For SMBs, digitalization starts with having the right tools and resources

At mealtime, a workstation is transformed into a dining table for a family of four. The sofa, once a spot for lounging, is now also a site for brainstorming sessions during daily meetings.

Such is the way of life in our newly mobile workspaces – one in which the home and the office have merged, giving us less breathing room than ever before.

In a recent survey of 1,600 small businesses in Asia conducted by HP Inc., 64% of respondents revealed that they were rethinking their business strategies as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, they pointed to the importance of innovation and flexible work options as well as having the right tools and services as they work towards recovery.

So how can small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) incorporate these approaches in order to thrive in this new reality?

Digital innovation is key

With global connectivity at an all-time high, digitalization seems to be the key to the survival – or revival – of businesses. And if done correctly, that could translate to increased revenue and productivity for SMBs in Singapore, which in turn could contribute up to US$24 billion to the city-state’s gross domestic product by 2024.

Small businesses, however, face a unique set of challenges. In Singapore, for instance, funding and financing issues are major hurdles to digital adoption. That sentiment is reflected across the board: 60% of SMBs in Asia either are unaware of the support schemes in place or consider government help to be insufficient.

Then there’s the fact that outdated technology can no longer serve a business’ needs, particularly in this age of micromobility.

“It’s a clear challenge to work in new spaces with very different mobility and productivity requirements than a regular office cubicle,” notes Vivian Chua, Singapore managing director for HP Inc. “We’ve gone from a ‘one PC per home’ to a ‘one PC per person’ environment.”

Vivian Chua, Singapore managing director for HP Inc. / Photo credit: HP Inc.

But the current landscape has also presented opportunities, particularly in the SMB space.

“Companies that pivoted their [models] to run events and support virtual meetings saw a huge jump in business in the last couple of months,” she explains. “Other SMBs that shifted their physical businesses to online were able to learn new skills for online retail and benefited from new experiences, customers, and sources of revenue.”

To this end, and also to meet consumers’ changing needs, one in five SMBs in Asia are looking to migrate their processes in preparation for a digital-first future.

Another opportunity lies in using the right hardware, which could boost revenue and productivity for SMBs by 50%. A multipurpose laptop with enhanced connectivity features, for instance, could promote efficiency by allowing on-the-go employees to switch between tasks, whether it’s delivering a virtual presentation or making video calls while on the commute between office and home. HP’s ProBook x360 435 G7 is one such laptop. Powered by AMD Ryzen 4000 Series mobile processors with Radeon Vega Graphics, the device is fully equipped to support SMB workers no matter where they work from.

The growth mindset

Given that SMBs have a smaller pool of employees, having the right talent is just as crucial to success. An EY survey, however, revealed that 62.5% of SMBs in Asia face difficulties in upskilling their workers, due to either hesitance or inertia.

To overcome this, some governments have already begun funneling funds into programs to push SMBs to a digital-first future. For example, Singapore’s long-running SkillsFuture program offers training subsidies to businesses, while Indonesia launched online courses in October to help 2,500 SMBs in their digital transformation.

“Businesses can view and use technology as a ‘new hire’ [to complement] existing resources,” suggests Chua. With almost 70% of SMBs in Asia expediting their digitalization. making calculated moves is important.

For SMBs watching their cash flow, HP for Business is an affordable platform with a host of tools and resources for small businesses. These include the HP Life program, which offers free self-learning online courses covering social media marketing and business communications, to name just two.

Photo credit: HP Inc.

Then there’s HP Business Boost, an all-encompassing monthly subscription plan that helps SMBs maximize their budgets without compromising on security or growth.

These resources, together with the right digital tools, could promote productivity for SMBs in this age of micromobility. “We give guidance where it’s needed, flex to ease pressure on our customers’ operating costs, and deliver innovation to help their businesses thrive,” shares Chua.

Ramping up security

As more companies look to go digital, however, data privacy has become a pressing issue. In particular, small businesses are often the target of large-scale cyberattacks because they have fewer lines of security and smaller IT budgets.

Since privacy and productivity are among the top concerns of SMBs, finding the right balance of innovation and flexibility is vital to growth.

HP and AMD are aiming to help with this pain point as well. Their suite of security features for notebooks and laptops includes HP Sure Start, which works to identify and clear threats on sensitive files. Additionally, malware concealed from web browsers can be tracked and detected by HP Sure Click, ensuring that productivity and security aren’t compromised. Then there’s AMD Memory Guard, which encrypts system memory to ensure that information cannot be extracted or deciphered from a stolen or misplaced laptop.

“With the right ecosystem of innovation, tools, and resources, SMBs will be able to meet their technology needs without the burden of a hefty upfront cost and time-consuming IT upkeep and management,” says Chua.

HP Inc. is a global brand that focuses on reinvention. It develops PCs, printers, and 3D printing solutions, with a vision to create technology that makes life better for everyone.

Its newest offering, the HP ProBook x360 435 G7 – powered by AMD Ryzen 4000 Series mobile processors with Radeon Vega Graphics – is fully equipped to support SMB workers no matter where they work from.

Find out more about the product and how HP’s other programs and platforms can help your SMB here. For pre-orders and to register interest, reach out to HP here.

This content was produced by Tech in Asia Studios, which connects brands with Asia’s tech community. Learn more about partnering with Tech in Asia Studios.