AI workshop; Building AI Workflows & Automation

This hands-on workshop is designed specifically for small business owners who want to harness the power of AI to streamline operations, improve customer service, and unlock new efficiencies. Whether you're just starting out or ready to build your first automation, this session will guide you through practical applications of AI using real business data.

What You’ll Learn

From Concept to Practice

• A quick recap of how large language models (LLMs) work, prompt logic, and the structure of Custom GPTs.
• Live demonstration: building an advanced Custom GPT using uploaded documents and tailored instructions.
• Understand how Custom GPTs simulate agent-like behaviour without added complexity.

Interactive GPT Building

• Hands-on session: create or refine your own Custom GPT tailored to a real business task (e.g. customer support, HR, onboarding).
• Receive live feedback and one-on-one troubleshooting to improve structure, tone, and retrieval logic.

AI Automations

• Explore the automation platform Make.com and learn how to integrate AI into workflows using real data (emails, forms, documents).
• Demo examples: trigger GPT actions from business emails or Google Sheets, extract and summarise documents, and log or email outputs.
• Define automation use cases to develop further in Session 3.

Introducing Tools (MCP)

• Learn about Model Context Protocols (MCPs) and how LLMs can now interact with external tools and services.
• Demo: ask a natural language question → AI queries a live database or Google Sheet → structured output.
• Begin mapping potential use cases for your business.

Outcome

By the end of this session, you’ll have built your first real-world GPT or automation flow and gained the skills to design AI processes that interact with your business data and documents in real time.

Who Should Attend

• Small business owners
• Entrepreneurs
• Freelancers
• Anyone curious about applying AI to real-world business tasks

What to Bring

• A laptop
• Sample documents or business scenarios you'd like to work on
• Enthusiasm to explore and experiment!

Spaces are limited – reserve your spot today!

Meet the Trainer Giancarlo Erra is a seasoned tech-creative entrepreneur and business consultant with over 25 years of experience across multiple industries. As a professional touring musician, his unique background bridges the worlds of technology and creativity, giving him a distinctive edge in using innovative solutions to drive business growth and streamline operations. As a former developer and technical director, Giancarlo has led projects ranging from full?stack development and system administration to AI-driven applications, providing tailored consultancy to SMEs and startups. His extensive experience includes founding Promethean Box Ltd, an umbrella company including AI-driven startups like Tweetify It, a tool for generating personalised social media content, and Copyforge, which helps automate blog and article creation. As the founder of YourVault.AI, he is currently developing private AI solutions to help small and micro-businesses deploy AI models securely on their own data. A public speaker and mentor, he regularly organises AI Summits and hackathons, helping businesses and individuals easily adopt AI tools and focusing on practical applications that deliver real value

Registration at 9am, workshop starts at 9.15am. There will be a refreshments on arrival and mid-morning.

Eligibility:

These small group in-person workshops are open to any trading business, freelancer, or charity based North Norfolk, Great Yarmouth, West Norfolk & King's Lynn districts in Norfolk, UK. Norwich, Breckland, South Norfolk & Broadland please contact your district council for business support.

New Anglia Growth Hub can help your business access a range of business support services from hundreds of sources. The hub’s IMPARTIAL service is fully funded and provided at no cost to your business and can help you access grants, finance, international trade support, skills, training and a range of other specialist advice from single point of contact.

Our Business Growth Advisers can talk with you over the phone or via Microsoft Teams or Zoom, or you can request a free appointment at your business premises.

Our Business Support is available to all SMEs throughout Norfolk and Suffolk (UK).

To get the most out of the service, call our local business support helpline:

0300 333 6536

Email: info@newangliagrowthhub.co.uk

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