It’s stated that each problem you face is simply a chance in disguise. So, what are your challenges (or alternatives) as a small enterprise proprietor and the way are you dealing with them?
We needed to see if we may assist. So we requested the specialists, dug into our personal analysis from the newest Small and Medium Enterprise Developments Report and tapped into insights from actual tales from small companies like yours, and obtained some solutions.
What we discovered had been among the commonest — and urgent — challenges small and medium companies (SMBs) face right this moment. This information brings them to life with sensible methods, actual options, and good makes use of of instruments like buyer relationship administration (CRM). From constructing loyalty to scaling throughout channels, listed here are some highly effective insights that can assist you develop with extra readability and connection.
What we’ll cowl:
Problem 1: Constructing resilience throughout financial shifts
Financial cycles are nothing new — each few years, market situations shift. Generally progress accelerates, whereas different instances, spending slows. For small companies like yours, these modifications can have an effect on all the things from stock planning to staffing selections. Navigating these cycles requires flexibility and foresight, particularly when budgets tighten or buyer demand fluctuates. Understanding these patterns might help you construct a enterprise that adapts, even when the market modifications.
Answer: Prioritize operational effectivity and long-term planning
As a substitute of reducing corners, many rising companies like yours are taking a extra strategic path — simplifying the place it issues and planning for stability over time. The objective isn’t simply to economize. It’s to scale back complexity, enhance focus, plan efficient methods, and create a stronger basis.
From the newest Small and Medium Enterprise Developments Report, right here’s what that shift seems to be like:
- Groups are retiring instruments that create silos and switching to platforms that work collectively in a collaborative house
- Companies are utilizing synthetic intelligence (AI) to scale back busywork, and perceive their prospects higher
- CRM programs are serving to unify knowledge, automating workflows, and giving leaders higher perception and management into their enterprise and prospects
Problem 2: Assembly rising buyer expectations
Your prospects need greater than only a nice product — they need to really feel seen, understood, supported, and remembered. Whether or not they’re putting an order or scrolling by way of your newest advertising and marketing marketing campaign, they count on each interplay to really feel considerate and constant.
At the moment’s prospects don’t simply evaluate you to different small companies — they evaluate you to the perfect expertise they’ve had anyplace else. That might imply a one-click checkout or just not having to repeat themselves when switching from chat to e-mail. Maintaining with that customary is time-consuming, particularly when your staff is stretched skinny.
As a enterprise proprietor, meaning you’re being requested to ship hyperpersonalized, 24/7 help — with solutions prepared throughout each channel, on a regular basis. Assembly these rising expectations is the true problem.
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Answer: Personalize each interplay by way of a deeply unified CRM
83% of SMBs consider buyer expertise is their key differentiator in a aggressive market. Fulfill each buyer with one device. If you convey all of your buyer knowledge into one place, you create the inspiration for personalised service that scales. A powerful CRM — particularly one powered by synthetic intelligence (AI) — helps you construct loyalty that lasts.
Right here’s how rising companies are closing the hole, in response to our analysis:
- 92% of SMB advertising and marketing groups use CRM instruments to centralize buyer knowledge
- 65% of consumers count on personalised, constant experiences throughout each touchpoint and that’s the place your instruments are available
- Companies are utilizing AI to tailor product suggestions and automate follow-ups, saving time and sources throughout the enterprise
Problem 3: Adopting AI with out shedding the human contact
AI is all over the place — in your inbox, your social feed, your buyer knowledge. And whereas it guarantees quicker workflows and simpler decision-making, it additionally brings actual considerations. You is perhaps asking your self: Will my model nonetheless really feel private? Will my prospects know once they’re speaking to a human — or a bot? Is my knowledge protected with AI?
That’s the balancing act many rising companies like yours are navigating proper now. You need the pace and scale of AI, however not on the expense of the belief and connection you’ve labored so onerous to construct. And as your prospects develop into extra conscious of how companies use AI, transparency issues greater than ever.
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Answer: Use trusted AI to help your staff — not change it
One of the best use of AI is the sort that helps you do what you already do finest — solely quicker and with much less stress. As a substitute of changing actual conversations or considerate selections, AI might help you reply faster and tailor experiences in a means that also feels human.
With instruments like Agentforce — AI-powered intelligence constructed into your CRM that helps you run your enterprise — you possibly can enlist AI to help you in caring to your prospects, and your staff on the identical time.
Right here’s how small companies are doing it proper, in response to our newest analysis:
Problem 4: Sustaining buyer belief and knowledge safety
Belief doesn’t come simple — and as soon as it’s misplaced, it’s nearly unattainable to get again. In a world the place buyer knowledge flows throughout each platform and power you employ, one misstep can shake the arrogance your enterprise has labored so onerous to earn. Whether or not it’s unclear knowledge practices or a scarcity of transparency, prospects are paying consideration — they usually’re not afraid to stroll away.
78% of consumers say they gained’t have interaction with a model they don’t belief. And belief right this moment isn’t nearly nice service or moral values — it consists of the way you accumulate, use, shield, and talk buyer knowledge.
