5 Week - Smarter Business with AI - Management Development Programme 

This 5-session programme helps small business owners and managers understand how to apply artificial intelligence in practical, meaningful ways across market research, competitive analysis, customer experience, marketing, communications, operations and decision-making. Each session blends demonstrations, hands-on exercises and real business applications, giving participants the confidence to use AI tools to reduce workload, improve productivity and develop stronger business strategies. Participants also complete between-session applied tasks to embed learning directly into their business.

This course runs from 6.30pm-9.30pm on five consecutive Wednesday evenings, from 11th of February until 11th March 2026.

Extra Supports (Included with the Programme)

• Two 1-hour one-to-one mentoring sessions for individual strategy, campaign planning or AI workflow development
• AI Assistant/Mentor tool for content, planning, workflows and decision-support
• WhatsApp support group for Q&A and peer collaboration
• Recordings of all online sessions
• Prompt handouts per business tasks & activities.
• AI Assistant/Mentor tool for content, planning, workflows and decision-support
• WhatsApp support group for Q&A and peer collaboration
• Recordings of all online sessions
• Prompt handouts per business tasks & activities.

Topics Covered

• AI fundamentals for small business
• Market research, customer insight and competitor analysis using AI
• AI-powered content creation and communications
• Sales, marketing and business planning support
• Workflow automation, productivity and operational optimisation
• Ethical, safe and responsible AI use for Irish SMEs
• Building a customised 6-month AI Action Plan

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

1. Use AI confidently to support research, insight, planning and content creation.
2. Analyse competitors, pricing models and customer needs using AI tools.
3. Improve communication, customer experience and content output with AI workflows.
4. Create AI-assisted sales, marketing and business strategies.
5. Streamline operations and admin through automation and smarter workflows.
6. Understand ethical, safe and compliant use of AI for Irish SMEs.
7. Build and implement a personalised AI roadmap for their business.

11th February Session 1: Introduction to AI for Small Business – Practical Foundations & Market Research

Key Topics

• What AI is and why it matters for SMEs
• Overview of core tools: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity and others
• Introduction to prompting and AI automation
• Using AI for local and international market research
• Developing customer personas using AI

Hands-on Activities

• Produce an AI-generated market insight report for your sector
• Create 1–2 ideal customer personas using AI

Between-Session Task

Use an AI tool to analyse market trends or customer needs based on real customer feedback.

18th February Session 2: Competitive Analysis, Pricing & Profitability with AI

Key Topics

• Automating competitor research using AI tools
• SWOT analysis and benchmarking
• AI-driven pricing comparison and value proposition development
• Exploring AI for product/service profitability modelling

Hands-on Activities

• Build a competitive landscape summary
• Generate a pricing strategy influenced by competitor insights

Between-Session Task

Analyse at least two competitors using AI and update your business value statement.

25th February Session 3: Customer Experience, Communications & Content Creation with AI

Key Topics

• AI tools for email marketing, social media and customer support
• Creating a brand voice guide with AI
• Personalising customer interactions using AI tools and chatbots
• Tone, accessibility and maintaining human-centred communication

Hands-on Activities

• Draft a week’s worth of content (social, email, blog) using AI
• Simulate chatbot interactions and customer support scripts

Between-Session Task

Post or schedule an AI-created piece of content OR implement an email flow.

4th March Session 4: AI for Sales, Marketing and Business Planning

Key Topics

• Using AI to support sales strategy and customer journey mapping
• Identifying potential channels and partnerships via AI research
• Creating business plans, funding proposals or pitch decks with AI
• Case studies of Irish SMEs applying AI in marketing and sales

Hands-on Activities

• Use AI to generate a draft marketing plan or strategy outline
• Map out a sales funnel using AI

Between-Session Task

Prepare a one-page AI-assisted 6-month business strategy.

11th March Session 5: AI for Operations, Admin & Decision-Making

Key Topics

• AI for inventory, scheduling, workflow and HR support
• Forecasting and budgeting with AI tools
• Customer feedback and sentiment analysis
• Ethics, privacy, data protection and responsible AI use

Hands-on Activities

• Create an AI-powered SOP or workflow
• Identify three immediate AI automation opportunities

Post-Programme Task

Implement one internal operational improvement informed by AI insights.

What do I need to bring?

Course materials will be provided. Participants are asked to bring along their laptops and mobile phones to participate in the practical exercises.

The trainer company running this course is Content Plan.

Book Your Place & Get Your Business Started...

The Course Fee is €75 per person and is payable prior to course commencement.

To Book & Pay for your place now, simply follow the 'Book Now' link at the top of this page.
If you need any assistance, please contact (01) 204 7083 or leo@dlrcoco.ie