Not all SMEs on right track digitally

Digital transformation is the key to competitive advantage in the age of technology-driven business, but few small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are doing it the right way.
Not all SMEs on right track digitally
An employee using Base software to manage human resources. Photo base.vn

Digital transformation is the key to competitive advantage in the age of technology-driven business, but few small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are doing it the right way.

Nguyễn Đức Minh, Digital Transformation Manager at the FPT Digital, asserted that some SMEs had not found the solutions to their core digital problems, yet they still spent a lot on development and research. Such decisions would pour resources down the drain and lead them nowhere.

The manager suggested that SMEs seek solutions to three key problems, thereby improving their financial situation and resource efficiency: customer experience, operational improvement, and data gathering.

"Customer experience should be put on top of SMEs' agendas as better customer experience means more profits and fewer resources wasted," he said.

The manager also underscored that SMEs are less financially able than large firms, so they would instead focus on "quick win" ideas, which have immediate benefits and can be delivered quickly, to gain ground.

"SMEs are more flexible management-wise and more adaptive to changes. That's their advantage over large firms," he added.

Nguyễn Đăng Hanh, Chairman of the Vietnam France Exchange and the Vietnam Arteco Trade and Construction Consultants JSC., remarked that his enterprise expects three goals when seeking solutions to their digital problems.

First, the solutions should allow managers to stay well-informed about works in progress and develop good ideas to accelerate the work.

At the same time, they should help employees know what works to focus on and how to do the work effectively and efficiently.

Second, the solutions should enable across-the-board business analysis, whereby SMEs could discover their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and potential market niches for themselves.

Lastly, the solutions should allow efficient management of the customer base, which is the key to competitiveness, reputation and growth in the long term.

Trịnh Ngọc Bảo, CEO and founder of Base. vn, revealed that his enterprise had tried to find a universal solution to all SMEs' digital problems. What the enterprise had created was helpful to some but not universal.

"In every 10 customers, only three to four found the solution useful. The rest said it was impractical," he said.

One lesson he has learned from the failed attempt is that there is no such thing as a "universal solution to all digital problems". Every digital problem is enterprise-specific and solvable only by strict compliance with scientific methodology.

"Buying new software does not mean embracing digital transformation. Without scientific methodology in management, software only creates misleading reports and data," he said.

According to the Vietnam Software Association, about 15 per cent of Vietnamese enterprises have been implementing digital transformation. Of which, 99 per cent face financial difficulties following the trend and think that digital transformation is affordable only to big names.

A report of the Vietnam Chamber of Industry and Commerce shared this view, showing that costs related to high-tech were a significant obstacle in the way of SMEs. — VNS

Source: VNS
vietnamnews.vn

Related News

Plastic exporters interested in converting to recycling technology

Plastic exporters interested in converting to recycling technology

VCN - The Vietnamese plastics industry is facing major challenges in terms of plastic waste and recycling needs. Secretary General of the Vietnam Plastics Association Huynh Thi My (pictured) shared important information about the transformation in production of plastics enterprises to meet increasing export demands.
Truly comprehensive finance: supporting micro and small enterprises

Truly comprehensive finance: supporting micro and small enterprises

VCN - To effectively support micro and small enterprises, Dr. Nguyen Duc Kien (pictured), former Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Economic Committee, former Head of the Prime Minister's Advisory Group, and Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Institute for Digital Economic Development Strategy (IDS), suggests that specific and specialized solutions and policies are needed to enhance these businesses' access to capital and technology.
AEOs make great contributions to Vietnam’s trade development

AEOs make great contributions to Vietnam’s trade development

VCN – Currently, there are 76 Authorize Economic Operators (AEOs) across the country. The operators have made great contributions to Vietnam’s trade in goods.
Need to quickly act to catch up with the "green" trend

Need to quickly act to catch up with the "green" trend

VCN - With the movement from the global level to Vietnam's main markets, as well as the strong commitment of the Vietnamese Government, the trend of "compulsory green/sustainable transformation" has become clear to Vietnamese businesses instead of voluntary as before. However, the level of readiness of businesses is not high.

