Further supporting the work-life themed promotion, MasterCard teamed up with Microsoft to provide small business owners free online seminars from Microsoft Office Live. The seminars make available Internet-based services and tools to help small businesses establish a professional Web presence and promote their business online while also giving entrepreneurs access to industry experts on topics relevant to small businesses challenges.
Additionally, the promotion enables small businesses to take advantage of special offers that help them better manage their business, such as:
- Double entries for any purchase made with a MasterCard(R) BusinessCard PayPass(TM) or with any MasterCard BusinessCard card at Staples - whether in store, online or via their toll-free phone number;
- Special pricing on MasterCard customizable Gift Cards that provide small businesses with the ability to tailor the card with their business logo;
- Free shipping on any PhotoStamps order of customized USPS stamps; and
- Free marketing services from Microsoft (valued at $140) with the purchase of Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 or Microsoft Office Professional 2007.
"For most small business owners, the line between professional and personal life is often blurred as they are constantly juggling multiple business and personal tasks," said Bruno Perreault, Group Head, Small and Mid- Sized Enterprises, MasterCard Worldwide. "The 'Run Your Business, Live Your Life' promotion is a reflection of our commitment to provide small businesses with the necessary tools and resources that enables them to not only improve how they run their business but also continue to achieve balance in their life."
Additional Small Business Work-Life Survey Highlights:
Achieving Work-Life Balance
- Not having enough money to meet business and personal needs (21 percent) and rarely being able to fully turn off from the job when they're away from it (16 percent) where the top factors noted as interfering with work-life balance
- Making enough money to meet or exceed business and personal needs (30 percent) and having flexible working hours (28 percent), were the top factors noted that help small business owners achieve work-life balance
- When asked what work-related factors best help them to achieve work- life balance, better organizing business and personal priorities (29 percent); and hiring and retaining competent employees that could assume some responsibilities (21 percent) were among the top factors cited.
- Sixty-one percent of small business owners said that they work between 8-12 hours a day
The Impact of $100,000
When asked how they would spend $100,000 to use towards improving their work-life balance, small business owners' top responses included:
- Invest or save it (49%)
- Paying off personal loans and other debts (29%)
- Upgrades or improvements/expansions for your business (26%)
- Paying off business loans and other debts (27%)
- Purchase business equipment and/or supplies (25%)
- Donate it/give to charity (25%)
- Employees (i.e. increased salaries, improved benefits, bonuses, or time off) (20%)
