Accountants — Can AI draft your MTD client comms?

According to Nothing new to buy — so what should you do with the tools you already have?, this week brought no new AI tools to buy, but a reminder that the tools you already pay for can do more if you use them deliberately.

Accountants — Can AI draft your MTD client comms?

According to Nothing new to buy — so what should you do with the tools you already have?, many accountants already have Gemini in Google Workspace or Copilot in Microsoft 365 but only use it for occasional emails. This week, try asking Gemini to turn a rough note about a client’s MTD filing status into a clear, compliant email that you can review and send in under two minutes. If you prefer ChatGPT, create a custom GPT loaded with your chart of accounts and let it draft the first version of client updates, then apply your professional judgement before sending.

Trades — Can AI speed up your out-of-hours call handling?

According to Nothing new to buy — so what should you do with the tools you already have?, AI receptionist services such as Voiceflow, Polly or Synthflow can answer calls after hours, take messages and even book jobs without you picking up the phone. Set up a simple flow that greets the caller, asks for their name, address and the service they need, then sends you a summary via email or SMS so you can prioritize first thing in the morning. This reduces missed opportunities and lets you keep your personal phone free for emergencies while still capturing leads that would otherwise go to voicemail.

Retail & Hospitality — Can AI write your menu descriptions for delivery apps?

According to Nothing new to buy — so what should you do with the tools you already have?, ChatGPT can turn a basic list of ingredients into mouth‑watering menu copy tuned for platforms like Deliveroo or Uber Eats. Give it the dish name, key ingredients and any dietary tags, ask for a short highlight and a longer description, then pick the version that matches your brand voice. Using this once a week to refresh your online menu can improve click‑through rates and help dishes stand out in a crowded feed.

Agencies — Can AI draft client briefs from raw transcripts?

According to Nothing new to buy — so what should you do with the tools you already have?, pasting a Zoom or Teams transcript into ChatGPT or Claude and asking for a structured brief can cut the time from hours to minutes. Specify the sections you need — objectives, target audience, key messages, deliverables and timeline — and let the AI pull out quotes and themes automatically. Review the output, add your strategic insights, and you have a client‑ready brief that still reflects your expertise.

Professional Services — Can AI help draft first‑pass advice notes?

According to Nothing new to buy — so what should you do with the tools you already have?, uploading a precedent file or past notes into ChatGPT or Claude lets the AI generate a first draft of advice on a routine query. Ask it to outline the issue, cite relevant sections of the precedent and suggest a conclusion, then you apply your professional judgement and add any nuances. This approach saves drafting time on repeat matters while ensuring you remain the responsible signer of the final advice.

Manufacturing — Can AI improve your quality inspection?

According to Nothing new to buy — so what should you do with the tools you already have?, low‑cost vision systems built on open‑source models like YOLO can be trained to spot common defects on your production line. Connect a simple USB camera, run the model on a laptop or edge device, and get real‑time alerts when a part falls outside tolerance. Even if you only use it for a single shift each day, the reduction in rework and scrap can quickly outweigh the modest setup cost.

Money on the table this week

No major UK grants or R&D tax credit windows opened this week for the sectors we cover. However, the Help to Grow: Management programme remains open for enrolments, offering up to £7,500 of funding toward an accredited management course for senior employees. According to Transparency data: Help to Grow: Management course enrolments and participant completions, you can still apply through your local growth hub and use the subsidy to cover tuition and associated costs.

Bottom line

If you spend just twenty minutes this week teaching your team one repeatable task with the AI tool you already pay for, you’ll likely see a bigger return than chasing any new product launch.

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