Salesforce has announced significant updates to its product offerings, aimed at making advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools more accessible for businesses of all sizes. With a growing emphasis on customer success, the platform is positioning itself as a crucial ally for small businesses looking to innovate and improve operations.

AI is no longer merely an optional tool—it’s becoming an essential component for driving business results. “Empowering every employee with AI isn’t just an advantage—it’s a strategic imperative for driving customer success,” said Salesforce. By investing in these new features, small business owners can expect to enhance productivity and make informed decisions more swiftly.

The new offerings include updates to Agentforce, Customer 360 Apps, and Slack, simplifying the implementation of AI into daily operations. Here are the key benefits that small business owners can expect from these enhancements:

With the launch of Agentforce add-ons and Agentforce 1 Editions, businesses will have access to unlimited generative AI usage. This functionality allows employees to leverage AI tools without the restrictions of usage caps. Small businesses should note that the starting price for these add-ons is $125 per user per month, making it a cost-effective option for those looking to maximize efficiency.

Additionally, the Agentforce platform comes equipped with templates specific to various roles and industries. For example, businesses in the financial sector can utilize a banking service assistant template, while those in healthcare may benefit from a patient services template. This customization enables small businesses to quickly implement solutions tailored to their sectors, potentially accelerating their time to value.

AI-powered analytics, especially with tools like Tableau Next, will facilitate data-driven decision-making across teams. Small business owners can use these insights to respond more effectively to customer needs and market conditions, creating a competitive edge in their respective fields.

However, small business owners should prepare for some upcoming changes. On August 1, 2025, pricing for the Enterprise and Unlimited Editions of key Salesforce products will increase by an average of 6%. While the cost may reflect the continuous innovation within Salesforce’s offerings, businesses must evaluate whether the increased investment aligns with their growth strategies.

There are also updates to Slack plans, with new AI features that will be available to all paid plans. For instance, Slack now allows businesses to deploy multiple employee-facing AI agents, enhancing collaboration and communication. The Business+ plan pricing has been adjusted to $15 per user per month, and an Enterprise+ plan that includes upgraded security features has been introduced. For those wanting to connect their work seamlessly, Salesforce channels in Slack will allow for real-time conversations about customer data, accessible both in Slack and Salesforce.

While these enhancements offer significant benefits, small business owners should weigh the practicality of implementing such technologies amidst tight budgets and resource constraints. The initial investment in AI tools may seem daunting, particularly for those hesitant about adopting new technologies.

All newly updated prices and options are readily available on Salesforce’s pricing page. Small business owners are encouraged to explore these offerings and consult with their Salesforce account representatives to tailor the solutions to their unique needs.

Salesforce’s commitment to facilitating innovation for all businesses creates opportunities for small companies to leverage advanced tools typically reserved for larger organizations. As AI technology continues to evolve, early adoption might just be the key to a small business’s success in an increasingly competitive market.

For more detailed information, refer to the original Salesforce press release.

While many large corporations have energetically pursued increased use of artificial intelligence (AI), data indicates small businesses have been slower and more tentative in adopting the tech. But a recent study of how modest-sized companies have introduced AI offers some insights on how still-hesitant owners can test and integrate those apps most effectively into their workplaces.

The broad findings in the research by the Public Private Strategies Institute’s Reimagine Main Street project largely jibes with earlier polls on AI use by small businesses. Among the study’s roughly 1,000 participating companies with annual revenues of between $25,000 and $5 million, just over half described themselves as still testing and exploring the tech. About a quarter of responding owners considered their businesses current users of AI apps, and 24 percent said they neither have nor plan to introduce the tech any time soon. That roughly corresponds with results of previous surveys on the topic. But that breakdown also invites glass half full versus half empty interpretations. AI enthusiasts may lament that 75 percent of all small business respondents are still either tinkering with or ignoring the cutting-edge tech at this late date. By contrast, other observers may feel the 76 percent of survey participants that have either fully integrated AI into their businesses, or are trying out ways to make it work at their companies, as a positive sign of owners following corporations’ modernization lead. Either way, that reality—and those perceptions—are likely to change quickly.

A separate Gallup poll of U.S. employees released this week found the number of workers saying they used AI on the job shot up from 21 percent in 2023 to 40 percent in 2024. Respondents also said they used AI about twice as much as last year. That surging adoption rate suggests that workers are bypassing their bosses, even when office policies aren’t keeping pace.

