{"id":11220,"date":"2026-02-16T17:04:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T09:04:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=11220"},"modified":"2026-02-16T17:04:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T09:04:42","slug":"we-asked-ai-about-the-future-of-smbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/we-asked-ai-about-the-future-of-smbs\/","title":{"rendered":"We Asked AI: What Does the Future of Business Look Like For Startups?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"key-takeaways wp-block-salesforce-blog-key-takeaways\" aria-label=\"Key Takeaways\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-key-takeaways__inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-key-takeaways__header\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-key-takeaways__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-key-takeaways__title-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tKey Takeaways\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<button \n\t\t\tid=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-key-takeaways-button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-key-takeaways__button\"\n\t\t\taria-controls=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-key-takeaways-content\"\n\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"\n\t\t\tToggle Key Takeaways content\t\t\t\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"url(#a)\" d=\"M17.401 6.445a1.525 1.525 0 0 1 2.153 0 1.517 1.517 0 0 1 0 2.149l-7.977 7.961a1.526 1.526 0 0 1-2.154 0L1.446 8.594a1.517 1.517 0 0 1 0-2.149 1.524 1.524 0 0 1 2.153 0l6.9 6.886z\" \/><defs><linearGradient id=\"a\" x2=\"10.5\" y2=\"17\" gradientUnits=\"userSpaceOnUse\"><stop stop-color=\"#BA01FF\" \/><stop offset=\"1\" stop-color=\"#0250D9\" \/><\/linearGradient><\/defs><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-key-takeaways-content\" class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-key-takeaways__content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The future of business for startups will be defined by digital-first operations, prioritising hyper-personalised customer experiences, and embracing AI-enabled flexibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AI and automation are rapidly being adopted by startups, leading to greater efficiency, scalability, and revenue growth by handling routine tasks and providing smarter customer insights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Businesses that invest strategically in integrated, AI-ready platforms, like those offered by Salesforce, and prioritise clean data will be best positioned to compete and achieve scalable growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<footer class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-key-takeaways__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\tThis summary was created with AI and reviewed by an editor.\t\t\t\t<\/footer>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>We asked <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/category\/artificial-intelligence\/\">artificial intelligence (AI)<\/a> what the future would look like for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/ai-for-startups\/\">startups<\/a>, and the answer was both inspiring and practical:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cStartups and small businesses will operate with the power of enterprise-scale tools. AI will automate routine tasks, personalise every customer interaction, and guide smarter decisions in real time. The playing field to compete with larger enterprise will be more level than ever.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Entrepreneurs investing in AI today are setting themselves up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/small-business-ecommerce\/\">compete with anyone<\/a>, no matter how big. They&#8217;re building businesses that get smarter every day. While others are still wondering if AI really works, these forward-thinking owners are already building their advantage. Here&#8217;s how you can join them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h6>What you&#8217;ll learn:<\/h6><ul><li><a href=\"#h-startups-you-re-looking-at-a-bold-ai-enabled-future\" data-level=\"2\">Startups: You&#8217;re looking at a bold, AI-enabled future<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-service-has-a-whole-new-look-with-ai-and-automation\" data-level=\"2\">Service has a whole new look with AI and automation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-fintech-leads-the-way-in-investments-that-power-growth\" data-level=\"2\">FinTech leads the way in investments that power growth<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-data-care-is-the-new-foundation-for-ai-success\" data-level=\"2\">Data care is the new foundation for AI success<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-ai-crms-are-taking-over-in-a-good-way\" data-level=\"2\">AI CRMs are taking over (in a good way)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-startups-can-prepare-for-an-ai-powered-future\" data-level=\"2\">How startups can prepare for an AI-powered future<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-future-of-all-business-starts-with-salesforce\" data-level=\"2\">The future of all business starts with Salesforce<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine walking into your business 10 years from now. Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/crm\/crm-for-small-business\/\">customer relationship management (CRM)<\/a> is buzzing with sales leads acquired overnight, while your AI assistant has already adjusted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/pricing-strategy-examples\/\">pricing strategy<\/a> based on global market shifts. Customer inquiries from three time zones were resolved while you slept \u2014 each with personalised solutions. The morning report shows you&#8217;ve captured market share from competitors ten times your size, all because AI and your team work together perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-startups-you-re-looking-at-a-bold-ai-enabled-future\">Startups: You&#8217;re looking at a bold, AI-enabled future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the latest Small and Medium Business Trends (SMB) Report, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/resources\/research-reports\/smb-trends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">91% of SMBs with AI say it boosts their revenue<\/a> and they&#8217;re just getting started. Soon, being &#8220;small&#8221; won&#8217;t matter anymore for business. What will matter is how smart your business is. SMB owners today aren&#8217;t just hoping for better days ahead \u2014 they&#8217;re making them happen. 81% of leaders say they&#8217;re optimistic about the future, and they&#8217;re backing that optimism with real investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer\">\n\t<div>\n\t\t\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-salesforce-blog-section-heading\">\n\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-section-heading__title\">\n\t\t\t\tSection Title\t<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer__featured-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/predictions-asean-businesses-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__link \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"img-object-fit\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/2026-predictions-six-trends-shaping-the-future-of-asean-businesses.jpg?w=300\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/2026-predictions-six-trends-shaping-the-future-of-asean-businesses.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/2026-predictions-six-trends-shaping-the-future-of-asean-businesses.jpg?w=300&amp;h=164 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/2026-predictions-six-trends-shaping-the-future-of-asean-businesses.jpg?w=768&amp;h=419 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/2026-predictions-six-trends-shaping-the-future-of-asean-businesses.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=559 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/2026-predictions-six-trends-shaping-the-future-of-asean-businesses.jpg?w=150&amp;h=82 150w\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/span>\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__title\">\n\t\t\t2026 Predictions: Six Trends Shaping the Future of ASEAN Businesses\t\t<\/h4>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer__supporting-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/kris-billmaier-sales-advice-for-small-businesses\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__link \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"img-object-fit\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/krisheader.jpg?w=300\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/krisheader.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/krisheader.jpg?w=300&amp;h=200 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/krisheader.jpg?w=768&amp;h=512 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/krisheader.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=683 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/krisheader.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/krisheader.jpg?w=150&amp;h=100 150w\" alt=\"Kris Billmaier speaking at Dreamforce on Agentforce Sales, 2025.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/span>\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__title\">\n\t\t\tTalking the Future of Small Business Sales With EVP &amp; GM Kris Billmaier\t\t<\/h4>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/agentic-ai-use-cases-for-startups\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__link \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"img-object-fit\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Agentic-AI-SMB-1.jpg?w=300\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Agentic-AI-SMB-1.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Agentic-AI-SMB-1.jpg?w=300&amp;h=164 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Agentic-AI-SMB-1.jpg?w=768&amp;h=419 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Agentic-AI-SMB-1.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=558 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Agentic-AI-SMB-1.jpg?w=150&amp;h=82 150w\" alt=\"Illustration of a small business owner using agentic AI in their CRM.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/span>\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__title\">\n\t\t\t10 Agentic AI Use Cases for Your Startup\t\t<\/h4>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/free-resources-for-small-business\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__link \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"img-object-fit\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Free-Resources-SMB.jpg?w=300\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Free-Resources-SMB.