Enterprise teams are 5x more likely to struggle with implementing new technology 

A recent survey of 600 IT professionals reveals that small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are more confident about AI and its benefits than their enterprise counterparts. In fact, the vast majority (95%) of IT pros working in SMBs feel confident about using generative AI in their jobs, and see more opportunity for revenue growth from the technology. 

Why it matters: The rise of new generative AI technology is democratizing innovation and allowing SMBs to compete on a more level playing field. By embracing AI, the research shows that SMBs are already gleaning deeper business insights, increasing revenue, and improving customer experiences.

The Salesforce research found:

SMBs are more confident in their AI skills than their enterprise counterparts

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SMBs are driving growth with AI while enterprises focus on operational efficiencies

Top 3 benefits of AI for SMBs:

1. Improved business insights
2. Increased revenue
3. Improved customer experience

Top 3 benefits of AI for enterprises:

1. Automating routine tasks
2. Increased efficiency
3. Improved customer experience

Enterprises struggle with new technology implementations like AI more often than SMBs

• Enterprise IT teams are 5x more likely than SMB IT teams to struggle with balancing speed, business value, and security when implementing new technologies like AI.
• Enterprise IT teams are over 2x more likely than SMB IT teams to worry their organization’s data management infrastructure can’t keep up with demand for innovation.
• Enterprise IT teams are 2x more likely than SMB IT teams to worry their organization’s security infrastructure can’t keep up with demand for innovation.

SMB teams suddenly have more time for more strategic and high-value work like connecting with prospects and customers.

Kristopher Billmaier, GM of Starter Suite

Salesforce perspective: “AI is really leveling the playing field for SMBs. With generative AI taking on much of their repetitive and sometimes menial tasks across a fully connected suite of products, SMB teams suddenly have more time for more strategic and high-value work like connecting with prospects and customers. As a result, they can move as fast — or faster than — larger companies while dramatically improving customer experience.” – Kristopher Billmaier, GM of Starter Suite

More information:

• Read how SMBs are adopting AI with Salesforce
• Get started with Salesforce Starter Suite for free for 30 days here
• Find out why U.S. small business owners say 2024 is a ‘make or break’ year
• Learn about the disconnect between executives’ AI expectations and IT teams’ ability to meet them in this recent survey

Methodology: In partnership with Vanson Bourne, Salesforce conducted a double-anonymous survey of 600 IT professionals (200 IT leaders and 400 IT individual contributors) in Australia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The survey was fielded between December 2023 and January 2024.