How OCBC Bank's Virtual SME Campus and other digital initiatives equip SMEs with new-normal skills

OCBC Bank’s webinar series OCBC Virtual SME Campus has been attended by 5,000 employees from more than 2,500 SMEs since its launch in April 2020.

The Campus programme was born in April 2020 during Singapore's extended Circuit Breaker (CB) period. It was during this period that OCBC Bank began working with partners including Enterprise Singapore, Amazon, Google and Shopee, to create this series of webinars to equip SMEs with the digital know-how needed to transform and thrive in the new normal.

So far, more than 30 webinars of about two hours each have been conducted. The webinars addressed immediate concerns that SMEs had during the extended CB, including how to leverage e-commerce and digital marketing. Webinars tailored specifically for hard-hit industries like F&B were also organised to equip them with the digital skills needed to start selling online quickly. 

Though the focus on the webinars has been on digitalisation, special webinars on pertinent topics like working capital financing support schemes, and the impact of the Covid-19 Temporary Measures Act, have also been conducted. Other sessions have aimed to prepare SMEs for future opportunities, with topics covering the outlook on the ASEAN economies and China, as well as how to strengthen business resilience for the post Covid-19 new normal.

By the end of 2020, about 6,500 employees from more than 3,000 SMEs are expected to benefit.

The Campus complements the other digital initiatives rolled out by OCBC Bank, including the Start Digital Pack, which enables SMEs to implement HR, accounting, digital marketing, digital transactions and cyber security solutions for free for a period of at least six months. This programme is in collaboration with Info-communications Media Development Authority and Enterprise Singapore.

Photo / 123RF

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