SMME urged to embrace technology
Boitshepo Majube | Monday April 28, 2014 13:09
“Traditional manufacturing processes can be automated to increase output, and reduce unit costs, thereby enhancing overall productivity and ensuring your business can benefit from economies of scale,” she said.
Makgato-Malesu stated that technologies have freed small businesses from the restrictions of print adverts when it comes to reaching new and existing customers. “Internet marketing ranges from a simple informal website, to advertising on search engines, to online product scales.”
Minister Makgato-Malesu said email marketing is also an effective and low cost method to reach a large group of people with a newsletter and business updates. She further stated mobile marketing is a relatively new frontier that reaches people through text messaging. “Let’s reflect; how much technology are we using to maximise on the potential of your business?” she asked.
Makgato-Malesu stated that as government, they recognise the considerable challenges the current economic climate presents. “However, even if we take a pragmatic view of the situation, one can find opportunities to innovate.”
She said good governments look to put the onus on individuals to take personal responsibility for those things that they are equipped to influence, because change in the business environment starts with each and everyone.
“Those who succeed invariably have clearly identified what their business does best and then relentlessly sought to grow and adapt those strengths, to both innovate and to leverage advantage,” Makgato-Malesu stated.
She highlighted that government through its various organs, continues to provide the impetus for vibrant and innovative SMME sector. “There are organisations who have been set up by government whose mandates contribute towards creating an environment which will better promote the adoption of technology and innovation across the various sectors in Botswana.”
Makgato-Malesu stated that the contribution of these organisations, which have been setup by government, is to ensure that they provide Botswana SMMEs with services, which will accelerate their growth.
“The government is playing its part by providing you with the necessary infrastructure, access to finance, training and other such interventions which will assist you to start and grow your businesses into sustainable enterprises,” she said, further pointing that the onus now rests with entrepreneurs to pursue those opportunities.