August Benefits News and Posts

How small businesses can harness the productivity power of AI

AI can be the single most important innovation for small business in decades, but only if you really become a student of its capabilities and apply it in different ways that truly impact operations, hiring, marketing, etc. These are issues that are of ever-increasing importance for small business as the business landscape gets even more competitive.

FROM TECH RADAR / BY JAMES BERGIN

AI can help automate processes to support business owners

There is a productivity problem today and small businesses unfortunately aren’t immune. Without improvement in labor productivity, we risk a domino effect whereby small businesses struggle to re-invest capital to drive growth. Business owners can’t just sit and wait for the economic conditions to become more favorable, and so are understandably looking for ways to boost the productivity of their operations.

For many, that means turning their attention to technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to see if they can help solve the productivity problem. AI is increasingly being called out for the ability to help automate processes and relieve business owners of process-heavy and time-consuming tasks that hamper productivity. Time is often the most precious commodity for small businesses, and AI is starting to show how it can give some time back to owners, so they can refocus on more important tasks.

Of course, AI tech will not completely solve the productivity problem, nor is it a case of ‘one-size-fits-all’ for every small business – particularly when AI itself is a variety of different technologies and capabilities. But there are some key considerations for small business owners looking to effectively harness and leverage this technology – namely understanding where it can benefit them, what the limitations are, and finding ways to safely experiment with emergent but relevant tools.

Optimizing tasks, processes and workflows with AI

A good starting point is to look at key business processes and identify the critical activities which are causing productivity blockages through the requirement for manual, repetitive intervention. From there, small businesses can frame experiments that explore how AI might help automate or augment these tasks, thereby reducing the effort required to complete them at scale.

Some businesses stand to benefit from streamlining tasks like drafting emails and producing documents for stakeholders, which can otherwise soak up time. Various types of AI can help with starting and, in some cases, completing this work faster and more accurately, freeing up staff to spend more time on functions that are either more pressing or require more creativity.

Beyond that, small business owners can also gain critical insights that can enable smarter decisions. For example, our research tells us that most small businesses struggle to maintain a healthy cash flow. AI capabilities that are available today are able to assist with addressing this pressure point by helping answer deeper questions regarding an organization's finances, producing forecasts, and providing analysis of where to start to dig further when seeking professional advice. This can lead to busy business owners having greater control over their cash flow and knowing where to focus their efforts, enabling them to prepare for potentially leaner months.

Alongside optimizing tasks and processes, small business owners can also look for opportunities to optimize their workflows by utilizing the new conversational capabilities unlocked by generative AI. One example of this is using AI-powered tools that meet you where you are already doing the work, saving you time and the need to switch between applications.

Risk awareness when using AI

We’re also gaining a better understanding of the limitations of AI technology and also some of the risks inherent in its use, like misinformation, discrimination and bias. For functions like finance and accounting, the problem of hallucination – where data points are ‘made up’ by the model – can be compounded if datasets that are used are not the right ones for the task, or are not kept up to date.

And when up-to-date but sensitive or proprietary data is used, whether the AI tool is directly managed by a small business or built into products and services used by them, it’s key to take measures to prevent LLMs from disclosing this data to other, unauthorised parties. This is particularly important when using ‘free’ or public AI tools: taking time to examine how they are using and protecting the data provided to them is key to managing the risk associated with their use.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint

Like any advanced technology, speculation around the ‘correct’ amount and style of AI implementation in small businesses is to be expected and should, in fact, be welcomed. Small business owners have an increasing stake in how technology is best used to improve productivity in their world and need to have opportunities to evaluate where it can be of most use to them.

Questions like – where will AI provide the most value in my business? When will it start producing better returns for the time I need to invest in exploring and using it? And most importantly, how do I make the best use of the tech given the goals and objectives for my business? – are important to ask, as they can be very useful in helping focus efforts in navigating a landscape of opportunity. Also, speaking with trusted advisors can help business owners become more confident in their transformation journey, and about a future with AI by their side.

When it comes to harnessing AI and unlocking its potential to accelerate and improve productivity, small business owners need to be well-informed. Understanding AI's capabilities, limitations, risks, and rewards will enable them to make better decisions around experimenting with and implementing these technologies in their businesses. In this way, productivity can be unlocked gradually, one improved, AI-powered process at a time.

Todd BellistriOctober 8, 2024August Benefits

Why not start off this selling season leading into the holidays on the right foot? One way to do that is to finally give some thinking to smart marketing. We don’t need to be the ones to tell you it’s very competitive out there (but we will), what with tons of start ups and side hustles all over the landscape. By developing a legit marketing program you are giving yourself a true foot up on the competition. So read on, you’ll see that its not as daunting as you think and the upside is well worth it.

