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It\u2019s probably no surprise that this last year came and went in a blur, and now we\u2019re talking about the smart strategies we want to implement in 2023 to be more efficient and productive than ever before.<\/span><\/p>\n Learning about the newest small and mid-sized business (<\/span>SMB<\/span>) technology trends in the <\/span>coming year<\/span> can help you make superior data-driven decisions on which tech to buy and implement in your business. But, despite the enthusiasm that many of us share over <\/span>new products<\/span> and how they can improve our workflows and <\/span>business models<\/span>,<\/span> 61 percent of <\/span>SMBs<\/span> in the U.S.<\/span><\/a> regret a technology purchase they\u2019ve made in the last 12 to 18 months.<\/span><\/p>\n We don\u2019t want that to happen to you so we\u2019ve done the research for you and found the top <\/span>small business trends<\/span> in technology to help you take your <\/span>small business<\/span> to the next level in the <\/span>new year<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n The very definition of <\/span>SMBs<\/span> separates them from larger businesses, making their <\/span>SMB<\/span> solutions and technology requirements will differ. These are the trends that matter most to your <\/span>small business<\/span>, including <\/span>startups<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n COVID-19 continues to make a huge impact on <\/span>tech trends<\/span> as businesses worldwide continue to adapt to hybrid work environments.<\/span> Small businesses<\/span> suffered more job losses<\/span><\/a> than larger companies, making the last few years especially challenging for them.<\/span><\/p>\n But <\/span>small businesses<\/span> are realising the important role the latest tech plays. The number of smaller companies that want to avoid falling behind in technology and business goals increased from 52 percent <\/span>last year<\/span> to<\/span> 63 percent this year<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>SMB<\/span> owners are smart, resilient, and in it to win it.<\/span><\/p>\n To achieve this, <\/span>SMBs<\/span> had to adopt technology quickly in 2020 to maintain profitability and employee productivity, and we continue to see the ripple effects today. Small and medium businesses everywhere are prepared to avoid the problems they faced when the <\/span>pandemic<\/span> started.<\/span><\/p>\n As they settle into the post-COVID grind, <\/span>SMBs<\/span> are diving headlong into adopting <\/span>new technologies<\/span> like<\/span> marketing <\/span>automation<\/span><\/a> and productivity tools and learning to use these technologies in a way that is authentic to their <\/span>company cultures<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2023, more <\/span>small businesses<\/span> are looking at workplace <\/span>automation<\/span> to save money, address problem areas, and automate tedious manual tasks such as managing data, reminders, and even customer engagements.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever booked an appointment and received a confirmation text message or email, that\u2019s an example of <\/span>automation<\/span> taking care of tedious manual tasks. Especially in light of challenging employee <\/span>shortages<\/span>, <\/span>automation<\/span> can help you ensure increased <\/span>cash flow<\/span>, manage inventory, and more \u2014 with fewer workers.<\/span><\/p>\n Small business owners<\/span> have a lot to do with fewer resources than larger companies, and sometimes it can feel like a neverending to-do list just keeps getting longer. In fact, results from <\/span>our recent survey of over 1100 SMB owners <\/span><\/a>show that over 69% of SMB owners do all of their own sales and marketing.\u00a0 With that said, it\u2019s easy to see how <\/span>small business owners<\/span> wear many hats, and that can test their time management skills, which accordingly to Forbes, <\/span>ultimately contributes to their success<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Since we can\u2019t clone ourselves (yet), <\/span>automation<\/span> is the next best thing. And once you see the time you save, you\u2019ll want to apply <\/span>automation<\/span> wherever possible.<\/span><\/p>\n Artificial Intelligence (AI) will continue to be popular in 2023. Its ability to predict consumer behaviour and quickly synthesize large volumes of data will prove invaluable for <\/span>SMBs<\/span>. One of the best uses of AI is to create a personalised <\/span>customer experience<\/b> for buyers by automating manual tasks and streamlining the process.<\/span><\/p>\n And while many may worry that AI will replace human workers, there are many things humans can do that AI can\u2019t, such as learning the soft skills that companies of all sizes value, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict resolution. Still, AI is invaluable as it can act with near-human intelligence and superhuman speed to solve problems and make decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n Did you know that<\/span> 61 percent of <\/span>SMBs<\/span><\/a> have been victims of at least one cyberattack? Despite that fact, almost<\/span> 60 percent of <\/span>small business owners<\/span><\/a> think they are unlikely to be a target of data breaches or cyberattacks.<\/span><\/p>\n Cybersecurity<\/span> protects <\/span>small businesses<\/span> from becoming victims of cybercrime, like data breaches where your data or your customers are exposed. It prevents you from facing huge financial losses and damages your reputation.<\/span><\/p>\n Since a good reputation and profitability are two vital elements of a business’s success, more <\/span>small business owners<\/span> are looking for <\/span>cybersecurity<\/span> tools and insurance. For instance, antivirus software can detect and fix computer viruses, and next-generation firewalls protect against a variety of threats. All told, the <\/span>cybersecurity<\/span> market is expected to grow to<\/span> $14.8 billion by 2025<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2023, conversational marketing and chatbots will be everywhere. If you\u2019re not sure what exactly conversational marketing is, it involves engaging with potential and existing clients on a conversational level instead of straight-up selling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Instead of speaking to consumers as traditional direct marketing does\u2014with one-way communication\u2014conversational marketing invites them to have a conversation with you for purposeful interactions. By welcoming them and telling them more about your products and services, you’re helping them find the right offer or product for them.<\/span><\/p>\n This type of marketing allows for faster engagement and speeds up the buyer journey. Adding new channels to engage with <\/span>new customers<\/span>\u2014such as <\/span>social media<\/span> messaging, chatbots, and SMS\u2014allows buyers to get the fast response they are looking for. By combining these with email, phone, and <\/span>social media<\/span> channels, <\/span>SMBs<\/span> can meet their customers where they are to provide better customer service.<\/span><\/p>\n As businesses everywhere continue to embrace hybrid and <\/span>remote work<\/span> environments, the need for remote onboarding grows. Onboarding new employees is a vital part of business, and companies need <\/span>new technology<\/span> to do this efficiently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Employees face several obstacles when they start new remote jobs. The stats show that more than<\/span> 60 percent of new employers<\/span><\/a> leave their careers in the first year because of bad onboarding experiences. <\/span>SMBs<\/span> aware of these obstacles can address them throughout the onboarding process.<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0
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<\/h2>\nWhat new SMB trends will be popular in 2023?<\/span><\/h2>\n
SMBs<\/span> are adopting new and innovative tech faster<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nAutomation<\/span><\/h3>\n
Artificial Intelligence\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Cybersecurity<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dev-inproduct.pantheonsite.io\/uploads\/2023-SMB-Technology-Predictions_CyberFeat.png\")
<\/p>\nLive chat and conversational marketing<\/span><\/h3>\n
Remote onboarding<\/span><\/h3>\n