Why Mid-Market Companies Are The Real Winners in the AI Race
Ryan Frederick | June 4th, 2025 | Dublin, OH
McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, and others have issued reports indicating that companies are struggling to implement AI.
The reports don't adequately represent what mid-market, privately held companies are doing with AI based on our experience and engagements. We're seeing AI being adopted at a much faster pace than the reports would indicate.
Why the discrepancy? Mid-market, privately held companies are often overlooked in reports like those from the big consulting companies, which focus on enterprise companies. The mid-market is the forgotten market. However, mid-market are capable of leveraging new technologies faster and more meaningfully than enterprise companies because they are more nimble and open-minded.
We're seeing this with our clients and in conversations with prospective mid-market clients. The leaders of mid-market companies want the outcomes of greater efficiency, productivity, accuracy, and profit that AI can drive. Mid-market company owners and leaders wish for these outcomes and, in some cases, more than enterprise company leaders because the value of the outcomes increases their company's value and/or makes the company more competitive. Mid-market companies are treating AI, automation, and technology as assets to help them win market share and customers.
The personal net worth of mid-market company owners and leaders is a derivative of their company's worth. The best way to increase both is to take advantage of technology, and we're seeing this reflected in our work and conversations.
Undoubtedly, AI will benefit companies of all sizes and types; however, our work with mid-market companies suggests that they may benefit the most. Mid-market companies have long been backbone employers in communities across the country. They also make up the majority of companies that become ESOPs and are employee-owned. When you are that important to communities and your team members think and operate like owners, you are much more likely to be open to things like new technology that unlocks potential, provides outsized ROI, and drives increased profitability.
If you are a mid-market company owner or manager eager to understand why and how AI can help produce the operational and financial outcomes you desire. In that case, we can share stories of what we're experiencing with other mid-market companies that may also be relevant to you.
