Page 10 - AeM_October_2019
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RESEARCH, ANALYSIS & TRENDS





               IDC’s inaugural Asia Pacific

               Future SMB intelligence services

























             The new IDC 2019 Future SMB Pulse survey shows that  Jimenez highlights that SMBs must recognize that their
             84% of SMBs in Asia Pacific (excl. Japan) recognize the  competition and ecosystem are transforming, and they
             need  to  use  digital  technologies  to  make  significant  must  keep  pace  with  digital  technologies  in  order  to
             changes in their companies' processes and operations to  survive.
             become  more  competitive.  While  39%  of  those  have
             already started their journey and are at different stages  Besides all these insights, IDC’s SMB survey identified
             of  digital  maturity,  42%  are  just  planning  to  start.  The  the top three challenges as well that Asia Pacific SMBs
             survey reveals further that the top priorities of SMBs in  are facing to adapt a digital-first mindset, which are:
             the  next  18  months  include  improving  revenue  growth,
             increasing  efficiency/productivity,  and  reducing  costs/  1.  Balancing product/service quality and growth
             expenses.                                           2.  Cashflow
                                                                 3.  Challenges  in  hiring/retaining  talent  and  improving
             According  to  IDC,  a  “future  SMB”  is  a  technology-first   brand awareness
             organization  that  can  amplify  its  presence  and
             capabilities for sustainable business growth, productivity,   “Amidst these challenges, we are also seeing growing
             and competitiveness.  It is data-driven, customer-centric,   opportunities  for  SMBs.  The  rise  of  the  new  digital
             highly automated, and takes an experiment-learn-iterate   economies,  such  as  the  last  mile  economy  (use  of
             approach  to  deliver  breakthrough  solutions  and  create   delivery   services),   the   gig   economy   (tapping
             new markets.                                        freelancers  to  fill  in  talent  gaps  in  SMBs,  and  the
                                                                 marketplace  economy  (proliferation  of  marketplaces
             “SMBs  are  driven  by  an  entrepreneurial  mindset  and   where SMBs can offer their products and services), will
             possess  the  appetite  to  compete,  grow,  and  succeed.   force  SMBs  willing  to  benefit  from  the  opportunities
             Growth  and  profitability  are  the  primary  goals  of  any   presented  by  these  new  economies  to  make
             SMB;  however,  when  it  comes  to  technology,  these   investments  in  digital  technologies,”  says  Celeste
             smaller businesses are generally not  as progressive  or   Narvaez, Senior Program Manager at IDC Asia Pacific.
             innovative.  Due  to  their  size,  they  face  unique
             challenges  such  as  skills  shortage,  low  technology   IDC  will  provide  an  in-depth  discussion  of  key  SMB
             adoption,  and  low  process  automation,  as  well  as   themes on scaling with digital, multiplying partnerships,
             difficulties in accessing capital funding,” says Daniel-Zoe   and  building  talent  at  the  2019  IDC  Future  of  SMB
             Jimenez,   Associate    Vice    President,   Digital   Forum happening on 7th November 2019 at the Suntec
             Transformation (DX), Future Enterprise, and SMB at IDC   Singapore  Convention  Centre.  IDC  will  also  provide
             Asia  Pacific.  “Widely  available  and  easier  to  consume   essential  guidance  to  Asia  Pacific  SMBs  on  what
             digital technologies are leveling the playing field between   should be their  immediate priorities to be successfully
             MNCs and SMBs”, he adds and concludes: “The market   to  have  a  digital-first  mindset/DNA.  For  more
             has reached an inflection point in 2019, forcing SMBs to   information  about  this  event,  please  visit  their
             act.  Driven  by  the  evolved  state  of  digitalization  of  the   website Future SMB Forum. ◊
             SMB ecosystem and the opportunity presented by digital
             technologies to amplify capabilities and competitiveness,                              By MediaBUZZ.
             SMBs  must  progress  and  evolve  towards  becoming
             Future SMBs.”

      10            October 2019 - Micro-moments & Customer Journey
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