The Digital Jamaica Summit & Showcase hosted on September 3, 2024 was a goldmine of wisdom from industry leaders in the digital transformation arena. From e-commerce to cloud computing, hundreds of entrepreneurs in the Micro, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) flocked the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston to learn a wide range of crucial topics for today’s businesses.
In case you missed it, the Entrepreneur Weekly has the top 10 quotes from the summit that stood out from Industry experts:
Leighton Campbell, GetPAID Suite:
- “In Jamaica, when doing business, keep it simple.”
- “Start where you are with what you have. You don’t have to make any large purchases.”
- “You better get ready to do business 100 percent online. Because if you have not started now, in the next five years you will be left behind.”
His advice resonates deeply in an era where digital transformation is no longer optional but essential. His emphasis on simplicity and starting with available resources is particularly relevant for MSMEs that may be overwhelmed by the prospect of large investments in technology.
Campbell’s message is clear: Don’t wait! Begin your digital transformation journey now, even with limited resources. The future of business is online, and starting small is better than being left behind.
Christopher Derrell, Adtelligent:
4. “It’s as if you throw out your fishing line and there is a nice piece of bait on the end and the fish bites on it and gets reeled in. That’s what SEO does from your website to the search engine.
5. “The website you need might just be Instagram.com.”
Derrell’s clever metaphor highlights the importance of SEO. Just like a well-placed bait attracts fish, good SEO optimisation attracts visitors to your website. He even throws in a curveball, suggesting that for some businesses, Instagram might be their perfect “website.”
Monique McIntosh, SkyBlue Transactions:
6.”The more you learn and the more you understand how to tap into the digital landscape or the space is the more opportunities you can get. Your job is to figure out how you can get these platforms to work for you.”
Monique McIntosh emphasises the power of digital literacy. Staying informed about the ever-changing digital landscape empowers you to leverage platforms for maximum business growth. Be proactive in learning and mastering these tools!
Nicholas Samuels, Xayah Consultancy:
7.”If you measure your success by the success of your clients, then everybody wins.”
Nicholas Samuels champions a customer-centric approach through Customer Relationship Management (CRM). When your success is tied to your client’s achievements, it fosters stronger relationships and creates a win-win scenario for everyone.
Atasha Bernard, ABVijon Consulting:
8.“Effective financial management enhances investor confidence.”
Atasha Bernard’s quote underscores the importance of sound financial practices in attracting and retaining investors. Transparent and effective financial management not only ensures business sustainability but also builds trust with potential investors, making it a critical component of business growth.
Joni-Gaye Cawley, HR Consultant:
9.”What gets measured, gets done.”
Joni-Gaye Cawley reminds us that what gets measured gets done. Setting clear metrics and tracking performance ensures that goals are met and resources are used efficiently. This is essential for driving accountability and achieving desired outcomes in remote work.
Almando Cox, ResolveIT:
10. “You don’t need to have a Computer Science degree to integrate AI into your business.”
Almando Cox makes an important point about the accessibility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. The integration of AI into business operations is no longer restricted to tech experts. With the right tools and resources, even those without a technical background can tap into the power of AI to enhance their business processes.
Digital Jamaica Project
There are approximately 2700 training spaces up for grabs under the Digital Jamaica Project. The training is scheduled to take place over two fiscal years (2024 – 2026), and will cover various areas of digitisation, digitalisation, and digital transformation. The project is sponsored by the European Union (EU). Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) will facilitate the digital transitioning of existing MSMEs through a series of specialised MSME training activities.
For more information, visit www.jbdc.net. Also, follow JBDC on social media to stay informed.
