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AI for SMBs: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Start

Thinking about using AI in your business?

At Centriq, we help SMBs across Kansas City and the Midwest implement AI the right way. These are the exact questions we guide business owners and teams through every day.

Q: What daily tasks take the most time?

Think: email replies, quoting jobs, manual data entry, meeting notes, or onboarding and training.

A: Our team helps you identify the biggest time drains, then builds AI assistants that quickly tackle those tasks.

Q: Do I have a clear goal for what I want AI to improve?

Want more leads? Faster follow-up? Fewer errors?

A: We help you define goals, map out use cases, and train your team around the outcomes you care about.

Q: Who will "own" AI adoption in my business?

You don't need a tech team — but you do need a point of contact.

A: We offer champion onboarding, role-based training, and ongoing support so your designated AI champion isn't figuring it out alone.

Q: Is my team curious, cautious, or resistant to AI?

Resistance isn't a deal-breaker. It just means trust-building needs to happen.

A: Out AI training workshops are built for SMB teams and focus on practical, non-intimidating use. We also offer change management guidance.

Q: Are we already using AI without realizing it?

If you're using Gmail Smart Reply, Microsoft Copilot, or ChatGPT, you're already using it.

A: We help you make that use intentional, productive, and safe — with guardrails, governance, and guidance.

Q: What data do we rely on — and is it accurate and accessible?

AI is great at patterns, but bad data = bad decisions.

A: Our team will help you understand what data you need, how to clean it up, and how to structure it for effective AI use.

Q: Are there security, privacy, or compliance risks I need to be aware of?

AI tools can be secure — but not all are.

A: We've built AI assistants with HIPPA-compliant redaction, AI Governance policies, and role-based access. Our AI Hub ensures your organization uses AI safely and consistently — with approved tools, templates, and workflows all in one place.

Q: Have we tried AI before? What worked? What didn't?

Burned by a chatbot that went nowhere? You're not alone.

A: We've fixed more than a few failed rollouts. We'll diagnose what went wrong, then help you relaunch with the right tools and support.

Q: What's our budget?

You don't need $100K or a 6-month roadmap.

A: Our SMB packages include ready-to-use AI assistants, a business-friendly AI Hub, and short-form training — all designed to launch quickly and affordably.

Q: Who can we trust to guide us through this?

You don't need a Silicon Valley partner. You need someone who knows what it's like to move fast.

A: That's where Centriq AI Solutions comes in. We work side-by-side with your team to implement the right AI tools, governance, and education — built for SMBs, not enterprise.

