Latest news with #TalkerResearch
Forbes
20 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
New Study: AI Cuts Costs, Adds 13 Hours For SMB Marketers
AI increasing its footprint in marketing According to a new survey from marketing technology firm ActiveCampaign, small-business marketers are getting back quite a bit of time from their investment in AI. AI-powered marketing systems are giving SMBs the equivalent of a full extra workday each week, and saving almost $5,000 a month in the process. But as of today, only one in four teams is applying AI throughout their full marketing processes. Research Highlights of SMB AI Practices A recent report commissioned by ActiveCampaign and conducted by Talker Research, '13 Hours Back Each Week,' sheds light on how AI is reshaping marketing for small and medium-sized businesses. Based on a national survey of 1,000 marketers conducted between May 21 and June 12, 2025, the study found that AI helps save around 13 hours per person each week, roughly one-third of a typical 40-hour workweek. It also reduces operating costs by an average of $4,739 per month per team. CEO Jason VandeBoom says the results show a clear trend: "Small businesses may work with tighter margins, but their size and agility provide a perfect opportunity for the strategic implementation of AI.' The time and cost benefits are clear, but what stood out is how uneven adoption still is. While most marketers, 82 percent according to the survey, have used AI for at least one task, only 23 percent say they use it throughout the campaign cycle, from planning through execution and measurement. That means many businesses could still unlock greater value. Notably, 77 percent of users say AI gives them more confidence in their work, and three-quarters believe it helps them compete with much larger brands. A Three-Phase Approach to AI ActiveCampaign frames modern marketing around three core stages: Imagine, Activate, and Validate. In the 'Imagine' phase, AI tools help generate ideas and tailor campaigns to customer insights. 'Activate' is where content gets created and distributed across channels. In 'Validate,' teams analyze results to see what's working and where to adjust. Most marketers start with AI for brainstorming, but fewer bring it into the measurement phase. Only a little over half use AI to review campaign performance, meaning many miss out on real-time feedback that could improve future results. According to ActiveCampaign CMO Amy Kilpatrick, tying all three stages together leads to faster decisions, smarter campaigns, and better customer experiences. AI Usage and Adoption Looks Different Across Teams Marketers in the survey fell into five categories based on how much and how effectively they use AI. Beginners rarely touch the tools unless prompted. Developing users test AI for a task or two. Intermediates apply it consistently to common workflows. Advanced users work it into most areas, and Experts, roughly 15 percent of survey respondents, think of AI as their go-to problem-solving partner. Experts are over 14 times more likely than light users to apply AI across all three phases and are twice as confident in the quality of their output. Moving up the scale doesn't take much. Simply using AI more often or trying it in a new way can make a difference. The gap between occasional and frequent AI users is growing. Teams that use AI daily report saving nearly 15 hours a week and more than $5,000 monthly, while infrequent users report savings closer to nine hours and $3,900. Daily users are also far more likely, 89 percent versus 61 percent according to the survey, to believe AI helps them compete with larger, more established players. The key difference is how the tools are used. Power users feed results back into their systems to keep learning and adjusting. Others often stop at content generation and miss that opportunity. Almost half of small businesses in the study said they use AI daily at work, and 81 percent reported using it for marketing. In fact, they're nearly on par with large companies when it comes to using AI to generate leads, follow up with prospects, and measure results. The difference in perceived value between small and large companies was just three percentage points. About one-third of small-business marketers said the time they gained back allowed them to focus more on long-term planning, creative thinking, or new growth opportunities, which are things they couldn't prioritize before. One surprising takeaway from the study is how much transparency matters. Businesses that openly explain where and how they use AI report stronger reactions from customers. Among those who share openly, 64 percent say the response has been very positive. By contrast, those who hide their use of AI or aren't sure how to talk about it are more likely to see neutral or mixed reactions. The takeaway is that people tend to welcome AI, especially when it's being used to improve the experience, not just cut corners. AI Marketing Tech Competition Is Heating Up ActiveCampaign isn't the only company focusing on this space. HubSpot introduced four 'Breeze' AI assistants earlier this year as part of a larger rollout of AI-powered tools aimed at smaller teams. Meanwhile, Mailchimp showcased its 'AI Growth Assistant' at its FWD: London event in June, offering features like predictive audience tools and visual campaign summaries. These moves suggest that the race to support small businesses with smart automation is just beginning. While lawmakers and regulators are still sorting out how to manage AI, companies aren't waiting. According to the survey, 97 percent of marketers say AI has already changed how they feel about their jobs. Only 3 percent said it hasn't had any impact. That means, for most professionals, AI is now just part of the job. What's Coming For teams just starting out, ActiveCampaign recommends mapping their marketing tasks to the three-stage cycle and adding AI where it'll have the most impact first. For some, that might be brainstorming; for others, measurement. Sharing the journey openly, such as how tools are used and why, can help build trust. And as the study shows, adding just one new use case or increasing frequency of use can quickly move teams toward more advanced performance, without needing a major investment. Jason VandeBoom sees more businesses moving from experimenting with AI to embedding it into everything they do. Right now, only 23 percent of marketers use AI from start to finish. That means most haven't yet tapped the biggest opportunities. But those that do, especially smaller teams that reinvest their time savings in strategy or creativity, could soon outpace even their largest competitors.
