MIND YOUR BUSINESS
whopping 96% of chief information officers expect to increase AI investments over the coming year. Additionally, 81% of CIOs say they're leveraging third-party AI tools or deploying a mix of third-party and proprietary AI. Notably, 39% of CIOs are already seeing a positive return on their organization's investment in AI.
Are most small businesses embracing new technologies? The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Teneo found that almost all small businesses (98%) are using AI-enabled tools and more than half (51%) use financial management tools like Intuit QuickBooks. In addition, nearly half of small businesses (47%) use four or more technology platforms and 40% use GenAI tools like chatbots and AI-powered image creation. In other words, adoption of new technologies is widespread, highlighting their importance in today's business environment.
To get started, begin by identifying one key area of your business that could benefit from automation - whether it's managing finances, improving customer service or streamlining marketing. From there, explore budget-friendly tools tailored to your business goals and tap into resources like mentorship programs and funding opportunities that can help
you make informed decisions and implement tech with confidence. With the right support, small, strategic changes can unlock major efficiencies, setting the stage for long-term growth.
From underdog to top dog: Harness AI for big wins
AI isn't just for large enterprises; in fact, Vena FP&A reports that 80% of staff who use AI and automation tools say they have become more productive. Interestingly, less experienced workers experienced a 35% productivity jump, proving AI can make a positive impact for organizations and individuals, regardless of skill level.
A McKinsey report from March 2025 found 21% of organizations using generative AI say their businesses have fundamentally redesigned at least some of their workflows, resulting in cost savings. Lenovo's global 2025 CIO Playbook reports that AI spending expectations by IT decision-makers will nearly triple in 2025 compared with last year. The bottom line: Nearly half of organizations (42%) believe AI-powered devices boost employee productivity and experience. That's why an overwhelming 90% are piloting, planning or exploring AI-powered PC rollouts in the mid-to-long term.
The takeaway for small business owners? You don't need to overhaul everything, but focusing on one area of your business to leverage AI can drive meaningful results.
Resources to help businesses grow
When seeking resources to optimize technology for your business, start by identifying top technology priorities. Key places to start include improving cybersecurity, using project management tools to streamline workflows and automating tasks like email marketing and