At present, ICT usage among SMEs remains low due to insufficient information on the benefits and relevance of ICT. As a result, many SMEs maintain poor communications facilities, are unwilling to spend much on Internet access, and do not have ICT-capable managers and staff, among others.
Ferdinand dela Cruz, head of Globe’s consumer business group, pointed out that since SMEs serve as the backbone of the Philippine economy, they must be shown the way to increase productivity, manage costs, serve customers better and open new markets.
"The SME segment is all about growth – to keep growing and keep staying profitable, they must harness the latest technology and the best mobile and telecommunications solutions to become more empowered, more productive and more competitive," he said.
Right now, SMEs comprise about 70 percent of private businesses in the Philippines or over 60,000 companies and employ over 90 percent or about two million of the total workforce.
Innove chief executive officer Gil Genio, said that in serving the needs of the SMEs, Globe and Innove are at the same time, tapping into a market that is resilient, rich in growth and opportunity and a steady sector.
However, Genio explained that SMEs in the Philippines are a very large, diverse, and dispersed segment which faces resource and time constraints. Thus, most of the SMEs, he said are unable to shop around extensively or left alone to try to put everything together by themselves.
To help address their dilemma and meet the requirements of SMEs for simple products, Globe and Innove have come up with special bundled packages specifically designed to answer all the communications needs of the segment.
"Perpetually evolving technology lies in the heart of our business so we are committed to continuously empower the SMEs with products and services that will give them the confidence to engage where it matters the most," Genio said.
On the other hand, Dela Cruz stressed that Globe and Innove are not just selling wireless and wireline services to SMEs but are empowering the Filipino entrepreneurs to build a sustainable economy for the country.
"Ultimately, we see their businesses growing in step with ours. I think the opportunity is here. We will make the SMEs a pillar of successful entrepreneurship in the Philippines," he said.