The Opportunities and Challenges Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMB’s)Will Face This Holiday Season Shep Hyken interviews Kiel Harkness, Head of Global Marketing and Business Intelligence at UPS Capital®. They discuss how SMB's can compete with giant brands when it comes to problem resolution for delays, theft, and problems during the holiday season. Top Takeaways: The holidays are upon us! What does it mean for SMB's – and businesses of all sizes? That was the main focus of the interview. UPS commissioned research to find out what really matters to both small to medium business owners and their customers. Here's some good news, some challenges, and some opportunities. · Almost two-thirds of SMB's are going to make up to 20% of their sales during the holiday season. · Two-thirds of customers will spend at least $100 on SMB's during the holiday season. · 80% of businesses that were surveyed said that they are worried about inflation. Whether it is on the cost of production or their price point. · SMB's are 26% more worried about the delays, damage, and theft of the shipments than labor shortage. · Over 40% of SMB's say that they see an increase in porch piracy during the holidays. · 44% of consumers said that the lack of a strong problem resolution on a stolen or damaged goodwill cause them not to shop with an SMB again. · 35% of consumers said that it's a huge motivator for them to spend more with retailers who will guarantee the replacement of lost or damaged items. Quote: "44% of consumers said that the lack of a strong problem resolution on a stolen or damaged goods will cause them not to shop with an SMB again." About: Kiel Harkness, Head of Global Marketing and Business Intelligence at UPS Capital®. He led the Digital Transformation of UPS Capital US Domestic Go-to-Market. Supported rebranding of core digital offering and proposition. He manages and directs global UPS Capital Digital Marketing and Digital Properties, Channel Marketing, Business Intelligence, Product Development, Communications and Advertising, and International Field Marketing teams. Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and your host of Amazing Business Radio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
No persons identified in this episode.
This episode hasn't been transcribed yet
Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.
Popular episodes get transcribed faster
Other recent transcribed episodes
Transcribed and ready to explore now
#2426 - Cameron Hanes & Adam Greentree
16 Dec 2025
The Joe Rogan Experience
#2425 - Ethan Hawke
11 Dec 2025
The Joe Rogan Experience
SpaceX Said to Pursue 2026 IPO
10 Dec 2025
Bloomberg Tech
Don’t Call It a Comeback
10 Dec 2025
Motley Fool Money
Japan Claims AGI, Pentagon Adopts Gemini, and MIT Designs New Medicines
10 Dec 2025
The Daily AI Show
Eric Larsen on the emergence and potential of AI in healthcare
10 Dec 2025
McKinsey on Healthcare