By D E Wasake, FCCA
May 2020

Introduction

I cannot tell you if I am a modern prophet, but the fact of the matter is that in 2014 I told a high profile Ugandan investment convention in London in 2014 that “every business is a digital business”. The Vice President, Edward Ssekandi was there as guest of honour but I don’t know if he heard me. There were many MPs (like Aida Nantaba), dignitaries and so were prominent business representatives. I believe BMK (of Hotel Africana) and Wafula Oguttu (formerly of Monitor) were in the audience.  That video is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaWCjdqXNNs&feature=emb_title

In it, I mentioned a few things then that are STILL very critical and relevant in our “new normal” with COVID-19:

·    Every business is a digital business - meaning you no longer are just a greengrocer or a pharmacist, you must also embrace technology as part of your business.

You need to have an internet marketing strategy to reach the increasingly internet based Ugandan population.  This often starts with a Google search, where 60% of Ugandan businesses don’t even have a website. They need a website that converts.

·     More people are accessing the internet from their mobile phones than on PCs/Laptops. Your business and website needs a solid “mobile” strategy.

You need a pay per click and content strategy.  This includes how you will advertise on Google, LinkedIn,Facebook as well as how you make yourself an expert (content strategy).  Advertising via online is much cheaper than traditional advertising – whose distribution model is changing. Are customers going to see billboards for example?

The first step therefore for any business in the post COVID-19 world is going to be to dust off their internet strategy and make it at the centre of their business strategy.

Read the full article here.