Are You Ready for AI Team Members?
🕓 Read time: ~2 min
It’s getting easier than ever to have a team, even if you run your business solo.
Until not too long ago, growing a business meant hiring people or outsourcing tasks. Now, with CustomGPTs, agentic browsers, and workflow tools being extremely accessible, entrepreneurs can design small teams of 'AI Teammates' who handle parts of their daily work.
This isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about possibility.
AI shouldn't be something we “use” once in a while. Instead, think of it as something we can guide and collaborate with, much like a capable employee. The question is no longer if it makes sense to have virtual teammates. It’s how intentionally you’ll guide them.
Behind the Scenes: From Team of Freelancers to Team of 'AI Teammates'
A client of mine once relied on a rotating crew of freelancers for writing, research, and design. Today, they’ve built a small team of 'AI Teammates' that now handle much of the routine work. At first, this felt weird and somewhat uncomfortable. Less time spent briefing people, more on setting up and refining how the AI contributes real value.
But with intention and a little experimentation, the results spoke for themselves: less time explaining the basics, faster turnarounds (AI doesn’t sleep), and more consistent support for clients. Freed from some of the repetitive work, my client could focus on deeper client relationships and high-impact strategy, without raising costs or losing quality. In fact, their clients got more support, more quickly, and my client’s work became both more profitable and more rewarding.
This isn’t about replacing humans. It’s about expanding what’s possible when we design our work to include both human and AI strengths.
Key Takeaway
You don’t neccessarily need a big team to scale your impact. You already have access to tools powerful enough to act as 'AI Teammates'.
So the next step isn’t learning more AI, it’s learning how to guide it well. Remember to treat it like a team member: set goals, give feedback, and keep refining your approach.
Are you guiding them as thoughtfully as you would a real person?
💭 What would you like an 'AI Teammate' for?
Let me know.
Til next time,
Elena
P.S. CustomGPTs, Agents, AI Teammates??? I know it can all sound a little outlandish. Don’t worry. I’ll keep sharing more in the coming weeks and months to help you make sense of it all, simply and practically.