We want small businesses to succeed

As Africa gears itself to improve and recover, eCommerce will likely be the driver of industry growth across the retail & professional services sector, subsequently opening the space for new refined and developed business processes. This is an opportunity that has driven investments in fintech companies over the past six months, and one we have been preparing ourselves for as Helplink Africa. Statistics from our data show that customers now consume good and services using a digital-first approach to social proof, compare prices, and essentially save time in the procurement process. Customers go with the brand that makes it easy for them to acquire their goods and services but also meeting their expectations.

A large part of retail has since been served with the emergence of storefront builders. What remains open land is the professional services sector which has seen many solutions that only serve one small aspect of running a business in Africa. I believe that small business owners have felt a forced change that irrationally led them to adopt technologies out of fear of losing their businesses. Some have been genuinely lucky whilst others have found most of them to be useless. This has created what we have termed technophobia.

Technophobia is the fear, dislike, or avoidance of new technology. You would think that the pandemic made it easier for SME's to adopt new technologies right. Think again. While this Technophobia exists among SME's businesses in Africa have a huge task which is to energize the giant that had been weakened by the numerous lockdown periods. The Digital First Approach formed by customers is irreversible, and small businesses that lag behind the transformation curve are battling to remain relevant.

No amount of social media posts, likes or followers can resuscitate a business that lacks financial sustenance, processes and customer satisfaction. Guaranteeing that customers come back is the only important thing. Small businesses in Africa need to realize the power of retention more than anything and optimizing factors correlated to building retention is the next growth hack for SME's. How does one guarantee return business?

This is where we play our part as Helplink Africa:

Truth is changing is hard, thus phobia's are created. Small businesses have generally been run by the intuition of their owners, At Helplink Africa we help Small Businesses realize their full potential using Data-Driven, automation, customer-first mindset. By upskilling small business to start understanding who their customer is, what they like your service, when they like your service, what to add to your service and specifically to that customer. Giving SME's the power to automate functions whilst they do what they do best.

What does it mean to tackle Technophobia?

For us, it means being intentional about small business education. Most professionals understand their trade and do it so great, tackling technophobia will be an effort to equip owner on how to run a business with clear processes, that are guided by a business management tool. Letting them realize that following processes and maintaining them builds a brand identity that transcends attention and develops customer retention.

Showcasing how in a Digital First economy closing a lead online is 3x more effective than a lead walking by your workplace to be disappointed by the ques in waiting for service. Customers these days want the freedom of their time and if they cannot book for a specific slot instantaneously they will not send you an email asking for a slot unless they in urgent need of a service. Retailers thrive as they create a consumer behaviour that wants a product even when they do not need it. The same has to happen for SME's in the professional services sector. Be a part of our journey!