How AI is Helping SMBs Improve Hiring and Employee Management With data-driven insights, CLA enables SMBs to adapt to workforce changes and create a more productive and supportive environment for employees.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping the modern workplace, and small- and medium-size businesses (SMBs) are beginning to experiment with AI tools that do everything from writing marketing copy to handling customer inquiries to automating repetitive tasks. AI's role in saving time and boosting productivity is undeniable.

"People who use AI are saving a tangible amount of time," says Alexander White, Principal at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), a top 10 accounting and professional services firm.

CLA works closely with SMBs to leverage AI's potential—even beyond basic automation. With the right tools, more companies are exploring how they can improve core business operations like human resources and talent management.

Reskilling for a changing workforce

As technology evolves, the skill requirements for many jobs are vastly different from five years ago. AI can help companies identify gaps and recruit candidates who can meet these new requirements.

CLA helps support SMBs by analyzing workforce data and using AI-driven tools that simplify the recruitment process, helping businesses find candidates aligned with their current and future needs.

Preserving valuable employee experience and knowledge

A common challenge SMBs face is losing the undocumented, informal knowledge that employees collect over years and decades. "For instance, people who have worked at companies for 40 years are getting ready to retire," says Leslie Boyd, Managing Principal of Industry at CLA. "They're taking with them all this knowledge."

AI can help capture information and make it accessible to newer workers. Boyd explains that some companies use voice recognition and transcription to document maintenance procedures or problem-solving methods throughout the workday. Younger employees can then use AI tools to search through this information and quickly find strategies that would otherwise take years to master.

White adds that this process allows these businesses to digitize information and improve operations, even as leadership transitions to a new generation. "AI helps us capture decades of hard-earned knowledge and turn it into scalable systems so the next generation can build on that foundation," he says.

Using data to improve talent management

Another significant opportunity for SMBs is leveraging data to improve employee retention and performance. White explains that AI models can connect forecasting demand, production scheduling, and employee data to identify patterns. This helps businesses understand why employees leave and how to retain them more effectively.

Boyd points out that AI provides clarity around workforce challenges. For example, it can analyze equipment data to determine whether operational issues are due to maintenance or training gaps. "Before, maintenance might blame operators, and operators might blame maintenance," she says. "Now there are insights that reveal if a specific shift or operator is struggling, which allows companies to address the root cause."

Supporting SMBs with actionable insights

CLA plays a critical role in helping businesses make the most of AI and data. They aim to empower businesses by turning large data sets into actionable insights. These insights improve operational efficiency and workforce management, enabling them to adapt to the evolving workplace confidently.

Boyd sums it up: "The technology available today allows small- and medium-size businesses to stay competitive by understanding their workforce better and making more informed decisions."

In a time of rapid change, CLA's extensive industry knowledge and AI tools offer SMBs a better way to manage their most important asset: their people.

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