New York Post
4 days ago
- General
- New York Post
Which state likes ice cream the most? A surprising area dubbed themselves the ‘connoisseurs' of the frozen treat
New Jerseyans are America's biggest 'ice cream connoisseurs,' according to a recent survey. The survey of 5,000 Americans, evenly split by state, revealed respondents in New Jersey were most likely to identify as a connoisseur of ice cream (58%) — and they were tied for No. 1 as the state that loves ice cream the most. Advertisement 6 The survey of 5,000 Americans revealed respondents in New Jersey were most likely to identify as a connoisseur of ice cream. rh2010 – In terms of connoisseurs, New Jersey was followed closely by those in New Mexico (56%). Third place was a four-way tie between California, Kansas, New York and North Dakota (all at 55%). Conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Undeniably Dairy for National Ice Cream Month in July, the survey also looked at Americans' favorite ice cream flavors. Advertisement Chocolate came out as No. 1 and was revealed to be the country's favorite flavor (15%). Vanilla — the other classic — and mint chocolate chip were the next two favorites (tied at 12%). 6 Chocolate, vanilla, and mint chocolate chip are Americans' favorite ice cream flavors. SWNS These were closely followed by butter pecan (10%), cookies and cream (9%) and cookie dough (8%). However, the findings indicated that taste buds differ by age. Both Gen Z (18%) and millennials (17%) labeled cookies and cream as their most-loved flavor, while Gen X (15%) and baby boomers (16%) like chocolate best. Advertisement The survey also uncovered which up-and-coming flavors people are most interested in trying for the first time this summer. And these turned out to be black raspberry (27%), toasted marshmallow (24%), peach (22%), praline (14%) and lavender (11%). 6 The survey also uncovered which up-and-coming flavors people are most interested in trying for the first time this summer. N Felix/ – The poll asked respondents to rate their love of ice cream on a scale from one to 10 (with 10 being the highest) and found that Americans love ice cream quite a bit, scoring an 8.6/10 on average. Advertisement However, some states love ice cream more than others. And the states that love this frozen sweet treat the most are Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, all scoring an 8.9/10 on average. Almost three-quarters of respondents (72%) said ice cream is their all-time favorite dessert, and the states that eat the most ice cream per week on average are Delaware (4 days per week), New Mexico (3.9 days per week) and Wyoming (3.9 days per week). 6 In terms of connoisseurs, New Jersey was followed closely by those in New Mexico (56%). SWNS The results found that Friday (19%) and Saturday (29%) are the most popular days to eat ice cream and Americans are most likely to enjoy a serving of this frozen goodness at 5:42 p.m., on average. The most common vehicle for ice cream consumption is a bowl (49%), although 35% opt for a cone and 17% like eating it straight from the carton best. And people's most enjoyed toppings are hot fudge (48%), caramel sauce (40%), chocolate syrup (39%) and whipped cream (36%). Desserts that are high in protein are also a priority for many (39%) and nearly a fifth of Americans (18%) are even planning to make their own ice cream at home this summer. Which makes sense considering that respondents agreed that a hot summer day (47%) is the best occasion to enjoy some ice cream. Advertisement AMERICA'S BIGGEST ICE CREAM CONNOISSEURS New Jersey (58%) New Mexico (56%) California (55%) Advertisement Kansas (55%) New York (55%) North Dakota (55%) Connecticut (53%) Advertisement New Hampshire (53%) South Dakota (53%) Utah (53%) AMERICA'S FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVORS Advertisement 6 The most common vehicle for ice cream consumption is a bowl, followed by a cone. SWNS Vanilla (12%) Chocolate (15%) Strawberry (8%) Butter pecan (10%) Cookie dough (8%) Cookies and Cream (9%) Mint chocolate chip (12%) Pistachio (4%) Rocky road (6%) Salted caramel (8%) AMERICA'S FAVORITE ICE CREAM TOPPINGS 6 People's most enjoyed toppings are hot fudge, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Jacob Lund – Hot fudge (48%) Caramel sauce (40%) Chocolate syrup (39%) Whipped cream (36%) Chopped nuts (26%) Cookie crumbles (22%) Peanut butter cups (22%) Sprinkles (19%) Strawberry sauce (18%) Butterscotch sauce (16%) Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 5,000 Americans (100 from each state); the survey was commissioned by the Undeniably Dairy and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between June 23 and June 30, 2025.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
How Americans are saving money with DIY home repairs: study
