OTE - Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA
OTE - Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA
05/31/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/01/2022 03:38
The digital readiness of small and medium-sized enterprises in Greece - 2022. Small and medium sized enterprises in Greece are digitally maturing, according to COSMOTE and[...]
- 10% increase in the average of the Digital Readiness Index in comparison to 2020
-The greater the digital maturity, the greater the business benefits for enterprises, with increased sales and reduced costs
- Lack of information and training, resources and skills are the main barriers for the use of digital technologies by the SMEs'
- COSMOTE is participating in Greece 2.0 'Digital Tools for SMEs' programme of the Ministry of Digital Governance
- New series of #GrowYourBusiness digital seminars in partnership with ELTRUN
-The greater the digital maturity, the greater the business benefits for enterprises, with increased sales and reduced costs
- Lack of information and training, resources and skills are the main barriers for the use of digital technologies by the SMEs'
- COSMOTE is participating in Greece 2.0 'Digital Tools for SMEs' programme of the Ministry of Digital Governance
- New series of #GrowYourBusiness digital seminars in partnership with ELTRUN
The "Digital Readiness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Greece" survey, conducted by the E-Business Research Center (ELTRUN) of the Athens University of Economics and Business on behalf of COSMOTE, shows upward trends in the digital maturity of small and medium-sized enterprises in 2022. According to the survey data, there is a 10% increase in the average of the Digital Readiness Index when compared to 2020, and 1 in 5 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is already in the advanced stages of digital readiness, while 1 in 2 SMEs is still in the initial stages. Lack of information and education, resources and skills seem to be the main obstacles to the utilisation of digital technologies by small and medium-sized businesses.
The survey was carried out[1] nationwide in March and April 2022, following a previous corresponding survey in 2020. The survey captures the Digital Readiness Index of SMEs, and their digital maturity based on the adoption and use of 10 important digital tools and types of infrastructure.
During a special event for the presentation of the survey, two additional announcements were made: COSMOTE's participation in the new programme to support SMEs, "Digital Tools for SMEs'', as part of Greece 2.0 of the Ministry of Digital Governance, funded by the Recovery Fund, and the new series of #GrowYourBusiness. The new #GrowYourBusiness digital seminars, in autumn, will be in partnership with ELTRUN, and will provide free and certified online training for SMEs at the Training and Lifelong Learning Centre of the University of Economics and Business. The new series will focus on the development of the company's employees digital skills, e-commerce, Digital Marketing, Social Media, the Internet of Things, etc.
"At COSMOTE we support small and medium-sized enterprises, enhancing their digital growth alongside Greece's digital progress. The survey we carry out with ELTRUN, every two years, provides an important mapping of the digital maturity of SMEs, which comprise 99% of the enterprises in Greece. In this year's survey, we observe that, while SMEs are making progress in utilising digital technologies, there are still barriers, such as lack of information, digital skillset, education and finacial resources. This is why we are stepping up our actions to accelerate the digital transformation of SMEs by continuing with the new updated version of the #GrowYourBusiness digital sessions, and by participating in the new 'Digital Tools for SMEs' support programme. With equal access to digital knowledge and with the technology, we can create a better world for all," said Thanos Falangas, Enterprise & Business Marketing & CRM Director, OTE Group.
Professor Georgios Doukidis from the Athens University of Economics and Business noted that: "Despite their small size, 2 in 3 SMEs were able to overcome the problems caused by the COVID-19 due to the use of digital technologies, according to the survey. At the same time 1 in 2 SMEs gained quantitative benefits, such as reduced costs and increased sales. Despite of the progress made, the majority of Greek SMEs are still in the initial stages of digital maturity. We need to accelerate the digital transformation of SMEs by further taking advantage of new technologies. Systematic and coordinated action by all stakeholders is needed to promote SMEs' digital readiness and competitiveness."
Main conclusions of the survey:
Increased use of digital tools and infrastructure by SMEs in 2022 was recorded by the survey. In particular increased rates of technologies for digital presence, e-commerce, video conferences, and digital campaigns. 8 in 10 SMEs appear to have an online presence (Website), while there is an increase to 77% from 65%, of companies with Websites created by professionals. A 40% increase was also recorded for SMEs with e-shops, while 6 in 10 SMEs use ERP or CRM systems regularly.
2022 saw a 10% increase in the average of the Digital Readiness Index of SMEs in comparison to 2020. The company average based on the Digital Readiness Index is currently 4.49/10, while in 2020 was 4.06/10. Companies are ranked in five stages of the index, based on the use of 10 digital technologies: 1-2 Elementary, 3-4 Basic, 5-6 Medium, 7-9 Advanced, 10 Ideal. The survey also shows an increase in the number of companies that are in the advanced stage. More specifically, 1 in 5 SMEs is already in the advanced stages of digital readiness, while 1 in 2 SMEs is still in the initial stages (Elementary, Basic).
