I spoke with Gal Haziza, an entrepreneur in the digital marketing space, about his journey from managing complex manual spreadsheets and vendors to building independent AI systems that transformed his business operations.
In this episode, Gal shares his past struggles with external developers, his decision to take ownership of the system development process, and his insights on implementing technology while running a business.
From Spreadsheets to Automation
Gal described how, prior to integrating AI, his business relied on manual management of spreadsheets, leading to inefficiencies and lost opportunities. He noted that his team spent the majority of their time tracking statuses and payments, resulting in significant financial losses.
Today, using systems he built himself, processes that used to take hours are completed in minutes. Gal pointed out that this technology has allowed him to streamline operations and dramatically improve service efficiency.
The Decision to Build In-House
Gal shared his frustration with working with external developers, citing delays, high costs, and a lack of business understanding. He argued that today, an entrepreneur who wants to implement AI in their business must be directly involved in the construction process.
According to Gal, understanding the foundations of the system, UX, and marketing is crucial. He noted that even without being a professional programmer, his basic technical knowledge helped him lead system design and create tools that solve real business problems.
The Importance of Marketing and Persistence
Beyond development, Gal emphasized repeatedly that technology is merely a tool, and the real challenge remains marketing and customer acquisition. He explained that a project's success stems not just from the product, but from consistency and effective outreach.
Gal suggested that business owners with an existing client base have a significant advantage when implementing AI, compared to those trying to build a new product from scratch without an audience or a clear marketing strategy.
In conclusion, Gal clarified that while current technology allows businesses to make massive leaps, it requires patience, a commitment to fine-tuning the details, and deep personal involvement from the entrepreneur throughout the entire process.