-Top players from industry brainstorm on driving SMEs business with cost-effective ICT solutions
-More than 500 real SMEs participate in the conference
-Chief Guest Shri Dinesh Rai, Hon'ble Secretary, Ministry of MSME, GoI announces Rs. 105 cr. worth ICT scheme
-Sessions on B2B marketplaces, social media & classified portals, IT applications, mobile & email marketing take the limelight
New Delhi, 8th July 2010: Now is the time of collaboration between the industry stalwarts for augmenting growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Indubitably depicting this, for the first time ever, the Internet and Mobile industry fraternity came together to provide much-needed impetus to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at the recently concluded Conference on 'Free for SMEs'. Jointly organized by IndiaMART.com and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, the much-acclaimed conference brought fierce competitors from different verticals on a common platform to voice their opinion, share their expertise and add value on how SMEs can leverage ICT tools, services and applications for their business growth. That is, the conference equipped the SMEs with information and knowledge of these applications which they were largely unaware of. The distinguished Chief Guest Shri Dinesh Rai, Honorable Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India also commended such an effort and announced an ICT scheme worth Rs. 105 crore for the MSMEs.
Complimenting the industry fraternity, the audience gathering was constituted by the real SMEs. As usually observed, actual SMEs are missing in action in conferences and seminars. However, the theme was so valuable and attractive that it was successful in mobilizing over 500 SMEs to attend and benefit from this unique convention.
No other platform than 'Free for SMEs' could achieve a feat of having intense competitors like IndiaMART.com, Tradeindia.com, Fibre2fashion.com, Sulekha and Yahoo! Small Business in one forum and discuss how SMEs could reap the benefits of B2B Marketplaces. Moderating the session, Mr. Namit Pandey, Head, Yahoo Small Business, Yahoo India said, “Internet today has become bigger than any other media viz. radio, TV or newspapers. Thus, the starting point for SMEs today is certainly to have web presence to reach out to their customers.” The unique session had further deliberation by Mr. Brijesh Agrawal, COO, IndiaMART.com who highlighted how SMEs can do wonders by using B2B Marketplaces easily and effectively. Breaking the myth of having to invest exorbitant amount of time to access B2B marketplaces, he stated, “SMEs lack willingness to access Internet. If they overcome this, all they require is 15 minutes to one hour of time in a day to effectively utilize the services of these online marketplaces and enhance their business prospects tremendously.” Echoing Mr. Agrawal's view, Mr. Bikky Khosla, CEO, Tradeindia.com, said, “SMEs need to be active on B2B marketplaces which offer cost-effective solutions for both marketing and sourcing.”
In addition, for the first time ever, the entire classified portals industry was together on one platform. The think tanks from InfoEdge, OLX, Asklaila.com, Quickr India, J9 Ventures successfully enabled a detailed understanding of leveraging their cost-effective services for brand building, promotions and engaging customers. While Mr. Amarjit Batra, OLX highlighted the worthiness of local classifieds and methods to utilize blogs and social networking sites like Facebook, Mr. Pranay Chulet, CEO, Quickr India termed the local classified portals as 'faster, better and cheaper' way of enhancing businesses. Believing in the tech-tonic shift in the way information is consumed, Mr. Amlan Mandal from Asklaila apprised everyone in the audience on evaluating what works better (social media) for business, segmentation of target group and timing of consumption.
An interactive platform, the one-of-a-kind conference also had panelists answering questions put forth by the engaged audience. To a question on what all aspects to be kept in mind while hiring SEO agencies, a panelist replied that objectives and deliverables are to be well-defined while understanding basics of SEO by oneself. Replying to another question on how to use social media for a B2B segment, another panelist said that companies can start groups around their area of expertise through which they can tap their target customers.
Proudly enriching the SME audience with low-cost or free ICT solutions, corporate giants like Microsoft, Google India, Intel South Asia ardently shared stage with upcoming business leaders like Luna Ergonomics. Addressing the session, Mr. Rajeev Karwal, Founder and CEO, Milagrow stated, “In order to remain competitive, SMEs need to use low-cost or free tools like Cloud Computing. Infact, lesser known softwares like Sugar CRM, Orange HRM and .proj are very helpful tools for managing businesses efficiently.” Moreover, Mr. Gautam Gandhi, Manager, New Business Development, Google India emphasized on importance on careful integration of online and offline activities by small businesses. Sharing an exciting new technology, Mr. Abhijit Bhattacharjee, CEO, Luna Ergonomics informed that with Panini Keypad users can type in any language and utilize it for different areas of their business like sales force automation and sending updates to customers in regional languages, among others.
