2026年中小企业制胜之道

Executive Summary03 Why Small Businesses Are Going for It05 AI Adoption: The Equalizer Small Businesses Need08 Brand Credibility: Break Through the Crowd13 Networks: The New Currency17 A Blueprint for Small Business Growth20 Methodology &Endnotes24 Small businesses—which account for roughly90% of all businesses and70% of globalGDP1—arenavigating a defining era. This surge signals a mindset shift towardentrepreneurial thinking. The willingnessto experiment and take decisive actionapplies to every small business, whetheryou're launching this year or celebratingyour 20th anniversary. Technology is moving faster, earningattention is harder than ever, and trustand relationships matter more. Theseshifts are reshaping how businesses setpriorities for the future. For those choosing to start a business,the question is how to navigate changeeffectively. Signals from 160 millionprofessionals across 18+ million smallbusinesses on LinkedIn reveal three clearpaths forward. AI adoption gives youspeed and scale. Brand credibility buildsthe visibility and trust that make peoplenotice. Networks create the influence thatturns attention into opportunity. Together,these three forces are emerging as thenew growth engines for small businesses. At the same time, the entrepreneurialspirit is taking off. Nearly 4 in 10professionals across the globe say AI hasmade them more likely to start their ownbusiness.2The number of membersadding “founder” to their profile hasjumped 60%year-over-yearand nearlytripled since July2022.3People aren'tjust reacting to toughtimes,they'rechoosing to build something new andtake control of their future. Brand Credibility: BreakingThrough the Crowd. AI Adoption: The EqualizerSmall Businesses Need. The stakes and opportunitiesare enormous. Networks:The New Currency. When attention is scarce consumers turn tothe brands they trust and believe in. Buildinga strong and credible brand is how smallbusinesses can break through the crowd. It’sno surprise that in 2026 building a strong brandand reputation isn’t just a goal for small businessowners across key markets globally—it is oneof their top strategicpriority (38%).8 Generative AI could unlock trillions inglobal productivity, with small andmedium-sized businesses poised tocapture 30% or more of that value.15Butadoption of new technology alone won'tdetermine who wins. Brand credibility,and relationships will separate thebusinesses that grow from those that stall. Adopting new technology is the biggestopportunity for small businesses today:45% say it's their toppriority4and roughly60% say it's key to growing their business.5 Professionals at small businesses in the USare growing their networks faster: 17%year-over-year, compared with 10% atlarger companies.11Across globalmarkets, 70% of professionals say buildinghuman relationships and networks ismore important thanever.1273% of smallbusiness leaders across key marketsglobally say networking is key to businessgrowth, and 39% see it primarilyas a waytofind new customers.13 And it’s not just about adoptingAI,it’sabout building the skills to use it. AIproficiency isaccelerating:US companieswith 11-50 workers saw AI engineeringskills growing 19% year-over-year,outpacing large companies at 14%. Overthe same time-period, AI literacy surged44% in that same group.6Smart smallbusinesses aren't choosing between AIengineering skills and peopleskills,they'reinvesting in both. In fact, more than 75% ofglobal companies agree that people skillsare even more important in the age of AI.7 Audiences don’t just take companies at facevalue anymore. They check with trusted sourcesfirst.In fact, 72% of global small businessmarketerssaybuyersgut-check informationwithpeoplethey trust, and 75% say networks play a big rolein vetting brands. That’s why authenticitymatters more than ever. 77% of global smallbusiness marketers are doubling down oncommunity-driven content—think creators,experts, and employee voices—becausevisibility grabs attention and trust fuels growth.9 Small businesses aren’t just buildingnetworks,they’re using them to movefaster and grow smarter. Data shows, 63%of global small business professionals saytrusted input from their community helpsthem make decisions more quickly.14Andit's not just advice—mentorship andaccess to professional connections arefueling growth for more than half of smallbusinesses. Andsmall businesses across key marketsglobally are investing in this in the long termwith 74% citing brand building as keytoachieving their3-5 yeargoals.10 Why Small BusinessesAre Going for It According to LinkedIn's Workforce ConfidenceIndex, 40% of US professionals say they want towork for themselvesin the near future, andthey'retaking action. Year-Over-Year Increase in Members Adding Founder to their Profile by Country Part of what's fueling this confidence:More than 60% of small business leaders acrossglobal markets say starting and running abusiness is easier today because ofAI.16 LinkedIn