Business Planning with AI tools
You have an idea. Maybe it's been sitting with you for a while. Maybe you're not sure yet if it's worth pursuing — or how to find out. Either way, this session is for you.
Business planning doesn't have to mean a 40-page document and a finance degree. In 45 minutes, we'll break down what a business plan actually is, how it's different from a business canvas, and — most importantly — how AI tools can help you think through both without getting overwhelmed.
We'll look at two tools worth knowing: ChatGPT, which most people have heard of but few are using strategically for business planning, and IdeaBuddy, a purpose-built platform that guides you through your idea step by step — prompting you, nudging you, and asking the questions you didn't know you needed to answer.
We'll close with a short hands-on activity to help you develop your AI input fingerprint — a personal reference for what context to share when working with AI tools, and what's wise to keep private. You'll reflect on your idea, your goals, and your boundaries, and leave with something genuinely useful beyond this session.
Come with a business idea — even a half-formed one. Leave with a plan for the plan.
Who Should Attend
This session is especially welcoming to:
Recent graduates exploring whether entrepreneurship — full-time or part-time — could be right for them
Anyone with a business idea they want to pressure-test before committing serious time or money
Students curious about AI tools but unsure how to use them responsibly and strategically
Anyone who has started a business plan before and stalled — this is a low-pressure re-entry point
In this session you'll:
Understand the difference between a business plan and a business canvas — and which one is right for your stage
See how AI tools like ChatGPT and IdeaBuddy can help you think through your idea faster and with more confidence
Leave with your personal AI input fingerprint: a simple guide to what to share with AI tools — and what to protect
About the Facilitator
This session is facilitated by Pat Robinson, Academic Coordinator and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Centennial College. Pat teaches Creative Entrepreneurship at the Story Arts Campus and has 20 years of experience helping students, educators, and early-stage founders build future-ready skills through practical, inclusive, and low-risk approaches to innovation.