (leased, owned, shared space)
-Key limitations (rent, space, parking, storage, accessibility)
6. Data needed to Check your compliance with Regulations & Health & Safety
-Industry sector (food, hospitality, retail, construction, etc.)
-Relevant permits and licenses held
-Known compliance issues (safety, fire, accessibility, etc.)
-Copies of any lease or landlord agreements (if relevant)
7. data to help Find grants,insurance and business support
– Detail type of business and website URL
-copy of insurance policies
-Copy of business support applications
8. Data to find Risks & Opportunities
-Main risks (high rent, strong competition, low season sales)
-Opportunities (location, trends, nearby attractions)
-Market context (tourism shifts, economic downturn, new developments)
-Current contingency plans (insurance, reserves, backups)
Work as a team
