Constant Contact’s just-released ANZ Small Business Now report spotlights that the small-to-medium enterprises (SMBs) of New Zealand and Australia are more upbeat and more ready for 2025 than the US, UK, and Canada.
The survey of over 1,600 owners of small businesses with less than 100 workers and eight or fewer years in business paints the region’s entrepreneur picture.
ANZ SMBs head the way in confidence and readiness
- 49% of ANZ SMBs who responded reported that they were “high” on business growth confidence for 2025, out in front of all regions polled.
- 88% have confidence they will be ready to handle surprise marketplace shifts in the current year, the most prepared of all the regions polled, with 34% saying “very prepared.”
- 76% plan to apply AI to marketing for 2025, higher than other regions moving into this technology.
- A Stronger Resilient Region Arises
Recent interest rate cuts in Australia and New Zealand have fueled economic optimism, boosting confidence among small business owners who weathered difficult times in 2024.
“Having weathered economic storms with less, ANZ SMBs are emerging stronger,” said Renee Chaplin, VP Asia Pacific at Constant Contact. “Surprisingly, 94% of the respondents said they’d still choose entrepreneurship if they had their time over again, even with the unknowns they’d face.”
ALSO READ: 2025: A pivotal year for Australian SMEs facing trump’s tariffs
Challenges remain, but growth is ahead
Optimism is widespread, but challenges remain: 35% of ANZ SMBs cited economic drivers like inflation and interest rates as their top concern for 2025, tied with customer experience as the biggest anticipated effect (second to the US at 40%). 48% identified acquiring new customers as their greatest marketing challenge, second to Canada (51%). However, ANZ SMBs are not undeterred. Besides the 49% with high confidence, 43% are “somewhat confident” concerning opportunities for growth, the most optimistic region in the survey.
“SMBs here have weathered inflation, supply chain disruptions, and elevated rates, but they’re the most confident anywhere on the planet,” Chaplin said. “Their resilience and future-focused mindset are a good omen for what’s ahead.” Anne Nalder, CEO and Founder of Small Business Association of Australia, felt the same way: “With 98% of Australia’s business landscape made up of small businesses, this boosted confidence is a godsend. With tools like Constant Contact, they can ride this wave.”
Tech and AI: The great levelers
ANZ SMBs, increasingly born digital, are depending heavily on technology:
- 93% consider it fundamental to their success.
- 76% plan to utilize AI in marketing in 2025, which is the biggest percentage globally.
From 41% deploying AI to content creation (writing, social media posting, and design), to 37% tailoring customer experiences and 35% applying data to inform, ANZ SMBs lead all markets on these use cases.
“This group is using AI to be wiser at work, freeing them up for innovation and customer focus,” Chaplin added. “With 60% as their leading driver, in their reports, for work-life balance worldwide—highest across all markets—technology is helping them reclaim downtime.”.
“SMBs have been operating lean for years, using low-cost tools to support their marketing,” Chaplin added. “Their sophisticated use of AI reflects a sophisticated understanding of what it can do.” Nalder complemented this trend: “Our integration with Constant Contact equips small businesses with professional yet simple solutions to stay ahead.” Since ANZ SMBs are equipped with resilience, technology adoption, and optimism, they’re poised to lead the way in 2025, proving that during uncertainty, opportunity blooms.
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