Start Date
End Date
Day/Eve
Break Weeks
Track
Jan 23, 2023
Jul 27, 2023
Eve
4/3/23-4/7/23
5/22/23-5/26/23
7/3/23-7/7/23
CSSP-V
Jan 30, 2023
May 5, 2023
Day
3/6/23-3/10/23
4/10/23-4/14/23
CSSP-V
Feb 6, 2023
May 19, 2023
Day
3/27/23-3/31/23
FSCP-V
Mar 20, 2023
Jun 23, 2023
Day
4/24/23-4/28/23
5/22/23-5/26/23
CSSP-V
Apr 10, 2023
Jul 28, 2023
Day
5/29/23-6/2/23
7/3/23-7/7/23
FSCP-V
Apr 24, 2023
Oct 19, 2023
Eve
7/3/23-7/7/23
8/21/23-8/25/23
CSSP-V
May 15, 2023
Dec 14, 2023
Eve
7/3/23-7/7/23
9/4/23-9/8/23
11/20/23-11/24/23
FSCP-V
Jun 5, 2023
Sep 8, 2023
Day
7/3/23-7/7/23
8/7/23-8/11/23
CSSP-V
Jun 19, 2023
Oct 6, 2023
Day
7/3/23-7/7/23
9/4/23-9/8/23
FSCP-V
Jul 24, 2023
Jan 25, 2024
Eve
10/2/23-10/6/23
11/20/23-11/24/23
12/25/23-12/29/23
CSSP-V
Aug 14, 2023
Nov 17, 2023
Day
9/5/23-9/8/23
10/16/23-10/2/23
CSSP-V
Aug 28, 2023
Dec 15, 2023
Day
9/4/23-9/8/23
11/20/23-11/24/23
FSCP-V
Oct 30, 2023
Feb 2, 2024
Day
11/20/23-11/24/23
12/25/23-12/29/23
CSSP-V
Oct 30, 2023
May 2, 2024
Eve
11/20/23-11/23/23
3/4/23-3/7/23
CSSP-V
Nov 6, 2023
Mar 1, 2024
Day
11/20/23-11/24/23
12/25/23-12/29/23
1/29/24-2/2/24
FSCP-V
If you don't see the Cohort Start date you are looking for don't forget to check out our campus calendars.
CSSP-I: Cybersecurity Specialist Program (In-Person Modality)
CSSP-V: Cybersecurity Specialist Program (Live Virtual Modality)
FSCP-I: Full Stack Coding Program (In-Person Modality)
FSCP-V: Full Stack Coding Program (Live Virtual Modality)
Please note that Centriq will be closed on the following observed holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day following Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Start Date
End Date
Day/Eve
Break Weeks
Track
Feb 29, 2024
Mar 24, 2024
Day
3/25/24-3/29/24
4/22/24-4/26/24
CSSP-I
May 13, 2024
Aug 16, 2024
Day
5/27/24-5/31/24
7/1/24-7/5/24
CSSP-I
Aug 19, 2024
Nov 22, 2024
Day
9/2/24-9/6/24
10/21/24-10/25/24
CSSP-I
Dec 2, 2024
Mar 14, 2025
Day
12/23/24-12/27/24
12/30/24-1/3/25
2/10/25-2/14/25
CSSP-I
If you don't see the Cohort Start date you are looking for don't forget to check out our online instructor-led calendar.
CSSP-I: Cybersecurity Specialist Program (In-Person Modality)
CSSP-V: Cybersecurity Specialist Program (Live Virtual Modality)
FSCP-I: Full Stack Coding Program (In-Person Modality)
FSCP-V: Full Stack Coding Program (Live Virtual Modality)
Please note that Centriq will be closed on the following observed holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day following Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Start Date
End Date
Day/Eve
Break Weeks
Track
Jan 13, 2025
Apr 18, 2025
Day
2/17/25-2/21/25
3/17/25-3/21/25
CSSP-I
Feb 10, 2025
Aug 14, 2025
Eve
3/24/25-3/27/25
5/26/25-5/29/25
6/30/25-7/4/25
CSSP-I
Feb 24, 2025
Jun 6, 2025
Day
3/31/25-4/4/25
4/28/25-5/2/25
5/26/25-5/30/25
CSSP-I
Mar 31, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Day
5/5/25-5/9/25
5/26/25-5/30/25
6/30/25-7/4/25
CSSP-I
May 5, 2025
Aug 8. 2025
Day
5/26/25-5/30/25
6/30/25-7/4/25
CSSP-I
Jun 9, 2025
Sep 19, 2025
Day
6/30/25-7/4/25
8/4/25-8/8/25
9/1/25-9/5/25
CSSP-I
Jul 28, 2025
Oct 31, 2025
Day
9/1/25-9/5/25
9/29/25-10/3/25
CSSP-I
Aug 18, 2025
Feb 26, 2026
Eve
9/1/25-9/4/25
11/24/25-11/27/25
12/22/25-12/25/25
12/29/25-1/1/26
CSSP-I
Sep 8, 2025
Dec 12, 2025
Day
10/13/25-10/17/25
11/24/25-11/28/25
CSSP-I
Oct 13, 2025
Jan 23, 2026
Day
11/24/25-11/28/25
12/22/25-12/26/25
12/29/25-1/2/26
CSSP-I
Dec 1, 2025
Mar 13, 2025
Day
12/22/25-12/26/25
12/29/25-1/2/26
2/9/26-2/13/26
CSSP-I
If you don't see the Cohort Start date you are looking for don't forget to check out our online instructor-led calendar.
CSSP-I: Cybersecurity Specialist Program (In-Person Modality)
Please note that Centriq will be closed on the following observed holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day following Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.