How to Apply Mark O’Donnell’s
AI Principles to Run Your EOS® Practice Smarter

Original inspiration: Mark O’Donnell’s
“Use AI or Fall Behind: Why Integrators Must Lead the Charge”

Mark O’Donnell recently explored how AI can make Integrators significantly more effective—and that sparked something. For EOS leaders, the challenge isn’t delivering sessions; it’s managing the rest: admin, invoicing, lead follow-ups, hiring, and beyond. What if we could use AI to handle those tasks—so you don’t have to?

Here’s how to apply Mark’s principles directly to your EOS practice.

1. Start with One Small, High-Impact Process

Pick a process that drains you most. Whether it’s client session prep, invoicing, or following up on leads, AI can lighten the load.

Real-world impact: A University of St Andrews study shows that SMEs using AI can boost productivity by 27–133%—and 83% of independent retailers report daily AI use improves marketing and efficiency. The Times

Small steps you can take:

• Automatically draft emails or session highlights with ChatGPT.

• Schedule follow-up messages or reminders via automation tools.

• Let AI help pre-populate your weekly headlines and scorecard data.

Even a small shift here frees you to focus on your zone of genius: helping leadership teams win.

2. Embed AI Wins into Your Team Rhythms

Creating space for AI experimentation is key.

Why it matters: When small businesses start sharing AI wins, it fosters more innovation. A Slack channel or a few minutes in your Level 10 meeting can make AI part of your culture instead of a fringe idea.

Stat check-in: According to a QuickBooks survey, 68% of small businesses now use AI regularly—up from 48% just months ago. QuickBooks

What to do: Encourage team members to test something—like using AI to draft a blog post or automate a follow-up—and then share the results. This builds confidence and momentum.

3. Navigate AI Safely—but Don’t Stay on the Sidelines

Guardrails are essential—but they shouldn’t paralyze your progress.

• Tip 1: Don’t paste sensitive client info into public tools.

• Tip 2: Always review AI-generated work before publishing or sending.

• Tip 3: Have basic guidance on what AI can and can’t do.

Why it matters: Despite concerns, AI is already boosting productivity. A QuickBooks survey shows that 74% of small businesses using AI report increased productivity, with 24% saying their workdays got shorter thanks to it. QuickBooks

4. Upskill Without the Investment

AI literacy doesn’t require a degree—or a budget.

Free resources include:

• OpenAI’s Prompt Engineering Best Practices – A free tutorial covering fundamentals of writing good prompts

• “Fast & Free” Prompt Engineering Course by Maximilian Vogel – A concise 45-minute course with the 10 most important prompt techniques

• LearnPrompting.org – An open-source, comprehensive guide with interactive lessons

• Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT (Vanderbilt University) – A free Coursera course for those wanting deeper understanding

• Elvis Saravia’s Prompt Engineering Guide – A comprehensive resource for advanced techniques

These tools give you confidence to experiment—and help you steer AI effectively.

5. Use the “AI Workflow Interviewer” as Your Launchpad

Not sure where to start? Use a structured exercise like the “AI Workflow Interviewer”:

1. List your recurring tasks and the time they take.

2. Break down a heavy task step-by-step

3. Flag pain points like manual effort or repetitive work.

4. Ask AI: “How could this be automated or streamlined?”

5. Prioritize the most impactful fix and test it.

Pro tip: Add a measurable to your weekly scorecard, for example:
“AI-Improved Processes This Week: [number]” — small weekly wins lead to major results over time.

Why This Matters Now

Right now, AI isn't optional — it's essential.

• 98% of small businesses already use AI-enabled software; 40% use generative AI like GPT. AP News

• 77% report increased efficiency or growth. ZipDo

• Some businesses are seeing up to 4x revenue growth by automating follow-up and lead nurturing. Sme Scale

Meanwhile, sustainable growth in a small EOS practice depends on being efficient, responsive, and scalable.

Final Word

Mark O’Donnell might be talking broadly about AI for Integrators—but his message is clear for us too:

AI isn't about replacing you—it's about empowering you.
Start small. Learn fast. Gain momentum.

Want help running your first AI Workflow Interview or need help planning where to start?

📅 Book a Discovery Call with us, and we'll tailor an AI roadmap for your EOS® practice.

Let’s streamline your ops so you can lead with clarity and energy.