Artificial intelligence for small businesses may sound like a misnomer. After all, artificial intelligence is the domain of cutting-edge robotics companies, giant think tanks, aerospace manufacturers and billion-euro brands, right? Actually, AI is finding its way into more and more facets of our lives – including small businesses.
What is AI?
AI is computer software that can analyse data to make human-like decisions. This has applications for everything from self-driving cars and autonomous surgeons to smart homes and Spotify recommendations. While AI’s potential on the macro-level is nearly limitless, it also has plenty of applications on the micro-level.
Artificial intelligence for small businesses offers better, more personal ways for customers and organisations to interact. It provides a clearer view of the customer, and enables companies to better meet their needs. In a customer-first climate dominated by big players offering hyper-personalised engagement, AI for small businesses can be the great equaliser.
How can AI improve my business?
AI for small businesses can provide deeper customer insights and help improve sales and marketing. It enables businesses to analyse trends and customer feedback, so that they can be proactive in their marketing activities. Even better, small businesses can leverage AI to provide their customers with the same personalised experiences that bigger businesses have made standard.
Here are some of the ways that AI for small businesses can help:
Improve the customer experience through chatbots and self-service options.
Prioritise sales leads
Schedule calls
Segment audiences
Respond quickly to customer queries/complaints
Drive upselling and cross-selling
Improve sales forecasting
Boost email marketing
Salesforce Einstein brings the power of AI to everyone. Small businesses no longer have to sit in the shadows as their bigger competitors unleash waves of cutting-edge technologies. Instead, they can use Einstein to create AI-powered apps, deploy custom bots and analyse consumer sentiments.
AI for small businesses: FAQ
Is AI expensive?
Pricing for AI all depends on what your business needs, but you can choose the solution that best fits your requirements. When you look at ROI and the benefits to your business, AI is very affordable.
It’s also important to consider that AI enables small businesses to automate routine and repetitive tasks, freeing up the workforce to concentrate on more creative work. When you take into account the marketing gains and the manpower saved, AI is one of the most cost-effective tools out there.
Does AI save time?
Yes. One of the biggest benefits of AI for small businesses is the amount of time it can save your workforce. AI can automatically capture and log consumer data, surface leads, automate workflows and streamline processes.
The average sales rep spends the majority of their time on non-revenue generating activities. Businesses that harness the power of AI will be able to empower those reps to make more productive use of their time.
Is AI easy to use?
Once AI solutions have been integrated, they’re very easy to use. Einstein even makes it easy to build custom apps with no coding knowledge: simply drag and drop components.
Einstein’s custom bots are also easy to use. Just train them with data from your CRM and deploy them as you see fit.
AI for small businesses: what comes next
AI for small businesses is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s helping companies and customers connect in more meaningful ways, and empowering workforces to be more creative. It’s also levelling the playing field so that every business can hit it big with their customers, no matter their size. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings in the world of AI!
For more information on how SMEs can find success in the new landscape, download the 4th edition of the Small & Medium Business Trends Report.
