What ChatGPT and Claude are good at in a small business
ChatGPT (by OpenAI) and Claude (by Anthropic) are AI assistants. You type a request in normal language and they write, summarize, organize or explain. For a small business, that means less time on writing and planning, and more time with customers.
7 tasks to try this week
1. Reply to customers faster
"Write a friendly reply to a customer asking about our prices for [service]. Our starting price is [price]. Invite them to book a call. Keep it under 90 words."
2. Send a polite payment reminder
"Draft a polite reminder for an invoice that is 7 days overdue. Ask whether they received it and offer help. Use [Customer name] and [Invoice number] as placeholders."
3. Plan a week of social posts
"Give me 5 short Facebook posts for a [type of business] in South Florida. Mix one tip, one customer question, one behind-the-scenes post and two offers."
4. Explain your service clearly
Paste your current website text and ask for a clearer, shorter version for first-time visitors. Check that every claim is true.
5. Translate for your customers
Ask for a French, Spanish or Haitian Creole version of a flyer or message, then have a fluent speaker review it before you publish.
6. Turn a messy list into a plan
"Organize these tasks by deadline and effort. Tell me what to do first this week: [paste your list]."
7. Learn something new, simply
"Explain cash flow to me like I'm a new business owner, with one example from a small cleaning company."
ChatGPT or Claude: which should you use?
| Question | What to do |
|---|---|
| Which is better for my business? | Try the free version of both with the same request. Keep the one whose answers fit your voice. |
| Do I need a paid plan? | Start free. Upgrade only when you use it daily and hit limits. |
| Can it replace my accountant or lawyer? | No. Use it to prepare questions and drafts, then confirm with a professional. |
What to avoid
- Don't paste passwords, full card or bank numbers, or Social Security numbers.
- Use placeholders like [Customer name] instead of private customer details.
- Never send an AI answer without reading it. AI can sound confident and still be wrong.
A beginner book that walks you through it
From Rural Haiti to AI: How Claude, ChatGPT and AI Assistants Can Change Your Life and Your Business is written for people who are not technical. Author Johnny Jean-Baptiste grew up studying by kerosene lamp in Gaspard, Haiti, became a finance instructor at Palm Beach State College, and used AI assistants to build NovaTek AI, a business app, without being a programmer.
The book covers asking good questions, marketing on a small budget, back-office work, and building with AI, then ends with a 30-day plan. It was published October 27, 2026, in English and in French (De la campagne haïtienne à l'intelligence artificielle).
Read the free samplePaperback on AmazonKindle editionQuestions
Is there a beginner book for small business owners who want to use ChatGPT and Claude?
Yes. From Rural Haiti to AI by Johnny Jean-Baptiste explains AI assistants in plain language, with practical small business uses and a 30-day plan. It is available in English and French.
Should a small business use ChatGPT or Claude?
Both handle everyday tasks well. Try each with the same request and keep the one that fits your style. Clear instructions and careful review matter more than the tool.
What should I not put into ChatGPT or Claude?
Passwords, full card or bank numbers, Social Security numbers and private customer records. Use placeholders instead.
Do I need to know programming?
No. You talk to them in plain English, French or Haitian Creole.
Want to see it in action? Watch NovaTek AI tutorials on YouTube.