This post is one in a series of tips designed to help small business owners better-navigate the challenges of today’s startup environment and is sponsored by Canon MAXIFY – the printer lineup crafted to help small business owners increase productivity so that they can focus on everything else that matters. For more information about the Canon MAXIFY printer lineup visit at usa.canon.com/MAXIFY.
For the last 30 years, I have heard that as a result of computers and all things digital, the entire business world is going paperless. This is one of those urban myths. According to The Economist, worldwide paper usage has increased by 50% over this period of time. Printers in business are still here to stay. The key is to get the right one for your company. Late last year, Canon sent me their new MAXIFY Printer (MB5320) designed for the small business owner. Now, I am definitely the type of consumer that does not read directions. I unpacked the printer, plugged it in and hooked it up. I had a problem getting it connected to my office Wi-Fi so I called their support line. The key to any kind of productivity tool is not that there will never be problems using it, but how does the company respond when there is. In this case, my issue was resolved within minutes from their US based support line.
Here is why the MAXIFY printer has worked over the past three months in my business:
1. Quick first print. In this immediate gratification world, who has time for the printer to warm up? The MAXIFY printer takes only 7 seconds for that first page. Stop staring at it to print. Your office printer should not slow you down.
2. It’s about the cartridge. Printers are inexpensive, but ink cartridges can be costly. They are a key part of the cost of ownership and the last thing a small business owner wants is a printer that “eats ink”. I learned this the hard way being a long time user of the HP LaserJet line. I used to pay $60 or more for those cartridges. Expect the MAXIFY cartridges to last a long time and ultimately save by paying $28 to $37 for new ones. After three months, I have yet to replace a single cartridge!
3. There is an app for that. Print directly from your Apple iOS or Android device over Wi-Fi to your office. This is especially beneficial when traveling.
4. Go to the cloud. Scanned documents can be stored on Dropbox or other cloud based facilities. This is an easy way to go from scan to share quickly.
Need a new printer? Go buy this one for a solid small business investment.
Canon will be spotlighting several small business owners on its social media channels throughout the next several months, so be sure to leave a comment and share your thoughts on this post using the hashtag #MAXIFY in order to qualify. If you are a U.S.-based small business owner (1-9 employees) and have faced a unique business challenge in your first year on the job, let us know! We’d love to hear what line of work your small business falls within and what you feel is the most important takeaway from this post. We’ll also be rewarding select small business owners with a prize pack including the Canon MAXIFY MB5320 printer as well as other essentials to help you run your business more efficiently. So don’t forget to leave a link to your website or social media pages that way we can see how well you’re marketing your business and get in touch!
I was so honored to part of a promotion Canon initiated for “online influencers” and I quickly accepted! When I arrived at the office to find the MAXIFY 5320 waiting for me, I was really excited! From moment one, I’ve been blown away by this addition to our office. First of all, Set up. I’m a technophobe, and so I called their customer support to help walk me through the set up. I was really impressed that Canon is “proud to provide support from within the United States.” Their staff were knowledgable and top notch. They made the set up super easy. Using the Maxify is great. It is quick, easy to use and I can literally print something in the office if I’m flying to California — mid-air. Never thought I’d be writing an “i love my printer” comment, but I really do. I’m a #canon fan for life.
Me too!