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A recent survey conducted by DYMO, part of the Global Technology Business Unit of Newell Rubbermaid, indicates small business owners are more motivated than ever to reach their goals, despite prolonged economic stress. Nearly one in three are more stressed at work than ever because they feel like they can’t get everything done that needs to get done, the survey found. However, 20 percent of small to medium-size business/small office-home office executives said current businesses stressors have led to increased productivity.
Results from the online survey of 501 SMB/SOHO executives show that high stress has led to an increase in the desire of small businesses to look professional. More than two-thirds say appearing professional makes them feel better about their business (68 percent), and more than half of respondents surveyed (52 percent) say they are organizing their office or business space to appear more professional. The majority of SMB/SOHO executives surveyed (68 percent) are increasing usage of technology in their day-to-day work to improve their own company’s professional appearance or organize their office space.
“Small businesses employ half of all U.S. workers and accounted for approximately 70 percent of net new jobs in the last decade,” said Jane Lloyd, DYMO brand manager for LabelWriter Printers. “That’s a powerful force in our economy that is feeling a lot of stress right now. The DYMO family of products is designed to help businesses be more productive, look professional and get things done.”
Many of the SMB owners agreed that two of the most stressful factors during these economic times are finding new business (43 percent) and generating cash flow (42 percent). “DYMO understands that by offering technology and tools that help businesses get organized and tackle daily office tasks, businesses can focus on the work at hand and overcoming these stressors to get to success,” said Lloyd.
DYMO offered a list of tips and tools to help make office life easier, including finding the right technology for the workspace so as to eliminate time spent on trivial tasks, using online products and services for shipping and mailing needs, and planning a day ahead with an actionable to-do list.
Lloyd said the intention of the survey was to gain deeper insight into how SMB/SOHO executives are being affected by the current economic climate. “The results confirm that there is a real need for technology products that help maximize business productivity and organization,” he said. “DYMO products offer a suite of clever solutions that let professionals outsmart their tasks-from label writers and small business mailing systems to business card scanning. We know little things can go a long way.”