Interview by ChatGPT
Preface
Preface: I thought it would be fun to let AI interview me for the first time. I didn’t write the questions—AI generated them like a journalist might. I simply responded based on real experience. The result is a collection of practical stories and lessons I’ve learned using AI in my daily work and how AI is reshaping small business
One of the big sparks for writing this came today from a Shopify internal memo by CEO Tobi Lütke. During my morning microlearning session, it surfaced—and it hit home. He described Shopify as a “designate the problem, AI does the rest” company, and that phrase perfectly described how I had already been working. I just didn’t know what to call it.
That philosophy of reflexive AI use—solving well-defined problems with immediate, AI-driven action—is exactly how I’ve been using AI to increase efficiency, spark creativity, and streamline decision-making.
Whether you’re in the trades, run a small agency, or manage a team, enjoy the read and take from it whatever sparks your own ideas about what AI can unlock.
Q: Glenn, how has AI changed the way you work on a daily basis?
Before we go deeper, let’s step back for a second: what are we after here? What are we trying to achieve by using AI in business? At the core, it’s about solving problems faster, making smarter decisions, and freeing ourselves from time-consuming tasks that once required multiple people and multiple days. AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about enabling business owners to act on their ideas faster, respond to challenges in real-time, and deliver better outcomes to their clients. It’s about removing friction from daily operations so we can focus on strategy, creativity, and impact. It starts from the moment I wake up. Around 6 AM, before I even check email, I use AI agents to scan and curate content from trusted sources—TechCrunch, Reddit, SEO blogs, Wired, and others. These AI agents deliver a microlearning digest tailored to what I actually care about. It saves me time and keeps me updated without doom-scrolling social media or digging through five newsletters.
If something interests me, I dig in by asking AI follow-up questions like, “How does Claude compare to ChatGPT for long-form content?” or “What SEO tactics are working best for local service businesses this quarter?” The response is immediate and customized to my level of expertise.
I’ll even interact with AI on the go. Driving to a meeting? I might use voice to brainstorm content angles. Grocery shopping? I’ll have a conversation about a client campaign or how to troubleshoot a sticky technical issue. AI doesn’t sit on my desk. It travels with me, and I think that’s key for modern productivity.
Q: You use something called the RISEN prompt framework. Where did you learn about it, and how does it help?
A: I actually didn’t invent RISEN—credit for that goes to Kyle Baulmer. I discovered it during one of my morning microlearning sessions, sitting with coffee and scanning through AI productivity insights. The concept immediately clicked for me. Since then, I’ve refined how I use it, and it’s become an essential part of how I communicate with AI tools.
RISEN is the structure I use for getting the most value out of AI tools. It stands for:
- Role: Assign a clear identity to the AI, like “you are a senior web designer” or “you are an HVAC technician trainer.”
- Instructions: State the task directly.
- Steps: Ask for output in logical, actionable steps.
- End Goal: Define the purpose or objective.
- Narrowing: Add constraints like tone, format, or context.
For example, if I need an HVAC service page, my prompt might be:
“You are a senior web designer. Create an SEO-optimized service page for an HVAC company that serves Southington, Farmington, Avon, and Simsbury, CT. Use a friendly but professional tone. Include a contact form recommendation, mobile-optimized layout, and internal link suggestions.”
With RISEN, I eliminate ambiguity and get outputs that are specific and useful, almost like working with a trained assistant.
Q: Can you walk us through a specific, practical example of AI use that would resonate with tradespeople, not just tech folks?
A: Absolutely. Let’s take HVAC techs as an example. AI isn’t just for coding or content—it can be a real-time assistant in the field.
Imagine a technician is in Southington at a house with no heat. Normally, they might troubleshoot for 30–45 minutes, go through standard diagnostics, maybe even phone a senior tech for advice.
the tech pulls out their phone and asks AI:
“I’m looking at a Trane XL824 thermostat. Heat isn’t working. Breaker and filter are fine. What are the most likely causes and next steps?”
The AI replies instantly:
- Step 1: Check thermostat mode.
- Step 2: Verify ambient temp vs. setpoint.
- Step 3: Inspect low voltage wiring.
- Step 4: Look for error codes on the control board.
Then the tech follows up: “I see a 3-flash code on a Trane S9V2. What does that mean?”
