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In a world where technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve — especially for entrepreneurs.
In a recent podcast interview, Zak Kidd, founder of Ask Humans, shared his entrepreneurial journey, his innovative approach to business development, and his unique insights into the future of artificial intelligence (AI).
Let’s dive into some of the key takeaways that could inspire and inform the path of any aspiring business owner, particularly those venturing into tech or AI.
Zak’s Entrepreneurial Background: From Cookies to Cutting-Edge Tech
Zak Kidd’s entrepreneurial roots run deep. He didn’t start with a traditional business or tech background, but his early experiences shaped his relentless drive and unconventional approach.
Zak’s first brush with entrepreneurship came through his mother’s business. He learned early that the key to success wasn’t just about working hard — it was about having ownership and understanding the value of revenue.
His time working at Neil’s Cookies, a business that his mother was part of, taught him the intricacies of managing a business and the power of ownership.
This early exposure gave him the courage to dive into multiple business ventures, including a software development shop.
However, it wasn’t until he took a leap into the world of artificial intelligence that things truly clicked for Zak. The idea for Ask Humans emerged when he saw the immense opportunity in AI’s ability to collect and analyze human feedback at scale.
The Birth of Ask Humans: Harnessing AI for Organizational Insights
Ask Humans was born out of Zak’s fascination with AI and its potential to disrupt traditional feedback systems. While working with clients, Zak noticed a significant pain point: organizations were struggling to gather meaningful feedback from customers and employees in a way that could drive actionable insights.
Traditional methods like surveys and focus groups were outdated, ineffective, and limited in scope. Zak realized that by leveraging AI, he could help organizations gather real-time feedback at scale.
Thus, Ask Humans was created as a platform to streamline the collection of human opinions through AI-driven insights, allowing businesses to adapt faster and make data-driven decisions.
Challenges and Adaptations: Navigating Early Business Hurdles
Like many entrepreneurs, Zak faced his fair share of challenges during the early days of Ask Humans. One major hurdle was finding the right investors who aligned with his vision for AI. Many potential investors were more interested in traditional software models or tangible tech products.
Zak had to stay focused on his mission of creating a scalable solution for human feedback through AI. He also had to deal with moments of self-doubt, particularly when his business was in its infancy. Despite these challenges, Zak didn’t let setbacks derail his vision. Instead, he joined an accelerator program that provided the structure and mentorship needed to fine-tune Ask Humans’ offering.
Innovative Approaches to Business Development: Building Real Relationships
One of Zak’s most innovative approaches to business development is his focus on building real relationships, rather than relying solely on automated marketing or cold outreach. Instead of the traditional outbound calls, emails, and LinkedIn messages, Zak turned to more personal, in-person connections to grow his customer base.
Zak modeled his approach on Salesforce founder Mark Benioff’s strategy of hosting small, intimate events to connect with people. But instead of a formal presentation or pitch, Zak hosted casual cocktail parties and networking events in cities like New York, Chicago, and London.
At these events, Zak didn’t try to sell Ask Humans — rather, he focused on fostering connections with thought leaders, potential customers, and industry experts.
This strategy has allowed him to attract high-quality leads and deepen relationships with decision-makers.
By focusing on relationships first, Zak and his team have been able to build a strong network of clients, including prestigious names like Washington State University, YMCA, and the DC Government.
Future Directions: What’s Next for Ask Humans?
Looking ahead, Zak is excited about the future of Ask Humans. The company plans to double down on its existing strategies while expanding into new channels.
One key focus will be developing more case studies and use cases that highlight the value of AI-powered feedback solutions for consultants. This shift will help to further cement Ask Humans’ role as a critical tool for organizations seeking deeper insights from their customers and stakeholders.
Zak is also eager to continue his event-driven marketing approach, hosting more intimate gatherings to keep fostering relationships and driving the growth of his business.
This personalized approach will remain central to the company’s strategy, even as Ask Humans scales and develops additional product features.
To dive deeper into Zak’s insights on AI, business development, and the future of feedback technology, be sure to listen to our full podcast episode.
Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs: Embrace Relationships and Be Adaptable
Zak’s journey offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, especially in the tech and AI industries. One of the most important takeaways from his story is the importance of relationship selling. While automation and digital tools can certainly streamline processes, the human element remains crucial in building trust and generating long-term business success.
Zak also emphasizes the value of self-reflection and creating space for feedback. He regularly conducts bi-weekly retrospectives with his team, allowing everyone to share what’s working, what isn’t, and how they can improve. This culture of continuous improvement has helped Zak stay agile and responsive to the needs of his clients and his team.
Another important lesson is the need for agility in business. As Zak notes, his business model could have been disrupted by the rise of more advanced LLMs (large language models), but by layering human insights on top of these models, Ask Humans continues to thrive. Entrepreneurs should be prepared to adapt, pivot, and innovate as technologies and markets evolve.
Conclusion: What’s Next for AI and Ask Humans?
Zak Kidd’s journey offers valuable lessons in both entrepreneurship and AI innovation. From his humble beginnings to founding Ask Humans, Zak has navigated the complexities of business development, relationship building, and strategic pivots with grace and foresight.
His story serves as a reminder that in today’s world, adaptability, creativity, and genuine connections are the pillars of success.
Zak’s advice to entrepreneurs?
Focus on building relationships, adapt to change, and never underestimate the power of human insight in a tech-driven world.
For those interested in exploring how Ask Humans is revolutionizing feedback collection and AI-powered insights, it’s worth following their progress closely.
