- 84% of small businesses own a printer and 57% say that their business cannot function without their printer
- Four of five small business owners agree they have a duty to do their part to protect the environment and three-quarters believe they have a duty to contribute to the community
- In South East Asia (SEA), business success is defined by providing economic opportunity for family
HP Inc. Malaysia shared the results of the HP Small Business Owner Today Study, which examines both the motivations and business ethics of SEA company heads and their technology expectations. SMBs are a key driver of economic growth and employment in Malaysia, making up 98.5% of business establishments in Malaysia , providing jobs to 70% of the Malaysian workforce . The study sheds light on the business belief of having a long-term investment in originality as a pillar of their business. It also reveals the role of originality in technology to help address unique, practical and functional business challenges faced by small Malaysian businesses to drive productivity and efficiency.
“SMBs are the backbone of our economy in Malaysia. In conversations with small business owners, we see a desire to do what’s right for their families, communities and the planet. Through understanding the values of these business owners, at HP Malaysia we want to work alongside them to deliver original, innovative technology that meets their needs as they make a positive impact on the future of our nation,” said Fayza Mohamed Amin, Malaysia Managing Director of HP Inc.
Family, community and purpose comes first in SEA
The results show that SEA small business owners are more community oriented and purpose-led than their peers from around the world. They are also more in-tune with technology and are actively seeking a partner that will help their business excel.
The family is core to everything small business owners do in this region. It is the number one reason they started their business. They also define business success first and foremost by the ability to provide economic opportunity for their families. And almost two-thirds of respondents hope to build a legacy in order to be passed on their business to family members in time.
There is currently a lot of optimism amongst SEA small business owners about their prospects. Almost nine in ten (87%) agree that they are creating a better life for their families through their business, and four out of five (81%) believe that their children will have better lives than they had growing up. But because so much is riding on the success of their businesses, 78% are motivated to keep building their firms purely to avert failure—higher than any other country.
This focus on doing right by their families is likely a reason that SEA small business owners are more conscientious than many of their global counterparts. Four in five (79%) agree that responsible owners have a duty to protect the environment, and three-quarters (76%) believe they should contribute to the community. As a comparison, only 65% of UK and 64% of US small business owners agree they have a duty to protect the environment, and only 42% of German company heads feel an obligation to their local community.
Originality, values and technology sit at the core of sustainable business
For many small businesses, originality is a clear value in SEA when they define success in business. This includes owning their own business, becoming an expert in their field and driving innovation in their industry. These key principles underscore the need for originality and a drive for continuous growth as a sustainable business.
SEA small business owners are also highly principled in their approach to business. Two-thirds would choose not to grow their business if growth meant going against their values. And 65% will not work with other companies if they feel they do not support the community. There is similar sentiment expressed if others do not respect cultural norms, the rights of the underrepresented or the betterment of women.
Keeping up with technology is a major concern for seven out of ten SEA small business owners and ranks as important as adjusting to the current economic climate. At the heart of modern business is the printer, with high ownership of 84% across the region. Almost six in ten (57%) agree that without their printer, their business cannot operate.
Connecting originality, community and technology for Malaysian SMBs
While 72% of small businesses see their printer as a technology partner and want it to perform tasks beyond just printing, 68% of small business owners have identified a disconnect between what they feel they need from a printer, and what printer manufacturers are offering.
HP is addressing the need for originality, community and technology by connecting SMBs in SEA with original printers and supplies that fulfil their business needs. This includes ensuring that our innovation in both print devices and original ink and toner supplies helps support local business as a long-term partner that understands their values, is easy to work with and convenient to use.
- A Partner Beyond Print:Beyond just printing, the HP Smart App allows people to print and scan from anywhere, anytime. The app has innovative AI features like HP Smart Task to accelerate admin and accounting work by allowing the user to snap a photo of an invoice, scan it for finance and even converting handwritten notes into searchable and editable files.
- Doing Your Part for the Environment:There is a significant cost to the environment when companies use imitation ink and toner. Compared to official HP cartridges, imitation toner cartridges have a 55% larger carbon footprint, consumes 54% more fossil fuels, need 40% more energy. Worst of all 97% of new imitation cartridges will end up in landfills.
- Keeping Sustainability in Mind:Original HP Supplies, by contrast, are manufactured with sustainability in mind. The company has used more than 218 million pounds of recycled plastic to make ink and toner cartridges since 2000. Today, more than 80% of ink cartridges and 100% of toner cartridges contain recycled content.
- Keeping Costs of Ownership Low:If a company chooses to print using non-genuine HP ink or toner supplies, they risk compromising on quality, productivity and will increase the total cost of ownership. Imitation cartridges typically require three times more service calls , cost 10% more in the long-term and produce an average of 31% fewer usable pages than Original HP Supplies.
- Last for the next hundred years:SMB owners can be confident that the important business or legal documents they print today using Original HP Supplies will last for the next hundred years if stored correctly.
- Print with ease:HP Smart Tank also has easy-to-fill ink tanks to save employees time and automatic alerts that state when ink is running low.
For more information on how to keep learning, keep working and keep going, visit HP Malaysia’s Online Store or authorized partners and resellers including Lazada and Shopee.
