SINGAPORE: Singtel has partnered Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) – Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SIRS) and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) to empower SMEs in the retail and food and beverage sectors to be digitally savvy.
The partnerships augment the 99% SME initiative by training SMEs to use tools and resources to get online, establish e-commerce capabilities and to market themselves more effectively.
Singtel will tie-up with NYP to help SMEs hire “Digital Professionals” who will guide the SMEs on adopting e-commerce, retail analytics and using digital marketing solutions such as search engine optimization and search engine marketing.
SMEs can also seek additional support on social media marketing, online merchandising and analysis of online consumers from students and lecturers at the NYP’s customer experience and analytics centre.
Andrew Lim, managing director, Business Group, Group Enterprise at Singtel said, “Through the 99% SME movement, our collaboration with Nanyang Polytechnic and the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies are three-fold. First, it helps SMEs improve productivity, reduce costs, gain new revenue and scale their businesses. Second, PMETs are being re-skilled and re-employed while using their skills to help SMEs in their digital journey. Third, the students will acquire deep skills and develop entrepreneurial spirit, which prime them for their career development in the digital field.”
He added the polytechnic’s students can come up with marketing content to help F&B operators to differentiate themselves effectively and reach out to more online customers.
“Helping our SMEs to digitize their businesses is a major initiative in the Committee on the Future Economy Report. We look forward to partnering the other polytechnics to empower many of our SMEs with digital know-how and solutions, strengthening an essential component of Singapore’s economy,” he added.
Singtel, together with DBS and other partners, launched the inaugural 99% SME campaign in 2015 to rally all in Singapore to use products and services offered by SMEs. The highlight of the SME campaign is the annual SME Week in October where participating SMEs give customers special offers. Last week, Singtel and Lazada announced the launch of 99% SME e-marketplace – a dedicated portal hosted on Lazada Singapore’s website for SMEs to advertise their offerings and tap on a wider online customer base.
