AI Receptionists Tackle Trade Business Bottlenecks, According to Nick Curum

In a recent LinkedIn post, Nick Curum discusses a surprising personal adoption of AI technology and its potential to solve a persistent operational challenge for trades businesses: managing inbound calls and appointment booking.

Curum shares his initial hesitation and eventual embrace of an AI agent for his own telephone answering, a step that prompted reflection on how similar technology could benefit others, particularly in service-based industries like plumbing and electrical work.

I never thought I would let an AI agent answer my telephone. I was proved wrong: Now one of them answers mine.

The core of Curum’s argument centers on the critical role of answering the phone in securing business, especially within the trades. He highlights that this fundamental aspect is often compromised not by a lack of willingness, but by a lack of capacity.

The Capacity Crunch in Trades

Curum points out that trades professionals are frequently caught between serving existing clients and managing new inquiries. The phone ringing while a plumber or electrician is actively on a job means missed opportunities and potential loss of business.

“Not enough people, not enough hours, and the phone ringing while you are on the job,” Curum writes, encapsulating the dilemma. This situation, he suggests, is a direct consequence of limited human resources struggling to keep pace with demand.

Introducing the AI Receptionist Solution

To address this bottleneck, Curum proposes the implementation of AI receptionists. He envisions a system that can handle call triaging and appointment scheduling around the clock, freeing up tradespeople to focus on their core work.

“What if you had your own AI receptionist?” Curum poses, framing the technology as a direct solution to the capacity issue. He suggests that such a tool could operate 24/7, ensuring that no lead goes unanswered.

If answering the phone is eating into your day, or costing you jobs when you cannot get to it, this is for you.

Curum emphasizes that this is not a theoretical concept but a practical tool he is actively deploying. He is currently building these AI receptionists for a limited number of businesses.

A Limited, High-Impact Rollout

The post details a focused approach to offering this service. Curum states his intention to work with only two or three businesses initially, suggesting a desire to refine the process and ensure client success before scaling.

“I am building AI receptionists for two or three businesses max. Once I have filled the slots, no more,” he declares, indicating a curated client list for this initial phase. He expresses confidence in the efficacy of the solution, adding, “It works for me. It will work for you.”

For business owners in the trades experiencing the challenges of managing inbound calls and appointment bookings, Curum offers a direct call to action. He invites interested parties to message him with the word “PHONE” to arrange a consultation, during which his AI receptionist will assist in booking a meeting.

DM me the word PHONE, and my AI receptionist will book some time with me.

Curum’s insights highlight a growing trend of AI integration into fundamental business operations, offering tangible solutions for efficiency and growth in traditionally people-intensive service industries.