Latest News

VN

VN's food processing industry struggles to improve quality and value chain integration

Despite accounting for 19.1 per cent of Việt Nam’s processing sector, the food processing industry has been struggling with major issues such as poor-quality raw materials and subpar value chain integration, said industry insiders and economists.
Approach strategy of the seafood industry when implementing UKVFTA

Approach strategy of the seafood industry when implementing UKVFTA

VCN - As one of Vietnam's strong export industries to the UK, especially when the Vietnam - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) comes into effect, with a detailed information approach strategy, it has created a great driving force to promote the export of Vietnamese seafood products to this market.
Mid-November: Vietnam

Mid-November: Vietnam's trade volume matches 2023 total, eyes record-breaking growth

VCN - By mid-November 2024, Vietnam's total import-export turnover reached an impressive US$681.48 billion, equaling the full-year trade figure for 2023
Vietnamese enterprises facing challenges from cross-border e-commerce platforms

Vietnamese enterprises facing challenges from cross-border e-commerce platforms

VCN – In recent years, with the rapid development of cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) platforms, domestic enterprises in Vietnam have been facing numerous difficulties and challenges.

More News

Vietnam, Malaysia eye new milestone in trade ties

Vietnam, Malaysia eye new milestone in trade ties

The official visit to Malaysia from November 21-23 by Party General Secretary To Lam is expected to open up new opportunities for and mark a new milestone in the economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia. Vietnam and Malaysia are key economic, trade, and investment partners. Their economic and trade ties have steadily grown since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1973.
Shrimp exports surge in 10 months, generating 3.2 billion USD

Shrimp exports surge in 10 months, generating 3.2 billion USD

Vietnam’s shrimp exports in October reached US$394 million, a strong 24% increase year-on-year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. near US$100 billion milestone

Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. near US$100 billion milestone

VCN - By the end of October, Vietnam's exports to the United States approached US$100 billion, reaffirming its position as Vietnam's largest export market.
From the “abnormal” coffee price, worries about the new crop

From the “abnormal” coffee price, worries about the new crop

VCN - The Vietnamese coffee industry enters the new crop with the question of what is a reasonable price to ensure benefits for coffee growers while still retaining international consumers.
What obstacles limit the market share of Vietnamese goods in the UK?

What obstacles limit the market share of Vietnamese goods in the UK?

VCN - Vietnamese goods account for only about 1% of total imports into the UK market. One of the reasons is that they have not yet built their own brands and have not focused on effective strategies and approaches to market information.
Why seafood exports to some Middle Eastern Countries are stalled

Why seafood exports to some Middle Eastern Countries are stalled

VCN - Several shipments of seafood exported to certain Middle Eastern countries have been delayed due to legal challenges related to consular legalization procedures. This has created significant bottlenecks in accessing these markets.
Storm No. 3 destroys profits of many insurance companies

Storm No. 3 destroys profits of many insurance companies

VCN - Due to the impact of storm No. 3, the business results of the third quarter and the first 9 months of 2024 of the insurance sector have been significantly affected. This requires more efforts from businesses for the results of the whole year 2024.
Vietnam, Malaysia eye golden partnership opportunities in Halal industry

Vietnam, Malaysia eye golden partnership opportunities in Halal industry

Cooperation in the Halal industry can help Vietnamese products reach nearly 2 billion Muslim consumers worldwide, representing over 24% of the global population, according to Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Tra fish sector aiming for production, processing greening for sustainable development

Tra fish sector aiming for production, processing greening for sustainable development

Greening production and processing to meet export requirements is both a trend and a necessity for many industries, including the tra fish sector.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
VN

VN's food processing industry struggles to improve quality and value chain integration

Despite accounting for 19.1 per cent of Việt Nam’s processing sector, the food processing industry has been struggling with major issues such as poor-quality raw materials and subpar value chain integration, said industry insiders and economists.
Approach strategy of the seafood industry when implementing UKVFTA

Approach strategy of the seafood industry when implementing UKVFTA

VCN - Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, Deputy General Secretary, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said that the advantage that UKVFTA brings is that the main products of the seafood industry enjoy 0% import tax to the UK, especially key
Mid-November: Vietnam

Mid-November: Vietnam's trade volume matches 2023 total, eyes record-breaking growth

By mid-November 2024, Vietnam's total import-export turnover reached an impressive US$681.48 billion, equaling the full-year trade figure for 2023
Vietnamese enterprises facing challenges from cross-border e-commerce platforms

Vietnamese enterprises facing challenges from cross-border e-commerce platforms

VCN - E-commerce platforms have emerged as crucial distribution channels, enabling goods to reach consumers quickly and conveniently.
Vietnam, Malaysia eye new milestone in trade ties

Vietnam, Malaysia eye new milestone in trade ties

The official visit to Malaysia from November 21-23 by Party General Secretary To Lam is expected to open up new opportunities for and mark a new milestone in the economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia. Vietnam and Malaysia are key economic, trade, and investment partners. Their economic and trade ties have steadily grown since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1973.
Mobile Version