CSU Bakersfield SBDCServing Inyo, Kern, and Mono Counties.
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How businesses can use artificial intelligence and tips to selecting an AI platform are among topics of this week’s free webinar presented by the Small Business Development Center at CSU Bakersfield.

Host and SBDC director, Kelly Bearden is joined by Justin Powers, owner and founder of Kernville Cowork, a coworking space in the Kern River Valley that serves as a hub for small business startups. Powers demonstrates practical use cases for companies that would like to use AI in their businesses. He also provide tips on how to select an AI platform, and how to recognize sales and marketing inquiries that use artificial intelligence.

This marks the 331st episode of the “Webinar Wednesday” business series that provides news and information helpful to employers and business owners.

The CSU Bakersfield SBDC provides free one-on-one consulting to help small business owners. New and existing businesses can click here to sign up to meet with a business advisor at no cost.

TIMESTAMPS - the bold blue link at below at 25:32 is a direct video link to when Dustin Powers begins his discussion of "Why AI?"
00:00 Intro
00:36 What’s up today January 15, 2025
03:25 Beneficial Ownership Information https://www.fincen.gov/boi
05:58 SBA Disaster Center has reopened in Lake Isabella
06:10 SBA Disaster and Recovery Program update – Disaster Funds Replenished
07:04 SBA Disaster and Recovery - discussion of LA Fire and potential economic injury loss in surrounding counties of Kern County, Orange County, San Bernardino County and Ventura County https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/01/10/sba-offers-financial-relief-los-a...
08:51 SBA Disaster Loan Limits https://lending.sba.gov/
09:01 California Employers Payroll Taxes Rising
10:50 Capital Corridor
12:47 East Kern Capital Summit
13:20 Mine Your Business for Hidden Cash with Mike Milan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSPviFCHZ7w&t=1538s
14:03 CSUB SBDC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@csubsbdc
14:24 Cash Flow Forecast Spreadsheet
14:54 Economic Corner
16:40 Want to start a home daycare business? Text “learn more”’ to 833-241-3994 or go to https://www.nurturebusiness.org/courses
17:52 Free Human Resources Hotline for Employers
18:31 Kelly’s Small Business Checklist for 2025
20:18 Kelly introduces Justin Powers, owner and founder of Kernville Cowork and SBDC business advisor
21:29 Justin Powers begins to speak
22:24 Justin begins his presentation, “How AI Can Help Your Small Business”
23:50 About Me
28:07 Don’t Let AI Dictate Your Tone of Voice
30:16 Work in Progress...
31:38 AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
33:03 Business Context
35:19 Customer Context
36:40 But is It Better?
37:39 Integrations
38:38 Brand and Voice
39:44 AI Tools for Sales and Marketing
40:10 What AI in CRM Looks Like
42:04 CRM Examples
43:10 Justin gives an online demonstration of a CRM pipeline page and how AI works in generating emails
47:42 Content Creation
49:18 Customer Service
50:05 Do Your Platforms have AI?
50:32 The Other Side of the Fence – Can you spot the AI?
51:59 Engaging with Audience Questions
56:02 Questions and Answers with webinar attendees
 
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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and a Grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the California SBDC closest to you.