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Free-Resources-SMB.jpg?w=300&amp;h=164 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Free-Resources-SMB.jpg?w=768&amp;h=419 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Free-Resources-SMB.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=558 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/09\/Free-Resources-SMB.jpg?w=150&amp;h=82 150w\" alt=\"Illustration showing a business team learning from free resources online, represented by icons.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/span>\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"wp-block-salesforce-blog-multi-offer-card__title\">\n\t\t\t27 Free Resources for Small Businesses and Startups\t\t<\/h4>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Smart businesses are using AI to deliver tailored experiences to every customer, creating a personal touch at a scale that used to be impossible. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/resources\/research-reports\/state-of-the-connected-customer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">80% of businesses now recognise that customer experience is just as important as their actual products and services<\/a>. Because what matters most to your customers isn&#8217;t just what you&#8217;re selling \u2014 it&#8217;s how they feel when they buy from you.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What&#8217;s really exciting is that businesses are now selling to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/agentforce\/what-are-ai-agents\/\">AI agents<\/a>, too. AI agents, built right into your CRM tool, are evolving beyond recommendations to autonomously executing complex tasks like processing refunds, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/commerce\/order-management\/inventory-management-guide\/\">managing inventory<\/a>, and approving pricing decisions. Other businesses are training AI to make purchasing decisions, opening up new ways to reach customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e802a29ba9f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e802a29ba9f\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" height=\"576\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/image-1.png?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/image-1.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/image-1.png?w=300&amp;h=169 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/image-1.png?w=768&amp;h=432 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/image-1.png?w=1024&amp;h=576 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/image-1.png?w=1536&amp;h=864 1536w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/08\/image-1.png?w=150&amp;h=84 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The divide is obvious. Business leaders that focus on better <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/cx\/what-is-customer-experience\/\">customer experiences<\/a> and smart tech are growing steadily, while those not leveraging AI are struggling to compete. It&#8217;s not about having the biggest budget, it&#8217;s about being smart with the tools available to everyone now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-service-has-a-whole-new-look-with-ai-and-automation\">Service has a whole new look with AI and automation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Startups are adopting AI fast, and it\u2019s changing how teams work. Daily to-dos like scheduling, follow-ups, and data entry are handled automatically, giving your team more time for strategic work. Your team lays the foundation of&nbsp; strategy and the personal touch, while AI writes the first drafts of marketing copy. Smart recommendations show customers what they want, while your sales team focuses on closing bigger deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/small-business-trends\/\">57% of SMBs primarily use it in the form of virtual customer service assistants<\/a>. Tools like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/agentforce\/\">Agentforce 360<\/a> are built specifically for businesses like yours to get started quickly. Take <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/remarkable-agentforce-slack-scale-customer-service-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reMarkable<\/a>, a growing Norwegian company that chose Agentforce 360 to handle routine inquiries while their human team focuses on complex problem-solving. The result? They manage way more customer interactions while maintaining that premium experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The smartest move right now? Get your team certified in AI through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/what-is-trailhead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trailhead<\/a>, Salesforce&#8217;s free online learning platform. Access courses, certifications, and hands-on training to level up your AI skills \u2014 your people become unstoppable when they understand how to work alongside AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"layout-astro-2 wp-block-salesforce-blog-related-trail\">\n\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"related-trail__illustration