New research from Virgin Media O2 Business reveals small and medium sized enterprise (SME) directors are experiencing more stress from technology, which is taking a significant toll on leaders’ mental health as a result.
The research of 2,000 small business owners, founders, MDs, and CEOs commissioned by Virgin Media O2 Business in support of World Wellbeing Week (24th – 30th June) highlights the impact of tech-related worries and multiple role responsibilities on SME leaders.
Tech-related stresses directly correlate to wellbeing declines affect 89%, with one-in-three (33%) SME leaders losing sleep at night over tech worries – and cybersecurity threats, data breaches, system crashes and technical failures are all cited as causes of significant stress (79%).
Knowing the importance of unlocking technology benefits for SMEs, Virgin Media O2 Business has called on the SME community to share the tech load.
Alongside this support, MSP and resellers can also help SMEs, stepping up to allow businesses focus on key issues.
Other research findings showed that leaders also spend an average of 10 hours per working week on tasks outside of their expertise, and for the one in two (54%) SME leaders having to spend more time on unfamiliar tasks than those they’re trained for, the pressure to wear multiple hats is taking its toll.
The added workload is negatively affecting business owners and directors, with 76% saying it impacts their wellbeing, and 51% saying they are more stressed now compared to when they started their business.
To combat this rise in added workload, and to support SME leaders in finding the right solutions for their companies, Virgin Media has a technical advisory team with specialists in unified communications, WiFi solutions, data centre operations, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity, on hand to give expert advice and guidance.
This will help them make informed choices on the solutions that best fit their unique business needs, allowing leaders to focus on other priorities while alleviating tech stress.
Ross Pearson, Head of Small Enterprise at Virgin Media O2 Business (pictured) commented: “Virgin Media O2 Business is here to act as a partner, not just a supplier for SMEs. We work with each customer to alleviate their tech stresses, acting as the tech experts so SME leaders can focus on taking the next step in their growth.”