SMEs learn from each other, says Facebook

NEW DELHI: In line with global trends, small businesses in India are increasingly turning to each other to learn and share ideas in the digital economy, according to a Facebook survey.

“In India alone, 38% of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) indicated that they rely on each other to learn. Clearly, businesses are looking to each other to master the new mobile environment,” Facebook said in a release here.

The social media platform cited its ongoing “The Future of Business Survey” conducted in collaboration with the think tank Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Bank.

“Globally, 42% of businesses told us that learning from each other is one of the primary ways they find the information to master the new mobile environment, second only to online searches (64%).

“The results indicate that many businesses are embracing mobile technologies to connect with, and find new customers, sell products or services online, locate new employees and activate mobile marketing campaigns,” Facebook said.

Such behaviour is increasingly true for SMEs, who seek tools and solutions to help them manage their businesses cost-effectively on the go, according to the renowned social media platform, it added.

“Nearly half (41%) of businesses in India that are confident about the economy are learning from other businesses, whereas over half (56%) of unconfident businesses do not.”

The latest survey found 41% and 39% respectively of businesses that have added jobs in the past six months, or plan to in the next six months, also learnt from other businesses.

“To help businesses succeed in today’s digital economy, we need to understand the current and future economic environments in which these businesses operate. This edition of our Future of Business survey shows connections matter,” said Ankhi Das, director of public policy for Facebook India and South Asia.

Facebook added that its report in August had found that small businesses contributed 45% of India’s GDP – almost triple that of corporate India. – IANS