related-trail__cloud\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/salesforce-blog\/dist\/images\/related-trail-cloud-layout-astro-2.png\" alt=\"\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"related-trail__illustration related-trail__contour\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"related-trail__illustration related-trail__background\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/salesforce-blog\/dist\/images\/related-trail-background-layout-astro-2.png\" alt=\"\">\n\n\t<div class=\"related-trail__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"related-trail__content\">\n\t\t\t\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 345.8 82.8\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"related-trail__logo\"><path fill=\"#1d3767\" d=\"M96.6 33h9v22.6h4.8V33h8.8v-4.3H96.6zm49.8 5.3c0-5.7-3.6-9.6-10.8-9.6H127v27h4.8v-7.9h3l2.3-.1 5.7 8h5.6l-7-9.2c3.4-1.6 5-4.5 5-8.2m-11.1 5.3h-3.6V33h3.6c4.4 0 6 2.3 6 5.3s-1.6 5.3-6 5.3m30.8-15.2-12.6 27.2h5l2.3-5.3h11.6l2.4 5.3h5l-12.6-27.1zm-3.6 18 4.1-9.2 4.1 9.3zm25.2-17.7h4.8v27h-4.8zm20.7 0h-4.8v27h17.6v-4.4h-12.8zm38.4 12.1h-13.2V28.7H229v27h4.7V45h13.2v10.6h4.7V28.7h-4.7zm15.9 14.8h17.5v-4.4h-12.7v-6.4H279v-4.2h-11.5v-7.5h12.7v-4.4h-17.5zm36.9-27.2L287 55.6h5l2.3-5.3H306l2.4 5.3h5l-12.6-27.1zm-3.6 18 4.1-9.2 4.1 9.3zm35.4-17.7h-10.2v27h10.2c8.2 0 14.4-5.9 14.4-13.6s-6-13.4-14.4-13.4m0 22.6H326V33h5.4a9.1 9.1 0 1 1 0 18.1z\" \/><path fill=\"#1d315f\" d=\"M43 82.8h.1a74 74 0 0 0 38.5-12.3 3 3 0 0 0 1.3-2.4v-6A66.2 66.2 0 0 0 42.5.2a3 3 0 0 0-2.3 0A66.2 66.2 0 0 0 0 62.2V68a3 3 0 0 0 1.2 2.4 74 74 0 0 0 40.2 12.4z\" \/><path fill=\"#8ed1f4\" d=\"M13.8 51.8a.3.3 0 0 0 0-.1L33 23.6a3.1 3.1 0 0 1 .8-.8 3 3 0 0 1 4 .8l9.5 13.8 3.5-5a3 3 0 0 1 4.9 0L69 51.6a.3.3 0 0 1 .1.3h7C70.7 17.7 43.7 7.2 41.4 6.2c0 0-11.2 4-21.2 16A59.6 59.6 0 0 0 6.8 51.8zm21.7-21.3\" \/><path fill=\"#aa76b3\" d=\"m62 51.9-8.7-12.6-4.2 6.1 4.8 6.4z\" \/><path fill=\"#722a87\" d=\"m49 45.4-4.4 6.4H54z\" \/><path fill=\"#8ed1f4\" d=\"m37 32.6-1.5-2.1z\" \/><path fill=\"#aa76b3\" d=\"m28 41.4 7.6 10.4h1.8l6.4-9.2-6.8-10-1.5-2.1z\" \/><path fill=\"#722a87\" d=\"m28 41.4-7 10.4h14.6z\" \/><path fill=\"#069a49\" d=\"M43.8 72.5a1.8 1.8 0 0 0-1-2.4L40.1 69a8 8 0 0 1-1-.5 7.8 7.8 0 0 1-2.4-10.7H6a44 44 0 0 0-.2 4.4v4.4A70 70 0 0 0 26 75a70 70 0 0 0 15.2 2l2.4-4.3zm33-14.8H44.3l-2.5 3a1.7 1.7 0 0 0-.2.5 1.8 1.8 0 0 0 1 2.3l2.7 1.2.7.4a7.8 7.8 0 0 1 3 10.6l-.5.9 4.8-.8a71 71 0 0 0 8.4-2.2l1.3-.4a71 71 0 0 0 14-6.7v-8.8z\" \/><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"m46 65-.7-.3-2.7-1.2a1.8 1.8 0 0 1-1-2.4 1.7 1.7 0 0 1 .2-.4l2.5-3h-7.6A7.8 7.8 0 0 0 39 68.4a8 8 0 0 0 1 .5l2.7 1.2a1.8 1.8 0 0 1 1 2.4l-.1.2-2.5 4.3a52.5 52.5 0 0 0 7.2-.4l.5-.9A7.8 7.8 0 0 0 46 65.1z\" \/><path fill=\"#157139\" d=\"M56.9 67.3h8.8l-4.4-5zM23 71h9l-4.5-5.1zm-4.1-10.4-4.5 5h8.9z\" \/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-related-trail__title\">Trailhead:\u00a0<strong>Salesforce for Small Business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\t\t\t<p>Learn how your business can benefit from this out-of-the-box CRM.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/modules\/salesforce-essentials-small-business?_ga=2.239600835.158427145.1771219624-1398229160.1766134359\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Visit Trail<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"related-trail__mock\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"related-trail__points\">+200 points<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"related-trail__eyebrow\">Trail<\/div>\n\t\t\t<p class=\"related-trail__trail-title h3\">Trailhead:\u00a0<strong>Salesforce for Small Business<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p class=\"related-trail__trail-description\"><\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"related-trail__actions\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"related-trail__action\">\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 10 10\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"#747474\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"m4.93.69.88 2.88c.04.12.16.18.27.18h2.89c.29 0 .4.38.17.56L6.79 6.04c-.1.07-.13.2-.1.32l1.12 2.96c.08.27-.2.5-.44.33L4.85 7.77c-.1-.08-.23-.08-.34 0L1.97 9.65a.29.29 0 0 1-.45-.33L2.6 6.36a.3.3 0 0 0-.1-.32L.17 4.3c-.23-.18-.1-.56.17-.56h2.89c.13 0 .23-.04.27-.18l.9-2.9c.08-.27.46-.25.54.02Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"related-trail__action\">\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 5\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"#747474\" d=\"M4.16 4.5.26 0h7.8z\" \/><\/svg>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"related-trail__illustration related-trail__foreground\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/salesforce-blog\/dist\/images\/related-trail-foreground-layout-astro-2.png\" alt=\"\">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"related-trail__illustration related-trail__parks\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/salesforce-blog\/dist\/images\/related-trail-parks-layout-astro-2.png\" alt=\"\">\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fintech-leads-the-way-in-investments-that-power-growth\">FinTech leads the way in investments that power growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re seeing a rise in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/f\/fintech.