This Week in Small Business Technology News
Inside the AI Strategies of Coca-Cola, Nike, & Starbucks
Top global brands are transforming their operations and customer interactions through artificial intelligence (AI). Companies like Coca-Cola, Nike, and Starbucks are not just adopting AI to enhance efficiency; they are leveraging it to create personalized experiences and drive revenue growth. Coca-Cola’s recent investment of $1.1 billion in AI, in partnership with Microsoft, exemplifies this trend. Their “Create Real Magic” holiday campaign featured an AI-driven, multilingual digital Santa, engaging over a million users across 26 languages.
Nike is integrating AI directly into its retail strategy. Utilizing RFID technology, the company recognizes customers upon entering stores, offering personalized product recommendations based on their profiles. Meanwhile, Starbucks’ Deep Brew AI platform harnesses data from its app users to fine-tune everything from staffing levels to inventory management and special offers.
Why This Is Important for Your Small Business:
For small businesses considering AI, taking cues from industry giants can yield valuable insights. The innovations and applications being developed in larger corporations often trickle down to smaller firms. By studying these successful models, you can explore AI solutions that enhance customer interactions and operational efficiencies in your own business.
Human Skills Drive High-Performing Teams in the AI Era
A fresh report from Deloitte reveals that even with the influx of AI technologies in workplaces, human capabilities are still critical to forming high-performing teams. Their study surveyed nearly 1,400 professionals to understand the dynamics that lead teams to consistently meet goals. It found that effective collaboration, trust, and respect among team members significantly influence performance.
In fact, high-performing teams are 2.3 times more likely to feel trusted by their leaders. Attributes like agility, autonomy, and a culture of learning were prevalent in these teams, with many members actively contributing to their colleagues’ growth.
Why This Is Important for Your Small Business:
As AI continues to evolve, many jobs will transform rather than disappear. Employees who embrace AI tools to enhance their productivity will emerge as indispensable assets. Fostering an environment that values trust, collaboration, and skill development will enable your team to leverage AI effectively while preserving the vital human elements of productivity and interaction.
Microsoft Bolsters Security in Teams
In a move to enhance security, Microsoft has rolled out new protective measures for Teams, effective January 12, 2026. These changes aim to safeguard organizations against common threats such as malware and phishing through multiple layers of built-in protection, all while minimizing the need for administrative intervention. Users can proactively report any erroneously blocked files or links to help improve security protocols.
Why This Is Important for Your Small Business:
Given the growing reliance on collaboration tools like Teams, staying updated with security improvements is vital. Ensuring your IT team implements these upgrades can provide an added layer of safety against cyber threats, safeguarding your business operations and sensitive information.
Wix vs. Weebly: The Better Website Builder
A comparative review conducted by Jordan Minor from PCMag affirms that Wix surpasses Weebly in several areas, including design flexibility, powerful tools, and customer support. With over 1,000 templates compared to Weebly’s 50, Wix also incorporates AI features that assist in content generation and site creation. Though both platforms offer free plans, Wix’s extensive offerings make it the preferred option for most users.
Why This Is Important for Your Small Business:
Evaluating your website builder options can significantly impact your online presence. While Wix emerges as the stronger choice for advanced features and design capabilities, Weebly could still be appealing for users valuing simplicity and cost. Assessing which platform aligns best with your business needs can pave the way for a more effective online strategy.
Google’s AI Inbox: A Glimpse into Gmail’s Future
Google is currently experimenting with an “AI Inbox” feature that reimagines how emails are displayed in Gmail. Instead of the traditional list format, this feature presents AI-generated tasks and topics derived from the email contents. While currently in testing phases, early feedback suggests that it simplifies the way users interact with their emails, despite some inaccuracies in relevance.
Why This Is Important for Your Small Business:
As Google Workspace continues to evolve, being aware of changes like the AI Inbox can give your team a competitive advantage. This new functionality could improve productivity by allowing users to search for information in a more intuitive manner. If your team extensively uses Gmail, prepare for these innovations to streamline communications and enhance organizational efficiency.
Each week, we bring you insights on essential technology stories that can impact your business. For more updates or to share interesting tech news, follow my X account @genemarks.