In the current economic climate, Americans are opting to repair and replace over buying new, according to new data. That's according to new research of 2,000 Americans that found 8 in 10 (80%) U.S. adults say that taking better care of their things and doing more DIY and household repair helps them feel more in control when their finances feel unpredictable. Advertisement Faced with rising prices, more than half of Americans are choosing repair and regular maintenance over replacing household items. 6 U.S. adults say that taking better care of their things and doing more DIY and household repair are helping them control their finances. AntonioDiaz – 6 Americans are choosing repairs over replacing items. SWNS From sewing buttons to tightening furniture screws to deep-cleaning neglected appliances, many Americans are tackling repairs with one clear motivation. Sixty-one percent said they're doing it to save money, while another 33% admit they simply can't afford to replace the item. Advertisement The survey, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Lemi Shine, reveals a cultural shift taking place in kitchens, laundry rooms and garages across the country — one that's less about DIY bragging rights and more about practicality. It's no surprise, then, that Americans are rolling up their sleeves. 6 According to the research, 40% have fixed clothing or textiles, 38% worked on home décor or furniture and 37% took on plumbing projects. Pixel-Shot – Of those who've repaired in the last year, 40% have fixed clothing or textiles, 38% tackled home décor or furniture and 37% dove into plumbing projects. Advertisement Many are also putting effort toward maintaining their big-ticket items with the hope of extending their lifespan — from refrigerators (42%) and stoves (59%) to washing machines (32%) and dishwashers (38%). And, it's not just the large appliances people are looking to preserve, respondents said they've cleaned microwaves (69%), coffee makers (52%) and air fryers (37%) in a bid to ensure they last longer. 'What we're seeing isn't just a trend; it's a return to resourcefulness,' said Tim Jones, a Cleaning Expert at Lemi Shine. 'People are realizing that caring for what they already have can offer a sense of control –– especially in uncertain economic times. It's less about perfection and more about preservation and finding small victories in everyday fixes.' Start and end your day informed with our newsletters Morning Report and Evening Update: Your source for today's top stories Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Advertisement Interestingly, the data shows the confidence in domestic ability varies by generation. While 81% of Gen Z and 75% of millennials said they feel confident fixing things around the house, that number drops to just 53% for baby boomers. But no matter the age, YouTube reigns supreme as the go-to repair guide, with over half (55%) saying they rely on videos to figure it out. And while social media may have us believing that 'clean girl' aesthetics are effortless, the reality of appliance maintenance is far less glamorous — and far more important. In fact, three in four people (75%) agree they regularly clean big-ticket items like dishwashers to avoid buildup and boost performance. 6 75% agree they clean big-ticket items like dishwashers to boost performance. SWNS Yet many still aren't using the most effective ingredients. While 45% report cleaning with vinegar and 38% with baking soda, only 8% are using citric acid — a pantry staple found naturally in fruits and vegetables — despite 62% saying citric acid is an effective natural cleaner. 'Maintenance isn't just about repairs; a proper clean is equally important to helping our home care items last as long as possible. Using naturally derived cleaning tools like citric acid can help clear out buildup gently and effectively — supporting regular upkeep without wearing down materials over time,' added Jones. 6 62% of those surveyed say citric acid is an effective natural cleaner. SWNS 6 Gen Z are more likely to clean less due to fears about chemicals than millennials. SWNS Advertisement A majority (71%) said they actively look for natural or non-toxic cleaning products, especially among millennials and Gen Z, who are also more likely to clean less due to fears about chemicals (44% and 51%, respectively). And they're not just thinking about what they clean with, but why they clean in the first place. Reasons for using natural products range from protecting family and pets (34%) to simply liking a fresher, more pleasant scent (23%). Still, tension lingers in households: 53% admit they've redone a chore someone else already completed because it didn't meet their standards. Advertisement Despite the occasional redo, most people feel domestically competent (65%), and 64% are even passing their skills down, teaching children or younger people to repair instead of replace. 'In a world that moves fast and throws things away even faster, there's something quietly radical about taking the time to care for your home so it's at its best,' added Jones. 'This data shows it's not just about saving money — it's about reclaiming a sense of agency. Whether you're scrubbing your dishwasher or teaching your child to sew on a button, these everyday acts of maintenance are really about resilience and self-reliance –– and that's something every generation can get behind.' Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; the survey was commissioned by Lemi Shine and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 20 and May 27, 2025.
