Wisdom comes from a mix of sources. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere and woven throughout the day in ways we don’t even realize. Before you’ve had a chance to think about what you want to do or learn next, AI has already inserted itself into the equation.  

That includes searches — like on Google.

A few weeks ago, our digital detective at 5Points Creative, Grayson Odham, wrote an article about the AI Search Equity Gap and how Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is changing the way people use the internet. If you missed the piece, read it here. The AI that has been on my mind lately is Acquired Intelligence. A machine learns through absorbing copious amounts of data, taking note of any patterns, and continuously refining its responses. If you pause in your hectic days, you’ll realize it’s similar to how we grow. People also learn by experiencing, adjusting, and refining to improve our work and life.

Sometimes I want to see what Siri, Claude, or Chat GPT has to say. Other times, I choose a different search platform such as Alexa or another resource.  With multiple ways to search, I am very intentional about where I go depending on what I need.

For example, if I know the business name and want quick access to details, I’ll bypass traditional search and use Apple Maps. From there, I can click right to the phone number or website. It’s quick and matches my intent in that moment.

Information is everywhere, but we often still miss the obvious or choose to get what we want in alternate ways.

Companies have spent thousands, tens of thousands, and in many cases millions of dollars building their Search Engine Optimization (SEO), paid search, and the like. We help them do it. But as Grayson pointed out, upward of 60% of Google searches are now resulting in “zero-clicks”. Because Google’s own AI is answering the users’ questions right on the search page. Consequently, users are skipping the website clicks that everyone in business has been trying to master. That is the Search Equity Gap.

Use What You See4Your Company

Remember the saying, “There’s nothing new under the sun”? Well, we’ve crossed this bridge in decades past.  

Back in the old days, businesses relied on directories like the phone book that was closed on a table or in a drawer 99.9% of the time. When the “yellow pages” went away, companies and organizations had to find new ways to stand out and get critical information to potential customers. The smart ones did because they evolved. And you can, too.

As I was thinking about what worked back in the ‘90s and around the turn of the century, I realized it was the same as what will help businesses today in these fast-moving times.  

Stay on the AEO, SEO, and paid search “trains”.  This is critical. But that is just the beginning. Focus your energy on building brand trust, generating greater awareness, and establishing top-of-mind awareness. Show up wherever and however people are looking and become the source of value, help, and content in your category or industry.  

That’s a wise move, and it comes from Acquired Intelligence – the other AI.

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We know what we are going through in our lives. We have our own deadlines, personal and personnel issues, calendar invitations, inboxes to manage, and all the other work considerations that require our attention. Most of us are managing way more inputs than we are comfortable navigating on our own. Artificial Intelligence (AI) makes us more productive, that’s true. There are hacks and helps and plenty of benefits to all the ways AI can help us get more done. It also means people expect us to get to them more quickly, address their problems, and make them a priority.

Our clients, prospects, and those trying to track us down expect us to meet them on their terms. We expect the same from others – asking “Why didn’t they reply to me?”, “When are they going to email me?”, or “Did they get my phone call?”. You’ve gotten to this point in this month’s B2Seed and by now have noticed it’s all about us.

Like I said, we know what is going on in our lives – we are fully aware of that personal crisis, the recent death we are processing, the challenging employee, or upset client. What we don’t see is a big – or more likely a bigger deal.

A Radical Shift2Change Your Outlook

I’m not blaming you for being focused on yourself – your needs, your struggles, your to do list.  It’s natural, and it’s the way of the world in 2026 (and has been for a while).

The point of this month’s thought-starter is to ask you to consider another tweak to your approach.

Over the past few years, I’ve asked myself the same questions I wrote earlier, and this is a concept I have not mastered but am focused on improving. My attempt is to change my perspective and quietly ask myself – “what is going on in other people’s lives?”. We know what is going on in our own world, but frequently miss surveying and perhaps even asking, “How are you? Or what is happening with you these days?”. Those are smart questions to start a meaningful exchange, and you’ll find that switching the focus from yourself to the other person will dramatically improve your communication AND your outlook.

As I’ve repeatedly shared with audiences throughout the early part of 2026, the world can use a little more empathy. Let’s start with this adjustment and see how it transforms your interactions.

This is just one of the many topics covered in my speaking engagements. The idea of empathy is a powerful part of what makes the good servers great in the world of hospitality. It’s a natural skill for many, but there are ways to learn to be more empathetic as well. Let’s talk about how one of these topics could help build momentum with your leadership team or a group of employees.

To schedule a Speaking Engagement – www.brucecbryan.com/speaking

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In the next few months, I’ll pass 200 of these B2Seed columns. That’s basically one per month for 17+ years, and there are a lot of reasons I do it. Last month in our Take5, there was a longer-form explanation of the power of Content Creation and why it’s critical for most any business. If you missed it, visit here.

You’d think when you write something like this that you can expect immediate feedback. When my father was alive, he routinely wrote me each month with (often positive and sometimes brutally honest) input. Now my godfather, who is in his 90s, religiously replies with an email full of kind words (Hi Uncle Art!!!). Other than that, I don’t regularly get emails from the hundreds of you who read this every month.

And that’s okay. I don’t expect to hear from most of you right away. As the introduction clearly states above, the purpose of this monthly submission is to be a thought-starter and to help you make the change you’ve been pondering but are often slow to move on. Even though I may not hear from you, I realize this information is powerful and helpful.  

Doing the Work2Help Make a Difference

Recently, I had a dear client pull me aside and tell me how much he appreciated my B2Seeds. This isn’t a column about how helpful the B2Seed content is. Instead, I wanted to share that we put goodness into the world and find ways to share, offer suggestions, provide advice or support to make things better for others, and to build our top-of-mind awareness and brand trust.

It’s why I write each month and have for all these years, and it’s why I encourage you to follow the same path professionally. If you’re not a great or prolific writer, get help doing so, or if it works better for you, use images instead of words. Regular outreach communication is a powerful tool, and I want you to employ it to help you just like it has helped me. That’s why we do it.

When you do get wonderful feedback — like I recently did from my special client — it’s more of a confirmation and validation that you’re doing the right thing. That’s the extra benefit, not the reason why.

My friends and clients, start writing (or snapping photos)!

This topic and many more are covered in my new book.
To order Turning Tables: Everything I Needed to Know about Business I Learned as a Server, go to https://indiepubs.com/products/turning-tables?_pos=1&_sid=02c306be1&_ss=r.

To schedule a Speaking Engagement, go to www.brucecbryan.com.

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