‘Tap digital platform to grow business’

A booth set up to promote products by women entrepreneurs at an event held before the pandemic. Digital platforms are now available for women wishing to reach a bigger market. — Filepic

WOMEN need to increase their computer literacy in order to progress and excel in digital entrepreneurship, especially during the pandemic.

Seri Delima Women and Family Development Committee (JPWK) chairman Kristine Leong said women need to have the courage to try many things and to overcome their fear of technology.

“In digital entrepreneurship, we do not have to be experts in everything related to information technology (IT) but we have to know the basics.

“This is so that as entrepreneurs, we can move our brands faster.

“If we know how digital advertising works, it will be easier for entrepreneurs to choose their agencies and set expectations for their product or service outreach.

“It is always wise to engage a variety of platforms.

“It is best not to rely on only one digital platform.

“Instead, segregate budget investment and integrate traditional media like flyers, brochures or newspapers.

“This is all to help move our brands faster, ” she said during a webinar on Saturday.

The webinar held through Facebook live was the third in a series titled ‘Digital Entrepreneurship in the New Normal: Opportunities for Change’ organised by the Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) in Penang.

Leong said the webinar series was organised by WCC Penang in collaboration with 23 JPWKs.

“This webinar is the third one and we have a Mandarin one coming up soon.”

Leong added that through the webinar, the audience would be able to learn more about entrepreneurship as local speakers share their own experiences with startups.

“I myself am in branding and in a public relations agency so I hope to share what I can with new entrepreneurs.

“I remind small business owners that if they are just starting, it is always okay to not know everything.

“However, they will need to have a solid foundation and business plan.

“They need to understand what they are pushing for in terms of products or services.

“I hope parents will encourage what their daughters want to do. Do not dictate their career or future.

“Let your daughters be whoever they want to be and do not confine them to traditional jobs like teachers or models.

“I wish to encourage young women out there to challenge themselves by entering a variety of industries, ” she said.

Another speaker, Rina Neoh, who is an entrepreneur and investor, shared that digital platforms would provide many benefits.

“For example, if a vegetable seller moves her business online instead of being confined to a physical location or stall, she can tap into other markets.

“If she operates online, she can sell to buyers from other states or demographics.

“Search on the Internet for your product or business.

“Check whether the product will come up in the search results.

“In such cases, it helps to have some knowledge to manoeuvre digitally like understanding how search engines and online platforms work.

“There are a lot of free courses online for people to learn about this, ” she added.