For companies in the lower middle market (LMM) — those generating $10M–$100M in revenue — resources are always stretched. Teams wear multiple hats, margins are thin, and every efficiency gain matters. That’s exactly why artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a force multiplier.

But for many business owners and operators, the hardest part is knowing where to start. The possibilities feel endless, yet the budget and bandwidth are limited. The smartest move is to focus first on the workflows that deliver quick, measurable wins.

Based on research and real-world examples, here are three processes every LMM company should consider automating with AI.

1. Quoting and Proposal Generation

In manufacturing, construction, or services, quoting is the heartbeat of growth. Yet in many mid-market companies, it’s also painfully manual. Employees sift through SKUs, check pricing sheets, and compile documents by hand. Quotes can take hours — sometimes days.

AI changes the game. By pulling from existing data (pricing, specs, customer history), AI can generate draft quotes or proposals in minutes. Employees simply review, adjust, and send.

The results are significant:

• Faster response times, giving you an edge in competitive bids
  
  

• Consistent pricing and formatting, reducing errors
  
  

• More capacity for employees to focus on customer relationships instead of paperwork
  
  

In one example, a $40M specialty manufacturer cut quote turnaround from two days to two hours, leading to a higher win rate on new business and happier sales reps.

2. Data Aggregation and Reporting

If quoting is the heartbeat, reporting is the nervous system. Every LMM leader has lived the frustration: multiple systems, scattered spreadsheets, and days lost every month compiling data for board packs, forecasts, or operations reviews.

AI-powered data aggregation can do this instantly. Tools can connect to your CRM, ERP, and financial software, then pull the numbers into a live dashboard — updated daily.

The benefits are twofold:

• Time savings: Employees reclaim days each month that were previously spent copying and pasting.
  
  

• Better decision-making: Leaders see accurate, real-time insights instead of waiting for backward-looking reports.
  
  

Over 80% of small businesses using AI report improved efficiency and decision-making, and reporting automation is one of the clearest ways to achieve it.

3. Customer Service and Support

Customer experience is where LMM companies often shine — personal, responsive, human. But providing that level of service around the clock is expensive, if not impossible, with small teams.

Enter AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants. These tools can handle routine inquiries — from product specs to account questions — 24/7. They don’t replace human reps; they filter out the repetitive work so your people can focus on solving complex issues and building relationships.

The impact is tangible:

• Businesses using AI chatbots have seen customer retention increase by up to 20%
  
  

• AI is projected to handle 70% of customer interactions by 2025, with a 30% improvement in satisfaction
  
  

For a regional distributor or service firm, that means delivering “big company service” with a lean team.

Why These Three First?

Quoting, reporting, and customer service are universal pain points. They are:

• Repetitive: Work that AI handles well
  
  

• Measurable: Hours saved and faster turnaround show up clearly in ROI
  
  

• Critical: Improvements in these areas directly impact revenue, customer satisfaction, and margin
  
  

By starting here, you build trust in AI across your team and leadership. Employees see the value, customers feel the difference, and financial results speak for themselves.

Moving Forward

AI doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with the workflows that matter most: quoting, reporting, and customer service. From there, you can expand into forecasting, inventory, HR, and beyond.

If you’d like help identifying and piloting these high-impact use cases in your business, we’d love to talk. Schedule an AI Opportunity Assessment with us, and let’s map out the first three workflows that will deliver ROI for your company.

Because in the lower middle market, efficiency isn’t just an advantage — it’s survival.