Good customer care crucial for the survival of small businesses

Good customer care crucial for the survival of small businesses

Several businesses are opening shop in Africa every day, while several others die every day. The bliss about small and informal businesses is that one can start a business at any time, but the problem is the survival of that business.

There are various businesses such as mama/baba lishe (the roadside food vendors), hawkers or cottage industry, making ice cream at home, etc. Establishing a business with breaking even, survival, and later on the ability to make a living out of it, and taking that business to the next level is an uphill task.

There are numerous challenges every small business has to overcome. For instance, Dar es Salaam like any other African city experiences great business competition. While the government promotes the development of small businesses (entrepreneurship), compliance for small traders with very little capital is not so easy.

Take for example, a small trader who starts by making homemade ice cream using a neighbour’s freezer. The sweet talks between the two make the neighbour allow the small trader to leave the ice cream in the freezer for several hours and afterward rush out to sell the same. It sounds simple, but complying with regulations is cumbersome for a small trader and often impossible for such a trade.

It is such cases that make the informal sector in Africa to be huge. Often the formal sector and public service do not create adequate job opportunities. No wonder millions of youths in Africa often have two choices– continue tarmacking or get into the informal sector.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), over 60 percent of the world’s adult labour force participates in the informal economy.

That is about 2 billion workers, whereby some researchers tell us that the situation is worse in Saharan Africa and Latin America.

At global, regional, and national levels, it is a phenomenal problem that needs to be tackled by nations at the policy level.

But unemployment in Dar es Salaam, Dakar, or Nairobi is a daily reality, and many informal business owners struggle so hard to put three decent meals at their tables.

It is always encouraged to buy from small traders whenever you can, only if the quality of the products meets the required standard. For instance, if your neighbour is the best tailor, and you can decide that s/he sews clothes for you instead of buying big brands.

This makes a huge difference. The small-scale farmer, trying to start selling his pumpkins in Dar es Salaam, makes a huge difference in their lives when you buy and tell your neighbours about it.

Unfortunately, in Tanzania, people are not taught about business at primary school level, which might contribute more to the informal traders learning the hard way. One of the biggest problems is the inability to offer good customer care service.

The large firms in the city, some with near monopoly, can afford lopsided customer care service. But a small trader, s/he has to be highly courteous and exhibit all the custom care needed to get and maintain clients.

For an informal business to grow, apart from hard work, good supervision/management etc, among the keys is providing excellent customer care services. No matter the kind of business you are engaging in, providing good customer care services helps maintain such customers and make such a business grow.

As we celebrate customer service week, it is not only for the big business. Informal and small businesses need to ensure that their customers get satisfactory services. Sometimes we hear the abusive language at our markets.

This occurs when one negotiate something but end up not buying. Note that, customers determine the survival, growth, and your business success. So treat well your customers.

Original Media Source

Share this news

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp

This Years Most Read News Stories

Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades
Tanzania Foreign Investment News
Chief Editor

Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades

Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades

EXIM Bank to raise 300m/- over the next three years for financing essential services and infrastructure upgrades in mental health facilities.

The bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications Stanley Kafu unveiled this when introducing Exim Bima Festival 2024 as a platform for bringing together individuals, organisations and various sectors for raising the funds.

“Exim’s initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including mental health services,” he said.

The initiative, which is one of the events for celebrating the bank’s 27th anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Dar es Salaam.

Mr Kafu highlights that this year’s festival is not only about raising awareness of the importance of insurance in the society but also focuses on enhancing access to mental health services and improving the overall well-being of the nation.

Statistics from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 82 per cent increase in mental health cases over the past decade.

Mental cases have risen from 386,358 in 2012 to 2,102,726 in 2021, making the need for mental health services more urgent than ever.

ALSO READ: NBC’s Saving Campaign Empowers Customers Nationwide

Unfortunately, the country’s ability to address this growing challenge is hindered by a shortage of mental health professionals, infrastructure, medical equipment and essential medication.

For example, out of the 28 regions in the country, only five have facilities that provide adequate mental health services.

The most affected group is the youth aged 15 to 39, who represent the nation’s workforce, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to safeguard this generation for Tanzania’s future well-being and development.

Mr Kafu said by improving mental health services, Exim aims to contribute to the creation of a network of communities that can access care quickly and affordably.

Exim Insurance Department Manager Tike Mwakyoma said they are appreciating the support from partners in the insurance industry, who have stood by them since the last festival.

“Let’s continue this unity for the development of all Tanzanians and our nation as a whole,” the manager said.

Source: allafrica.com

Continue Reading