GoKawiilOpinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Listen to this post
Key Takeaways AI works best when it handles repetitive tasks, freeing business owners and employees to spend more time building meaningful relationships with customers.
Small businesses are using AI to enhance, not replace, human interaction — combining technology with personalized service to create better customer experiences.
Small business owners have never been more digitally fluent. They use social media to market products and services, advanced networking tools to support their operations, and now, AI to increase productivity. Most small and midsize business owners have already embraced AI; a whopping 88% report using the technology, and 90% say it helps their business grow. It should come as no surprise, given the high adoption rate and positive sentiment, that many small business leaders (71%) expect to increase AI usage even more in the future.
While AI adoption is widespread today, SMBs are still exploring new ways to implement the emerging technology, especially with regard to improving customer service. The question is no longer whether to incorporate new tools but rather how owners can use these tools to enhance customer relationships in order to strengthen their businesses.
Small and midsize business owners understand the importance of good customer service. It requires time, which is difficult to dedicate when juggling multiple priorities in the service of scaling a business. Historically, big businesses attempted to resolve the amount of time customer service takes by automating and outsourcing.
While their attempt to simplify this through new technology and methods earned mixed results, it has historically soured the customer service experience for many. Small businesses took note and are taking a more strategic approach.
... continue reading