For many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Jamaica, the road to success is often paved with challenges that can hinder growth.
However, for entrepreneurs like Andrea Jackson Robinson, Tamieka Sewell Phang, and Fitzroy Ferguson, the Government’s Digital Jamaica Project has been a game-changer, providing them with the digital skills necessary to propel their businesses forward.
Launched in October 2023, the Digital Jamaica Project is a €9.5-million initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and managed by the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce (MIIC).
With a mission to close the digital divide among Jamaican MSMEs, the programme provides hands-on training that equips entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge needed to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and unlock new revenue streams.
The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), as the implementing agency, has already trained more than 100 entrepreneurs across Kingston and St. Andrew and St. Catherine.
Sharing feedback on the training received, Co-Founder of Valentine’s Intimate & More, Mrs. Jackson Robinson says that she has seen a significant transformation in her business operations since participating in the Digital Jamaica training.
Mrs. Jackson Robinson recounts that there were times when she was unable to serve all her customers due to the rush; however, through training, she discovered the power of utilising simple yet effective digital tools, such as Google Forms.
By implementing a Google Forms-based appointment booking system, she was able to streamline customer visits, reducing wait times and improving overall customer satisfaction.
“I had a situation where customers would come at a particular time of the day, and I would not have been able to serve all of them because of the rush, so just doing the training allowed me to really think about the opportunity of implementing appointment booking using Google Forms, a simple tool that cost me nothing, while eliminating the challenge I had,” Mrs. Jackson Robinson explains.
Beyond improved efficiency, this digital solution enabled her to collect valuable customer data, allowing her to personalise services and plan more effectively for business growth.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of TS Quality Consultants Limited, Mrs. Sewell Phang, also experienced a breakthrough in her business strategy through the Digital Jamaica Project.
Specialising in food safety and quality management systems, her company offers auditing, implementation, and training services.
Despite her expertise in systems management, Mrs. Sewell Phang had not fully explored the benefits of digitisation for her own business.
“The training was eye-opening. It was after I was introduced to the various aspects of digital business transformation, including data digitisation, process automation, cloud migration, digital systems integration, leveraging data analytics, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Big Data, that I realised how much I could improve my business by integrating digital solutions,” she says.
“Before the training, I hadn’t considered how much I was missing by not embracing digital tools. Now, I’m actively implementing solutions that will help my business grow,” she adds.
Mrs. Sewell Phang is currently automating manual tasks within her company, a move that will enable her to scale operations and increase revenue.
She is encouraging other entrepreneurs to take advantage of the training, highlighting its practical approach and immediate applicability.
“This training isn’t just theory. You leave with actionable steps that can immediately improve your business,” Mrs. Sewell Phang points out.
For Managing Director of Jaldon Enterprises, Fitzroy Ferguson, the Digital Jamaica training provided critical insights into how digital tools can enhance efficiency for his company which produces natural oils, including castor and coconut oil, for health and wellness applications.
Although the company had an online presence, Mr. Ferguson discovered that there was much more to digital transformation than just having a website.
“The training was incredibly enlightening. It helped me realise that digitalisation is not just about having a website. There are so many other tools available to help streamline operations and improve efficiency,” he tells JIS News.
One of the most impactful lessons for the Managing Director was the importance of cloud-based services for data storage and protection, as well as automating essential tasks like Human Resource Management and Tax Filings.
“My biggest takeaway is that you don’t need a large team to handle administrative tasks. Digital tools can take care of these for you, freeing up valuable time and resources. I absolutely recommend this training to other entrepreneurs. It has been a game-changer for my business,” he explains.
Mr. Ferguson is now actively exploring more digital solutions to enhance customer engagement and optimise business processes.
The Digital Jamaica Project is poised to transform the way Jamaican businesses operate by focusing on three key areas – digitisation, digitalisation, and digital transformation.
With a target of training 2,700 MSMEs by 2026, the initiative aims to prepare businesses for sustainable success in the digital economy.
With registration now open for training in other parishes, Jamaican entrepreneurs are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.
To register for the training or learn more about the Digital Jamaica Project and how it can benefit your business, persons can visit the JBDC website at https://www.jbdc.net/digitaljamaica/.
Source: JIS – https://jis.gov.jm/features/digital-jamaica-project-game-changer-for-msmes/
