Small business owners, it’s your time to shine! 2017’s Small Business Week will take place from April 30th through May 6, 2017. Since 1963, Small Business Week has showcased the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small businesses, which employ more than half the U.S. population, drive innovation, and create about 2 of every 3 new jobs. In fact, there are almost 28 million small businesses in the United States, outnumbering corporations 1162 to 1. 1
Here at Xerox we keep the needs of small and medium size businesses (SMBs) in mind every day, which is why we’re giving you the inside scoop on what is hot in the SMB market, and how you can leverage Small Business Week to promote your business.
Trends to Watch
- The paperless office. The paperless office will be a growing trend in 2017 as businesses increasingly turn toward new software tools to help them securely manage their files online for increased efficiency at a decreased cost. Topping the list is Scan to Email, which gives you faster search, easier routing, and gives you the option to scan old documents and make new, editable versions. This quick tutorial will help you set it up in a flash.
- Going Mobile. Today’s workplace is no longer static, boxed in between four walls. Today work travels with the employee, and it happens wherever they need – or want – to be. In order for that to happen successfully, employees must be able to access, store and send business-critical information reliably and with ease. That starts with providing workers with the right equipment, like the Xerox® Duplex Travel Scanner, which recently won “Outstanding Mobile Scanner for Business” in BLI’s Winter 2017 Pick Awards. Employees can scan to email, cloud services, network folders, Microsoft SharePoint, and other platforms with just a few clicks, and it is USB powered, which enables employees to convert paper documents to searchable PDF files.
- Automation. Automation will have a huge impact on SMBs in 2017 thanks to cloud-based platforms that bring automation to businesses of all sizes, at minimal cost. The new Xerox VersaLink® range of color and mono A4 multifunction printers (MFPs) and single function printers have capabilities that exceed those of traditional MFPs and printers, empowering you to simplify complex workflow steps into a single click with an ever-growing list of intuitive apps that connect you to the cloud services you use every day from the Xerox App Gallery.
- Digital Security. As the use of cloud-based software and scanning grows, so do concerns about securing the information they carry. With the new Versalink® products from Xerox, unauthorized users will be unable to access your device without local authentication and/or card authentication. For an extra layer of security, VersaLink harnesses stringent data encryption, secure overwrite, as well as security on individual documents, allowing you to focus on your business and not worry about looming data threats.
Promoting Your Business during Small Business Week
As Small Business week approaches, prepare to increase your visibility and show your business in its best light. Encourage customers to shop small with a Small Business Week marketing campaign that reaches the right audience without breaking the bank. These free tools for in-house small business marketing are a great place to start.
This is also a great opportunity to amplify your social media presence by using #SmallBusinessWeek and other SMB related hashtags on Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Share your backstory on Facebook, and connect with other SMBs on platforms like LinkedIn to raise awareness of Small Business Week and the importance of small businesses to the economy.
Staying abreast of emerging SMB trends and industry news and events helps you stay ahead of the (perpetually advancing) technology curve, and also helps you to find and connect with your customers. For more tips to help you lead instead of follow, subscribe to the Small Business Solutions blog today
1 According the US Small Business Association Office of Advocacy https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/FAQ_Sept_2012.pdf
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