At Xcelerate 2024, Kolkata, Nitish Dhawan delivered a compelling presentation on Scalable IT Strategies for SMBs, shedding light on the importance of adopting energy-efficient, reliable, and scalable technologies for small and medium-sized businesses. He began by addressing the audience with a humorous take on sustainability, sharing that he had shaved off his beard to save time and resources. “You have to be sustainable, energy-efficient,” Dhawan remarked, using the anecdote to set the stage for a larger discussion on how SMBs can thrive in today’s competitive environment.
Dhawan emphasized the critical role SMBs play in India’s economy, noting, “India has the largest SMB sector in the world, contributing almost 25 to 30% of our GDP and employing nearly 50% of the population.” He stressed that as a core part of the economy, SMBs must focus on energy efficiency, technology adoption, and sustainability to ensure future growth.
One of the session’s highlights was Dhawan’s discussion of research conducted by Intuit Research, which surveyed over 2,000 SMB decision-makers. The research revealed key challenges faced by SMBs, including high competition intensity, supply chain disruptions, and the need for reliable and secure technology solutions. “Either you have to grab the technology or you will be left behind,” Dhawan urged, reinforcing the necessity for SMBs to embrace digital transformation in order to stay competitive.
Among the most pressing challenges for SMBs, Dhawan pointed out, were high competition (reported by 27% of respondents) and increased logistics costs, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “If you don’t have a proper supply chain, you’ll end up losing money,” Dhawan said, highlighting the impact of supply chain inefficiencies on profitability.
Dhawan also addressed the importance of right-sizing technology solutions for SMBs. “If you oversize your requirements, you’ll end up losing energy efficiency,” he explained, emphasizing the need for businesses to adopt scalable and modular solutions. Schneider Electric, he noted, provides these solutions with a commitment to sustainability and innovation, investing 5% of its revenue into research and development. “We manufacture almost 90% of the components for any data center. So, we can offer a one-stop solution for your IT needs,” Dhawan added.
In closing, Dhawan introduced his colleague Parijat Sarkar, who would dive deeper into the specific solutions Schneider Electric offers to help SMBs reduce operational costs, improve efficiency, and ensure sustainable, profitable growth.
With practical insights and actionable strategies, Dhawan’s session provided a roadmap for SMBs looking to scale effectively while leveraging the latest IT innovations.
Watch the full session here: https://youtu.be/tdE45znJW7U
