We’ve all seen the films; robots making our lives easier, but then rising up against us in the end. Not that long ago, artificial intelligence (AI) seemed like the tool of the future, one we wouldn’t see in our lifetime. That’s no longer the case: AI is here and it’s here to stay. Its rapidly evolving capabilities are at the forefront of almost every business discussion around the world, and it’s becoming increasingly crucial for them to embrace AI to drive efficiencies and help their workers do their jobs more effectively. It’s no surprise then that the heavily regulated education sector is bracing itself for some big changes.
Frank Milner, the Global President of Tutor Doctor, the in-home and online tutoring franchise, discusses how we can use AI to streamline, assist and support business operations in both the franchising and education sector.
In today’s connected world, businesses are seeking inventive methods to automate and rationalise their services and products. AI, with its vast applications, is leading this transformation. It holds immense potential to improve business operations, whether in predictive analytics or customer service. ChatGPT, a language model powered by AI that answers queries and provides information, has become the focal point in discussions about implementing AI in franchises.
AI improves our work by automating repetitive tasks, while leaving the roles needing human intuition untouched. Many businesses, Tutor Doctor included, are rapidly incorporating AI into their processes to increase productivity, conserve time, and assist their franchisees. There’s no denying that if correctly utilised, ChatGPT can be a tremendous aid. It can be a business owner’s ally as an auxiliary tool, but there is legitimate concern about AI replacing many of our jobs, in various industries. However, adopting AI into your franchise brings numerous advantages, assuming the proper policies are in place for its application.
So, what are the benefits of AI?
At Tutor Doctor, we conducted a survey to gain insights into how our tutors and franchisees are using ChatGPT. The feedback showed a wide range of applications: it has been used as a brainstorming tool, a communication facilitator with parents and clients and a template for tutors to engage effectively with customer reviews.
The role of AI in personalising the customer experience cannot be overstated. AI provides insight into individual customer behaviour and preferences, enabling franchisees to offer bespoke solutions. In education, AI aids in understanding each student’s learning style, thereby allowing tutors to tailor their approach to maximise learning outcomes. AI-enhanced personalised learning enriches the students’ learning experience, enhances customer retention and loyalty, and frees up educators’ schedules for their own professional development.
Are there any drawbacks?
Despite the benefits, there are challenges in integrating AI into franchise operations. Concerns over data privacy, complex integration, upskilling of staff, high initial costs and potential loss of the human element in work are significant hurdles. With careful planning, transparent practices, and ongoing evaluation, none of the problems associated with AI use are insurmountable.
How can you mitigate the potential problems?
To overcome the initial costs, complex integration and upskilling of staff, it’s crucial to start small and scale up. At Tutor Doctor we have participated in small-scale AI pilots in our organisation to assess the potential benefits before fully committing, which also allows our staff time to familiarise themselves with the technology. We hold regular team-wide meetings to discuss and learn how each member is using ChatGPT and AI tools within their roles, ensuring that no one is left behind.
AI is invaluable for time-consuming tasks; it can help generate the initial structure of an email or blog and can also simplify complex instructions into easily digestible content. It’s important however to still oversee the content produced to avoid duplicate thoughts and to ensure the information is correct. It also provides a great jumping-off point for personalising content.
As AI continues to evolve and its applications broaden, the businesses that adapt and harness its potential will undoubtedly stay ahead of the curve. AI is no longer a concept of the future or science-fiction; it’s a present reality, and it’s hugely important we all learn to navigate this digital transformation effectively. The journey with AI is not a one-time action but an ongoing process of learning, adaptation and investment. By tackling the challenges and seizing the opportunities, we can leverage AI’s potential to its fullest.
For more information about Tutor Doctor, please visit www.tutordoctorfranchise.com.
By Frank Milner
About Frank Milner
Having worked as a stockbroker, built a successful insurance business, acted as a sales coach and then taken on a vice president role at WSI, the digital marketing franchise, Frank Milner has an impressive and varied background in business, franchising, sales and marketing. In his current role as president of Tutor Doctor, the private tutoring franchise, he has seen the company grow globally to include over 700 franchise territories spread across the globe, including the UK.
