How AI Receptionists Solve Hiring Crisis for SMBs
by Jared, Co-founder
One of the challenges that almost every business faces is hiring. The stakes are also high because hiring is fundamentally about finding people who have the necessary skills and are the right fit. The typical process is very resource intensive: advertise, interview, select, onboard, and train new staff. Given the vacancy to be filled, the hiring process often takes place precisely when a team is already stretched thin. Finding the balance between attracting top talent and managing the overcosts for their salaries is also a challenge for small and medium businesses (SMBs). Automata Partners can help you overcome many of these hurdles through an AI receptionist.
I. What does the data say for SMBs?
Hiring is hard, and has been especially difficult lately for small businesses. The struggle is real. In August 2025, reports indicate 81% of smaller companies looking to hire said there are few or no qualified applications for the positions they're trying to fill. According to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) April 2025 jobs report:
- 34% of small businesses had unfilled job openings,
- 47% couldn’t find qualified applicants, and
- 27% of SMBs said labor quality was their biggest challenge.
II. What are the primary challenges and solutions for SMBs?
There can be many factors behind these hiring challenges. However, one of the quick and easy can be hiring an AI receptionist through Automata Partners. Here is a summary of some of the hiring challenges many businesses face and how an AI receptionist resolves them.
| Challenge | AI Receptionist Solution |
|---|---|
| Labor quality and limited pool of qualified candidates There is often a significant gap between the number of available job openings and the number of qualified candidates. | An AI receptionist bypasses labor shortages entirely and can be fully qualified to handle your business' incoming calls the same day you create an account with Automata Partners. With customized training, the receptionist will quickly learn how your business operates and field queries. |
| Inefficient hiring process Hiring the right staff is resource intensive and usually includes advertising, interviewing, selecting, onboarding, and training new staff. Slow and cumbersome hiring processes are a drain on business resources and can lead to candidates being hired by competitors. | An AI receptionist is hired instantly. The entire process – no advertising or interviewing – through Automata Partners can be done in minutes, not months. And you have easy choices, such as their voice, greetings, and responses to frequently asked questions so the AI employee matches your brand. |
| Employee burnout and work-life balance Candidates are increasingly prioritizing work-life balance. Many employees prefer to work from home and they are not always willing to put in long hours during peak periods. Overworked employees also may lose their patience with customers or not stick around, which results in a continuous need for new hires. | An AI receptionist eliminates the stress of staff burnout and turnover. This AI employee will work 24/7/365 (evenings, weekends, and holidays) without ever complaining or needing to come into the office. Always polite and professional, the AI can even manage multiple incoming calls at once. Best of all? Once your account is set up with Automata Partners, you never need to hire a replacement. |
| Budget and time constraints Companies may not be able to afford top talent and feel the pressure to make quick decisions to address urgent staffing gaps but compromise quality. While business may be booming in some locations, housing and other rising costs are a significant factor in deciding where to live and work. | An AI receptionist dramatically relieves financial pressure and allows for immediate staffing. An AI receptionist costs less than $100 per month, a fraction of the $4,000/month or more required for a human full-time employee. This low subscription cost remains the same regardless of your business location, eliminating concerns over rising housing and living costs that impact salaries. |
| Competing with bigger companies and across industries Companies are competing with others in their industry, and with companies from every sector, including those in the gig economy that may offer more flexibility. | An AI receptionist levels the playing field for SMBs. By providing access to a high-tech, easy-to-navigate solution, SMBs can offer the same kind of 24/7 professional phone service that customers expect from larger enterprises. The service Automata Partners provides is applicable and effective across every industry. |
III. Conclusion
Automata Partners provides AI receptionists to help SMBs automate routine processes and break down business bottlenecks, like incoming calls. Our mission is to augment, not replace valuable team members. By reducing administrative burdens and overhead costs, the AI receptionist allows your existing team to focus on bringing their greatest value to your business, turning incoming calls into deals and revenue.