Small and midsize businesses (SMBs) all over the world have been turning to artificial intelligence to outsource their menial tasks and increase efficiency through SMB automation. According to a recent survey, 61% of SMBs implement AI to automate daily tasks and save time. This trend highlights AI’s potential to transform how smaller companies work and compete with bigger players because more time for strategic work means more growth.
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How Can SMBs Use AI?
AI-driven SMB automation uses machine learning, natural language processing (NLP) and robotic process automation (RPA) to handle repetitive tasks with minimal human help. Historically, automation was considered a luxury and required staff with a lot of technical experience. Only large enterprises could afford it. Now, thanks to cloud-based AI tools, SMBs have access to thousands of different solutions that don’t cost a fortune and can be easily implemented and integrated with the systems they already use.
By delegating resource-intensive tasks such as data entry, order processing, or document management, small and midsize companies can reduce errors and give their teams more time to focus on company growth. Here are areas of SMB operations that AI can enhance the most.
1. Easier Document Processing
Not many people enjoy paperwork. It is a tedious task that consumes a lot of time that could be spent elsewhere. AI-powered document processing tools can help extract data from various sources, including emails, invoices, contracts and other forms. They can then automatically move this data to where it needs to go: a CRM system, an Excel sheet, etc. This eliminates errors and significantly speeds up document management.
Over the years, I have seen many smaller companies struggling with invoice processing. It can be a very time-consuming and error-prone process if a business deals with it manually. AI software can transform this into a task that only takes seconds and costs close to nothing.
2. Improved Customer Experience
Exceptional customer service is often what makes people choose smaller businesses over giant corporations that are impossible to reach and aren’t as worried about customer retention.
Virtual assistants and AI chatbots can help SMBs take their customer service to the next level. Customer support personnel will remain crucial, but AI can help automate common inquiries and scheduling while the staff works on more complex questions and issues that clients might face. AI can also assist businesses serving a global audience by live-translating customer inquiries from unfamiliar languages into ones the support team understands and translating responses back for the customer.
A recent report by IBM shows that AI chatbots can reduce customer support costs by 30%, which is huge for a smaller company. More than that, AI can help SMBs scale without hiring additional help.
3. Automated Sales and Marketing
AI can be a game changer when it comes to sales automation. SMBs can automatically log interactions in CRM systems or help generate a sales forecast based on previous sales data. This forecast can then help inform sales teams’ decisions and contribute to growth.
AI tools also help personalize SMBs’ marketing efforts. Even a small team can tailor campaigns and messages to different segments within their target audience and turn leads into customers. AI platforms can help automate email campaigns by optimizing send times and generating content based on real-time user behavior. This will lead to improved customer engagement without the need for much manual input.
What Are the Barriers to SMB Automation?
Everybody is talking about AI and the many advantages it has for businesses of all sizes. So, why are some companies still hesitant? Many small and midsize companies still believe the myth that SMB automation is too complex or costly. It isn’t true. Numerous options on the market are specifically tailored to smaller organizations. They are affordable low-code/no-code solutions, meaning they require no or very little tech experience to install or integrate into existing systems.
SMBs are also rightfully concerned about data privacy. Some companies don’t trust AI vendors to secure their customers’ data, which is why provider research and vetting are paramount. It’s important to ask questions about each vendor’s approach to data security: how long they store data, who they transfer it to, whether the customer data is used to improve the AI model and other questions that will help determine if a vendor is a match.
Conclusion
Just like other companies, SMBs should be taking inventory of their tech stack because it can make or break a business today. Technology can cut costs, free up teams and help a business grow, but it can do the exact opposite if the tech is outdated or doesn’t align with business goals.
AI-based tools have already been proven to make a significant impact and transform processes. For SMBs especially, AI can help stay competitive and even take on bigger organizations. A thought-out set of AI tools will help reduce manual workload, minimize errors, improve customer interactions and increase sales.
SMB Automation is no longer a luxury. It’s important to change that mindset. AI has already become more affordable and accessible for people without technical backgrounds. This means that now is a perfect time for SMBs to act. Whether to simplify data entry or improve sales, AI-powered solutions can make a small company more effective and ready for the future, whatever challenges it may bring.
