We survived 2023! Here's a recap.
Doesn’t it seem like time is moving faster! The world has increased its rotation speed and we are all hanging on for dear life.
Hi, I'm Allison Kessler, the founder of Fun4business, and I wanted to post a note about the past year. First, I'll touch briefly on a personal family tragedy that happened this summer, and then I'll recap the biggest development in the web design industry - specifically about AI and ChatGPT.
On A Personal Note
This was one of the most difficult years I have ever had to face. I was trucking along fine until June and then a traumatic event in my family struck and changed everything. It is like I went to bed one night and everything was fine, and the next morning my entire world changed. Everything was suddenly broken and could not be fixed.
In this situation, I had no choice but to take some time off work.
- I had to process the horrible event that happened.
- I had to figure out how to move forward.
- I had to decide that things would have to change.
It was time for me to stop the negative cycle in my family life and try something different. And that is what I am doing, baby step by baby step.
As a workaholic who is extremely passionate about my business, it is difficult for me to hold together close or intimate relationships. Is it possible to do both, to have both? Probably. But as I approach the age of 50, the best thing for me is to be honest and admit my priorities. A personal relationship is not in the cards for me right now. And that’s okay.
In the Web Design Industry
I think the biggest development this year in the web design industry is the giant leap forward in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how much this is impacting my particular business and services.
At first I was scared of AI. Just the mention of ChatGPT had me running for the hills. My first reaction was to counter the AI movement with a full-on “Humans Are Better!” campaign.
So imagine my surprise when I opened my OpenAI account and tried it out for myself. They give you a $5 credit to try it out and by George I was blown away by the possibilities! I actually had to eat my words and take back everything negative I had thought and said about ChatGPT.
ChatGPT has me like a little kid in a candy store!
For a long time I have been struggling with how we keep up in this world. The information and social ages have propelled us into a “more, more, more”, “now, now, now”, “faster, faster, faster” type of reality where it is exhausting trying to keep up.
ChatGPT, and other breakthroughs that AI offers, provides channels through which humans can create faster and more expansively, without having to do all of the legwork. Meet your next extremely cheap and productive employee: ChatGPT!
AI provides channels through which humans can create faster and more expansively, without having to do all of the legwork!
This is not a situation, in my opinion, where AI is taking over and replacing humans. This is a win-win for business owners, web designers, content creators, online marketing, and more. This is not “either – or”. AI simply adds another tool to our toolbox. As a business consultant, I can show you how to leverage ChatGPT for your business.
"With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility"
As Spiderman had to learn, and as we incorporate AI into our businesses, we will appreciate the priceless value of The Human Element more—its place, role and importance.
For example, have you ever clicked on a YouTube video to be disappointed that an AI voice is just reading a script? Your content needs The Human Element and it will not attract your best customers without it. The point is, I can tell immediately whether a video is generated by a Human or AI and I have no interest in listening to a robot read words. What about you? This is something we will all become more consciously aware of and our tolerance levels will differ.
As we read blog posts and consume content, I believe it will depend on the reader’s intentions and goals as to what will work.
- If I am in a pickle and need a quick tech solution that will solve my problem right now, I likely will not care WHO or WHAT created the answer I need.
- However, if I am looking for content with Connection, Emotion, Personality, an Opinion, some Humour, and real-life experiences and stories, then Human-generated content will win every time.
As content creators, we will find balance between using AI to help us and adding our own Human Spark.
If you have not ventured into AI territory yet, you will eventually get there. The opportunities, advantages and benefits are so amazing that you will miss out if you don’t engage with it.
Looking Forward to 2024
It is tough to talk about personal tragedy and challenges, when it is supposed to be business as usual.
But what I learned is that everyone in my life was loving, giving and patient with me as I navigated my challenges. I am grateful to have such wonderfully supportive and understanding people in my life: my family, friends and clients.
My personal challenges opened me up to new directions, projects and services with Fun4business and I excited to Launch them in 2024! Stay tuned for more info about my new focus on online marketing for local business.
And that’s a wrap for 2023. Bring it on 2024!
See you all in January and I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Warmest holiday wishes,
Allison
