SMEs need more than connectivity to be competitive says Vodacom SME Exec
For small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, digital transformation is no longer a luxury; it’s necessary for survival in a competitive market.
It empowers SMEs to boost customer engagement, opens new revenue streams, and can streamline operations.
Businesses that embrace this shift will not only survive but thrive in the increasingly digital landscape.
Vodacom Business is leading the change in helping SMEs with their transformation efforts. The company aims to significantly accelerate the sector over the next three to five years, helping both formal and informal SMEs with bridging the digital divide.
Sannesh Beharie, Managing Executive for SME & Mobile Products at Vodacom, says that these efforts are underpinned by an understanding of the challenges faced in adopting digital solutions – which means more than simply providing connectivity.
“Connectivity is fundamental, but If you examine the current status quo, you’ll see that connectivity alone is not enough for SMEs to compete in the current market,” he says.
Bridging the Gaps
Whether informal or formal, SMEs struggle with digital transformation due to a lack of technical awareness, in that many of them are unsure of how to technologically optimise their operations.
One of the ways in which Vodacom is helping SMEs in this regard is through V-Hub, a platform that provides SMEs access to a wealth of information on how to digitalise their business, including master classes and virtual one-on-one advisory services.
These private advisors can assist business owners with crucial questions about funding and scaling, offering unbiased insights into available resources for growth.
The platform currently boasts over 100,000 SMEs.
“V-Hub goes beyond simply providing information; it actively helps SMEs with personalised guidance tailored to their specific needs,” says Beharie.
Empowering SMEs
According to Beharie, the drive for digitalisation encompasses various tools and services that allow SMEs to operate more efficiently, enhance customer relationships, and improve overall business outcomes.
By offering integrated solutions such as cloud hosting, security, and online presence tools, Vodacom aims to build a comprehensive digital ecosystem for businesses.
Empowering SMEs through digitalisation can have a ripple effect on their growth and sustainability.
This includes enabling them to leverage marketing, communications, and financial management platforms, which are crucial for building long-term resilience.
Custom Solutions for SMEs
One key pillar of Vodacom’s SME strategy is tailored solutions based on each business’s unique needs. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all services, Beharie emphasises an industry-specific, vertical approach.
For example, a small retail business might need basic services like connectivity, payment facilitation tools and fibre to communicate with customers and suppliers.
However, as the business grows, its needs will shift towards more advanced solutions, such as financial gearing through lending, business liability insurance, cloud hosting, cybersecurity, and tools for managing customer data.
This could involve using cloud providers, offered through Vodacom Business, such as Google Cloud, Huawei, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It could also include software suites such as Microsoft Office 365 or Google Workspace.
SMEs are empowered with the means to enhance their operations whether they be streamlining workflows, communicating with suppliers, adding the critical element of cybersecurity, or building an online presence through Vodacom’s website creation services.
The Road Ahead
With Vodacom’s comprehensive support, SMEs nationwide are poised to embark on a journey that could redefine their success in the years to come.
“To effectively support SMEs, it’s essential to step back and understand their unique journeys – whether they’re at the startup, growth, or maturity stage – and then pairing them with how digitalisation supports them,” says Beharie. “It’s about taking the time to understand their business and helping them on their journey.”
As Vodacom continues to drive the transformation and expansions of SMEs, its vision for the future is clear: a South Africa where SMEs have the tools they need to compete, grow and thrive in an increasingly digital world.
For more information on Vodacom, click here.
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