Due to COVID-19, 1 in 2 SMEs used more digital means for teleworking and teleconferencing along with more digital promotion. Moreover, 2 in 3 SMEs took advantage of digital technologies to respond to the pandemic. During the past 2 years, 7 in 10 SMEs observed an increase in traffic at their e-shop and 1 in 2 SMEs with a call center, recorded an increase in online sales.
The main findings of the survey and COSMOTE's initiatives in support of SMEs can be found at: growyourbusiness.gr
COSMOTE uses the results of the survey so as to develop the appropriate initiatives to enhance the digital maturity of small and medium-sized enterprises and their digital inclusion in the modern world. Reducing the digital divide by ensuring equal access for all to the digital world, is one of COSMOTE's sustainable development priorities, along with improving its environmental and social footprint.
[1] The survey was carried out by telephone-interview on a sample of 500 Greek enterprises with 1-50 employees.
The survey was carried out[1] nationwide in March and April 2022, following a previous corresponding survey in 2020. The survey captures the Digital Readiness Index of SMEs, and their digital maturity based on the adoption and use of 10 important digital tools and types of infrastructure.
During a special event for the presentation of the survey, two additional announcements were made: COSMOTE's participation in the new programme to support SMEs, "Digital Tools for SMEs'', as part of Greece 2.0 of the Ministry of Digital Governance, funded by the Recovery Fund, and the new series of #GrowYourBusiness. The new #GrowYourBusiness digital seminars, in autumn, will be in partnership with ELTRUN, and will provide free and certified online training for SMEs at the Training and Lifelong Learning Centre of the University of Economics and Business. The new series will focus on the development of the company's employees digital skills, e-commerce, Digital Marketing, Social Media, the Internet of Things, etc.
"At COSMOTE we support small and medium-sized enterprises, enhancing their digital growth alongside Greece's digital progress. The survey we carry out with ELTRUN, every two years, provides an important mapping of the digital maturity of SMEs, which comprise 99% of the enterprises in Greece. In this year's survey, we observe that, while SMEs are making progress in utilising digital technologies, there are still barriers, such as lack of information, digital skillset, education and finacial resources. This is why we are stepping up our actions to accelerate the digital transformation of SMEs by continuing with the new updated version of the #GrowYourBusiness digital sessions, and by participating in the new 'Digital Tools for SMEs' support programme. With equal access to digital knowledge and with the technology, we can create a better world for all," said Thanos Falangas, Enterprise & Business Marketing & CRM Director, OTE Group.
Professor Georgios Doukidis from the Athens University of Economics and Business noted that: "Despite their small size, 2 in 3 SMEs were able to overcome the problems caused by the COVID-19 due to the use of digital technologies, according to the survey. At the same time 1 in 2 SMEs gained quantitative benefits, such as reduced costs and increased sales. Despite of the progress made, the majority of Greek SMEs are still in the initial stages of digital maturity. We need to accelerate the digital transformation of SMEs by further taking advantage of new technologies. Systematic and coordinated action by all stakeholders is needed to promote SMEs' digital readiness and competitiveness."
Main conclusions of the survey:
Increased use of digital tools and infrastructure by SMEs in 2022 was recorded by the survey. In particular increased rates of technologies for digital presence, e-commerce, video conferences, and digital campaigns. 8 in 10 SMEs appear to have an online presence (Website), while there is an increase to 77% from 65%, of companies with Websites created by professionals. A 40% increase was also recorded for SMEs with e-shops, while 6 in 10 SMEs use ERP or CRM systems regularly.
2022 saw a 10% increase in the average of the Digital Readiness Index of SMEs in comparison to 2020. The company average based on the Digital Readiness Index is currently 4.49/10, while in 2020 was 4.06/10. Companies are ranked in five stages of the index, based on the use of 10 digital technologies: 1-2 Elementary, 3-4 Basic, 5-6 Medium, 7-9 Advanced, 10 Ideal. The survey also shows an increase in the number of companies that are in the advanced stage. More specifically, 1 in 5 SMEs is already in the advanced stages of digital readiness, while 1 in 2 SMEs is still in the initial stages (Elementary, Basic).
Due to COVID-19, 1 in 2 SMEs used more digital means for teleworking and teleconferencing along with more digital promotion. Moreover, 2 in 3 SMEs took advantage of digital technologies to respond to the pandemic. During the past 2 years, 7 in 10 SMEs observed an increase in traffic at their e-shop and 1 in 2 SMEs with a call center, recorded an increase in online sales.
The main findings of the survey and COSMOTE's initiatives in support of SMEs can be found at: growyourbusiness.gr
COSMOTE uses the results of the survey so as to develop the appropriate initiatives to enhance the digital maturity of small and medium-sized enterprises and their digital inclusion in the modern world. Reducing the digital divide by ensuring equal access for all to the digital world, is one of COSMOTE's sustainable development priorities, along with improving its environmental and social footprint.
[1] The survey was carried out by telephone-interview on a sample of 500 Greek enterprises with 1-50 employees.