Everyone was shocked as the COVID-19 pandemic suddenly affected businesses globally. Many countries have already implemented a “lockdown”, allowing only transportation of basic necessities. In times of quarantine, technology is our only ally as the main driver to deliver information and continue with our day to day operations. We have been talking digital transformation for 3-5 years already, but it is just now that we see the necessity of adapting digital into our business.
Digital is here, adapt or die
Philippines has a population of 108 M, with around 65% internet penetration and more than 100% mobile penetration. Most businesses are now ready to start adapting digital to their daily operations. Let us not be stuck with analysis-paralysis. We don’t have the luxury of “planning” anymore, we already missed that opportunity years ago. It is now teaching us how digital will play a vital role in business.
How can business cope with digital?
I found a few examples of how traditional business is starting to adapt digital. A few tutorial centers are now exploring online video tutorials, there is no more excuses with the availability of zoom, skype, viber and messenger. Home cooking is now being converted to cloud kitchens. People are posting online then being paid via online transfer and delivered by grabexpreess. No need for complicated website setup or an api payment integration, just straight forward online “kaliwaan”. So imagine if we are to build these ideas into platforms where we can democratize small business without the technical concerns.
Business in times of crisis
Before anything else, we should think of how we can help the community rise again from this crisis. Without the consumers, all our businesses is left with nothing. No rule book was made for this COVID-19 crisis. This is probably once in a lifetime and hope to god we won’t experience this again. There will definitely be businesses who won’t survive this crisis, but with creativity, we can always look at new opportunities. New business models will progress and we need to seize that opportunity and create breakthroughs.
See also How to start your digital marketing strategy, If work is digital, why do we still go to the office?
Is digital transformation just for big companies?
Of course not, in fact SME’s would have the comfort of shifting to digital in a faster way. Big companies will usually get several layers of approvals, months of planning and a lot of transitions to implement digital in their core business. Let us not be overwhelmed by technology. If we simply need to communicate online, let us not complicate by making a full review of zoom vs skype vs google hangouts. Just use whatever is convenient and functional at the moment, if viber or messenger works, then go for it. If the requirements will grow bigger later on, then we will just deal with it as we approach that stage.
What can we learn from this?
This is the perfect time for us to review our business plan, we are all on the same playing field, everyone is on pause. We need to accept this crisis, as it is beyond our control. However, when the crisis is over, the bigger challenge would be the aftermath and we should prepare now. If plan A doesn’t work, always be prepared with plan B, plan C and so on. We cannot hope that everything will be smooth sailing, there will always be bumps ahead, and we just need to be ready for it. Always go back to the core of your business, remember why you even started your business. The purpose of your business will always guide you moving forward.
Just hold on, soon this will be over and we will rise again! 🇵🇭
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