It seems like everyone is using artificial intelligence these days, maybe even your top competitor.
But widespread enthusiasm shouldn’t deter you from putting AI tools through their paces. Nor should naysayers convince you that the tech is just a fad.
So, how do you partner with AI to create distribution-focused solutions without abdicating your innate human expertise? You start by building better AI prompts.
In this solo episode of Distribution Talk, host Jason Bader shares insights from his evolving relationship with generative AI, offering pragmatic tips for business owners and execs who want to gain confidence using models like Claude and ChatGPT. He also provides advice for avoiding the “machine mindset” trap—expecting predictable, repeatable outputs when using AI.
When Jason started working with ChatGPT in 2022, he quickly realized that AI had already amassed enough knowledge to replace him as a consultant to wholesale distributors. “It was a sobering thought,” he admits. Rather than panicking, he shifted his approach. “The conclusion I came to was that I’m no longer going to be this great purveyor of answers. I need to be someone who is the purveyor of questions.”
Inquisitiveness is the key to using AI successfully. “Those who remain curious will find ways to harness these agents to do things that will make their lives easier,” says Jason. The possibilities extend beyond rote task completion. He spotlights three compelling AI applications that are reshaping wholesale distribution right now:
- Order and quote automation. Eliminating the data-entry burden that prevents customer service reps from leveraging human interactions
- Sales insights. Exposing buying patterns to facilitate more meaningful customer conversations
- Virtual advisory panels. Building a cast of AI personas (the skeptic, the strategist, the visionary) to pressure-test big decisions from multiple angles
For all his bullishness, Jason remains clear-eyed about the limits of AI. It hallucinates. It cheers you on when you need a critic. Most importantly, it can never own accountability. “We can collaborate,” he says. “But I have to look at the practicality of that answer and then challenge it.”
More pointers and a simple AI prompt to get you started in the episode!
QUOTES
“I am incredibly curious about what I can do and what I can build and how I can help clients move forward in their AI journey.”
“The other big aha! moment for me was that accountability is still very, very human. We cannot delegate accountability to the model. It doesn’t work that way. And the model is never responsible for consequences. We, as the human, still own the consequences.”
“I’ve come to realize that AI is the greatest thought partner that I’ve ever had.”
“AI is that amazing thought partner, but you cannot abdicate your role as the thought leader. Stay in that role, and the results will be amazing.”
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
RECOMMENDED EPISODES
Using AI to Enhance Employee Collaboration and Commitment with Adriana McLane and Dirk Beveridge
CONNECT WITH JASON
***
Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals.
This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios
Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Motivate, INxSQL, and Connected Peers.
