Prepare for the new year with resources, trainings and deals from Microsoft Store
For many, the holidays bring quality time with loved ones, delicious seasonal treats and nostalgic traditions. The backbone of many of these festivities are a vibrant network of small businesses, such as local bakeries, florists and retailers, that make up 89% of all businesses in the U.S.* As small businesses work to bring festive magic to life for their communities, this holiday season may be especially daunting due to inflation, supply chain shortages, staffing concerns and other challenges. To ease some of the seasonal pressure, we compiled tips, deals and other resources to help small businesses prepare for the new year.Peace, joy and data security
As the holidays approach and online traffic increases, data security becomes a heightened issue for small businesses. It’s critical to put proper data security measures in place, take the time to safeguard devices and provide teams with the knowledge to prevent data theft. However, according to Microsoft Store’s “Small Business State of Mind” report — a survey of 1,000 U.S. small business owners with 0-24 employees — nearly half (47%) of small business owners in the U.S. have not invested much in data security and are hoping to avoid a data breach**. Microsoft 365 helps small businesses be productive from any location, while maintaining enterprise-level safety and security protections for their data. Built-in features that come with a Microsoft 365 subscription help business owners stay compliant with the latest security and privacy regulations without spending additional time or resources on securing on-premises software. To further ease the stress surrounding data security, business owners can get 10% off Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium for a limited time. Terms and conditions apply. Shop and learn more about Microsoft 365 for Business plans.Capture seasonal savings for your business
Over half (51%) of small business owners rank inflation as the current biggest threat to their business**. With the right technology, small businesses and their teams can work smarter, not harder. And there’s no better time for small businesses to purchase tech than during holiday sales, starting with the Surface deals running through Dec. 31, 2022.
- Surface Pro 8 for Business Essentials Bundle – Save up to $525.80 when you bundle Pro 8. This bundle includes Surface Pro 8 for Business and Surface Pro Signature Keyboard to combine the power of a laptop with the flexibility of a tablet, plus a Microsoft Complete Protection Plan.
- Surface Laptop 4 for Business Essentials Bundle – Save up to $351.80 when you bundle Laptop 4. This bundle includes the stylish, ultra-thin Surface Laptop 4 for Business and mouse in the color of your choice, plus a Microsoft Complete Protection Plan for Business.
- Surface Pro 7+ for Business Essentials Bundle – Save up to $349.80 when you bundle Pro 7+. This bundle includes Surface Pro 7+ for Business with its high-speed performance and up to 15 hours of battery life***, Type Cover in the color of your choice and a Microsoft Complete Protection Plan.
Take advantage of educational resources
From the backroom to the frontlines and everything in between, today’s small business owners are busier than ever working to drive their business forward and don’t always have access to or the time to find the resources they need. In fact, it was found that 82% of small business owners don’t get all their work done in the standard 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. time frame, while 62% work on vacation**. Those searching for support and help to drive efficiency can access Microsoft Store’s Small Business Resource Center which provides the right tools at business owners’ fingertips. With an extensive library of free workshops and trainings, small business owners can brush up on topics such as collaboration, customer engagement, entrepreneurial inspiration from peers and more. For increased productivity and flexibility in their work or to better understand essential features of Surface for Business devices, Microsoft 365 and Windows Pro, small businesses can take advantage of free, one-on-one business consultations with a product expert from the comfort of their own home or office.
As small business owners march toward the new year, Microsoft Store serves as a tech partner – providing necessary tools, when they are needed. We invite all to check out free resources and deals or connect with a product expert for support in moving their business forward. Sign up and stay informed about special deals, the latest products, events and more from Microsoft Store. * Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. (2019). American Business is Overwhelmingly Small Business. ** Microsoft Store’s ‘Small Business State of Mind’ survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 small business owners with 0-24 employees, including an oversample of 500 BIPOC business owners and 100 Gen Z business owners with 0 to 24 employees, between March 29 and April 11, 2022. *** Battery life varies significantly based on usage, network and feature configuration, signal strength, settings and other factors.Continue reading...