How 68% Adoption Is Fueling Growth

Jules B.
9 hours ago
3 min read

A methodical guide for founders integrating scalable AI workflows—from outreach automation to segmentation and follow-up—without sacrificing the personal element

SoulCycle cofounders Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler

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For years, small business owners debated whether artificial intelligence was a passing experiment or a genuine operational advantage. That debate is over. A recent Goldman Sachs survey shows that 68 % of small businesses now use AI, with 80 % saying it strengthens their workforce, not replaces it, and nearly 40 % planning to create new jobs in 2025 as a direct result of AI integration. These numbers reflect not hype, but tangible changes in how work is organized, measured, and scaled.

Adoption rates have accelerated sharply—up from 48 % last year—and the productivity impact is equally significant. According to Intuit QuickBooks data, 74 % of AI-adopting small businesses report measurable efficiency gains. The trend is no longer limited to tech-savvy founders; it’s becoming a standard operational choice.

Building AI Into Daily Workflows

For many small business owners, the first challenge is identifying where AI fits without disrupting their existing customer relationships. The most accessible entry points are automated outreach, customer segmentation, and follow-up systems.

Low-barrier tools like Grammarly and Google Docs smart suggestions are already helping teams reduce repetitive work. More advanced users are leveraging ChatGPT or Claude for content drafting, while AI-powered CRMs take over the routine task of sorting and tagging leads.

The process works best in phases:

Start with a narrowly defined goal, such as segmenting your email list.
Test a simple, affordable tool that delivers quick wins.
Train your team on its use.
Scale to specialized AI solutions as confidence and ROI grow.

Practical Impact and Measurable Gains

One of the most compelling advantages of AI for small businesses is cost efficiency. Using AI-driven platforms like Synthesia for training or onboarding videos can cut production costs by more than 70 % and reduce onboarding times by half. For founders, that translates into more time for revenue-generating activities and less time re-explaining processes.

Productivity improvements aren’t the only benefit. A U.S. Chamber of Commerce report notes that nearly half of AI adopters see better decision-making from data analysis, while one-third are planning geographic or service expansion within the next year.

Scaling Without Losing the Human Element

It’s easy to let efficiency overshadow personalization, but the most successful AI adopters keep people at the center. This means customizing AI-generated messages to match your brand voice, reviewing outputs before they reach clients, and using automation to support—not replace—meaningful customer interactions.

A thoughtful rollout can also mitigate risk. Many non-adopters, according to Goldman Sachs, cite resource constraints or uncertainty about the right tools. Starting small and measuring results removes much of that uncertainty.

Measuring What Matters

To ensure AI adoption delivers, track a few key indicators:

Lead response time
Conversion rates from segmented campaigns
Employee hours saved
Cost per acquisition before and after implementation

These metrics make it easier to decide whether to scale your AI investment or fine-tune the tools you’re using.

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Check out Salesfully’s course, Mastering Sales Fundamentals for Long-Term Success, designed to help you attract new customers efficiently and affordably.

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