SMBs: Compete & Win | Strategies & Insights
- Facing budget constraints for sales agent training, Alex Schlesinger, founder and CEO of Active Mutual, turned to an AI chatbot.
- Schlesinger noted the AI training prepared agents better and faster than conventional sales courses.
- across the country, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to compete with larger corporations.
Small businesses are now leveraging teh power of AI to level the playing field, competing head-to-head with larger corporations. Discover how SMBs are using AI tools like chatbots and AI agents to revolutionize their operations, including improving sales agent training, automating processes, and enhancing customer service. Verizon Business’s 2025 survey reveals nearly 40% of small and medium-sized businesses are integrating AI,focusing on marketing,customer service,and communications. These smart moves allow smbs to punch above their weight, offering top-tier tools and expertise previously out of reach. With AI,these agile companies can now operate as if they have a full team. News Directory 3 shines a light on these innovations. What strategies will SMBs use to stay ahead of the curve? Discover what’s next in this evolving landscape.
AI Tools Level the Playing Field for Small Businesses
Updated june 06, 2025
Facing budget constraints for sales agent training, Alex Schlesinger, founder and CEO of Active Mutual, turned to an AI chatbot. He told PYMNTS that Gemini simulated realistic conversations, allowing agents to rehearse responses effectively.
Schlesinger noted the AI training prepared agents better and faster than conventional sales courses. He also observed increased confidence and improved client interactions among his team.
across the country, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to compete with larger corporations. AI is helping these firms automate processes, augment talent and accelerate decision-making, allowing them to adopt AI-first business models.
verizon Business’ 2025 State of Small Business Survey indicates that 38% of SMBs are integrating AI into their operations.specifically, 28% are using AI for marketing and social media, 24% for written communications, and nearly a quarter for digital personal assistants to enhance customer service. AI is also being deployed for cybersecurity and employee retention.
Aparna Khurjekar, chief revenue officer at Verizon Business, said in a statement that AI marks a new chapter for digital business among smaller companies.
According to a May 2025 PYMNTS Intelligence report, half of SMBs rely on daily sales or bank funds for survival, making competitiveness crucial, especially during economic uncertainty. The report emphasized the financial vulnerability of SMBs to revenue fluctuations, notably affecting hotels, restaurants and entertainment businesses.
Mary Kay Bowman, executive vice president and general manager at BILL, said smaller businesses need to compete on smarts, not scale. She added that AI can unlock top-tier finance expertise and tools previously exclusive to larger enterprises.
Consultant Jackie Sinclair agreed, noting that AI empowers small business owners to operate as if they have a full team without the overhead.Kevin Green, chief marketing officer at Hapax, added that smaller businesses can surpass larger institutions by using customized, industry-specific AI solutions.
legalzoom CEO Jeff Stibel said his company’s partnership with Perplexity gives small businesses direct access to their legal tools inside AI-powered search. He said this reflects how small businesses are turning to AI for efficiency and confidence.
Longvadon CEO Robin Westerling said AI agents from Salesforce’s AgentForce allowed them to reduce their customer support staff while maintaining service quality.
Schlesinger advises SMB leaders to explore AI tools to fill resource gaps and offer top-notch service, making customers feel understood and valued.
What’s next
As AI technology continues to evolve, small businesses are expected to further integrate these tools into their operations to enhance efficiency, improve customer experiences and maintain a competitive edge.