The conference concluded with the forward-looking theme of cost-effective mobile and email marketing solutions for SME businesses where One97, Valuefirst, 160by2, Sprinklr jointly enlightened the esteemed audience with their knowledge. Describing email marketing as a high ROI solution, Mr. Manjunath K G, Co-founder & MD, Sprinklr said, “SMEs need to start building mailing lists and tracking visitors to their websites and getting back to them.” Lastly, Mr. Pankaj Agarwal, Head-Sales, Netcore Solutions explained how mobile marketing can be effectively used in a cost effective way. He added, “Mobile marketing tools like SMS-push/pull, games application, Voice-IVR or Voice-SMS, Mobile Internet-rich media, et al can be highly beneficial for SMEs.” Mr. Agarwal also ran an instant poll among the audience to know their feedback about Mobile Advertising. Over 90% SMSed stating Yes!
About IndiaMART.com
IndiaMART.com is India's largest online B2B marketplace connecting global buyers with suppliers through business directories, online product catalogs, buy-sell offers, industry specific marketplaces, printed media and trade shows participation.
Founded in 1996, the company has a pan-India presence in over 100 cities. With over 1500 employees located across 39 offices in the country, IndiaMART.com offers an extensive range of value-added products and services to its 700,000 registered members and nearly 5 million global buyers across various industries and verticals.
IndiaMART.com has won numerous awards over the years and has been widely covered by media such as CNBC, BBC, BusinessMoney, CNN, Businessworld, Economic Times, Financial Express, etc for its pioneering role in promoting SME business in the country. Its existing investors include Intel Capital and Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd (Times Group), India's largest print media group.
For more information, please visit: www.indiamart.com/press-section/
Media Contacts
Pawandeep Kaur
Manager – PR
IndiaMART.com
M: +91-9990098828
E: pr@indiamart.com
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
IAMAI encourages SMEs to employ low cost ICT tools
The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) had organized a conference titled 'Free for SMEs' to boost the use of Internet and communication technology (ICT) amongst micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The conference, held in association with IndiaMART.com, saw MSME experts give advice on the ways businesses can implement ICT to grow and drive Indian economy.
Dinesh Rai, Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises who was the guest of honor, spoke about Government of India's various initiatives to promote the use of technology in MSMEs which are set to boost the economy. Describing MSMEs as the backbone of development of any economy, Rai highlighted a plethora of schemes launched by the Government to provide customized solutions to MSMEs. These programs range from raising awareness to providing high-end ICT solutions. Rai also added that the SME sector in India, that employs 59.7 million people spread over 26 million enterprises, has been growing at a rate of 12 percent.
Dinesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO of IndiaMART.com, said the need of hour is to look at innovative methods and devise ways to maximize the use of Internet and technology to gain more. He also drew attention to two main impediments that have restricted the use of ICT in India accessibility and affordability. Agarwal opined that addressing these two issues would provide simple and viable business solutions to MSMEs using technology.
Anil Bharadwaj, Secretary General, FISME, concurred that the use of Internet and mobile technology is still in its nascent stage in India and scope of growth leveraged by ICT was immense. Bharadwaj said that the adoption of ICT in India is directly proportional to accessibility and infrastructure development. The IAMAI ended with the release of a report titled 'Free for SMEs: Free and Low cost ICT Solutions for SMEs' by Dinesh Rai. The report gives an overall picture of how ICT can be utilized by SMEs for increasing their productivity.
http://www.ciol.com/SMB/SMB/News-Reports/ICT-tools-to-catalyze-the-growth-of-SMEs/138505/0/
Dinesh Rai, Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises who was the guest of honor, spoke about Government of India's various initiatives to promote the use of technology in MSMEs which are set to boost the economy. Describing MSMEs as the backbone of development of any economy, Rai highlighted a plethora of schemes launched by the Government to provide customized solutions to MSMEs. These programs range from raising awareness to providing high-end ICT solutions. Rai also added that the SME sector in India, that employs 59.7 million people spread over 26 million enterprises, has been growing at a rate of 12 percent.
Dinesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO of IndiaMART.com, said the need of hour is to look at innovative methods and devise ways to maximize the use of Internet and technology to gain more. He also drew attention to two main impediments that have restricted the use of ICT in India accessibility and affordability. Agarwal opined that addressing these two issues would provide simple and viable business solutions to MSMEs using technology.
