From curiosity to confidence
Elton Boocock, founder of Thinkivity, a specialist consultancy providing AI training that’s designed exclusively for the glazing industry, explains how to make AI part of your daily routine.
In the last issue, we spoke about how consistency is key when using AI. The glazing businesses seeing the biggest benefits aren’t overhauling their systems overnight—they’re starting small, using AI daily, and letting it become second nature.
But where do you start? How do you turn AI from an occasional experiment into a tool that genuinely saves time? The answer is simple: make AI a habit.
AI might still feel futuristic, but chances are, you’re already using it without realising.
If you’ve ever asked Alexa or Siri for the weather, used predictive text in a message, or clicked on Google’s suggested searches, you’ve used AI. It’s seamless, it’s useful, and you don’t overthink it. You just use it.
That’s exactly how AI should work in your glazing business. Instead of treating it as a complex new system, start using it naturally until it becomes second nature.
Three Easy Ways to Make AI a Daily Habit
AI is most useful when used consistently. Here are three simple ways to build it into your routine.
- Make AI your first option
When you need to check something online, what’s the first thing you do? Most people go straight to Google. But what if, instead of searching for an answer, you let AI generate one for you?
Try this: Instead of searching “best way to follow up on a quote,” ask AI:
“Write a follow-up email for a customer who requested a quote last week, keeping it friendly and professional.”
You’ll get a ready-to-use response in seconds.
- Let AI start your emails
Staring at a blank screen trying to find the right words? AI can take care of that.
Before you type, ask AI to draft it. Whether it’s responding to a customer enquiry or chasing a supplier, AI can generate a professional response in seconds. You can then tweak it and send, cutting your email time in half.
Try this: “Write a polite but firm email to a supplier who has delayed a delivery, asking for an update.”
- Use AI to create risk assessments
Risk assessments can be time-consuming, but AI can generate a structured, professional draft in minutes.
Instead of starting from scratch, let AI build a first draft. Input the key details such as the type of work, potential hazards etc. and AI will create a clear, professional document.
Try this: “Create a risk assessment for installing a glass balustrade on a first-floor balcony, considering fall risks and handling heavy materials.”
AI won’t replace your expertise, but it will give you a strong starting point, saving hours of admin time.
Turning AI into a daily assistant
The easiest way to build a habit is to remove friction – make AI as accessible as possible.
- Pin ChatGPT to your browser tab for instant access
- Make AI the first step before drafting an email, quote, or risk assessment
- Use it daily. The more you use AI, the more natural it becomes
AI should be the tool you instinctively turn to when you need help.
AI is a tool, not a replacement
The most important thing to remember is that AI isn’t here to replace glazing professionals. It’s here to make their jobs easier. The more you use it, the more you’ll see where it fits into your business.
So, before you start typing, remember to think AI first. The businesses who build this habit today will be the ones who save the most time, improve customer interactions, and stay ahead in the future.