{"id":13650,"date":"2025-11-26T14:51:57","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T13:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/?p=13650"},"modified":"2025-12-09T14:54:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T13:54:12","slug":"digital-tools-sme-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/digital-tools-sme-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Survey results team.blue: appetite for digital, need for guidance"},"content":{"rendered":"

A recent team.blue survey (the European group behind Combell) among more than 8,200 companies in 32 countries reveals something encouraging: entrepreneurs want<\/em> to digitise and embrace AI. But at the same time, they hit a wall of uncertainty and doubt. The motivation is there but what\u2019s missing is the guidance to get started with confidence. That\u2019s exactly where Combell and the other team.blue<\/a> brands come in.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Download the full report from team.blue<\/h4>\n

Due to the rapid rise of digital tools and AI, many entrepreneurs do not know where to start. In this report, team.blue shares insights from 8,200 European SMEs about their digital readiness, stumbling blocks and need for guidance.<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Download the full Digital Maturity Report here<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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TL;DR<\/p>\n

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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\u2019t 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The digital basics are in place - but it often stops there<\/h2>\n

Running a business today means juggling constant change. New tools, new ways to reach customers, rising expectations \u2026<\/strong> and on top of that, the rapid rise of AI.<\/p>\n

Most companies now have their digital fundamentals sorted:<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>a website<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>social media<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>cloud storage and online collaboration tools<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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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.<\/p>\n

The gap between \u201cbeing online\u201d and \u201ctruly growing online\u201d remains significant. Many business owners will recognise these questions:<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\u201cWhich tools actually matter for my business?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\u201cHow do I tackle this if I don\u2019t have the time?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\u201cWhat will this really<\/em> bring me?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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As Jimmy Cappaert, Managing Director at Combell<\/strong>, summarises:<\/p>\n

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Entrepreneurs aren\u2019t \u2018digitally tired\u2019, they simply need someone who helps them choose what genuinely works for their business.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Uncertainty, time and knowledge are major blockers<\/h2>\n

The survey highlights the main obstacles:<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>30%<\/strong> don\u2019t know which digital tools to choose.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>26%<\/strong> feel insufficiently skilled to use them well.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>20%<\/strong> lack the time or resources.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Confidence in selecting and using tools scores only 6\/10<\/strong> on average.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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That doesn\u2019t mean entrepreneurs lack ambition, far from it. They feel overwhelmed by the number of options and the pressure to figure everything out themselves.<\/p>\n

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AI adoption is growing fast but confidence lags behind<\/h2>\n

AI is clearly on the rise:<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>20%<\/strong> already use AI intensively.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>30%<\/strong> are experimenting with it.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Marketing (copy, social posts, website content) is a popular entry point; low risk, high value. AI helps them work faster and more creatively.<\/p>\n

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

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

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Entrepreneurs are asking for more guidance<\/h2>\n

The message from the survey is crystal clear: entrepreneurs aren\u2019t asking for more<\/em> tools. They want direction and support.<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>50%<\/strong> say step-by-step guidance would significantly improve their digital skills.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>42%<\/strong> want help selecting the right tools.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>38%<\/strong> ask for training and workshops.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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They\u2019re 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?<\/p>\n

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Voorbode voor blokje omtrent Combell's \"real people\" support.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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How Combell and team.blue help entrepreneurs move forward<\/h2>\n

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<\/strong> and trustworthy guidance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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As Jimmy Cappaert puts it:<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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User-friendly tools as a solid foundation<\/h3>\n

We help entrepreneurs start with confidence:<\/p>\n