To prevent that end-around from happening, and derive maximum effectiveness from AI being used in their workplaces, business owners may want to examine the conclusions and suggestions from the Reimagine Main Street project survey. To begin with, small companies integrating the tech fastest and currently relying on it did so in similar was big companies have: automating and speeding up redundant and boring tasks usually done by humans. Just over 90 percent said they used apps in marketing and content creation, 76 percent for general worker productivity improvement, and 60 percent for product and service innovation. “For today’s Current AI Users, the value from AI is clear: saving time is the strongest value proposition,” the study said. “Most Current AI Users are willing to automate many business functions and want agentic tools that help drive profitable growth by forecasting cash flow, identifying customer trends, and providing analysis to guide resource allocation decisions.”

So why don’t the majority of small businesses still only testing AI cast off their hesitations and similarly dive in? Leading reasons cited were privacy and data security worries, limited bandwidth to explore and learn how to use the tech, and unclear benefits to their businesses and bottom lines. Since those concerns persist, dubious or confused entrepreneurs might want to seek advice from tech consultants on how AI could most effectively be used in their business. Short of that, owners might also question fellow small company founders about they ways they’ve introduced AI, and how it has performed for them. It would also be worthwhile communicating with employees about their own exposure to and use of apps—both personally and professionally. Doing so can not only identify the most promising and valuable ways to use the tech to automate work tasks, but also lay down a broader, collective approach to increasing their use company-wide.

Meanwhile, business owners also say they could use some help from AI developers to speed their adoption. Topping entrepreneurs’ wish lists for improving existing apps are easier design and use; greater focus on small companies’ time-saving objectives, desire to better understand customers, and for unlocking growth opportunities. Respondents also said they wanted gradually increased specification to different kinds of industries, whose automation needs can vary significantly. All of which suggests that even companies taking a slow, careful path to AI testing and adoption regard its ultimate integration into their businesses as inevitable.

“As businesses experience tangible benefits from initial applications, they are seeking increasingly sophisticated solutions that can transform their decision-making processes and competitive positioning,” said said Rhett Buttle, president of Public Private Strategies Institute. “What we’re seeing is a strategic shift where small businesses recognize that AI isn’t just a nice-to-have tool for saving time—it’s becoming essential for maintaining competitiveness in today’s market.”

Mailchimp, the marketing platform owned by Intuit, rolled out a major suite of AI-powered tools and integrations at its flagship FWD: London event to help small and mid-sized businesses more effectively attract and retain customers. The updates come as 71% of surveyed small businesses report concerns about customer acquisition in the current economic climate.

The new capabilities are designed to help businesses connect advertising efforts with automated marketing workflows, improve targeting, and drive sustainable growth. “Mailchimp is becoming the essential bridge between advertising and customer relationships,” said Ken Chestnut, Director of Global Partner Ecosystem at Intuit.

Key features include expanded lead generation integrations with Meta, TikTok, Google, Snapchat, and LinkedIn, allowing businesses to funnel ad campaign data directly into Mailchimp for real-time follow-up. Users also now have access to over 100 new, customizable pop-up templates tailored to specific industries, including health, education, and the arts.

A new Metrics Visualizer provides over 40 reporting metrics to analyze campaign performance across email and SMS channels, allowing businesses to make more informed, data-driven decisions. These tools build on the more than 2,000 updates Mailchimp has implemented since December 2024, including enhanced audience segmentation and faster load times.

The upgrades are part of Intuit’s broader push to unify business tools by integrating Mailchimp more deeply with QuickBooks. This platform-wide connectivity provides users with a streamlined experience for managing both marketing and financial tasks. “It feels like we’re not having to do as much digging or joining the dots,” said Freya Doggett, Digital Marketing Officer at London’s Serpentine Galleries. “Mailchimp really simplifies things that are complicated by nature.”

Looking ahead, Mailchimp plans to release additional features later in 2025. These include the ability to export custom audience segments to ad platforms like Meta and Google for advanced targeting, as well as an API for importing SMS-only contacts to facilitate more flexible campaign outreach.

Intuit also announced it will expand its ecosystem of AI agents within QuickBooks, providing support across customer service, payments, and project management. Already, 56% of users say Intuit’s AI tools are helping them make faster and more informed decisions.

What sort of impact is artificial intelligence having on the creativity of the average small business owner? Is it making us more creative or dulling that spirit and bringing out the worst in our business instincts?

That’s just one of the big topics the expert panel on Small Biz Breakdown is discussing this week.

Check out what the panel has to say about the impact of AI on small business, the near future of marketing trends, and discussions about the latest economic trends and their impact on your bottom line.

The latest edition of Small Biz Breakdown is right here …

Small Business News Roundup – June 15, 2025

Here is a rundown of the top headlines from Small Business Trends for the past week …

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose by three points in May to 98.8, marking a return above the 51-year average and reflecting improved expectations for business conditions and sales. However, small business owners continue to grapple with uncertainty, and for the first time since 2020, taxes have emerged as the most pressing problem.

