Common challenges include funding, staffing, and even how, when, and where to work. In Britain alone, the UK government reports that you will be competing with another 5.5 million small businesses. In fact, competition is just one of the reasons one in every five businesses do not survive past their first year, according to Investopedia.

The impact of the pandemic has permanently reset the way we live, work, and conduct business.  This has ultimately led to many corporate workers thinking very differently about office life, including SMB business leaders who are keen to embrace the ‘new normal’.

The hybrid working environment has presented SMBs with additional challenges, particularly in simplifying the technology used to streamline operations. Many tools for office management are designed for enterprises with IT specialists, which is something SMBs don’t have the time or budgets to invest in.

SMBs are wasting valuable time with inefficient technology that could instead be spent on important business operations. It’s critical for SMBs to make their own lives easier and invest in helpful technology that doesn’t drain resources.

Whatever the challenge, time is often the most precious resource for any new business and making efficient use of it could determine the success or failure of the business.

How to solve technology issues faced by SMBs

One company looking to resolve the pain points SMBs face when managing office space, particularly in the hybrid working environment, is HP Inc. with HP+ for business.

HP+ for business is a smart printing system that allows for the reliable management of a fleet of printers and is available with the new HP LaserJet Pro 3000 and 4000 series printers. The solution alleviates pressure and workloads within office management.

Without the need for any tech admin, HP+ printers make it easier for business owners to pursue their passions by taking care of those small IT problems that can become major issues when running a business:

• HP+ allows the small business owner to undertake a range of tasks, from printing to their office printer from home, to scanning important documents all by using the HP Smart app

• Supports a flexible workforce, allowing owners to manage all business printers in any location through the simple Smart Admin Dashboard

• Streamlines the logistical aspect of ordering printer toner with HP’s smart supplies subscription, Instant Ink for Business. Instant Ink for Business is an automated supplies service that automatically delivers printer toner for multiple users, devices and addresses which utilises consolidated billing to minimise admin
• Always up to date with the latest security features, utilising HP Wolf Pro Security, and has 24/7 automated monitoring to ensure your information, and all of your fleet, are secure.

HP is one of the most sustainable tech companies in the world, with the goal to become the world’s most sustainable. More than 875 million Original HP Ink and Toner Cartridges have been recycled by customers with HP Planet Partners.

With HP Instant Ink for Business, toner cartridges require less packaging and fewer shipments, and you can return your cartridges with the prepaid envelopes and be a part of HP’s closed loop cartridge recycling programme.

When utilising HP+, you’re helping to give more back to forests – through sustainable forest restoration and protection – than the impact of your printing. HP’s Forest Positive initiative maintains commitments to sustainable sourcing of paper whilst restoring and protecting forests around the world.

 Putting HP+ for business to the test

To demonstrate how HP+ can help SMBs, we thought we’d ask a small business to trial HP+ themselves and tell us what their first-hand experience has been.

Hylo is an athletic footwear startup based in the UK. Founded in 2020, the company uses materials science to create running shoes that deliver high performance for athletes and low impact for the planet.  

The brand’s launch shoe is vegan, uses renewable materials, is recyclable and has a 52% lower carbon footprint compared with the average running shoe. The brand is focused on building a community of Athletes for Planet, using their platforms to influence positive change.

Earlier this year, the company raised a Series A round of £2.5 million.

Over the next month, Hylo will be testing out the new HP LaserJet Pro 3000 and 4000 series with HP+ and seeing if they can solve some of the pain points often felt by SMBs, as discussed above. The printers will be based at Hylo’s offices, being utilised by the 15 members of staff, and also in some staff’s home offices, to really test the hybrid working set-up.

Look out for Issue 28 of Startups Magazine where Hylo will provide feedback on HP+ for business!