By Elton Boocock, founder Thinkivity.

It’s fair to say the glazing industry has had a flat year so far. The kind of year where you’ve had to work harder to get the same results – and where small gains have mattered more than ever.

But something is shifting. Many are now seeing signs of life again. A few more leads. A little more momentum. And with the traditional busy season approaching, there’s finally some cautious optimism returning to the sector.

Now is exactly the time to put marginal gains to work.

Because in a market that’s picking up but not flying, you don’t need to reinvent the way you operate. You just need to improve what’s already there. A faster reply. A smarter follow-up. A clearer message. These are the things that turn leads into orders.

And with AI, they’re more accessible than ever. Not a big leap. Just a better habit.

This column has always focused on building confidence with AI – not to replace what you do, but to support it.

That’s more important than ever now. With enquiry levels rising, every response, every message, every touchpoint is a chance to make a strong impression. And AI can help you make the most of those moments, without piling on more work.

Here are three small ways to start.

Be ready when the customer is: People don’t always make their enquiries during working hours. But if you’re not there to answer, you might not get a second chance.

One of the easiest AI wins is having something in place that responds on your behalf – instantly, accurately, and without needing constant input.

Whether it’s answering questions about product ranges, colours, accreditations, or finance, tools like GlazingBot allow you to meet customers where and when they’re ready. You’re not adding admin. You’re removing friction.

Speed up the follow-up: How many good enquiries lose momentum simply because you haven’t had time to respond quickly enough? Or because writing that follow-up email gets bumped down the list?

AI can help here. It can draft quote chasers, reminders, or polite nudges in seconds. You still decide what to send, but now you’re starting with a professional draft instead of a blank screen.

That speed and clarity can make all the difference, especially in a market where customers are getting back into research mode and comparing options again.

Get to the point, faster: Job notes. Supplier updates. Sales meetings. The information comes in thick and fast, and it’s easy to get buried in the detail.

AI can help you summarise what matters. Whether you’re pasting in a long email chain or using an AI notetaker on site or in a customer meeting, the goal is the same: save time, reduce confusion, and make the next action clear.

When the pace of work picks up, that kind of clarity becomes a real advantage. It’s not about going big. It’s about getting better.

AI won’t run your business. But it will help you run it better.

And right now, as the market shifts from flat to active, that’s exactly what matters. Not radical change. Just small, effective improvements that help you respond quicker, show up better, and close more of what’s already coming in.

If you’re ready to take a small step that could make a big difference, start here:

glazing-bot.com: A highly trained assistant able to help your customers, even when you are out of office.

thinkivity.co.uk/glazepro-ai: A group for anyone in the glazing sector that wants to get help and support in using AI within their business.

Let’s make these green shoots count.

About thinkivity

thinkivity provides AI consultancy and training exclusively for the UK glazing industry. Our aim is to help glazing businesses streamline processes, improve customer care, and boost sales using cutting-edge AI tools. From personalised training courses to auditing current AI usage, thinkivity empowers glazing companies to embrace innovation confidently.