We keep discussing the digital transformation of micro-enterprises. But most of the time the discussion stays confined to the go-to-market strategies.

I feel digital transformation can have a much larger purview.

First, we should look at how digital solutions can improve processes in micro-enterprises. For example, several agri-tech startups are using digital technology to bring improvements to traditional agriculture. These affordable solutions will improve productivity in the micro-enterprises. Next are IoT-based solutions, which can bring a level of automation to repetitive tasks. It is wrong to think that common micro-businesses cannot afford these solutions.

Then comes a cultural change that can be driven through digital transformation. Here, the first aspect that comes to mind is communication. Knowledge from the entire world has come into our hands through the smartphone and easy access to data. I am not only referring to YouTube advisory videos here, but they also play a great role in learning. Even support of equipment can be managed through a virtual network and what would have taken days for an engineer to reach may get resolved in minutes through digital communication. At VFS also we brought in the cultural change by shifting the majority of our transaction-based processes to digital solutions. Feedback from the field indicates that our customers have largely appreciated the shift.

Though I started saying that we should broad-base our discussions on digital transformation, we can never ignore the aspects of business transformation through a digital solution. And go-to-market strategies are definitely impacted on a large scale. Even the remotest village can now get products or services through eCommerce, and can also sell online. Many organizations are readily extending their hand, either as a part of their corporate social responsibility or at a nominal cost, to help the rural micro-enterprises set up their digitally enabled sales channels. I have come across solutions where no upfront cost is being charged for such purposes. These unique solutions have made it affordable for micro businesses to grow and transform into the next higher level.

A major roadblock seems to be ignorance of the solutions. Many startups, even with good solutions, are not able to reach the right audience or speak the language that is easily understood in rural segments. We need to actively look at resolving this aspect so that the micro-enterprises can benefit from the available digital technology solutions.