A fast-rising shoe designer in the Philippines is looking to build a global brand and win more overseas customers, while an aggregator for Japanese brands is looking for comprehensive e-commerce solutions. Businesses like these, form the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, which is the foundation of every economy. In fact, SMEs account for almost 90 percent of all businesses globally. However, as our world becomes more and more digitised, success requires speed, agility, and constant adjustment on the way we do business. That is why SMEs must develop digital capabilities that address dynamic consumer demands, enabling businesses to transition from surviving to thriving, in today’s digitally enabled economy.
The Mastercard Middle East and Africa SME Confidence Index 2021 reveals that, while SMEs view digitalisation as one of the biggest opportunities, they also consider it a challenge. Small businesses are compelled to create enhanced and seamless experiences in innovative ways in a world, where the pandemic has hyper-accelerated consumer online shopping habits.
We have all witnessed how the increase in digital payments services, along with the disruption of traditional supply chains, have fundamentally changed the way SMEs operate. At the same time, consumers are becoming more loyal to businesses, products, and services that consistently provide exceptional value with minimal friction or stress. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that SMEs which have embraced digitalisation have the potential to connect swiftly, safely, and efficiently with a wider range of customers and suppliers.
How digitalised smart logistics can support small business operations
Logistics and shipping procedures may seem difficult and time-consuming for most small business owners, who instead must focus on managing the business. In addition to expertise and peace of mind, an established logistics partner, that offers next-generation digitalised services, adds tremendous value to businesses and their customers.
For instance, smart, all-digital solutions that automate and simplify the customs clearance procedure is of great benefit for businesses trying to navigate the global marketplace. The electronic submission of trade documents eliminates the need for merchants to manually sign, fold, pack, and attach paperwork to each shipment. Additionally, the reduced expenses on paper, energy, and printing result in a smaller carbon footprint. This enables SMEs, including those with minimal or no prior international shipping expertise, to save time, prevent potential delays, and have their products delivered punctually.
We also know that internet adoption in the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries is among the highest in the world, with users in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia spending more than four and a half hours per day online through their smartphones. So, why not streamline the delivery process by putting the power in the hands of the customer with intelligent automation tools?
SMEs can improve last-mile delivery convenience by offering their customers a variety of delivery options, including changing the time and place of delivery, all with just a few taps on their smartphones.
While there is no single road to success, the unifying denominator is that small businesses need to strengthen their offerings by hopping on the digital transformation journey, or they risk falling behind their competition. However, this is hardly a solo quest. The right logistics partner, one with a robust portfolio of smart, digital solutions and profound understanding of the ever-evolving global e-commerce landscape, can help forward-thinking SMEs rise to the challenge and thrive.Â
