Small Businesses and 5G: What’s Next?

Small businesses have needed to be inventive since the onset of the pandemic. They’ve been trying to figure out how to continue to attract and serve customers during lockdowns, keep employees safe, and above all, bring in enough business to keep the lights on.?

Many SMBs have made the shift successfully, promoting online shopping and multiple delivery options, creating pop-up events, and even pivoting their business model or offerings. However, others are recent entrants to the marketplace and must adjust to the altered mid-pandemic environment. Regardless of how you’ve been doing so far, changing expectations from customers will continue to present challenges--as well as opportunities.

Technology tools, with 5G as the backbone, are driving the evolution of the customer experience. From expanding e-commerce to taking advantage of mobile connectivity, small businesses need to be aware of the services, platforms, and devices available and plan accordingly. This goes for everyone from established mom-and-pop storefronts to startups.

We’ll explore the implications of this technology for small businesses and what owners need to do to keep up with the pace of change in our upcoming BizTalks Roundtable.

Joining me in this hour-long conversation are two leaders with particular insights into how small businesses can leverage technology to thrive in a changing landscape: Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, and Stacey Hubbard, Director of Business Analytics & Regulatory Compliance at Indiana Donor Network.

Register now for the chat on Wednesday, September 1 at 11 am CST.

5G: The Foundation of Continued Small Biz Success

At the center of our discussion: how owners can use 5G to power exceptional customer experiences, whether remotely or on site. These might include personalized on-the-spot offers or suggestions based on customer preferences and past purchases. 5G can also enable more visibility into inventory, ensuring that in-demand products are available by sending automated alerts when items are running low. SMB owners can also plan ahead in the case of potential disruption to the supply chain, such as by finding alternative vendors.

Naturally, these experiences rest on consistent digital connectivity. 5G provides more reliable service than ever. Small businesses can even take advantage of its capacity by expanding their network across multiple facilities and using mobile devices and 5G sim cards to support remote customer service workers. For small businesses in industries like healthcare, this improvement can literally be a lifesaver.

However, greater connectivity requires greater security. Small businesses today are just as vulnerable to large enterprises to hacking attacks--but they tend to have fewer IT resources to respond to them. The more connected devices, the bigger the risk. 5G comes with enhanced security, but owners need to assess their unique needs and integrate security tools and policies accordingly.?

Ultimately, 5G offers an incredible opportunity for small businesses to grow, compete, and evolve. But for many SMBs, keeping up with ongoing digital transformation can be tough--especially with current economic challenges.?

Mark Your Calendar to Learn More

Join us for what is certain to be a lively and informative discussion with practical takeaways for any small business owner. Visit our event page and RSVP here to receive a reminder before the BizTalks Roundtable on Wednesday, September 1 at 11:00am CST.