Open to all SMEs, the complimentary virtual training sessions comprise nine webinars from July to December 2021. The sessions include topics such as how to use data analytics to gain insights into consumers' needs, to customise products and to develop advertising campaigns. These advanced topics will help experienced business owners deepen their digital skillsets. In addition, SMEs will be able to enjoy free trials of digital solutions that can help them to streamline processes, to build their brand and to expand their customer base, in turn gaining new customers, reducing operational and marketing costs and increasing revenue.
Digital transformation is proving to be a key to SMEs' business success. A recent survey by the Department of Industrial Promotion found that small businesses are facing many difficulties, exacerbated by the prolonged pandemic. Two in three said marketing is a challenge given intense competition, while 63 per cent faced business liquidity and cash flow issues. The survey also showed SMEs are responding to such challenges by turning to digitalisation to increase online sales and to expand their customer base (72 per cent), to reduce costs (54 per cent) and to create efficiency improvements (46 per cent).
Ms Piyaporn Ratanaprasartporn, Executive Director and Country Head of Channels and Digitalisation, UOB Thailand, said, "We recognise the criticality of digital transformation in keeping SMEs afloat and in opening many opportunities. According to UOB's research , nearly one-third of SMEs that proactively implemented digital tools last year have achieved benefits such as increased productivity and efficiency, enhanced customer experience and increased revenue, even in a difficult business climate. By enhancing complimentary virtual training sessions, we hope to help more SMEs get on board and progress on their digital transformation journey."
In addition to UOB's complimentary virtual training sessions, the Bank will connect SMEs to business and financial solutions to help them manage their businesses with greater cost-efficiencies. For example, UOB BizSmart, an integrated suite of cloud-based business tools, enables SMES to manage digitally their administrative processes such as payroll, accounting, inventory and resourcing. The UOB Virtual Account is an end-to-end solution designed to help SMEs identify all incoming remittances and reconcile account receivables more effectively, while UOB mCollect is a digital solution aimed at helping them manage payment collections and account receivables more efficiently. By taking part in the training programme, SMEs will also be able receive guidance from UOB's innovation accelerator, The FinLab.
Mr Pawit Murnkong, CEO of Dolly Solutions Company, a developer of parking systems and a distributor of traffic equipment for DPARK's brand, said, "Since last year, we have participated in numerous online training webinars provided by UOB Thailand, where we have learned about a wide range of interesting and relevant topics. We have also used various solutions, such as e-mail marketing tools that have enabled us to reach out to our targeted clients while saving money on marketing."
This is the second year that the UOB Thailand is offering an online training session to assist SMEs in navigating COVID-19. Last year, the Bank collaborated with 13 ecosystem partners to organise 39 training programmes. These sessions were attended by more than 1,800 Thai SMEs across diverse industries.
Interested SMEs can visit www.facebook.com/uob.th or https://thefinlab.com/th/thailand for more information.
Source: พีอาร์ วัน เน็ทเวิร์คฯ