BrillDog aims to help SMBs nd quali ed vendors, issue and manage purchase orders, and have visibility to orders during the course of ful llment or manufacturing. “When products are ready to become freight—no matter where in the world they are moving—they are handed over seamlessly to a freight company or forwarder,” Polakoff says. “Documents are created, tracking is automatic, and everything runs smoothly. “The key is making sure that we will solve a problem for the little guys that even the big guys can’t solve for themselves,” he adds. DATA IS KEY Small businesses being able to analyze and use data the way large businesses can is key to competing with them. With business intelligence and arti cial intelligence tools, “we can help companies make strategic and tactical decisions about their supply chain to save money and time,” Polakoff says. Integrating most TMS software is costly—in both money and resources— creating challenges for SMBs. “Everybody at a smaller company wears multiple hats,” Polakoff says. “They take on logistics or supply chain management because they have to. The company doesn’t have a lot of money to invest in software, they don’t have extra people, and they can’t hire third-party integrators. So they need a tool where they can perform the same supply chain functions as the big guys, but that they can use intuitively. “Software needs to be intuitive, simple, and streamlined for the small company so they can get going the same day that they buy it,” he adds. THE CARRIER CHALLENGE Large carriers in the United States mostly are focused on serving big companies with big orders. “They design systems for large retailers and other organizations, and many times the needs of small businesses get left behind,” Oates says. Sendle bills itself as the only carrier
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Significant changes to year-over-year holiday sales were expected. Half of the respondents expected either significant increases or significant decreases to their business’ 2022 holiday sales compared to the 2021 holiday season. 27% expected a significant YoY increase while 23% expected a significant decrease. And despite inflation, 40% expected no significant change.
SME SURVEY HOW MUCH DID YOU INCREASE PRODUCT PRICING IN 2022 AS A RESULT OF INFLATION?
17% Over 20%
39% 1-10%
22% N/A – not increased
29% 11-20%
Inflation pressures are being passed down to consumers. To oset rising inflation, 60% said their biggest priority was raising the prices of their products or services. Furthermore, 78% of respondents have increased their product pricing due to inflation: • 17% have increased their pricing by more than 20%.
• 22% have increased their pricing by 11-20%. • 39% have increased their pricing by 39%.
The 2023 outlook is global. When asked what they think will be most beneficial to their business in 2023, almost half (45%) of respondents said expanding globally. Despite global trade challenges, SMEs are optimistic for expansion into new trade markets and are eager to reach new international consumers. 30% expect the Inflation Reduction Act will be most beneficial to their business in 2023. Overall, the survey findings suggest that while challenges persist, a majority of SMEs are still optimistic about the global trade market going into 2023.
SME SURVEY IN 2023, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WILL BE MOST BENEFICIAL TO YOUR BUSINESS?
8% CHIP Act
17% Tax legislation
45% Expanding globally
30% Inflation Reduction Act
148 Inbound Logistics • January 2023
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