// INDUSTRY INSIGHT //
SME SALES IN 2025: WINNING WITHOUT A TREASURE CHEST
In today’ s hyper-competitive market, SMEs can’ t outspend enterprise rivals – but they can outsmart them. Sean Evers, VP of Sales and Channel Partnerships at Pipedrive, discusses how by combining strategic technology adoption with AI-driven efficiency and a human-first approach, smaller businesses can sharpen their sales edge, build stronger customer relationships and create a foundation for sustainable growth.
n a marketplace dominated
I by enterprise budgets and sprawling sales teams, SMEs face a different kind of challenge: how to compete and win without access to the same resources. The answer isn’ t simply spending more but selling smarter. Adopting technology is only the first step. The real edge lies in using it strategically.
When thoughtfully integrated into your sales strategy, technology can enhance both efficiency and precision without demanding enterprise-level investment. Take AI as an example: 75 % of companies now use AI tools to generate content and 52 % use them to summarise it. However most remain confined to these entry-level applications.
Our recent State of AI in Sales report reveals that nearly half( 47 %) of AI users have no immediate plans to expand its use within their workflows. For many, AI adoption has stalled at a surface level. To stay ahead in this evolving environment and improve efficiency and performance, that mindset needs to shift.
Stay ahead of the curve
Chasing every tech trend without clarity of purpose is risky. But ignoring innovation out of fear or lack of education is riskier still. Our State of AI in Business report revealed that the biggest obstacle to AI adoption isn’ t budget or infrastructure, it’ s knowledge gaps. Without proper training, even the most powerful tools become underutilised add-ons rather than growth engines.
SMEs that invest in upskilling, demystifying tech and embedding knowledge into their culture are better positioned to outmanoeuvre larger
// competitors. Training and intentional implementation must sit at the heart of any sales strategy. Communityfirst selling and AI-led proposal writing can yield exceptional returns but only if teams know how to execute them. In 2025, selling smarter isn’ t just about having the right tech stack, it’ s about knowing how to make every bit of it count.
That’ s why it’ s crucial to define the key benefits the organisation is looking to benefit from. Tasks such as personalisation, research, data recording, tracking and analysis can now be automated and streamlined with AI tools. With automation, teams can deliver personalised marketing messages precisely when and where they’ ll have the greatest impact. GenAI-powered chatbots further enhance the experience by supporting product discovery, offering visitors personalised recommendations and information tailored to their profiles or specific needs.
WHEN THOUGHTFULLY INTEGRATED INTO YOUR SALES STRATEGY, TECHNOLOGY CAN ENHANCE BOTH EFFICIENCY AND PRECISION WITHOUT DEMANDING ENTERPRISE- LEVEL INVESTMENT.
Intelligent SME. tech
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