The Covid- 19 pandemic has seriously affected the global economy. SMBs (small to medium-sized businesses) have been obviously more severely hit than the bigger and more established organizations. Incorporating the latest digital technologies into the day-to-day operations is now mandatory for businesses, to survive in the markets in the long- run.
Here, the big players won’t face too many issues; it’s only the SMBs that have several challenges, which they are necessitated to aptly address. It would now be worthwhile to highlight some salient, corresponding points.
- The segment of SMBs is a very crucial one in the economy. It provides plenty of employment opportunities and substantially contributes to GDP. It is paramount that the SMBs regain their pre- pandemic position without much delay.
- The future of SMBs is heavily dependent on how quickly these smaller companies are able to adapt to the latest technologies.
- Several small and medium-sized businesses are hassled by a shortage of funds; they are in dire need of capital to make a fresh start. But, the various financial institutions are willing to lend only to those entities that are able to integrate digital technologies into their activities. This again underlines the significance of technology adoption by SMBs.
- It has been observed that a majority of SMBs are still lagging behind, in terms of adopting technologies. The Covid crisis only aggravated this particular situation. Market experts opine that it is high time that the government, big players in the IT sector, and financial institutions come together to help SMBs. Such initiatives will go a long way in simplifying technology adoption by these smaller entities.
- Many people lost their jobs in the initial phase of the pandemic. It is now being predicted that quite a few of these profiles are likely to set up their own small businesses. In light of this, the initiatives mentioned in the previous point attain more relevance.
- There is another important reason why the speedy adoption of technologies is essential for small businesses. One of the numerous ways in which SMBs can revive themselves is by entering new markets. It is here that digital technologies will be decisive.
Once your business begins to use these technologies, identifying new markets will become a relatively simplified matter. The same can be said with regard to thriving in new, unexplored markets, too. It’s worth noting that the business can achieve all that without incurring high costs, by opting for technologies.
- Surveys clearly point out that SMBs that have already begun the usage of technologies are now way ahead of their counterparts that are yet to upgrade. This is with respect to revenue growth, the number of employment opportunities, and the value of exports, to cite a few.
- SMBs are strongly advised to focus on technologies like Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. These technologies are expected to immensely benefit small and medium businesses.
- It’s rather perturbing that even now there are many SMBs holding the notion that things can be managed without technology adoption. These organizations should be made to understand that digital transformation is now not a question of choice. It is a process that compulsorily has to be initiated by every business.
- Modern-day consumers are fairly quick in developing a favorable opinion about businesses using digital technologies. This is one more factor throwing light on the importance of technologies for SMBs.