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Propel Software Survey Reveals Key Insights for Product Operations in Discrete Manufacturing
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Propel Software, creator of the first product value management (PVM) platform that transforms how businesses create, market, sell, and service products, today released findings from its State of Product Innovation 2025: AI Adoption and Collaboration Trends Across Four Industries research. The survey of 800 U.S. employees across industrial equipment, medical device, high tech and consumer goods industries, commissioned by Propel Software and conducted by Talker Research, found that lack of collaboration and disparate systems are negatively impacting product operations, including sourcing and production decisions, product quality, and speed to market. Propel Software survey reveals key insights for product operations in discrete manufacturing Share The survey found that collaboration is a challenge for all industries and product roles, with 49% of respondents saying their product teams (e.g. engineering, quality, supply chain) don't effectively collaborate among their own departments. Technology barriers were the main culprit, such as not having a common system or integrated systems that limit or prevent collaboration (55%). If they could address the collaboration issue, 23% believe it would mainly benefit product quality; 21% said it would allow for better production decisions. Collaboration between product and commercial teams was also an area of concern with 43% of respondents reporting ineffective collaboration between the two key stakeholder groups. As with the product team, technology barriers such as not having a common system or integrated systems that limit or prevent collaboration (58%) were top challenges. If they could address collaboration challenges, respondents believe it would improve product quality and allow products to get to market faster. Lack of collaboration business impacts Survey respondents across departments weighed in on top product innovation challenges including development, launch, and sales processes: Product Management Scoping the time and effort to develop new products or enhancements (24%) Managing product changes (22%) Coordinating across teams (15%) Marketing Having easier access to accurate and up-to-date product data (40%) Tools to compare product variants or configurations (35%) Better collaboration with product and engineering teams (33%) Sales Quick access to accurate, up-to-date product information (42%) Faster responses to customer product questions (42%) Improved coordination with product and marketing teams (41%) Additional role-specific findings: Quality/Regulatory: The biggest challenges related to system validation or compliance readiness respondents face are maintaining ongoing system compliance after upgrades or changes (34%), managing validation documentation and audit trails (22%) and keeping up with evolving regulations (17%). Supply Chain: When a key part becomes unavailable or is delayed, respondents currently search for alternatives manually (37%), escalate to the procurement or supplier manager (36%) or use ERP or sourcing platforms to find alternates (28%). Service/Support: Only 25% say they're always aware of changes to a product before interaction with customers or assets. 'Siloed departments and disconnected software solutions are no match for today's fast-paced market demands, and the urgency to innovate has never been greater,' said Ross Meyercord, CEO of Propel Software. 'With a secure data foundation and AI embedded into the core of a manufacturer's data architecture, companies can scale AI confidently to enhance collaboration, drive efficiency and bolster product operations. To minimize risk and maintain control, manufacturers should prioritize cloud-native, SaaS-based solutions that consolidate operations onto a single platform.' AI presents opportunities and apprehension Sixty-five percent of respondents are using AI in their product operations and seeing success. However, respondents also reported hesitancy to adopt AI within the systems they use for product-related operations because of data privacy or IP leakage concerns (34%), high cost/low ROI (28%) and a lack of trust in AI recommendations (27%). Other key AI usage statistics reported include: Respondents actively using AI and expanding investment: high tech (51%), industrial equipment (32%), consumer goods (26%) and medical devices (24%) Piloting or experimenting with AI in limited areas: consumer goods (34%), medical devices (33%), industrial equipment (32%) and high tech (31%) Those respondents actively using AI justify their AI investments through productivity gain (52%), ability to achieve a competitive advantage (50%), technology consolidation (35%), ability to reallocate resources (32%), direct expense reduction (28%) and ability to reduce headcount (23%). The State of Product Innovation 2025: AI Adoption and Collaboration Trends Across Four Industries survey responses were collected from 800 product management, design engineering, quality/regulatory, supply chain, sales, product marketing, service/support, and IT staff members in the industrial equipment, medical devices, high tech, and consumer goods industries in the U.S. Static and animated survey infographics are available for review here. About Propel Software Propel helps product companies grow revenue and increase business value. Our product value management platform connects commercial and product teams to optimize decision making, drive process efficiencies, and engage customers with compelling products and experiences. Propel has a proven track record of improving product quality, speeding time to revenue and profit, and improving customer satisfaction. Recognized as one of America's fastest growing private companies on the Inc 5000, Propel is also a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 winner, and one of Fortune America's Most Innovative Companies. Built on Salesforce, Propel drives product success for hyper growth startups, corporate pioneers, and Fortune 500 leaders in the high tech, medtech and consumer goods industries. For more information, visit and follow us on LinkedIn.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Most believe AI helps small businesses compete with larger firms
