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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, going digital has become less of an option but more of a requirement for businesses to thrive in the current economic environment. SMMEs that get left behind in the digital revolution may struggle to ensure growth and continuity in the future. 

Why are some businesses reluctant to go digital? 

Introducing new technologies and digital tools into an SMME is not without challenges. According to the 2021 National Small Business Survey, only 48% of small businesses are selling products and services online. The survey also identified the following information technology challenges that many small businesses face lack of understanding of new technologies to support business, lack of adoption of new technologies to support business, IT capacity limitations and a limited IT budget. It is crucial for business owners to understand the pros and cons of going digital and what these changes would mean for their businesses. 

Enhancing the customer experience through digital means 

Customer needs continue to change, and this has been accelerated by the pandemic. Consumers are moving away from physical stores and are shifting to the internet to purchase goods and services.

Executive Marketing: Yep | SMB | Financial Service businesses, Innocent Pereira notes, “Due to the pandemic, the demographic of people that use digital channels to acquire goods and services has expanded. E-Commerce platforms and online marketplaces have made the transition to digital simpler for consumers and local businesses.”

Telkom Business’s online marketplace Yep! makes it easier for consumers to find verifiable and reliable local businesses. Small business owners can communicate with existing customers and gain new ones through one digital platform. 

Ensuring productivity and growth through cloud services

By incorporating digital tools, small businesses also equip employees with the right tools that will help to increase productivity and subsequently enhance the customer experience.

“Using outdated tools in the age of hybrid may be costly for the business in the long term compared to switching to digital tools which may be costly only in the short term. Old infrastructure requires ongoing maintenance which can be extremely expensive. Another challenge with using outdated infrastructure is that it is difficult to scale your business as such infrastructure cannot accommodate the growing needs of a business,” says Pereira.

Using digital tools such as software-as-a-service including cloud services allows employees to access office tools and store data anytime and anywhere. Through Telkom Business’s Out-of-the-Box software in partnership with Zoho, SMMEs can access an office tools suite, Internet of Things (IoT)management platform, and a suite of IT management software. Such tools are essential in terms of increasing productivity within the business and creating a quality customer experience.

Scalability, speed and easy access are the main drivers of the demand for cloud services among SMMEs. Adopting cloud services allows businesses to cut down on costs related to on-demand services. Cloud computing enables employees to store and access data anywhere and anytime.

Here are five crucial steps that can help SMMEs to adopt cloud services and simplify how they do business:

·        Step 1: The IT skills and knowledge to be able to implement new technologies.

·        Step 2: Assess the existing IT infrastructure of the business. It is crucial to ensure that the existing infrastructure is flexible making it easier to introduce new technologies into the business. Flexible infrastructure is determined by the infrastructure’s ability to be useable and re-shareable for different platforms. 

·        Step 3: Ensure high-speed connectivity to be able to upload and download data in real-time. 

·        Step 4: SMMEs should have cybersecurity mechanisms in place. This is to ensure the safety of company and client data. Check the security legitimacy of any software products the company uses.

·        Step 5: One of the major hindrances to adopting cloud services is the lack of commitment across the various departments of a business. It is crucial for businesses to establish a culture that encourages the use of new technologies. 

Increasing the visibility of SMMEs 

Digital tools make it easier for businesses to keep up with competitors as trends continue to change within various industries. By using digital tools to increase their visibility, SMMEs can reach a wider customer base and create multiple communication channels to improve customer engagement. 

Pereira adds, “SMMEs can use analytics to gain a better understanding of what customers are looking for and how customers engage with the products or services. Backing SMMEs and helping these businesses to digitally transform is at the heart of Telkom Business and Yep! From Lead Generation Solutions to All-in-One Website builders, businesses can easily access affordable digital marketing tools to establish their online presence.”

Digital transformation is crucial to the success of SMMEs, particularly in the post-pandemic environment. Digital means offer an array of growth opportunities for SMMEs that ensure that these businesses can thrive and maintain a competitive edge in an ever-changing digital economy.