Survey results team.blue: appetite for digital, need for guidance

  • 26 November 2025
  • Reading time: 4 min
  • News

A recent team.blue survey (the European group behind Combell) among more than 8,200 companies in 32 countries reveals something encouraging: entrepreneurs want to digitise and embrace AI. But at the same time, they hit a wall of uncertainty and doubt. The motivation is there but what’s missing is the guidance to get started with confidence. That’s exactly where Combell and the other team.blue brands come in.

TL;DR

The new team.blue survey among 8,200 European companies shows that SMEs and self-employed professionals are eager to adopt digital tools and AI, but often don’t know where to begin. Uncertainty, lack of time and insufficient expertise hold them back. What entrepreneurs want most is clear guidance and reliable support. That’s precisely where Combell and team.blue make the difference: with user-friendly tools, strong local support and years of expertise that make digital growth achievable and secure.

The digital basics are in place - but it often stops there

Running a business today means juggling constant change. New tools, new ways to reach customers, rising expectations … and on top of that, the rapid rise of AI.

Most companies now have their digital fundamentals sorted:

a website
social media
cloud storage and online collaboration tools

These essentials help them stay visible and credible. But once things become more complex - CRM systems, automation, or AI - a large segment of entrepreneurs drop out.

The gap between “being online” and “truly growing online” remains significant. Many business owners will recognise these questions:

“Which tools actually matter for my business?”
“How do I tackle this if I don’t have the time?”
“What will this really bring me?”

As Jimmy Cappaert, Managing Director at Combell, summarises:

Entrepreneurs aren’t ‘digitally tired’, they simply need someone who helps them choose what genuinely works for their business.

Uncertainty, time and knowledge are major blockers

The survey highlights the main obstacles:

30% don’t know which digital tools to choose.
26% feel insufficiently skilled to use them well.
20% lack the time or resources.
Confidence in selecting and using tools scores only 6/10 on average.

That doesn’t mean entrepreneurs lack ambition, far from it. They feel overwhelmed by the number of options and the pressure to figure everything out themselves.

AI adoption is growing fast but confidence lags behind

AI is clearly on the rise:

20% already use AI intensively.
30% are experimenting with it.

Marketing (copy, social posts, website content) is a popular entry point; low risk, high value. AI helps them work faster and more creatively.

Still, 25% say they have no plans to use AI. For businesses older than 10 years, that rises to 60%. The biggest concern? A lack of trust around safety, accuracy and brand consistency.

At the same time, over half believe AI can give them a competitive advantage. But 22% say they lack the knowledge to use it effectively. The opportunity is huge but entrepreneurs want certainty.

Entrepreneurs are asking for more guidance

The message from the survey is crystal clear: entrepreneurs aren’t asking for more tools. They want direction and support.

50% say step-by-step guidance would significantly improve their digital skills.
42% want help selecting the right tools.
38% ask for training and workshops.

They’re not looking for complex AI theories, they want practical help: what fits my business, how does it work, and how do I start without risk?

Voorbode voor blokje omtrent Combell's "real people" support.

How Combell and team.blue help entrepreneurs move forward

Combell is part of team.blue, a European ecosystem of 60+ digital brands serving 3.5 million SME customers. That scale gives us two things entrepreneurs need most: accessible tools and trustworthy guidance.

As Jimmy Cappaert puts it:

The survey confirms what we hear from customers every day: they want to evolve, but not blindly. Our role is to make online success simple, safe and achievable.

User-friendly tools as a solid foundation

We help entrepreneurs start with confidence:

Always with one clear goal: removing technical complexity as an obstacle, so you can focus on running your business.

Een paar van Combell zijn tools

From standalone tools to meaningful growth

Not every tool is relevant for every company. That’s why we help you choose based on your goals:

Insights from the Digital Maturity Report show us where entrepreneurs get stuck and how to lower those barriers.

Human support and real expertise

Digitalisation and AI don’t have to feel like a black box. That’s why Combell and team.blue invest heavily in:

accessible support teams with real human experts
intuitive tools
clear guides and practical articles
advice based on your specific situation

Combell prepares you for your next digital step

The conclusion from the team.blue survey is clear: entrepreneurs are open to digital tools and AI, but they need guidance to get started confidently and effectively.

And that is precisely where Combell and team.blue make the difference:

Not just supplying technology, but helping entrepreneurs understand and trust digital tools. Discover together with Combell and team.blue which digital or AI step will yield the most for your business!

Download the full team.blue report

See how other companies approach digital readiness and embrace AI.