FROM FORBES / BY DOMINIQUE HARROCH

In today's digital landscape the right approach to small business marketing combines advanced technology, data-driven insights, and effective digital platforms. Here’s a comprehensive guide to small business marketing to companies navigate the current marketing trends and tools that can drive business success.

Key marketing tools for small businesses

Following is a summary of 11 key marketing tools that small and growing businesses should consider when leveraging owned, earned and paid media:

1. An optimized small business website

A high-performing website is crucial for marketing today. An optimized site increases your page rank on Google and other search engines, and in today's world, fewer than 1% of searches go to the second page of a search. Key elements of an effective small business site include:

Memorable domain name: Choose a name that reflects your business and is easy to recall.
User-friendly design: Ensure your site is visually appealing and intuitive. Sites should have a clear structure, intuitive navigation and information that is easy to access.
Search engine optimization (SEO): Implement SEO best practices to rank higher in search engine results.
Mobile optimization: Since over 55% of global web traffic comes from mobile devices, you’ll want to ensure your site is mobile-friendly.
Valuable content: Regularly update your site with engaging content like blogs and articles that address your audience's interests and needs.
Fast loading times: Optimize page speeds to improve user experience and SEO rankings.
Secure hosting: Use reputable hosting services to protect your site’s data and performance.

Additionally, integrating tools like Google Analytics (now called GA4) and Google Search Console (GSC) can provide valuable insights into your site's performance and user behavior.

2. Paid search engine marketing (SEM)

Paid search engine marketing, in which you pay if a keyword is clicked on that drives traffic to your website, remains a powerful tool for driving targeted traffic. Platforms like Google Ads and Bing Ads allow you to:

Bid on keywords: Use tools like Google keyword planner to select high-value keywords relevant to your business.
Control costs: Set daily and monthly budgets, and adjust bids based on performance.
Analyze performance: Track key metrics to assess and refine your campaigns.

3. Paid listings and display ads

Paid listings on platforms like Yelp, Facebook, and Pinterest can boost visibility. Use Google’s Display Network to target ads based on user interests and behavior. This approach allows you to:

Choose ad formats: Use banners, text ads, or video ads to capture attention.
Track return on investment (ROI): Monitor clicks and conversions to measure effectiveness. Track your costs, record and monitor revenue, and record all expenses. Make sure to measure lead generation numbers, customer acquisition, and sales metrics as valuable insights into your marketing effectiveness.
Testing: By experimenting with different ad copy, targeting options, and formats, businesses can identify what resonates most with their audience, refine their strategies, and ultimately improve click-through rates and conversions. This can include A/B testing, target audience variations, ad copy variations, call-to-action (CTA) testing or visual elements where you test different images or videos to determine which visual elements attract more attention and engagement.

4. Content marketing

Content marketing remains a cornerstone of effective digital strategies. Key tactics include:

Blogging: Regularly post optimized content to drive organic traffic. Nine out of ten marketers use blogs as part of their content strategy.
Guest posting: Publish articles on popular platforms such as Medium and AllBusiness.com to enhance your reach and SEO. Strive to create “evergreen” articles, which are designed to remain relevant and valuable over a long period of time, regardless of current events or trends. Unlike timely articles that focus on current news or trends, evergreen content addresses topics that have enduring interest and utility.
Video content: In 2023, individuals spent an average of 17 hours a week watching videos online. Utilize platforms like YouTube and TikTok to engage your audience.
Content platforms: Leverage content recommendation platforms like Outbrain to expand your content’s reach.

5. Social media marketing

Social media is a powerful tool for engaging with your audience. Focus on platforms such as:

Facebook: Effective for broad audience reach and targeted ads.
Instagram: Ideal for visual content and influencer partnerships.
LinkedIn: Best for B2B marketing and professional networking.
TikTok: Useful for viral video content and younger demographics.

With over 5 billion global social media users and growing, effective social media marketing can significantly enhance your brand’s visibility and engagement. To be effective, you must regularly post interesting content to obtain and keep followers.

6. Influencer marketing

Influencer marketing involves collaborating with individuals who have a significant and engaged following on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram to promote products or services. These influencers, who can range from celebrities to niche content creators, leverage their credibility and relationship with their audience to drive brand awareness and influence purchasing decisions.

The impact of influencer marketing on broader marketing efforts can be profound, as it allows brands to tap into authentic, targeted communities that are often more receptive to recommendations from trusted (or at least known) voices.

