Learn From: Preparing SME Leaders For Digital Transformation With Azizah Ali

May 23, 2017 • 1 Min Read

How are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) coping with digital transformation that is disrupting conventional business models of yesteryears worldwide?

In the SME CEO Conference 2017 organised by Leaderonomics (April 26) in partnership with MDEC, Alliance Bank, Microsoft and the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), we caught up with one of the key speakers in the event, Azizah Ali, general manager of Small and Medium Services and Partners (SMS&P) at Microsoft Malaysia, to hear what she has to share with us on the SME industry in Malaysia.

Three challenges among SME leaders that are keeping them from progressing forward in technology are:

Organisational leadership: Leaders who don’t see the need to change because things are currently working well in their organisation.
Technology investment: Leaders have the perception that technology investment will cost them a bomb, and as an SME, they’re unable to foresee the return of their investment.
Security concerns: With sites hacked and possible data encroachment, this is quite a valid concern.
Organisational capabilities: How leaders can drive the digital transformation and engage the rest at all levels.

According to Azizah, SME leaders need to challenge the status quo, become role model of change and continuously engage the rest to embrace technology and digital transformation.