An enterprising small garment manufacturer has managed to shrug off challenges found in the sector by making use of the internet.
By Our Correspondent
Faced with a turbulent economic environment, navigating the business operating environment has not been easy, especially for new players.
Courtesy of technology and a growing global digitalisation drive; Indigo Prints, which specialises in textiles, fashion, garment sales and marketing, screen printing, embroidery, brand merchandising and textile garments manufacturing, are keeping the tide turning by running an online one-stop platform where most of the marketing and sales are conducted.
Run by young entrepreneurs, the company overcame the obstacles by reducing production costs through running a virtual office where most of the administration is done online.
Indigo Prints MD Anesu Maphosa said young entrepreneurs should start to look beyond government-initiated national digitalisation programmes.
“The impact of technology in today’s business world cannot be underestimated. As young people, we should break from the cocoon and utilise opportunities available through the internet so that there is ease of doing business,” said Maphosa.
“Most traditional businesses shun digital marketing and are stuck in traditional ways. Same applies to customers and that is why technology is coming in Zimbabwe at a slow pace.
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“After realising that one of the impediments to running a business in Zimbabwe was the high cost of doing business, through our website we are engaging customers and expanding our business.”
Through its website, the printing and fashion company managed to grow and attract high profile companies that include embassies, banks, churches, schools, non-governmental organisations and big retail outlets.
Another director at the company, Nyarai Maphosa said online marketing and administration had not only saved Indigo Prints by reducing costs, but also helped in responding to customers’ orders and queries.
“We overcame the high cost of renting and running a physical office by creating a website, which allows us to display our products and services; 99% of our customers come through the online platform,” Maphosa said.
“Using the online platform has improved the business tremendously through timeous engagement in response to customer needs and queries.”
The company’s website is easily picked by Google search engines and is linked to various social media platforms. This has seen Indigo Prints reach a wide range of customers and handling the administration of orders.
Government is targeting information communication technology development towards a target of 100% broadband accessibility by 2020.
Information Communication Technology and Courier Services minister Supa Mandiwanzira was recently quoted encouraging businesses to move with the times by adopting technology to enhance marketing and expand businesses.
