While many businesses are facing imminent collapse and closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, others are lending a helping hand.
Sokoni Links Limited., stepped in to help those businesses which were closing or on the verge of closure. With this company’s platform, all a user requires is simple technology equipment to develop, store, distribute, content. The technology needed to access their services range from smart phones, tablets, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and digital video and audio Equipment.
The Business-support services of Sokoni Links Ltd., include activities that support businesses in developing and delivering Digital Products and Services such as Web Design, Web Site Hosting and Web Management Services.
We spoke to the CEO and co-founder of Sokoni Links Ltd., Beatrice Akello-Hofmann, and she gave us insight about the startup that is rapidly becoming a household name in Uganda, and in turn east Africa. She spoke passionately about Sokoni Links, how it started and the initial challenges they faced.
Akello-Hofmann, is a serial entrepreneur. She began her entrepreneurship journey as a beauty and wellness therapist, she is the founder and owner of Nulife Professional-Wellness and a co-founding commissioner of The Free University of Oberhausen. She is also the winner of the 2015 African Women in Europe award, and in the same year, she co-authored a book “The Perfect Migrant: How to Achieve a Successful Life in Diaspora“. She describes herself as cosmopolitan, with a unique background complemented by extensive travel across the globe.
“Sokoni Links was launched in March this year, when many African countries began stay-at-home restrictions in a bid to slow down the spread of COVID-19” she said. “I contacted one of my partners, Herbert Obwoya in Kampala, Uganda and together, we determined that we needed to do something to help businesses continue transacting remotely – given the circumstances. The idea of an online directory with clear business descriptions and contact details would allow individuals acquire any product or service with a click of a button from the comfort and safety of their homes. Herbert quickly assembled a small team of professionals in various fields to kick start the process of what is now called Sokoni Links Ltd”.
“We do not only list featured businesses and present linkages for direct contact with prospective customers, but we also provide affordable advertising strategies for small businesses to easily present content relevant to their offered services, which they are looking to share with their customers”. She said as scrolled and illustrated the platforms’ functionality. “Our Content is converted to business and consumer products. We feature all categories of businesses and everyone offering a service, has a spot in the Sokoni Links market place”.
Users have become accustomed to new ways of transacting business and continued living their lives by adapting to new technologies for effecting Business to Business (B2B), Business to Customer (B2C) as well as Business to Government (B2G) transactions. “COVID-19 has kicked off sales promotions from the list of the channels in the advertising mix because social distancing measures imposed by local governments have eliminated the possibility of collecting large groups of people when marketing a product or service. Smart devices and the internet are playing an important role in marketing products today” she said.
“The rapid proliferation and adoption of smart devices (phones and tablets) in Uganda and the East African region and readily available access to internet services supports online marketing’ activities and platforms, businesses now need to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the internet”, she added.
Technology
“ICT and applications power the world today; every sector is struggling to acquire the latest technology, applications and equipment to increase quality, efficiency and reduce costs. It’s not strange that the UN considers ICT a basic human right. In this ICT era, businesses in the sub-region need to expand their online presence, every type of application has its unique qualities – even those that do more less the same thing. For example, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media platform do more less the same thing, but businesses and users subscribe to each social media platform, this demonstrates the reason why businesses want to expand their online presence and increase their digital footprint” she said.
“The collaborative nature of Sokoni Links facilitates increased customer support, advertising and marketplace activities, a consumer can click on an ad in order to obtain more information about a company’s product offerings or send an e-mail to ask questions or buy a product or service directly from the supplier. Through the Sokoni Links platform, consumers will reduce purchasing costs, find unreachable products, increase their shopping convenience and obtain enhanced utility. Businesses will reduce operational costs and increase profitability” she said.
All startups face challenges and Sokoni Links Limited was no exception, she explained, however, the journey has provided us with an experience and opportunity learn many things about online business space in the region.
“Sokoni is a Kiswahili word which means the market place and that’s exactly what we provide”, she said. And this market place is currently has been able to connect over 80 businesses in east Africa in the last month, and has gained a massive following of users on social media, “all this progress is because we have a strong and committed team”.
Akello-Hofmann leads a team of four co-founders who include, Herbert Obwoya, David Oula and William Draku. “These are qualified and proficient individuals with a wealth of experience in legal practice, business management, transnational trade, entrepreneurship as well business skills management. These founder members have a broad network of individuals and organizations within the east African sub-region. Their creativity, innovation and synergy provide a framework for sustainable growth and development of the company”, she said.
It is clear that Akello-Hofmann and her team did not let the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic slow them down. They were determined to provide opportunities for businesses to increase value, economic utility and customer satisfaction. Their platform is creating value addition in the form of information and utility which has a positive effect on consumer behavior, loyalty, satisfaction, repeat business and other in turn providing renewed growth for enterprises. It is also now clear that for any business to compete in the rapidly changing environment, they have to be part of the region is Sokoni Links platform.
Source:http://www.thehabarinetwork.com