MTN Business drives SME partnerships

Speaking at the SME Partners and Excellence Conference in Midrand, Nomalanga Nkosi, General Manager of MTN Business, has reaffirmed the operator's commitment to small business development.

“Small and medium businesses are increasingly moving to outsourced technology both as a function of cost and of expertise. The greater mobility and improved connectivity in the South African broadband Internet segment have also been drivers to get more business growth from platforms that SMEs have traditionally not used to their full potential,” said Nkosi.

The conference, which ends tomorrow and of which MTN is a sponsor, focuses on the reality of the challenges the SME sector faces, and what needs to be done for the sector to make a meaningful impact on the economy.

One of the action points is for the small business owner to look for a mobile solution that is responsive, efficient, and productive. However, this must not come through a prerequisite of having additional resources.

“This mobile solution needs to allow the business owner to do more with fewer resources. Again, the industry trends are showing that outsourcing allows the owner to focus on managing the business, while the specialists can take care of the solution maintenance,” said Nkosi.

Naturally, businesses of all sizes are faced with budget constraints. However, the careful use of technology can help keep these costs in line. Business owners understand that technology is an unavoidable cost as it provides the competitive edge where it is needed most. Technology must be viewed as an enabler and not simply an expense.

“The implementation of the correct solutions can see an improvement in productivity. However, one must remember that productivity does not materialise from doing things faster. Rather, productivity comes from finding the information you need to make the right decision at the right time,” echoed Nkosi.

Furthermore, technology enables business to gather and manage information about existing and potential customers. Having access to the most up-to-date data enables businesses to anticipate customer needs, cross-sell other products, and inevitably grow the business.

“MTN understands the complexities of running a small business. We differentiate ourselves with quality customer service and innovative solutions. Ultimately, MTN Business is the outsourcing ICT partner for SMEs and provides them with the opportunities to grow their business,” concluded Nkosi.

Registering your SIM card for Rica is completely free and as easy as visiting any MTN retail outlet or MTN Zoner, taking your ID book and proof of residential address and then have peace of mind knowing that you are compliant.

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