AI responds: “That indicates a pressure switch error. Likely causes: blocked vent or condensation trap.”
The tech can go even deeper: “What parts might I need? Approximate retail price? Any issues unique to New England winters?”
AI can assist with all of it. It can even help suggest: “What maintenance packages should I offer a client with this 10-year-old furnace?”
It turns junior techs into confident problem-solvers. It improves service times. It even empowers upsells and preventive care suggestions. This is real-world application, not just theory.
Q: You’ve mentioned you build full websites in under an hour. That sounds wild. What does that look like?
A: The speed and efficiency AI brings to my web design process is something I couldn’t have imagined just a couple of years ago. This isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about cutting waste. With AI, I don’t start with a blank page anymore. I start with direction, structure, and data-driven insights. And that changes everything.
Here’s how it works:
First, I use AI to develop SEO-optimized content for every page—home, about, service pages, you name it. The AI doesn’t just write generic content; it tailors messaging to the client’s tone, location, and customer pain points. I ask it to structure the content around search intent and include keyword clusters relevant to the client’s town or industry.
Next, I use AI to suggest a layout. I give it context—”this site is built on Divi,” for instance—and it returns ideas on how to structure the page with sections that convert. It even tells me which modules to use and in what order for better UX. It’ll recommend things like having testimonials above the fold, placing a sticky contact button, or ensuring the hero section addresses a specific need like emergency service or financing options.
From there, I ask AI to generate meta descriptions, alt text for images, and even placeholder visuals with prompts I can use in Midjourney or stock image databases. Sometimes it’ll even suggest what icons work best for the industry and what colors psychologically reinforce trust in a local service business.
Once all the content and structure are set, I plug it into Divi, adjust the visual details, double-check internal linking, and refine calls-to-action. But this part is where the human element comes in. I still bring my design sense, experience, and understanding of user behavior to make it feel personal. AI gives me 80–90% of the heavy lifting, but the final product always gets a human touch. That’s where creativity and nuance matter most.
From a blank canvas to a launch-ready, SEO-structured website—all in less than an hour.
What used to be a multi-day sprint with designers, writers, and meetings is now a streamlined, efficient process that delivers better results faster. AI hasn’t just saved me time. It’s improved the overall product, because now I spend more time on the high-impact details and less time reinventing the wheel.
Q: What about more complex business decisions or strategies? How do you use AI there?
A: I use AI for high-level strategy, too. One specific case stands out—not for a client, but for my own agency. In my conversations with home service business owners, one consistent pain point came up: they were bleeding money on leads bought from third-party platforms. The leads were often overpriced, inconsistent, and hard to convert. That insight got me thinking—what if I built a solution to that exact pain point?
So I used AI to help create a 3-part marketing strategy, not for a specific client, but as an offering within my own business that directly addressed what these companies were struggling with:
- SEO Content Pillars – I asked AI to generate a list of high-intent, service-based keywords tailored to specific towns and services. It helped me create a topical content map—blog posts, FAQs, and keyword clusters designed to build local visibility and authority.
- Landing Page Conversion Strategy – AI outlined a high-conversion service page framework. It included trust-building features, targeted CTAs based on geography, and a layout that walked the customer through their pain points toward a clear solution.
- Authority-Building Outreach – I used AI to design a backlink and citation strategy to establish domain trust. This included pitch angles for partnerships, local press opportunities, and niche directories.
All of this came together in a few hours. It’s now a service I offer—and the results are speaking for themselves. I’m now getting inquiries and calls from home service providers who are reacting to that exact pain point. They see themselves in the strategy, and they’re reaching out because it’s relevant, actionable, and clearly built with their challenges in mind.
That’s what makes AI so valuable: I can go from market insight to tested strategy to product offering in a single day. I get a mix of tactical and strategic suggestions that I can test or refine based on client needs.
Q: Last question—what would you say to a business owner who wants to try AI but feels overwhelmed?
A: Don’t overthink it. Start small.
Ask AI simple questions like:
“What are five blog topics my customers care about?”
“How do I describe my business for Google Business Profile?”
“What can I offer as a lead magnet for home improvement services?”
Use your voice. Prompt while walking, while commuting, while thinking. Just start. The people who learn to communicate with AI effectively will have an edge. Not because they’re replacing humans, but because they’re enhancing every part of their process.
That’s the future. And it’s not years away. It’s here now.