10 Platforms Powering the Next Generation of Small Business

Small business is the driving force of the economy, contributing 64 percent of all new private-sector jobs. But almost every small business struggles with scarce resources, expertise and technology to efficiently operate and grow. New online platforms are now transforming the way small businesses operate in every industry.

Online platforms are replacing legacy systems that have previously been offline, one-to-one, expensive and lacking transparency. The platforms of the future are technology-enabled, one-to-many, efficiently accessed, and driven by transparent marketplace dynamics. They will transform the productivity and output of small businesses everywhere, with massive effects on the economy.

So what are these platforms and how do they work? Let’s take 10 of the most critical needs for a small business in any industry.

1. Finding Customer Leads

The old way: Yellow Pages, local newspapers and classifieds.

The new way: Thumbtack.

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