Answer: Spend money on safe, clear knowledge practices
We may discuss belief all day, it’s our primary worth right here at Salesforce. Probably the most trusted companies are those that make knowledge safety a core a part of the client expertise. Which means being clear about what you accumulate, why you accumulate it, and the way it advantages the individuals you serve. It additionally means selecting the best programs — like a CRM that helps first-party knowledge, minimizes dangers, and helps you construct relationships based mostly on transparency, not monitoring.
Right here’s how small companies are constructing belief by way of knowledge in response to our knowledge:
- CRM helps unify and safe buyer knowledge throughout groups and channels
- Moral AI practices — together with visibility and consent — are high priorities for rising manufacturers, showcasing belief as the highest precedence
- Rising companies like yours are giving prospects extra management over their knowledge, constructing long-term loyalty within the course of
Problem 5: Managing progress with lean groups
Progress is thrilling — till it begins to outpace your capability. When new prospects, new alternatives, new markets, and new channels come your means, it might stretch your staff in each route. And when your headcount stays small, the stress doesn’t simply add up — it spills over into missed follow-ups and burnout.
When you’re feeling like your staff is doing the work of 5 with the hours of 1, you’re not imagining it. Many small companies are going through the identical problem: scaling with out overextending. It’s not about working more durable — it’s about working otherwise.
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Answer: Automate the busywork so your staff can give attention to what issues
The neatest groups aren’t simply hiring — they’re constructing smarter programs. From gross sales to service, automation and AI instruments are serving to small companies like yours deal with repetitive duties and keep centered on buyer relationships as an alternative of admin overload.
In line with our newest analysis, right here’s how small companies are managing progress extra successfully:
- Groups are automating lead routing, e-mail follow-ups, scheduling, and knowledge entry saving time and sources month-to-month
- AI helps prioritize sizzling leads, flag pressing points, and floor insights with out guide digging, saving hours day by day for groups of all sizes
- CRMs are changing spreadsheets and sticky notes with real-time visibility for the entire staff, permitting extra world collaboration throughout a number of industries
Problem 6: Standing out in a crowded digital market
There’s no scarcity of competitors on-line — and for small companies, being seen is just half the battle. The actual problem? Grabbing consideration and retaining it. Whether or not you’re working an ecommerce store, managing a retail retailer with an internet presence, or providing skilled companies, you’re up towards companies with greater budgets, extra workers, stronger instruments, and louder voices.
And with the digital house being extra crowded than ever — from social feeds to inboxes — it’s more durable to interrupt by way of the noise, not to mention stand out. Even when your product is nice and your service is best, it gained’t matter if the suitable individuals by no means hear your story.
Answer: Use AI-backed advertising and marketing to personalize, scale, and compete
The excellent news? You don’t want a large staff or advert price range to indicate up powerfully on-line. With the suitable AI advertising and marketing instruments, small companies are reaching the suitable individuals on the proper time — and doing it with the sort of private contact that massive manufacturers typically miss.
Right here’s what’s working, in response to the 3500+ leaders we surveyed:
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Problem 7: Scaling buyer engagement throughout channels
Your prospects aren’t simply reaching out in a single place — they’re all over the place. One may browse your web site, message you on social media, observe up by e-mail, and count on a customized reply through SMS — all inside just a few hours. That’s the brand new actuality of buyer communication. However when your instruments don’t discuss to one another, and your staff is switching between platforms, that have shortly turns into disconnected.
In line with our analysis, small companies use a median of a minimum of 10 gross sales and repair channels. That’s loads of alternative — and loads of room for friction in case your knowledge programs aren’t linked.
Answer: Create a seamless omni-channel expertise
The companies which might be retaining prospects engaged and constant are doing one massive factor otherwise — they’re connecting each touchpoint with an AI-powered communication platform. As a substitute of switching between programs or re-entering knowledge, you possibly can view buyer journeys in a single place and tailor outreach with confidence.
Right here’s how small companies are scaling their engagement, with out shedding high quality:
- Consolidating gross sales, service, and advertising and marketing instruments right into a single AI CRM
- Utilizing automation to deal with personalised responses, appointment reminders and real-time notifications
- Turning siloed channels right into a linked expertise that builds loyalty and belief
Fixing the highest challenges for small companies, day by day
The highway forward will all the time have bumps — however now, you’ve obtained a clearer map. From navigating financial shifts to constructing belief by way of good knowledge practices, you possibly can overcome any problem with the suitable technique and toolkit. For deeper insights on how small and midsize companies are adapting and thriving, try the newest Small and Medium Enterprise Developments Report.
Probably the most profitable groups aren’t doing all of it — they’re doing what works. They’re simplifying their tech stack, unifying knowledge by way of CRM, automating duties with trusted AI, and constructing buyer experiences that really feel extra human, not much less. Whether or not you’re in advertising and marketing, gross sales, or customer support — or carrying all three hats — the suitable instruments and long-term mindset might help you progress with extra confidence and fewer stress.
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