77% of small businesses view technology like high-speed internet as ally

Key findings:

• 77% of small and midsize businesses have either added or upgraded technologies that support connectivity since the start of the pandemic, including high-speed internet.

• 77% have expanded or are considering expanding their business into a new market.

• 63% have transitioned to digital operations while 73% have added or upgraded communications networking hardware.

• 55% of decision makers have hired new employees in the past year and 51% have created new positions – yet 60% have struggled to fill open positions.

• 88% say offering flexible schedules is important for attracting and retaining talent.

Summary Findings

Ahead of 2022 National Small Business Week (May 1-7), Verizon Business today releases findings from their Small and Midsize Business Outlook and Technology Adoption Study. Key findings include a challenge to fill open positions (60%), the importance of offering flexible schedules to employees (88%) and an increased adoption of technology, including a focus on digitization (63%). Verizon brings back Small Business Days April 28-May 4th, where small businesses can receive up to $1,500 in savings to help offset costs when they switch to Verizon 5G Business Internet*.

“I continue to be inspired by the ingenuity of small and midsize businesses,” said Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business. “These figures are indicative of what we’ve seen in working with our customers, who are embracing technology to meet their customers’ changing needs, scale their businesses and ensure they are future-ready.”

The survey was conducted by Morning Consult and consolidated feedback from 1,033 small to midsize business decision makers in 10 major U.S. metros about their current state of mind and how they plan to overcome remaining challenges.

• 71% of small and midsized business decision makers say they are better off now than one year ago, and they also view technology as a key ally to help them overcome lingering challenges to improve sales, boost talent acquisition, and tackle rising inflation and supply chain issues.

• 65% of respondents say they have either begun offering or expanded their offering of mental health and wellness programs during the pandemic, further showing the support small and midsize business owners are offering their current and prospective employees.

• 57% of respondents say they have experienced declining sales over the past year coupled with 69% experiencing increased costs, while 61% of respondents report issues with sourcing materials due to the ongoing global supply chain crisis. 

Overall, these decision makers are seeking new avenues to expand their business and maximize their use of new technologies to solve challenges in order to drive growth. With access to a variety of solutions, there’s a renewed optimism and investment in growth as pandemic recovery is in full swing.

Small and midsize businesses are bullish on their recovery and growth. They also view technology as a key ally to help them overcome lingering challenges to improve sales, boost talent acquisition, and tackle rising inflation and supply chain issues.

• 65% say revenue generated through digital operations is higher now than pre-pandemic

• 61% say they expect their business’ financial security to get better in the coming months

• 63% expect that providing goods or services and 64% believe acquiring products will be easier a year from now than it is today

• 42% of decision-makers say they have dealt with supply chain disruptions by stockpiling goods, while 38% are implementing continuity planning

Beyond how small and midsize businesses are using technology to drive growth, the changes in employee needs are a high consideration in determining both their workplace of the present and future. And, similar to many large businesses, the forced changes have created some unexpected benefits.

• Nearly 40% of decision makers say they have added net-new remote work or flex work hours during the pandemic, and 79% either offer or plan to soon offer incentives to attract and retain employees.

• 62% say they have transitioned employees from onsite to remote while 52% have transitioned from remote back to office in the past year.

• Half of those surveyed say they have hired non-local employees for remote work in the past year, and 73% believe that it’s important to offer a stipend for home internet services.

• As a result, 56% of those surveyed say employee morale and 62% say collaboration is higher compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Focused on helping small businesses with their digitization, Verizon recently launched the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. Developed in partnership with small business owners, this online portal is open to any business for free at Verizon.com/SmallBusinessDigitalReady. The portal provides a personalized experience, providing resources, networking, and coaching tailored to a small business’s specific needs.

Ahead of National Small Business Week, Verizon Business is bringing back Small Business Days April 28th through May 4th. Businesses can come in store for special offers and learn more about products such as Verizon 5G Business Internet available in select areas, and have a free tech evaluation from an in-store representative. To learn more about Verizon’s offerings for small and midsize businesses visit our website here.

5G Business Internet is available in select areas.

*Qualifying customers will receive a credit to cover early termination fees charged by prior provider, up to $1,500. Credit will issue after 60 days of service and will appear on 1-2 bills thereafter. You remain solely responsible for paying the ETF to your prior provider. Terms apply.