In the Central Valley, small businesses are the backbone of our communities. We’re running shops, manufacturing products, fixing machines, supporting customers, and keeping our local economy alive. But we’re also facing the same pressures as everyone else across the country — tighter margins, labor shortages, new customer expectations, and constant competitive pressure.
A recent report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Empowering Small Business: The Impact of Technology on U.S. Small Business, reinforces something I’ve been saying for years: technology isn’t just helpful — it’s essential.
(Read the report)
We’re Watching the Digital Divide Close — Fast
According to the U.S. Chamber, nearly every small business in America now relies on at least one digital platform. What used to be “nice to have” is now the price of admission. And what’s really striking is how quickly AI adoption is accelerating — nearly 60% of small businesses are using AI today, more than double just two years ago.
Why? Because when technology is applied the right way, it creates real advantages:
- Better efficiency and productivity
- Lower operational costs
- Higher sales and more predictable growth
- Less administrative drag on your team
- The ability to do more with fewer people
This is exactly what we see every day with our clients — technology levels the playing field.
Small Businesses Are Becoming More Capable Than Ever
When I meet with business owners, I hear the same story: “We’re growing, but we can’t grow the way we used to.” You can’t simply hire more people to fix the problem. You need systems.
Modern technology gives small businesses access to enterprise-level capabilities without enterprise-level budgets. I’m talking about:
- AI that automates time-consuming tasks
- Modern phone systems that streamline customer service
- Asset tracking tools that keep equipment and inventory under control
- Cloud-based systems that remove the need for expensive infrastructure
- Subscription-based services that scale as you grow
This isn’t theory — we’re doing this work every day at BOSS, and we see how quickly it transforms operations.
Why This Matters to Us at BOSS
Our mission at BOSS is simple: empower small and mid-sized businesses with the tools they need to compete and win.
That means supporting local manufacturers, service companies, integrators, nonprofits, and those organizations driving workforce development and economic growth.
Technology is the connector.
It connects manufacturers to better automation.
It connects field teams to their assets.
It connects businesses to their customers.
And it connects all of us to greater opportunity.
A Simple Message for 2026 and Beyond: Don’t Get Left Behind
If you run a small business today, you cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. The data is clear, the results are obvious, and the gap between tech-enabled companies and everyone else is only widening.
The good news? You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Start with one thing — one workflow, one platform, one piece of automation — and build from there.
At BOSS, we’ve built our company around helping organizations take these steps, whether it’s AI, communications, security, workflow automation, or device and asset tracking. If you’re ready to strengthen your business and future-proof your operations, we’re ready to help.
Small business is the heartbeat of the Central Valley. Technology is how we keep it strong.
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