OWNERS of Malaysia’s small- and medium enterprises (SMEs) are embracing a digital future in the hope of becoming more competitive for long-term advancement in the marketplace and being able to meet the ever-changing needs of customers.
Accenture (Malaysia) country managing director Azwan Baharuddin said the importance of digital transformation for SMEs in their processes and the handling of their trade would better position the companies for long-term growth.
“Opportunities abound for those who have taken the initiative to digitalise.
“At first, SMEs might feel apprehensive as their companies choose to digitalise existing business practices, but they must adapt and evolve with market changes in order to provide customers with better services,” he said in his keynote address at the SMEBiz Think Tank conference organised by Star Media Group.
The conference titled “Business Unusual: Thriving in the Era of Change”, focused mainly on how local SMEs can ride the wave of digital revolution to their benefit in this modern era of innovation.
KPMG Deal Advisory Sdn Bhd transaction services manager Jocelyn Chong, who is involved in tax advisory services, said her participation in the conference was to get a feel of the market.
“I am glad to have attended the event, as it has allowed me to think about optimising the business data we have and making it connect with customers to better serve their wants and needs,” she added.
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) deputy chief executive officer Sharimahton Mat Saleh, who addressed the participants, explained the procedures involved in exporting and assured businesses that Matrade was in support of entrepreneurs wanting to sell their products overseas.
“Our officers at Matrade understand that for trade to succeed, information from across the business must be able to flow through different means, seamlessly.
“We at Matrade want to offer help to simplify and streamline your business that can allow enterprises to be more effective,” she told participants.
Azwan said collaboration was key and SMEs should look into how best to come together and develop on each other’s strength to move forward. But, he added, it required a big change in mindset.
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