Anil Bharadwaj, Secretary General, FISME, concurred that the use of Internet and mobile technology is still in its nascent stage in India and scope of growth leveraged by ICT was immense. Bharadwaj said that the adoption of ICT in India is directly proportional to accessibility and infrastructure development. The IAMAI ended with the release of a report titled 'Free for SMEs: Free and Low cost ICT Solutions for SMEs' by Dinesh Rai. The report gives an overall picture of how ICT can be utilized by SMEs for increasing their productivity.
http://www.ciol.com/SMB/SMB/News-Reports/ICT-tools-to-catalyze-the-growth-of-SMEs/138505/0/
Monday, July 5, 2010
Low cost or free applications and tools for SMEs
According to various reports and surveys SME’s form a larger part of the GDP contribution. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), stated that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are expected to contribute 22 per cent to India's GDP by 2012. But these are numbers, how do we see growth? From ROI perspective right! Well, the bitter truth is that SME’s are still not up to the mark. Up from current about 17 per cent.
“But if we talk about SME growth, they are under utilizing their capabilities”
So, what’s the Reason? One important fact here is that the success of an SME depends upon its quality services and yes brand building. The other factor that hampers the SME growth is limited availability of funds. Utilizing funds properly and in an intelligent manner makes or breaks the game for SME’s
A proper insight about various technologies and tools available for free or in a much affordable price certainly helps in accelerating the business. ICT is a new age communication technology that can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities, and cultures. Moreover, ICT tools can be used to find, explore, analyze, exchange and present information responsibly and without discrimination.
And where can you get all the information you need to make your Small business Smart?
Here, we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to IAMAI's conference which discusses low cost and free mobile solutions for SME’s to leverage organizational growth. The registration is free, for more information please visit http://ievents.iamai.in/ict4sme/agenda.php.
“But if we talk about SME growth, they are under utilizing their capabilities”
So, what’s the Reason? One important fact here is that the success of an SME depends upon its quality services and yes brand building. The other factor that hampers the SME growth is limited availability of funds. Utilizing funds properly and in an intelligent manner makes or breaks the game for SME’s
A proper insight about various technologies and tools available for free or in a much affordable price certainly helps in accelerating the business. ICT is a new age communication technology that can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities, and cultures. Moreover, ICT tools can be used to find, explore, analyze, exchange and present information responsibly and without discrimination.
And where can you get all the information you need to make your Small business Smart?
Here, we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to IAMAI's conference which discusses low cost and free mobile solutions for SME’s to leverage organizational growth. The registration is free, for more information please visit http://ievents.iamai.in/ict4sme/agenda.php.
Low cost or free applications and tools for SMEs
Low cost or free applications and tools for SMEs
According to various reports and surveys, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form a larger part of the GDP contribution. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) stated that SMEs are expected to contribute 22 per cent to India's GDP by 2012. But these are numbers, how do we see growth from ROI perspective? Well, the bitter truth is that SMEs are still not up to the mark. We need to up their contribution from current about 17 per cent.
“But if we talk about SME growth, they are under utilizing their capabilities”
So, what’s the Reason? One important fact here is that the success of an SME depends upon its quality services and yes brand building. The other factor that hampers the SME growth is limited availability of funds. Utilizing funds properly and in an intelligent manner makes or breaks the game for SMEs.
A proper insight about various technologies and tools available for free or a much affordable price certainly helps in accelerating the business. ICT is a new age communication technology that can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities, and cultures. Moreover, ICT tools can be used to find, explore, analyze, exchange and present information responsibly and without discrimination.
And where can you get all the information you need to make your Small business Smart?
Here, we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to IAMAI and IndiaMART.com's conference which discusses low cost and free online solutions for SMEs which benefit organizational growth. The registration is free, for more information please visit http://ievents.iamai.in/ict4sme/agenda.php
According to various reports and surveys, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form a larger part of the GDP contribution. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) stated that SMEs are expected to contribute 22 per cent to India's GDP by 2012. But these are numbers, how do we see growth from ROI perspective? Well, the bitter truth is that SMEs are still not up to the mark. We need to up their contribution from current about 17 per cent.
“But if we talk about SME growth, they are under utilizing their capabilities”
So, what’s the Reason? One important fact here is that the success of an SME depends upon its quality services and yes brand building. The other factor that hampers the SME growth is limited availability of funds. Utilizing funds properly and in an intelligent manner makes or breaks the game for SMEs.
