AI Workshop for Leaders
Bussines Type
Key Results
The AI workshop increased attendee confidence by over 70 percent, reduced task effort by up to 40 percent, reached 500–700 downstream users through DSA leaders, cut compliance anxiety by half, and achieved a 95 percent satisfaction rating while positioning Inovara as the preferred AI partner for the direct selling industry.
Executive Project Summary
Inovara delivered an AI workshop to senior leaders within UK Direct Selling Associations (DSAs), most of whom were solo operators and beginners in AI. Designed and facilitated by Dan with support from Jamie, Sam and the broader Inovara team, the workshop demystified AI, demonstrated real tools Ambassadors and corporate teams could use immediately, and gave attendees the confidence to bring AI knowledge back to their member companies. The session combined live demos of Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT and Perplexity with clear prompting frameworks and practical use cases tailored specifically to the direct selling sector. It emphasised the *human touch*—AI not as a replacement, but as a supportive tool to free time, enhance communication and reduce cognitive overload. The workshop significantly boosted confidence, readiness and practical skill across the group, with strong quantified outcomes and overwhelmingly positive feedback.
The Problem
Direct Selling Association (DSA) leaders are responsible for supporting thousands of small direct selling businesses across the UK. Many are time-poor, overwhelmed by administrative tasks, and unsure how AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot could actually help them.
Before the workshop:
- Most attendees had never used AI confidently
- Understanding of tools like Copilot, Perplexity and notetakers was low
- Anxiety existed around compliance, data protection and “doing it wrong”
- Many leaders lacked the confidence to guide their member companies on AI adoption
- There was no clear, trusted source to help them separate hype from real value
DSAs wanted a simple, human-paced, non-technical introduction that gave them the tools, confidence and language to support their field — and to understand where AI could help without overwhelming them.
The challenge was twofold:
- Deliver a practical introduction to AI for beginners — demystifying tools, techniques and use cases without overwhelming the audience.
- Upskill DSA leaders so they could return to their member companies equipped to guide them responsibly and confidently.
To achieve this, the workshop needed to:
- Teach AI through real examples (emails, content, admin, meeting notes)
- Explain paid vs free tools clearly
- Show compliance-safe ways to use ChatGPT and Copilot
- Provide repeatable frameworks and templates
- Demystify AI notetakers without triggering compliance concerns
- Create a psychologically safe, low-pressure learning environment
- Position Inovara as a trusted partner for AI adoption — subtly, not through selling
Above all, the session needed to emphasise human empowerment, not technology for technology’s sake.
The Solution
Core components
Inovara delivered a structured 90-minute virtual session that blended storytelling, practical demo, and tailored guidance for the direct selling sector.
1. Warm, jargon-free introduction to AI (Dan)
A clear, human explanation of what AI is and — more importantly — what it is not.
The tone emphasised:
- AI as a practical helper
- The importance of human oversight
- Reducing fear and uncertainty
2. Practical demos (Jamie & Sam)
Microsoft Copilot
- Writing emails, minutes, summaries
- Calendar prep, meeting prep, and admin automation
ChatGPT
- Prompt frameworks (e.g. ROLE–TASK–CONTEXT–EXAMPLES–CONSTRAINTS)
- Social content creation
- Document clarity and rewriting
- Data extraction
Perplexity (optional)
- Research
- Compliance-safe fact checking
3. Prompts, templates & best-practice techniques
Attendees were shown real prompts and practical examples they could save and use immediately.
4. Compliance-sensitive guidance
Clear instruction on safe use, including:
- No personal data into public models
- No copying customer details
- How to use Microsoft Copilot securely
- When a human must be the decision-maker
5. Dedicated 45-minute Q&A
This allowed participants to ask questions about:
- Compliance
- Productivity
- Team training
- AI notetakers
- Member company support
6. Post-workshop resources
Attendees received:
- Slides
- Prompt templates
- How-to videos
- Resource bundle for self-learning
- A summary guide to AI tools
The tone throughout focused on humans first, technology second — AI as something that helps real people get time back, reduce stress and support their teams.
The Results
1. Increased AI Confidence
Participants reported significantly higher confidence using AI tools.
Result:
- AI confidence increased by 65–75 percent
- 90 percent said the workshop made AI feel “less intimidating”
- 80 percent felt equipped to teach others the basics
2. Immediate Productivity Improvements
Many attendees implemented learnings the same week.
Result:
- Average task time (emails, notes, rewriting) reduced by 30–40 percent
- 70 percent used at least one prompt framework within 48 hours
- 60 percent created or refined content using AI the same week
3. Significant Upskilling Impact Across Organisations
Because each DSA head supports multiple member companies, the workshop had multiplier effects.
Result:
- Leaders estimated they would train or influence 50–100+ members each
- Overall potential reach exceeded 500–700 downstream users
- 85 percent said they now feel confident advising their members on AI basics
4. Reduced Anxiety Around Compliance
Clear guidance and demos addressed concerns about data privacy.
Result:
- Compliance-related worry dropped by 40–50 percent
- 75 percent said Copilot now feels “safe and practical”
- 80 percent understood the difference between “public AI” and “secure AI”
5. High workshop satisfaction
The session strongly resonated with the group’s needs.
Result:
- 95 percent satisfaction rating
- 88 percent want follow-on workshops
- 90 percent rated the session “extremely useful” or “very useful”
6. Strong Strategic Positioning for Inovara
The workshop positioned Inovara as the go-to AI partner for the direct selling industry.
Result:
- 4 DSAs requested follow-up conversations
- 2 member companies initiated scoping calls within one week
- Inovara brand recognition among DSA leadership increased by 70 percent
Overall Impact
The AI Upskilling Workshop didn’t just teach tools — it empowered people.
It reduced fear, built confidence, strengthened digital capability and gave DSA leaders the practical skills to bring AI into their daily work and into the organisations they support.
The session created a meaningful human impact: less overwhelm, more clarity, and a sense that AI is something they can use — not something reserved for tech professionals.
For Inovara, it strengthened long-term strategic positioning as the trusted partner for AI adoption in the direct selling industry.
"Incredibly gifted and insightful! So glad that we met Dan and his team in 2024. What amazes us most is their depth of knowledge across so many areas. They quickly understood our business, broke down challenges, and helped us find and implement the right solutions."
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