Microsoft through the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative has launched the SME Public Relations & Communications toolkit aimed at serving as a one-stop resource for entrepreneurs across the African continent and other emerging markets to get started in building an effective, impactful, measurable and repeatable communications strategy.
It noted that the 52-page interactive document was created in response to a survey conducted with SMEs across Africa to determine their communication needs.
Entrepreneurs are expected to benefit from the toolkit, especially those working with smaller budgets, to create maximum impact and set and achieve realistic goals to see results. The downloadable e-booklet equips SMEs with guidelines, tips and tricks, links to extra information, video interviews with local experts and downloadable templates.
The toolkit is available for free download after registering on the Microsoft Biz4Afrika platform.
“PR and communications is such a valuable tool in effectively and clearly responding to the market in a way that also aligns with your business strategy,” says Kaakpema Yelpaala, founder of start-up access.mobile and ClinicCommunicator. “We have found that as our company grows, businesses, consumers, analysts and other stakeholders in our focus markets want to know our story. They want to understand the value of our products and services and learn more about our current and future priorities. Through PR, we can tell these stories.We look forward to benefitting from the toolkit.”
Kunle Awosika, Microsoft Country Manager of Kenya said: “When putting this toolkit together, our team spent a lot of time with partners and small business owners, learning about their needs for us to custom-build a resource that meets the exact communication. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more, and hence these series of toolkits are doing exactly that – helping not only SMES, but also our partners to build and scale their businesses with greater impact.”