A proper insight about various technologies and tools available for free or a much affordable price certainly helps in accelerating the business. ICT is a new age communication technology that can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities, and cultures. Moreover, ICT tools can be used to find, explore, analyze, exchange and present information responsibly and without discrimination.
And where can you get all the information you need to make your Small business Smart?
Here, we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to IAMAI and IndiaMART.com's conference which discusses low cost and free online solutions for SMEs which benefit organizational growth. The registration is free, for more information please visit http://ievents.iamai.in/ict4sme/agenda.php
Friday, July 2, 2010
The If’s and Buts’ of Marketing Your Company Online
How do you promote your business? By visiting potential customers, taking leads, advertising, and blah! There is a need for advertising, so as to more and more people are aware of your products or services. As a matter of fact how many people do you reach by advertising? A couple of thousands! The world of online marketing unleashes a whopping market of more than 60 million people around the globe, and marketing here is not very expensive!
Your competitors are already marketing online
Even though forty percent of small business owners are not on the web, the other sixty percent have realized the importance of marketing on the web. Everyone and anyone is realizing the growing importance of having a cyber presence. From stock marketers to nuts and bolts supplier, everyone’s out there. So, do want to stay out!
People buy online, sell online and network online, according to a survey the online trade has increased considerably, and there are chances of further inflation.
Your customers are already engaging into conversations about your brand, but are you leveraging the same as a brand?
Customers and prospects are talking about your brand day in, night out on the social media. If you don’t figure there, well, then you probably are not at the top of the mind brand recall in your domain for your prospects.
How do you do it then? Is it a difficult game? Does it involve a lot of money?
Not really! What you need is a solid understanding of your business and a support of a strongly established partner, who can establish the right presence online for your business and further help you achieve your business objectives!
What do you need to do as the first step?
To start with, you need to create CONTENT, Socially Optimized Content, which engages your audience into your conversation and creates possibilities with them. This content is further then marketed using low cost tools as the Social Media and the Mobile!
And where can you learn more about leveraging the Online and the Mobile Media and meet the Industry leaders?
We hereby take this opportunity to invite you at the IAMAI and Indimart’s conference on the Low Cost and Free Internet and Mobile Solutions for SMEs, wherein our Speakers and Social Media partners, will help you in understanding on how to best leverage online tools to build a community and leverage local classified portals for brand Building, promotion, interaction and reaching the target audience
Your competitors are already marketing online
Even though forty percent of small business owners are not on the web, the other sixty percent have realized the importance of marketing on the web. Everyone and anyone is realizing the growing importance of having a cyber presence. From stock marketers to nuts and bolts supplier, everyone’s out there. So, do want to stay out!
People buy online, sell online and network online, according to a survey the online trade has increased considerably, and there are chances of further inflation.
Your customers are already engaging into conversations about your brand, but are you leveraging the same as a brand?
Customers and prospects are talking about your brand day in, night out on the social media. If you don’t figure there, well, then you probably are not at the top of the mind brand recall in your domain for your prospects.
How do you do it then? Is it a difficult game? Does it involve a lot of money?
Not really! What you need is a solid understanding of your business and a support of a strongly established partner, who can establish the right presence online for your business and further help you achieve your business objectives!
What do you need to do as the first step?
To start with, you need to create CONTENT, Socially Optimized Content, which engages your audience into your conversation and creates possibilities with them. This content is further then marketed using low cost tools as the Social Media and the Mobile!
And where can you learn more about leveraging the Online and the Mobile Media and meet the Industry leaders?
We hereby take this opportunity to invite you at the IAMAI and Indimart’s conference on the Low Cost and Free Internet and Mobile Solutions for SMEs, wherein our Speakers and Social Media partners, will help you in understanding on how to best leverage online tools to build a community and leverage local classified portals for brand Building, promotion, interaction and reaching the target audience
ICT- Changing The Game For SME's!
While it's an ardent fact that SME's share a bigger percentage of the GDP in the market, the revenue sharing stats however differ drastically. According to Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are expected to contribute 22 per cent to India's GDP by 2012 up from current about 17 per cent. But if we talk about SME growth, only a few SME's are able to market themselves in the international market with a caption most of them being virtually ineffective. The reason, we might agree to is the lack of a well developed communication strategy
What is ICT?
The world wide web has opened some unexplored markets, but to exploit those markets you need to go global, you need to communicate! Not just communicate, you need to communicate effectively with precision. But how would you do that? ICT tools can be used to find, explore, analyze, exchange and present information responsibly and without discrimination. ICT can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities ,cultures and political issues.
