Why SMEs Ought to Embrace Technology

Story by John Kimwere
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been urged to embrace technology to minimise business losses, improve productivity, attract more customers and create employment opportunities.
Robert Manyala, Chief Executive Officer of Robisearch Ltd, says many businesses struggle not necessarily because of a lack of customers but because of weaknesses in stock management, employee accountability, financial controls and customer service.
Speaking during a business engagement, Manyala challenged entrepreneurs to examine their operations and identify areas where inefficiencies could be draining their revenue.
“Is your business leaking? Is it leaking because of stock, employees or customers? What is the problem?” he posed, urging business owners to use technology to identify and address challenges affecting their enterprises.
Manyala, who said he has more than 20 years of business experience in Kenya, noted that the success of SMEs extends beyond individual entrepreneurs because many families depend on businesses for their livelihoods.
He warned that when businesses collapse, employees lose their jobs, families lose their sources of income and the wider economy suffers.
According to Manyala, adopting appropriate digital solutions can help businesses establish stronger management systems, reduce unnecessary expenditure and improve their chances of survival.
Digital presence can expand market reach
Manyala identified websites and digital marketing as essential tools for businesses seeking to expand their customer base and compete in the modern marketplace.
He urged entrepreneurs to invest in functional websites that allow customers to discover their products and services, make inquiries and communicate with businesses regardless of geographical location.
He observed that businesses that are difficult to find online risk losing potential customers to competitors with a stronger digital presence.
Manyala challenged entrepreneurs to consider whether their businesses appear prominently when customers search online for particular products and services.
He added that an effective website can help businesses respond to inquiries and reach potential customers across different countries and time zones, even when the business owner is unavailable.
Technology can improve financial accountability
The Robisearch Ltd CEO also called on landlords and property managers to adopt digital property management and payment systems to improve rent collection and strengthen financial accountability.

He said automated payment notifications can help landlords confirm transactions directly through their systems rather than relying exclusively on messages or screenshots provided by tenants.
Digital platforms can also generate payment reminders, track outstanding rent and enable property owners to monitor their investments remotely.
Manyala said embracing such solutions could reduce disputes, improve transparency and make property management more efficient.
He noted that business owners should be able to access accurate financial information without constantly depending on employees to prepare reports manually.
POS systems can help businesses reduce stock losses
In the retail and hospitality sectors, Manyala encouraged entrepreneurs to adopt point-of-sale (POS) systems to monitor sales, manage inventory and identify discrepancies.
He said businesses can experience significant losses when they lack reliable systems for tracking stock movements and daily transactions, even when they attract large numbers of customers.
According to Manyala, digital sales systems enable entrepreneurs to identify fast-moving products, monitor stock levels and establish whether the money collected corresponds with recorded sales.
He added that reliable business management systems should provide reports on daily revenue, expenditure, profits, outstanding debts and expected payments.
Such information, he said, enables entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and identify problems before they threaten the survival of their businesses.
AI and automation can boost productivity
Manyala further urged SMEs to adopt artificial intelligence (AI), biometric attendance systems and automated performance monitoring tools to improve employee productivity.
He observed that businesses can lose valuable working hours when employees delay starting their duties or spend excessive time on tasks that could be completed more efficiently using technology.
He said biometric attendance systems, automated alerts and performance monitoring tools can help managers improve accountability and ensure employees use their working hours effectively.
Manyala noted that improved productivity can support business expansion, enabling enterprises to increase their capacity and employ more workers.
He emphasised that technology should not merely be viewed as an additional expense but as an investment that can help businesses operate more efficiently and sustainably.
QR codes can improve customer experience
The Robisearch Ltd CEO also encouraged hotels, restaurants and supermarkets to adopt QR-code menus and digital product catalogues to make it easier for customers to access product information and prices.
He said customers should be able to scan a code using their mobile phones to view available products, menus and prices without having to ask employees for every detail.
According to Manyala, such systems can simplify purchasing decisions, improve customer convenience and potentially increase sales.
He also advocated for convenient digital payment solutions that reduce transaction delays and make it easier for customers to complete purchases.
Manyala said businesses must recognise that customers are more likely to appreciate services that are accessible, efficient and straightforward to use.
Business owners urged to monitor losses
Manyala challenged entrepreneurs to focus not only on how much money their businesses generate but also on how much they lose through inefficiencies.
He said business owners often concentrate on increasing revenue without paying sufficient attention to losses arising from poor stock management, weak internal controls and unproductive operations.
He urged entrepreneurs to regularly assess their financial performance and determine whether investing in technology could help prevent avoidable losses.
He also challenged business owners to examine whether their enterprises could continue operating effectively when they were sick, travelling or taking time away from work.
“If you are sick today, is your business sick? If you go on leave, will your business be on leave? If you decide to rest, will your business be resting?” he asked.
Manyala argued that sustainable businesses require effective systems and structures that allow daily operations to continue without the constant physical presence of the owner.
He said entrepreneurs should be willing to adopt solutions that improve oversight and enable them to manage their businesses using reliable information.
Free monthly initiative to support SMEs
Manyala said Robisearch Ltd runs a free monthly business support initiative on the last Tuesday of every month to help entrepreneurs understand technology, marketing and other solutions that can improve business performance.
He said the initiative seeks to equip business owners with knowledge that can help them identify operational weaknesses, improve their digital presence and attract more customers.
He encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of such opportunities to understand how technology can address challenges affecting their businesses.
Manyala noted that strengthening SMEs is essential to Kenya’s economic growth because businesses create jobs, support families and contribute to the country’s wider economic development.
He urged entrepreneurs to remain open to innovation, embrace calculated risks and adopt practical digital solutions that can protect their investments.
Manyala said businesses that combine effective management, technology and customer-focused services would be better positioned to remain competitive, expand their operations and create sustainable employment opportunities.
He maintained that helping SMEs grow is not only beneficial to individual business owners but also important for building a stronger economy.