How GVCC Members Can Use ChatGPT to Stay Competitive in a Changing Business World!

OpenAI recently (Sept 15, 2025) released its first large-scale study on how people use ChatGPT, and the findings say a lot about where business is headed — especially for small and midsize companies like the ones across the Greater Valley. Click here to read the full report.

The takeaway? AI isn’t just a tech trend or a corporate luxury anymore. It’s a daily tool that’s shaping how real people learn, write, plan, and make decisions.

What the Study Found.

• 700 million people use ChatGPT every week — nearly 1 in 10 adults on Earth.

• 70% of that use isn’t for work — people lean on AI for personal learning, writing, and creative projects.

• When it is used for business, writing support leads the way: editing, drafting, and brainstorming ideas.

• The fastest-growing use? Decision support — using ChatGPT to think through options, analyze data, and plan next steps.

That last part is key: AI is becoming a thinking partner, not just a typing assistant.

What This Means for GVCC Members.

Your customers are already using AI every day — to make choices, get advice, and find information. That means your business can benefit in the same ways. Here’s how:

1. Use ChatGPT to Improve Communication

Need to write a customer email, proposal, or social post? ChatGPT can polish your wording, help you sound more confident, or tailor your message to different audiences. Think of it as a quick second set of eyes that never gets tired.

2. Speed Up Planning and Decision-Making

AI can summarize data, outline business strategies, and help you compare choices. For example, you could ask:

• “What are three low-cost marketing ideas for a local service business?”

• “Summarize the pros and cons of offering weekend hours.”

• “How can I explain my pricing more clearly to customers?”

The answers won’t replace your judgment — they’ll sharpen it.

3. Streamline Daily Operations

Small tasks add up: writing job descriptions, creating social captions, organizing notes from meetings. ChatGPT can handle those drafts so you can focus on people, not paperwork.

4. Strengthen Your Online Presence

Many GVCC members are local service providers — retailers, contractors, consultants, and nonprofits. ChatGPT can help you stay consistent online:

• Create blog outlines or short updates for your website

• Draft captions for Facebook or LinkedIn

• Brainstorm content ideas that fit your brand voice

5. Build a Culture of Experimentation

The biggest opportunity isn’t technical — it’s cultural. The study found that most growth in ChatGPT use comes from new users adopting it for the first time. That means training your team to experiment and learn together gives you an immediate edge.

Start small: give everyone one weekly task where they use AI to save 10 minutes. Those minutes turn into hours — and innovation follows.

The Bottom Line!

AI is here to stay, but it’s not here to replace anyone. It’s here to help local businesses work smarter, not harder.

If you’re a GVCC member and you’re ready to explore how ChatGPT can save time, boost creativity, or improve decision-making in your business, let’s connect.

Book a free discovery call to see how AI can fit your specific goals and team structure.