How Can SMBs Turn AI Hype Into Strategy?
AI is everywhere. It’s powering customer service chatbots, streamlining supply chains, and even predicting what you want to watch next on Netflix. For small and midsize businesses (SMBs), AI promises big wins: increased efficiency, cost savings, and better customer experiences.
While AI has enormous potential, not every SMB is ready to plunge headfirst into what may feel like uncharted waters. Many are still uncertain whether the benefits outweigh the costs and are looking for advice on how to navigate the hype.
Why Are SMBs Struggling to Embrace AI?
Many SMBs hesitate to invest in AI because it’s not always an easy fit for several reasons.
1. Lack of a Clear Business Case
AI has the potential to revolutionize businesses, but the technology can turn into a costly mistake without a solid strategy. Many SMBs find it challenging to pinpoint specific use cases where AI can truly deliver measurable returns. Without clear objectives, AI initiatives often result in wasted resources, inefficiencies, and solutions that fail to address business needs.
2. Data Challenges
AI runs on high-quality, well-structured data. Unfortunately, many SMBs either don’t collect enough data or lack the infrastructure to manage and analyze it effectively. Without a strong data foundation, AI might fall short of expectations, or worse, produce inaccurate insights and lead a business in the wrong direction.
3. Cost and Resource Constraints
AI requires investment in infrastructure, skilled talent, and ongoing maintenance. Many SMBs find themselves grappling with the costs and the technical know-how needed to deploy and maintain AI solutions effectively.
Why AI Is Worth Exploring
You might not think AI is right for your businesses, but research from IDC and the U.S. Census Bureau indicates more SMBs are adopting AI-powered tools like customer relationship management (CRM) systems, chatbots, and automation software. It’s not too soon to begin thinking about how AI could work for your organization.
How SMBs Can Use AI Now
Intelligent document processing is one of the more compelling near-term AI applications for SMBs. Every organization deals with documents of some type and AI can extract, categorize, and analyze data from invoices, contracts, and other documents, reducing manual data entry and human error.
JetSweep recently worked with a real estate appraisal company, whose employees had to process tens of thousands of pages per week. They identified key document terms, and we built multiple models to streamline their workflow and helped our client significantly improve processing speed and operational efficiency.
Beyond intelligent document processing, AI offers SMBs powerful tools for growth and efficiency in other areas, including:
- Robotic process automation (RPA) for repetitive workflows, such as order processing and customer onboarding
- Sales and marketing lead generation and personalization optimization
- Automated expense tracking and fraud detection
- AI-powered supply chain tools improve inventory management.
- Resume screening and employee sentiment analysis
How Your Organization Can Prepare for AI Adoption
- Assess Your Readiness: Evaluate whether your organization has the data, resources, and strategic vision to support AI initiatives.
- Define Clear Goals: Identify specific pain points where AI can create real value, such as improving customer service, automating repetitive tasks, or optimizing marketing efforts.
- Start Small: Instead of a full-scale AI transformation, begin with practical applications like chatbots for customer service or AI-driven analytics tools for sales forecasting.
JetSweep can help you cut through the AI hype and help you figure out when, where, and how to start your AI journey. Our process starts with a clear understanding of user requirements, followed by model development. We also prioritize establishing a continuous feedback loop with customers, so solutions can evolve based on real-world use and insights.
AI Is A Powerful Tool When Used Right
AI can be transformative, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The days of adopting AI just for the sake of it are over. If you’re interested in understanding how AI can improve your bottom line, our team can help your organization invest wisely.