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">financial technology (FinTech)<\/a> and with that, other investments are increasing too. In fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/small-business-trends\/\">76% are increasing their investment in digital tools, while only 5% are cutting back<\/a>. The smart ones aren&#8217;t just buying technology \u2014 they&#8217;re investing strategically in what fuels accelerated growth. This strategic approach to tech spending is what separates successful SMBs from those just getting by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The FinTech (r)evolution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The finance technology transformation is happening, and it isn&#8217;t just for big banks anymore. Modern solutions offer faster payment processing that gets you paid in seconds instead of days. Simplified access to loans means no more weeks of paperwork for financing. Real-time financial insights give you better control over cash flow, while embedded payment solutions let you accept payments anywhere, anytime.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The digital economy is growing fast, and startups are right at the heart of it. In fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/small-business-trends\/\">75% of SMBs say digital tools are essential to how they run things every day<\/a>. As this shift continues, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/financial-services\/\">financial services<\/a> are catching up \u2014 offering faster, more flexible tools built to help small and growing businesses move quickly and make better decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Integration is everything<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The future is integrated. No more switching between five different systems to get one simple answer. Growing startups understand that <a href=\"https:\/\/appexchange.salesforce.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">connected systems<\/a> create smoother workflows and better customer experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s what successful integration looks like: your marketing messages target prospects that are actually buying your products because they&#8217;re pulling real sales data and personalising it for a better experience. A customer places an order, your product catalogue updates automatically, and the invoice is sent out without anyone lifting a finger. When customers call with questions, your AI assistant routes them to your service team, who instantly sees their complete purchase history and solves the issues. This is all due to integration, automation and AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"layout-six wp-block-salesforce-blog-offer\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-offer__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-offer__content\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-offer__title\">Kickstart your SMB with Starter Suite<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-offer__description\">See results from day one with a CRM designed for SMBs \u2014 the all-in-one suite for productivity. It all starts with Starter Suite.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/form\/signup\/freetrial-salesforce-starter\/?d=bcta\">Try it for free<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-offer__media\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/Salesforce-free-suite.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/Salesforce-free-suite.png 1268w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/Salesforce-free-suite.png?w=300&amp;h=169 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/Salesforce-free-suite.png?w=768&amp;h=432 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/Salesforce-free-suite.png?w=1024&amp;h=577 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/12\/Salesforce-free-suite.png?w=150&amp;h=84 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trust and security are top of mind<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Strong security remains non-negotiable as protecting customer data becomes increasingly important. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/what-is-an-smb\/\">SMB owners<\/a> need to build trust gradually, starting with low-risk AI tasks and expanding as systems prove reliable. Look for platforms that offer transparent data handling, clear audit trails, and the ability to override AI decisions when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trust is earned through consistent performance and verified through robust security measures like data encryption, compliance with standards like GDPR, and reliable uptime. The key is choosing solutions that let you maintain control while gradually expanding AI capabilities as your confidence grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-data-care-is-the-new-foundation-for-ai-success\">Data care is the new foundation for AI success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You know about healthcare, now it&#8217;s time to think about data care. Just like taking care of your health keeps you strong and energised, taking care of your data keeps AI performing at its best. The numbers tell the story clearly: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/small-business-trends\/\">74% of