A new survey has found that one in five are secretly using AI at work, even when there's no official policy for it. And for many, it's paying off. Advertisement According to the poll of 1,000 American business owners, marketers, and salespeople, 77% believe the more they use AI tools for work, the more confident they feel in the quality of their work. 6 A new survey has found that one in five are secretly using AI at work, even when there's no official policy for it. Urupong – Likewise, 75% believe using AI for their business can make it more effective at competing with larger and more well-known businesses. Commissioned by ActiveCampaign and conducted by Talker Research, the survey found 82% of respondents who are using AI in the workplace are using it for marketing — either in imagination (52%), activation (48%), or validation (44%). Advertisement Many others are using it for customer support (31%), operations/people management tasks (28%), and product-related tasks (25%). But despite AI's usefulness, 20% still feel like they've had to 'sneak' AI into their work because it's not officially allowed. Although 48% said they use AI in their work daily, 17% reported they only use AI less than once per month, and an additional 9% 'never' use AI in any official work capacity. 6 According to the poll of 1,000 American business owners, marketers, and salespeople, 77% believe the more they use AI tools for work, the more confident they feel in the quality of their work. SWNS Respondents shared that the main reason they aren't using AI tools at work is connected to various fears surrounding it. One in five respondents is concerned about poor-quality output, while another 21% of employees, specifically, are concerned that AI will replace their job. Advertisement Additionally, 19% fear that patrons and consumers will lose trust in their business, and 17% have heard negative feedback and opinions about AI use from other people. Over half (57%) said they've either had negative opinions about AI themselves or have had negative opinions shared with them from others. Twenty percent admitted they were the biggest critics themselves, while others found negative feedback stemmed from social media comments (20%) or directly from customers and clients (18%). 6 The survey found 82% of respondents who are using AI in the workplace are using it for marketing — either in imagination, activation, or validation. SWNS Advertisement 'While some businesses are still figuring out how to integrate AI into their core operations, many have moved beyond experimentation to strategic implementation, focusing not just on what AI can do for them, but on how it creates measurably better outcomes for their customers,' said Jason VandeBoom, Founder and CEO of ActiveCampaign. 'We're seeing people discover AI's impact on their bottom line in real time, whether that's increased revenue or time saved. Often, it starts with a personal 'aha moment' where they experience AI's power firsthand, which then naturally evolves into professional adoption and business transformation.' The study also revealed that using AI tools in a more personal setting can help resolve some of the fears people have. 6 20% of respondents still feel like they've had to 'sneak' AI into their work because it's not officially allowed. SWNS Nine in 10 have used AI for both personal and work-related tasks. And of them, two-thirds used AI for their personal lives first, taking, on average, six weeks to fully understand what to use it for. In work settings, it takes people just as long on average to understand it, but the payoffs quickly appear afterwards. In a typical week, people said using AI at work saved them 13 hours of time. And it appeared to save more time the more it was used: respondents who used it daily said it saved them 14 hours per week, on average. Those who use it less than once per month only have six hours saved. 6 In a typical week, people said using AI at work saved them 13 hours of time, according to reports. SWNS And during a typical month, AI tools have saved them $4,739 in operational costs. This followed the same pattern, saving more money the more it was used. Daily users saved $5,038 on average, and infrequent users only saved $2,237. Advertisement Many said incorporating AI into their company's workflow has helped them feel more efficient in completing tasks and allocating resources (39%), feel confident about the quality of their work (29%), and feel creative in their marketing approach (37%). They said they found AI especially effective for certain departments, like marketing (82%), design and creative (78%), and analytics (75%). 6 75% of respondents believe using AI for their business can make it more effective at competing with larger and more well-known businesses. IDOL'foto – 'Marketing is where AI really shines because it amplifies human creativity rather than replacing it,' said Amy Kilpatrick, Chief Marketing Officer of ActiveCampaign. 'Our survey shows 82% find AI especially effective for marketing because it handles the time-consuming tasks — like data analysis and content ideation — so marketers can focus on strategy and building genuine connections with their audience. The result is better work delivered faster, which ultimately benefits both the business and the customer.' Advertisement Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 1,000 American business owners, marketers, and salespeople; the survey was commissioned by ActiveCampaign and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 21 and June 12, 2025.
