Time to invest in ICT
Friday September 16 2011 | 09:31 AM

Investment in information and communication technology (ICT) is rapidly becoming a necessity for businesses that wish to prosper in the long term. 

This comes from Pam Roach, Global Directories Marketing Manager for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Giving remarks at a press briefing for the Event Caribbean 2011 conference and exhibition, Roach explained that an investment in technology could secure a company’s future. 

“We believe that companies which invest in technology to improve their efficiency and effectiveness will be winners today, tomorrow and in the future. Every day we see evidence that the world around us is rapidly changing, and more and more, we find information coming at us from all angles. Even more importantly, we continue to see a welcoming trend in the Caribbean of growing Internet and mobile penetration, more than 50 per cent in some case, as well as thousands of persons spending more and more time on social media networks,” Roach said. 

She went on to say that companies must acknowledge the importance of information and communication technology and must in turn step up to the plate in terms of having a recognisable presence on the internet. Roach added that companies should be aware that potential customers spend their time searching services on the Internet. 

“The stark reality is that companies must realise that they must raise their game in the evolution of the virtual world and maintain a comprehensive online presence if they are to remain competitive and viable in today’s dynamic market. No longer can businesses be laid back and feel that it is okay to rely on walk-in business, and word-of-mouth referrals are becoming less integral than having an impactful online presence when customers are searching the major search engines for products and services. Therefore, it is incumbent on local businesses to be exactly where their customers spend most of their time looking for information – on the world wide web,” Roach stated. 

As for the upcoming ISB international conference, Roach called it a forum of high value, “which not only generates knowledge, but stimulates ideas about new trends and developments, but allows policy makers, as well as private sector companies to be part of the discussion.”