growing businesses are increasing their data management investments, compared<\/a> to just 47% of declining startups. That gap isn&#8217;t a coincidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clean, accurate, and complete data isn&#8217;t just helpful \u2014 it&#8217;s what separates AI that transforms your business from AI that makes your team want to throw their computers out the window. Businesses that get this right are making smart moves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Investing in data hygiene<\/strong>: Regular cleaning and updating of customer information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Breaking down data silos<\/strong>: Connecting information across departments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creating a single source of truth<\/strong>: One customer view across all touchpoints<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you get your data right, the results speak for themselves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Personalised experiences that convert<\/strong>: Know what customers want before they ask<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Faster decision-making<\/strong>: Real-time insights, not monthly reports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improved revenue<\/strong>: Target the right customers with the right offers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/sales\/\">Sales<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/service\/\">service<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/marketing\/\">marketing<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/commerce\/\">commerce<\/a> capabilities all work together in one CRM suite, allowing businesses to sell directly to customers while offering personalised discounts, smart sales support, efficient problem resolution, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/marketing\/email\/campaigns\/\">email campaigns<\/a> that people\u200c want to receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/events\/webinars\/agentforce-architecture\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/06\/4937215-1.jpg?strip=all&#038;quality=95\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/06\/4937215-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/06\/4937215-1.jpg?w=300&amp;h=169 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/06\/4937215-1.jpg?w=150&amp;h=84 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Webinar<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/events\/webinars\/agentforce-architecture\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Become AI Ready: How Small Businesses Can Use AI to Work Smarter and Grow Faster<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ai-crms-are-taking-over-in-a-good-way\">AI CRMs are taking over (in a good way)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not running an AI-backed customer management tool, it\u2019s time. A modern AI CRM connects everything that matters most:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sales<\/strong>: Track deals, automate follow-ups, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/sales\/analytics\/sales-forecasting-guide\/\">forecast<\/a> accurately<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Service<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/service\/\">Resolve customer issues<\/a> faster with complete history<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Marketing<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/marketing\/\">Create targeted promotional campaigns<\/a> that work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Commerce<\/strong>: Quickly set up and sell directly through integrated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/commerce\/online-store-platform\/\">storefronts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Operations<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/collaboration\/\">Collaborate on dashboards<\/a>, analytics, and communicate to scale fast.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These tools take all your scattered business data and put it to work predicting what&#8217;s coming next. AI pulls information from your CRM \u2014 sales, and customer interactions \u2014 then uses smart technology to spot patterns you&#8217;d never catch on your own. Instead of guessing whether that big client might leave or which leads are worth chasing, you get real answers based on your actual data. Personalised dashboards show you exactly what matters most, and what to do next \u2014 no data science degree required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AI agents are the hottest on the market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/agentforce\/ai-agents\/\">AI agents<\/a> never sleep, handling customer inquiries around the clock while your team focuses on high-value work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/resources\/customer-stories\/xendit\/\">Xendit<\/a>, an Indonesian fintech company, has integrated AI into their operations and now resolves 67% of support tickets automatically.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can start building today, thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/agentforce\/\">Agentforce 360<\/a>. If you haven\u2019t tried it yet, it\u2019s a user-friendly AI platform that lets you create, customise, and launch AI agents to handle tasks in service, sales, and marketing automatically. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/customer-stories\/\">Companies<\/a> like 1-800 Accountant and OpenTable are using Agentforce 360 to simplify complex processes and speed up revenue opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What Is Agentforce and How Businesses Use AI Agents | Dreamforce 2024\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/irdNqlytsLc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-startups-can-prepare-for-an-ai-powered-future\">How startups can prepare for an AI-powered future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The AI transformation is happening and it\u2019s best to be prepared (for all the good things). The question isn&#8217;t if you should get on board, but how to do it smartly. Here&#8217;s what works for businesses like yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start with integrated, AI-ready platforms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The days of making a dozen disconnected tools work together are over. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/small-business-trends\/\">76% of SMBs that increased their tech spending are committed to integrated solutions<\/a>. These businesses learned the hard way that patchwork systems create more problems than they solve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/starter\/\">Salesforce Starter Suite<\/a> gives you sales, service, commerce, and marketing in one platform with built-in AI, easy setup with guided onboarding, and the ability to scale as you grow. Everything talks to everything else from day one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Find More Leads &amp; Win More Deals with Salesforce Starter Suite | Salesforce Explained\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o8NBN4L9xyk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Set clear goals with smart guardrails<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Define what success\u200c looks like for your business \u2014 more sales, better service, increased efficiency. Establish <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/platform\/data-privacy-compliance\/what-is-data-privacy\/\">data privacy<\/a> and security protocols before you need them. Create guidelines for AI use that keep your brand\u2019s voice consistent so customers still recognise you in every interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clean up your data foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to data, start with what you have and make it better. Tools like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/data\">Data 360<\/a> help unify information scattered across different systems. Focus on setting clear data standards, train teams to input and update information correctly, and use automation to catch duplicates or errors early. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/smb-clean-data\/\">Clean, consistent data<\/a> helps every team work smarter and delivers better results across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build a culture that embraces change<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Encourage your team to experiment with new tools instead of fearing them. Celebrate wins and learn from challenges together. Invest in training through resources like <a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/\">Trailhead<\/a>, which offers free learning paths for every role in your company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-future-of-all-business-starts-with-salesforce\">The future of all business starts with Salesforce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The future of business is digital, data-driven, and AI-enabled. Startups that invest wisely in technology and data will stay competitive and we\u2019re here for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So many business owners just like you have already embraced AI and integrated CRM solutions designed specifically for their growth needs. They&#8217;re seeing better customer experiences, more efficient operations, and stronger revenue growth because they made the smart choice early. AI and CRM solutions tailored for business growth are more accessible than ever before. Your competitors aren&#8217;t waiting, and neither should you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ready to speed up growth with AI and CRM? Start your journey with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/form\/signup\/freetrial-salesforce-starter\/?d=bcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Starter Suite <\/a>today. Looking for more customisation? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/pro-suite\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Explore Pro Suite<\/a>. Already a Salesforce customer? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/crm\/foundations\/\">Activate Foundations<\/a> and try out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/agentforce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Agentforce 360<\/a> today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>AI supported the writers and editors who created this article.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How are emerging smart technologies shaping the future of business? 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