A growing majority of small businesses believe adopting artificial intelligence (AI) is critical for remaining competitive, according to a new survey conducted by Reimagine Main Street in partnership with PayPal.

PNC Bank has launched a new mobile payment processing tool designed specifically for micro businesses, giving them a simplified and affordable way to accept credit and debit card payments using just a smartphone or tablet. The bank announced Wednesday the debut of PNC Mobile Accept, a fully integrated payment solution built into the existing PNC Mobile app.

ZayZoon has launched a new Perks Marketplace to provide employees broader access to financial wellness tools and exclusive discounts, the company announced Wednesday.

Pipedrive, a leading sales CRM platform for small businesses, has launched a revamped solution provider partner program aimed at helping consultants, integrators, and service providers expand their offerings and deliver greater support to businesses adopting its platform.

Google has announced it will include its most advanced AI tools in Workspace Business and Enterprise plans at no additional charge, eliminating the need for paid add-ons. Starting immediately for business users and later this month for enterprise customers, the move is aimed at making generative AI capabilities more accessible to small and midsize businesses.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2931, the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025, in a bipartisan vote supporting the Small Business Administration’s decision to move its field offices out of sanctuary jurisdictions.

Late customer payments are creating significant financial strain for small business owners, according to a new survey from Gateway Commercial Finance. The report found that 64% of small business owners currently have invoices more than 90 days overdue, with the delays accounting for 11% of their annual revenue on average.

The Small Biz Breakdown couldn’t let the very public feud between allies Donald Trump and Elon Musk go by the wayside this week. The panelists pick sides in this debate and decide whether they’re on Team Trump or Team Musk … or whether they’re on any team at all in this fight. They’re also taking on some other big topics that are affecting small business owners this week.

Venmo has announced a significant expansion of its commerce capabilities, introducing new features aimed at making its platform more versatile for everyday spending. The company revealed enhanced rewards through the Venmo Debit Mastercard and broader availability of its Pay with Venmo checkout option. A new brand campaign supports the launch.

The Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers that the second quarter estimated tax payment deadline is Monday, June 16. This requirement applies to individuals and entities receiving income not typically subject to withholding, such as income from self-employment, gig work, interest, dividends, capital gains, rental income, or 1099 earnings.

A new survey by global tutoring network Superprof reveals that Gen Z job seekers are reshaping the employment landscape with a strong emphasis on work culture, flexibility, and digital-first job applications. The survey, conducted in May 2025 with 103 U.S.

David Schepp is a veteran financial journalist with more than two decades of experience in financial news editing and reporting for print, digital, and multimedia publications.

Miranda is an award-winning freelancer who has covered various financial markets and topics since 2006. In addition to writing about personal finance, investing, college planning, student loans, insurance, and other money-related topics, Miranda is an avid podcaster and co-hosts the Money Talks News podcast.

Miranda is an award-winning freelancer who has covered various financial markets and topics since 2006. In addition to writing about personal finance, investing, college planning, student loans, insurance, and other money-related topics, Miranda is an avid podcaster and co-hosts the Money Talks News podcast.

Let the robots do some of the work.

Open full sized image AI tools can help you keep customers coming through the door. © Joshhh/stock.adobe.com; © meen_na/stock.adobe.com; Photo illustration Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc

If you own a small business, you’re familiar with the challenges that come with it, from managing cash flow and responding to customer questions to promoting your products and services and finding new hires. But artificial intelligence (AI) has started to ease some of those pressures—and even sparked a bit of creativity along the way.

Tools powered by AI can help handle everything from bookkeeping and marketing to customer service and recruiting. When used well, they can save you time, reduce costs, and free you up to focus on the work that matters most.

Key Points AI tools can help small business owners handle routine tasks and save time.

Accounting, marketing, customer service, recruiting, and meeting transcription are some of the areas AI supports.

Potential drawbacks of using AI tools include privacy concerns and ethical questions.

AI for small businesses AI tools are software applications that use machine learning and algorithms to perform specific tasks. With the help of these built-in instructions, they can analyze information, spot patterns, and make suggestions or resolutions. As a small business owner, you can use AI to streamline everyday tasks, such as tracking expenses, organizing data, or managing customer requests. These tools can show you what’s selling well, when customers are most likely to buy, or where expenses are rising, so you can adjust your plans more precisely. AI probably won’t replace your employees, but it can help you and your team work more efficiently and focus on what really requires your attention. How AI helps small businesses Accounting: Categorize transactions, flag suspicious charges, manage invoices, and forecast cash flow.

Categorize transactions, flag suspicious charges, manage invoices, and forecast cash flow. Customer service: Handle common questions or appointment scheduling so you can focus on more complex issues.

