Powering Small and Medium Business’ through Adaptive Technology

As the global pandemic continues to affect small businesses across Canada and the globe, it’s become increasingly important to find digital solutions that keep these engines of our country’s economy running smoothly. While Canadian SMBs have shown a remarkable ability to adapt and grow to service their customers in these unpredictable times – adjusting to the new work-from-home mode, changing how goods and services are delivered, increasing their e-commerce presence – they have done so by evaluating how technology can help fuel their new business norms.

With the ever-changing SMB landscape, we asked a few members of our leadership team at Samsung Canada to reflect on emerging trends, innovative SMB solutions they’ve observed, and how businesses can best embrace this disruptive time.

WFH is HTS (here to stay)

According to Statistics Canada, more than 40% of Canadians found themselves working from home as a result of the pandemic — and 25% of businesses are expected to continue to offer the option well into 2021. For many small businesses this poses a challenge in how to effectively collaborate, lead and innovate with teams, from disparate, work environments.

“Working away from the office presents hurdles for many employees. Some grapple with the grey area between work and home and necessary boundaries around work hours. Coupled with the potential need for many working women to also manage childcare and potentially, multi-generational family responsibilities, efficiency is a word I hear a lot. To reach the sweet spot of productivity, new tools are needed but some are reluctant to introduce these given the potential learning curves for employees. This is why it’s important that we focus on helping deliver reliable, efficient and easy to use technology solutions that answer the call of the new realities of SMB’s.” — Jennifer Safruk, Vice President of Mobile Sales and Product Management

“Samsung has seen an elevated interest in monitors and home office tech as many SMBs outfit their homes to run their businesses. These products are critical to business success with consumers expecting the same level of service, no matter where the business is based. Having the right tools at home keeps employees engaged and productive to keep customers happy and business on track.”– Mary Peterson, Vice President of IT & Enterprise Solutions

Focus on the customers and the business will come

The pandemic has also seen many SMBs evolve their operations dramatically. With customers expecting immediate digital access to their favourite small business, industries including retail, food, professional and personal services have had to make a rapid shift. Some have embraced fully online digital models; others have adapted to a hybrid. With this in mind, it’s important to consider a mobile-first experience when considering how consumers interact with information about a business.

“Adopting a mobile-first strategy helps companies pave a path to success, and meet consumer expectations. Samsung devices empower small businesses to be more productive while keeping their data secure and safe. Our newer devices help future-proof SMBs as businesses increasingly shift online. Customers have high expectations, and they expect seamless digital transactions.” — Jennifer Safruk, Vice President of Mobile Sales and Product Management

Cool, calm and connected 

Samsung is a global leader in connected products for home and business, and the trend of a ‘connected home’ is more relevant than ever with digital appliances. While many may think of larger retailers when they think of appliances, SMBs are a valuable resource for consumers.

“Smaller suppliers are continuing to change and evolve to meet the needs of their customers. For example, in the appliance space, SMBs have developed expertise in selling Samsung-connected consumer electronics products as well as installing these products in consumers’ homes and businesses. Custom installations and services generate both incremental revenue and profits for SMBs.” — Warner Doell, Head of Consumer Electronics

“This space has changed and continues to change. I strongly believe that independent dealers are in a much better position to show Smart Home Appliances in a real home setting that can be more realistic and relevant than what we often see at major big box retailers.  They have the staff and expertise, and they can use this to their advantage as they become increasingly more relevant in this space than ever before.” — Anand Majithia, Vice President Sales & Product Management

“Many independent dealers in the home entertainment space are able to be nimble and innovate quickly to showcase the lifestyle use case of a new product. They can react faster to changing trends not only in design, but consumer attitudes and shopping behaviours.” — Pat Bugos, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Home Entertainment

Samsung is making it easier for SMBs

Samsung solutions are built for organizations of all sizes that want turnkey, secure solutions. Business TV, for example, is a new display solution allowing businesses to share information such as menus or important updates on a screen, without requiring IT or a designer.

“Our Business TV App allows a full customization of business messages in a professional-looking manner. And if the name of the game is quick and easy, this is the right tool. As business protocols and requirements change through this year and beyond, having the ability to communicate important messages quickly is critical.”– Mary Peterson, Vice President of IT & Enterprise Solutions

Samsung offers a complete suite of solutions for SMBs’ varied security and IT needs. Security is built in at the chip level to Samsung devices during the manufacturing process with Samsung Knox.

“IT needs differ greatly among SMBs, depending on the size of the business. Smaller businesses typically don’t have the resources for a dedicated in-house IT employee, and those that do have a vastly accelerated workload due to the pandemic: they are now managing multiple devices for employees remotely rather than helping out on site in the office, where it’s a bit easier to troubleshoot” – Jennifer Safruk, Vice President of Mobile Sales and Product Management  

Whether a small or medium sized business, Samsung solutions are built with productivity, manageability and security in mind. With reliable and adaptable technology and an ecosystem of products that work together to suit any needs, Samsung is the right partner for SMBs.