AI can be a real game changer for SMEs - but only if the right priorities are set. The biggest danger is usually not the price, but that you invest time and money in AI projects that don't bring any real benefit.
Many SME bosses are currently asking me the same question: "We hear so much about AI - but what does it really do for us?"
The uncertainty is great. Some rely on AI tools in the hope of quick success. But it often ends differently:
- Projects are not progressing.
- Costs rise unexpectedly.
- The new systems are hardly used in everyday life.
The result? Frustration. Waste of time. No return on investment (ROI).
We experienced it recently:
- A service provider introduced automated quotation generation - but employees continued to work as before because they didn't understand the opportunities.
- A production company relied on AI-supported maintenance - but the quality of the machine data was insufficient. The result was a standstill.
- A retailer hoped to reduce customer inquiries with chatbots - but customers weren't satisfied because the bot didn't know the important questions.
The technology wasn't the problem - the wrong priorities were. These companies have followed the hype instead of focusing on the real benefits.
This ensures that your AI investments pay off:
Step 1: Impact instead of hype
Rate each AI project according to two clear criteria:
- Business Impact: Does it increase sales, reduce costs or increase efficiency?
- Implementation effort: How much time does the project take? What are the costs? What skills do we need?
Organize all ideas into an AI ROI matrix:
▶ High potential, low effort → IMMEDIATELY implement (Quick Wins)
▶ High potential, high effort → PLANNING (Strategic projects)
▶ Low potential, low effort → TEST (Small optimizations)
▶ Low potential, high effort → STRIKE (time and money waster)
Step 2: Calculate ROI
The return on investment (ROI) of AI is not only calculated by Cost reduction. You can also measure success in other ways:
Time saving → Efficiency ROI: (hours saved × labor costs per hour) ÷ investment
More sales → growth ROI: (sales profit - investment) ÷ investment
Risk minimization → avoidance ROI: (Avoidable error costs or downtime) ÷ Investment
Example: An SME automates invoicing with AI:
▶ Saves 10 hours per week at CHF 50 per hour = CHF 500 per week
▶ Annual savings: CHF 26,000
▶ Costs of the AI solution: CHF 5,000 per year
ROI: (26,000 - 5,000) ÷ 5,000 = 420 %
Step 3: Where AI brings the greatest benefits for SMEs
These fields of application have proven their worth with SMEs:
▶ Productivity: AI assistants automate routine tasks (30-50 % efficiency gain).
▶ Distribution: AI-supported analyses increase the closing rate (20-40 % sales increase).
▶ Customer service: Chatbots drastically reduce response times (up to 70 % cost savings).
▶ Marketing: AI personalizes campaigns, campaign success increases (up to 3x higher engagement rate).
▶ Maintenance: Predictive maintenance prevents breakdowns (up to 40 % less downtime).
Use these figures as a guide for estimating your AI potential.
Step 4: Start small - but don't wait
▶ List all AI ideas for your company.
Prioritize the quick wins with the AI ROI matrix.
▶ Start your first project with low effort and high benefit.
▶ Measure the ROI after 3 months - adjust and scale further.
The goal is not perfection - it is momentum.
SMEs that start now are building the AI fitness that will set them apart in the future.
👉 Download the KI-ROI matrix (available in English).