Handle common questions or appointment scheduling so you can focus on more complex issues. Marketing: Create ads, social media posts, and newsletters, and ensure everything is grammatically sound. Suggest optimal posting times and adjust your schedule automatically.

Create ads, social media posts, and newsletters, and ensure everything is grammatically sound. Suggest optimal posting times and adjust your schedule automatically. Customer relationship management (CRM): Track customer behavior, such as purchase history or how often someone visits your site, and suggest targeted offers.

Track customer behavior, such as purchase history or how often someone visits your site, and suggest targeted offers. Recruiting: Write job postings that reflect your needs and screen applications for key qualifications.

Write job postings that reflect your needs and screen applications for key qualifications. Recording and transcription: Record meetings, create transcripts, and summarize main points for quick reference.

5 cheap AI tools for small businesses These tools use artificial intelligence to help with common business tasks. All offer free versions or trials: ChatGPT drafts emails, summarizes meetings, and generates marketing ideas.

drafts emails, summarizes meetings, and generates marketing ideas. Grammarly checks grammar and suggests edits.

checks grammar and suggests edits. Zoho Recruit sorts résumés and identifies keywords in job applications.

sorts résumés and identifies keywords in job applications. QuickBooks Online Advanced flags unusual transactions and forecasts cash flow.

flags unusual transactions and forecasts cash flow. Buffer schedules social media posts and recommends times to publish based on past user activity.

Pros and cons of using AI for small businesses Pros Lower costs. In addition to alerting you to errors that might increase expenses, AI tools can also perform some tasks you may have previously outsourced, such as bookkeeping and customer support.

In addition to alerting you to errors that might increase expenses, AI tools can also perform some tasks you may have previously outsourced, such as bookkeeping and customer support. Time savings. Automating repetitive work, like scheduling, sorting data, or drafting messages, can free up hours of your time each week. It can also help you more quickly compose marketing materials, such as social media posts or promotional emails.

Automating repetitive work, like scheduling, sorting data, or drafting messages, can free up hours of your time each week. It can also help you more quickly compose marketing materials, such as social media posts or promotional emails. Better decisions. Some tools can analyze sales patterns, customer behavior, or spending data to help you decide where to cut costs, which products to promote, or when to restock. Cons Data privacy. Many AI tools collect the information you (and your customers) enter, and some companies use that data to train or refine their AI systems. Understanding where the data goes and who can access it is key if you deal with personal or financial details.

Many AI tools collect the information you (and your customers) enter, and some companies use that data to train or refine their AI systems. Understanding where the data goes and who can access it is key if you deal with personal or financial details. Ethical concerns. Many AI systems are trained on published works without the creators’ knowledge or permission. Using AI tools that incorporate those materials raises concerns about originality, consent, and copyright, especially when generating marketing copy or images.

Many AI systems are trained on published works without the creators’ knowledge or permission. Using AI tools that incorporate those materials raises concerns about originality, consent, and copyright, especially when generating marketing copy or images. Inaccurate results. AI isn’t always reliable. It may suggest information that’s outdated, biased, irrelevant, or simply wrong. Whether generating text or making recommendations, review the results carefully before using them.

Questions to ask before adopting an AI tool Before you start using a new AI tool, it’s worth taking a step back and asking yourself: What exactly do I want this tool to help with?

Will I need to enter personal, financial, or customer information?

Where does that data go, and who has access to it?

Does the tool create original material or rely on existing sources?

Can I easily check and edit the results before putting them to use?

Best practices for using AI in your small business Think through the ethics Before using an AI tool, consider the ethical implications and how you want to use AI in your small business. Some customers may want to know if AI was used to create content, products, and services. Developing a disclosure and disclaimer policy can help address their concerns, as can establishing standards for how personal data is kept secure. If you use AI to collect customer data for marketing, sales, or support, be clear about how you store it, who can access it, and how it’s used. And while you’re at it, think about where you stand on using energy-intensive tools like generative image models, which may carry environmental costs. Review where AI can help most

Where AI probably won’t help AI can be useful, but it likely won’t be much help in these areas: Building trust. AI can automate messages, but it can’t build genuine relationships with customers or clients.

AI can automate messages, but it can’t build genuine relationships with customers or clients. Managing staff. It won’t solve workplace tension, coach an underperforming employee, or recognize when someone’s burned out.

It won’t solve workplace tension, coach an underperforming employee, or recognize when someone’s burned out. Thinking creatively. Although AI can generate ideas, it doesn’t understand your experiences, preferences, or point of view.

Although AI can generate ideas, it doesn’t understand your experiences, preferences, or point of view. Navigating gray areas. Rules-based systems—which AI is built on—fall short in situations that call for judgment, empathy, or tact.