Equipping entrepreneurs with digital skills
Businesses in Sarawak embark on their digital journey with Google’s assistance, writes Izwan Ismail
IN this digital age, the only way for businesses to move up the value chain is by implementing some form of online business strategy. Besides having a brick-and-mortar presence, businesses need to look at the Web as it is the place that can help them grow.
Recently, Google Malaysia, in collaboration with Google Business Group (GBG) Sarawak and supported by iCube Innovation, organised the Google Digital Workshop 2018 in Kuching, Sarawak, to help businesses there embark on the digital road map.
GBG is a community of business professionals sharing knowledge about Google web technologies for business success.
It is run by business professionals who are passionate about bringing the benefits of the web to their local business communities on a volunteer, unpaid basis.
Each group is organised by a local volunteer (GBG Manager) and is entirely independent from Google, the corporation.
The free event, which was attended by nearly 60 entrepreneurs from Kuching, Bintulu and Kota Kinabalu, was aimed at equipping them with insights on digital marketing, as well as knowledge on how to build a better digital presence using the free Google My Business platform, which includes various digital marketing means of helping businesses reach their potential customers like Google Ads.
They also got to know more about Google Analytics, which is helpful in optimising campaigns.
Google believes in helping Malaysian businesses with their digital journey through Google My Business.
This programme offers participants an opportunity to increase their skills with the latest digital tools and the experience of applying what they have learnt to their business, with the aim of increasing their business presence online.
LESSONS COVERED
Among the topics covered were Google My Business, Google Ads, Google Analytics and tools to grow a business.
“With nearly 100 per cent of Malaysians staying connected via smartphones, it is only natural for us to also do our shopping online. Not only that, we are now also shopping on the go as we hunt for physical stores or products,” said Malcolm Wu, manager, Google Business Group Sarawak.
“This means that there is a need for more local entrepreneurs and business owners to build an online presence so that their businesses can be easily found,” he said.
Malaysia is a digital-first country, with over 22 million Malaysians connected daily, and they are looking to connect with more local companies to do business with.
It is critical for Malaysian businesses, big and small, to understand how to use digital tools to reach their customers and achieve their business goals.
At the end of the programme, participants had a deeper understanding of digital marketing and how to build better digital presence. They also got to be part of the Google My Business Trusted Verifier (TV) programme.
“With this leg of the Google Digital Workshop, we aim to help more Sarawakian businesses create better digital presence with the help of our certified trainers for them to grow both physically and digitally,” said Wu.
Meanwhile, Azzam Ramli, marketing specialist at Google Malaysia, said many Malaysians are choosing to shop online, and with the smartphone adoption being close to 100 per cent, people are now even shopping on the go.
“This means that local businesses need to ensure that they can be easily found wherever Malaysians are online,” he said.
PARTICIPANTS’ VIEW
With nearly 100 per cent of Malaysians staying connected via smartphones, it is only natural for us to also do our shopping online. Malcolm Wu
For project and sales manager Jonathan Wong, the workshop was one of the best he has ever attended within the Sarawak capital.
“The trainer was well experienced and was able to inform us on how to apply Google’s free tools and services to further enhance our business. I’m looking forward to more workshops and events of this quality in the future,” said Wong.
The workshop also proved to be beneficial to Ann Wong, co-founder of the Penan Women Project, an initiative by the Miri Women Weaving Association.
“I learnt a lot about how Google My Business is able to help us reach out to a wider market, and make it easier for the public to find us online. It’s an awesome tool, and the best part about it is that it’s free,” she said.
The Google My Business can be done in 40 minutes training through Academy for Ads here.
Academy for Ads is a Google training programme that businesses can use to grow their advertising skills.
Under the module, for example, participants will learn how to create listings that will stand out when customers search for any business online.