This form of marketing can enhance brand credibility, expand reach, and generate higher engagement rates compared to traditional advertising. As consumers increasingly seek personalized and relatable content, influencer marketing has become a powerful tool for connecting with audiences in a meaningful way.

7. Online business directories

It’s important for business owners to list their companies in prominent and reputable business directories. Often these listings are free, but even if you must pay a small fee, it can be worth it.

The benefits include

Exposure to potential clients and customers.
Boosted SEO through backlinks.
Improved online presence and brand awareness.
Increased credibility for your business.
Low-cost or free marketing.

The following is a list of top business directories to consider listing your business:

AllBusiness.com
Better Business Bureau
Facebook Page
Google Business Profile
LinkedIn
Superpages
Bing Places for Business

8. Radio marketing

While less prominent today, radio can still be effective. Many people are in their cars during peak commute hours. To maximize radio advertising:

Targeted placement: Choose stations and time slots that align with your target audience.
Engaging content: Create memorable and concise ads.
Consider your market: Are you a B2C company (business to consumer) or B2B company (business to business)? Is your market local (like a neighborhood restaurant), national (such as selling payroll services), or international (such as selling unique clothing to multiple markets)?

The cost-effectiveness of radio compared to TV makes it a viable option for more localized campaigns.

9. Press releases

Press releases are valuable for announcing significant business updates. Ensure your release is:

Newsworthy: Focus on unique and timely information.
Well-structured: Include a strong headline, key details, and contact information.
Multimedia: Incorporate multimedia elements like images and videos to increase engagement.

10. Email marketing

Email marketing remains effective when executed correctly. Best practices include:

Segmenting: Personalize content based on customer preferences and behavior. Use data to segment your lists and target markets.
Offering engaging content: Provide valuable information, special offers, and updates.
Optimization: Use A/B testing to refine subject lines and content.
Using AI-driven tools: These can help automate and personalize email campaigns, improving engagement rates.

11. Direct mail marketing

Despite the digital age, direct mail still works for certain audiences. To optimize direct mail:

Use targeted lists: Use well-researched mailing lists to improve ROI.
Implement creative designs: Ensure your mail piece stands out and is easy to read.
Track mailings: Monitor responses and effectiveness.

More tips to enhance your marketing campaigns

Here are some additional tips to optimize your marketing campaigns:

Segment: Segment your target market to a specific audience. Segmentation can be done with respect to age, gender, income level, education, geography, purchase stage or brand loyalty, and more.
Business lists: Consider using high quality business lists such as Dun and Bradstreet, Experian Business, ZoomInfo or InfoUSA. These lists can be used in multiple channels as well, maximizing the value of the lists.
Track real time: Track your marketing campaigns in real-time to get immediate insights, make quick adjustments, and understand what is working or not.
Key metrics: Track the key metrics in your campaigns, such as click-through rate, engagement rate, conversion rate, sales, revenue, customer acquisition cost, market share, and churn rate.
Software and AI: Use software and artificial intelligence (AI) tools for social media management, content creation and testing of alternative ads.
Budget: Allocate your budget wisely. Assess the performance of different marketing channels and allocate your budget to the ones that deliver the highest ROI. Continuously review and adjust your spending to focus on the most effective strategies.
Keep current: Stay updated with trends. Keep up with the latest marketing trends and technologies. Experiment with new platforms, tools, or strategies to stay ahead of the competition and reach your audience in innovative ways. Keep up to date with experts by seeking articles from reputable business sources such as AllBusiness.com.
Promote across channels: Share earned media coverage on your website, social media platforms, and email newsletters. For instance, if a major publication writes about your product, feature this article prominently on your homepage or social media profiles.
Showcase social proof: Use earned media as a form of social proof by highlighting positive reviews, testimonials, or features from reputable sources. This can build credibility and trust with potential customers.
Strengthen relationships with media: Build and maintain good relationships with journalists and influencers. This can lead to more favorable coverage in the future and expand your media network.
Repurpose content: Convert mentions and reviews into additional content, such as blog posts, case studies, and infographics. For example, if your company was featured in a popular tech blog, you could create a detailed blog post about the experience and its impact.

Ready to enhance your small business marketing strategy?

Developing a comprehensive and modern small business marketing strategy requires leveraging a mix of traditional and digital techniques. By integrating artificial intelligence tools, optimizing SEO, utilizing effective SEM strategies, and harnessing the power of social media, you can create a dynamic and effective marketing approach. Start by experimenting with different strategies, tracking your results, and refining your approach based on performance data.