Despite ongoing inflation, continuing fears of a recession and the recent banking turmoil (along with record sector-specific bankruptcies), small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are surprisingly optimistic about their prospects for 2023, according to preliminary data from the March wave of our SMB Pulse survey.
Half of respondents expect their revenue to increase 10% or more in 2023, and another quarter expect to grow by single digits. However, growth expectations vary by size: 46% of SMBs with fewer than 20 employees (very small businesses, or VSBs) expect to grow by double digits, versus 42% of those with 20 to 99 employees (small businesses, or SBs) and 66% of those with 100 to 500 employees (mid-sized businesses, or MBs).
To achieve their growth goals, SMBs are focusing on these priorities:
- Retaining customers
- Maintaining cash flow
- Finding new customers
- Maintaining profitability
- Managing costs
To achieve their growth goals, SMBs are looking to purchase applications that will help them address key issues. Specifically, their top application adoption categories are CRM or salesforce automation systems, customer service or helpdesk software, and AI applications.
We’ll have more detail soon on SMB business outlook, concerns and application adoption plans, as well as media preferences, use of AI, and payment solutions. Stay tuned!
Need help understanding and/or engaging SMBs? Bredin can keep you up to date on evolving SMB needs and challenges through quick-turn, actionable market research. We can also develop high-value content to boost SMB awareness, brand perception, leads, conversion and revenue.
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