At our recently concluded Sustainable SMEs Focused Dialogue, one of the speakers urged participating business owners, managers and those who intend to start businesses to make informed decisions before adopting a given technology.

Ms. Orry Diana Seem, the Ecobank group head of Cards, Consumer Banking, advised: “Diligence must be in place to ensure the security of apps downloaded and to ensure that the technology you are adopting supports your given SME needs,”.

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Well, it is beyond argument that technology saves time and therefore money. With COVID-19 and the never-ending measures such as social distancing aimed at minimizing the virus spread, it is almost not possible for any business to transact optimally without the use of technology. But technology is expensive for many SMEs which have already suffered reduced incomes because of the impact of COVID-19. What that means is that every dollar spent on technology must lead to a significant yield.

Investing wisely in the appropriate technology requires that you understand which kind of digital solutions adequately meet your business needs and not just invest on impulse.

Here are some criteria you may consider in choosing technology that works for your small businesses.

Digital solutions that offer tracking services

Many SMEs in Africa, particularly those in East Africa, are involved in the transportation of either raw or finished products from one place to another either by road or through the ports: Mombasa, Kenya, or Bujumbura in Burundi.

Any SME operator whose business involves the movement of goods will point out a long list of risks involved, including loss and theft in transit.

If your business has to transport goods to distant places, then tracking solutions are worth your investment. For almost a decade now, the Uganda Revenue Authority, for instance, has been offering this service under its Electronic Cargo Tracking System.

With this digital service, you can know in real-time the exact location of your container.

Tracking services are equally important, especially now that people are working from home and there is a greater need to collaborate on tasks. Technology can take on a lot of that work for you.

Solutions such as Slack can help you in tracking what time employees have started or left work, track tasks, as well as workflow without regular check-ins via phone calls or email.

Roke Telkom, one of the dialogue partners, offers such tracking services and other digital solutions.

Digital services that increase your market reach 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent measures aimed at minimizing its spread, many businesses have had to depend on technology more than ever before just to survive and keep the business doors open.

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Many SMEs have heavily relied on digital and social media marketing to increase visibility and close sales.

As the world evolves, it is in the interest of SME operators to consider digital marketing as an integral part of the business. Without social media pages or websites where you market to customers and talk to each other, your business is operating in the analogue era and may not appeal to the changing needs of customers.

According to this report, companies tremendously increased their digital marketing spending during the COVID-19 pandemic as the only way to stay relevant to their customers.

Also, embracing technology like Google Analytics gives you an in-depth analysis in real-time and across platforms what your customers are interested in and therefore produce according to their needs. This is an inexpensive research tool that you should embrace.

Communication solutions

Remote working is popular, especially as governments announce lockdowns and travel bans because of COVID-19.

As such, SMEs have a few onsite staff—who are usually referred to as essential workers, and a large pool working remotely. The trend is likely to continue for significant while. And it is good for employers if well managed. It can save the organization costs of managing onsite staff and staff also can save money on daily transport and related risks are also reduced.

Web conferences and online training are now services you may need as they allow easy, real-time collaboration.

Technology is important for your business growth but if poorly executed, it can become a white elephant to the enterprise. Proper planning and knowledge of which solution you need will save your business a fortune.

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