By Juanique Tennant

As local businesses continue to suffer amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior executive of the National Commercial Bank (NCB) is batting for more micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to embrace the digital space.

Nadeen Matthews Blair, chief digital and marketing officer for National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB) and CEO of the NCB Foundation, addressing yesterday’s launch of the ‘Let’s Go Digital’ conference hosted by the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ), highlighted numerous benefits to be gained by MSMEs that take their businesses online.

IMPETUS FOR GOING DIGITAL

According to Matthews Blair, the impetus for going digital with one’s business, is that it:

1. Provides a platform rather than a physical store – allowing consumers to engage with businesses regardless of geographical constraints.
2. Allows businesses to be omnipresent – consumers no longer need to wait for the traditional 9-5 business hours to get in contact with your business, but instead they can now reach you 24/7.
3. Facilitates resilience – businesses that have an active online presence are less likely to be negatively impacted by changing business landscapes. For example, the need to minimise physical contact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Offers intelligence – operating your business within a digital space allows you to take better note of the typical consumer habits of your business’s target audience.

The COVID-19 pandemic has, among other things, showcased in a very real way the importance of a business’s ability to adapt and find new ways to reach its consumers where traditional business physicality is no longer a viable option.

The ‘Let’s Go Digital’ conference, which ends today, is a public-private sector initiative that aims to transform Jamaican MSMEs with an objective to significantly increase the digitisation of MSMEs by the end of 2021.

To accomplish this feat, day one of the conference focused on the benefits MSMEs can garner by offering their products and services online and the actionable steps they must take to make the digitisation of their businesses a reality.

DAY TWO FEATURES VIRTUAL BOOTHS

With a full schedule of presentations from individuals on topics ranging from how to use technology to improve your business, available technology solutions perfect for MSMEs, running your business from home and managing customer information, day one of the conference provided a way forward for MSMEs aiming to expand their businesses within an evolving digital landscape.

Day two commenced this morning (March 6) at 9:30 a.m. and was scheduled to feature virtual booths from technology providers such as Innovate 10x, WiPay, Adtelligent, Incus, CRMmetry, ResolveIT, Crescent Digital and One on One Educational Services, as well as a panel discussion on technology skills training.