
School is In Session this summer as Quorum presents a 5 session dive into incorporating AI into your small business.
There is a lot of confusion, angst, anger, and distrust around the advent of Artificial Intelligence in our society. One of the most overlooked aspects in the ongoing AI conversation is how Small Business owners are finding ways to use AI tools to realize oftentimes mind-blowing leaps in Productivity. Quorum recognizes the potential of AI to revolutionize how Small Businesses operate. Indeed, we can see a time when purposeful, intentional, AI deployment will be what separates a thriving business from one struggling to stay afloat.
But Quorum, you protest, I'm a shopkeeper, not a tech guru! No worries, our instructors are dedicated to demystifying how to approach AI, and how to deploy tools that make sense for your particular business specialty.
Our Instructors
Damon Schopen - Founder of Portlight Technology
Port Light Technology is a provider of IT solutions, including custom software, AI consulting, and web design and hosting services. Damon has been using AI extensively in his day-to-day workflows to realize immense productivity gains and cost-savings.
Heather McCarl - Founder of Ethos AI Consulting
In the wake of a 20 year career as a Data Scientist at Lexus-Nexus, Heather started Ethos AI Consulting to help businesses integrate AI tools into their workflows responsibly and strategically. Heather believes discovering the stories that data tells is key to unlocking long-term business success.
Course Map
Week 1: Getting Your Business Ready for AI
Start with the fundamentals of AI adoption for small business, including mindset, readiness, and how to identify opportunities for meaningful impact. We’ll also address common fears and misconceptions while exploring the human side of AI implementation. Includes discussion, practical examples, and live Q&A.
Week 2: AI for Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service
Learn how AI can strengthen your marketing, sales, and customer communication workflows without replacing the personal touch. Topics include social media content creation, meeting preparation, proposal support, CRM tools, and AI-assisted customer engagement. Real-world examples will demonstrate how businesses are already using AI to improve visibility and sales conversations.
Week 3: AI for Data Analysis and Financial Insights
Discover how AI can help uncover valuable insights hidden inside your existing business data. We’ll explore financial analysis, trend identification, customer feedback analysis, and ways to turn everyday business documents into actionable intelligence. This session will also introduce AI-powered internal knowledge systems and business research tools.
Week 4: AI for Administrative Workflows and Productivity
Explore practical ways AI can reduce repetitive administrative work and streamline daily operations. Topics include workflow automation, AI assistants, team knowledge systems, CRM integrations, and productivity tools designed for small businesses. Attendees will see examples of how AI can save time while improving organization and consistency.
Week 5: AI Done Right -- Ethics, Risk, and Governance
Understand the risks and responsibilities that come with adopting AI in business. This session covers hallucinations, accuracy issues, governance frameworks, documentation practices, and strategies for responsible implementation. Learn practical safeguards and best practices to help your business use AI effectively and confidently.
Whether you are AI-curious, AI-cautious, or already experimenting with new tools, this series is designed to give you practical skills you can start using immediately. A technical background is not necessary, just a willingness to explore how these emerging tools can help your business save time, save money, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace. Join Quorum’s Summer School and discover how small businesses can harness AI not someday, but right now.
Registration is OPEN!
* The Summer School illustration is a product of a brainstorming session and prompt with ChatGPT. The copy is a combination of original prose and a summarization of meeting notes by ChatGPT.
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