Some number crunch
Available data suggests that electronic commerce is growing, it still accounts for a considerable proportion of economic activity for firms of all sizes. Taking a wide definition of electronic commerce to cover transactions over computer-mediated networks (including traditional EDI) and inter-firm transactions, e-commerce sales were 23.3% of total business sector sales in Sweden and 17.9% in Finland. Excluding the financial sector they were 20% in Norway, and 16% in the United Kingdom and Denmark. These figures are estimated to increase as the time proceeds, and consequently the need to communicate and form online relations also develops.
How would i leverage ICT for my organization's growth?
Seems like we've read your mind, Right! Well, some of the above artifacts might have given you some insights onto this. For a complete knowhow of ICT and the new media, we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the Conference 'Free for SMEs' being presented by IAMAI and IndiaMART on 6th July, 2010 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
To know more details, please visit – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131611130197170.
What is ICT?
The world wide web has opened some unexplored markets, but to exploit those markets you need to go global, you need to communicate! Not just communicate, you need to communicate effectively with precision. But how would you do that? ICT tools can be used to find, explore, analyze, exchange and present information responsibly and without discrimination. ICT can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities ,cultures and political issues.
Some number crunch
Available data suggests that electronic commerce is growing, it still accounts for a considerable proportion of economic activity for firms of all sizes. Taking a wide definition of electronic commerce to cover transactions over computer-mediated networks (including traditional EDI) and inter-firm transactions, e-commerce sales were 23.3% of total business sector sales in Sweden and 17.9% in Finland. Excluding the financial sector they were 20% in Norway, and 16% in the United Kingdom and Denmark. These figures are estimated to increase as the time proceeds, and consequently the need to communicate and form online relations also develops.
How would i leverage ICT for my organization's growth?
Seems like we've read your mind, Right! Well, some of the above artifacts might have given you some insights onto this. For a complete knowhow of ICT and the new media, we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the Conference 'Free for SMEs' being presented by IAMAI and IndiaMART on 6th July, 2010 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
To know more details, please visit – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131611130197170.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Why should SMEs Adopt ICT?
Small and Medium Enterprises' uptake is going at a snail's pace and thus fail to fall in-line with the rising expectations. It seems that the industry is not able to utilize the power of online media, and as a matter of fact, most of them are not aware of the “social media effect”! Surveys find that small and medium enterprises only use electronic learning for training ICT employees and managers only. The study was done for the major European countries. Thus the results of the studies are the great lack of training procedures in SME, lacking learning tools and materials, adverse reaction of a significant number of managers, lack of internet connection speed necessary for electronic learning etc..
Now with that many loopholes the boat’s going to sink! You may argue, you may disagree, but you cannot ignore social media. It is simply the most explosive outbreak in the information world since the Internet itself. And they are going to shake up just about every business.
The point is that consumers now have a more potent aggregate power: someone with a problem can now reach others with the same problem faster, build a community around this shared problem easily, and mobilize lots of people behind the common cause more efficiently. That’s what the power of communication is, it definitely adds more efficiency!
ICT is a new age communication technology that can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities, and cultures.
SMEs must know how to leverage the New Age media such as the Online and the Mobile, to effectively reduce down their time to market and also increase the outreach to their relevant target audience.
But how do SMEs learn all of this, while investing their crucial time?
IndiaMart and IAMAI have collaborated to bring the Conference on Low Cost and Free internet and Mobile Solutions for SMEs on July 6th 2010, at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi.
Register FREE NOW
Now with that many loopholes the boat’s going to sink! You may argue, you may disagree, but you cannot ignore social media. It is simply the most explosive outbreak in the information world since the Internet itself. And they are going to shake up just about every business.
The point is that consumers now have a more potent aggregate power: someone with a problem can now reach others with the same problem faster, build a community around this shared problem easily, and mobilize lots of people behind the common cause more efficiently. That’s what the power of communication is, it definitely adds more efficiency!
ICT is a new age communication technology that can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities, and cultures.
SMEs must know how to leverage the New Age media such as the Online and the Mobile, to effectively reduce down their time to market and also increase the outreach to their relevant target audience.
But how do SMEs learn all of this, while investing their crucial time?
IndiaMart and IAMAI have collaborated to bring the Conference on Low Cost and Free internet and Mobile Solutions for SMEs on July 6th 2010, at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi.
Register FREE NOW
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