Srinivas Rao: The Chief Digital Officer Commited To Growing Small Businesses
In 2020, a global pandemic slowed down the pace of the world, particularly in the areas of business and investment. People couldn’t go outside for a significant period of time, and more than a few businesses went down under. As the world works toward easing into the new normal, businesses of all sizes are also struggling to take concrete steps towards full recovery, or at the very least, thinking of new ways to sell their products and services.
In Nigeria, the situation is even more complicated. The economy is as unpredictable as it gets, and when COVID-19 reached the shores of the country, small-scale entrepreneurs found themselves in turmoil. Now they have to adjust to new ways of doing business and generating income, and they will need all the assistance they can get.
MTN Nigeria, known for its unwavering support for industry and expertise, has rolled out a programme, aimed at assisting entrepreneurs in the process of relearning, rethinking, and retooling their businesses for growth. Srinivas Rao, Chief Digital Officer at MTN Nigeria, is one of the individuals who have proved instrumental to the functionality of this initiative.
Before joining MTN Nigeria, Srinivas Rao worked as an IT Systems Manager at Investcom Group (between 2002 and 2005), and also occupied the position of Lead Consultant at the National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT) between 2002 and 2004. Since joining MTN in 2005, Rao has moved up the ranks, working as Senior Manager for IT Infrastructure, then as General Manager for IT Infrastructure and Operations, before his appointment as MTN Nigeria’s first Chief Digital Officer in 2019. With about 22 years of professional experience under his belt, he has carved a niche for himself and acquired expertise in Business Service Management, Project Management, Technology & Business Management, Conflict Resolution and Communication, among others.
Rao obtained a diploma in Computer Science from NIIT, before going on to study Commerce at Delhi University, where he graduated with first class honours. He also holds an advanced diploma in Accounting and Business Management.
In his current role, Rao has been responsible for MTN Nigeria’s digital strategy, taking charge of design, planning and implementation of digital services and channels for the company’s customers and partners. He is also one of the driving forces behind MTN Nigeria’s latest pro-entrepreneurial initiative, the Revv Programme.
Launched in August 2020, the Revv Programme was set up by MTN Nigeria to address the critical needs of SMEs during and after the Coronavirus pandemic, and also build capacity in business management. What makes this programme unique is the deliberateness in which its structure is set up. It uses a four-pronged approach that includes masterclasses, access to market, productivity tool support and advisory initiatives.
The masterclasses are focused on imparting relevant knowledge and applicable skills to business owners. MTN’s online real estate is utilised to create and drive awareness for the benefit of SMEs. Practical tools, business resources and solutions are compiled to help SMEs manage their business remotely. The programme also provides daily insights, access to free digital training, advice from experts and a suite of offers to help SMEs work more efficiently in today’s rapidly evolving business climate.
The Revv Programme aims to empower and support over 10,000 SMEs, providing them with digital literacy and business education. Business owners and other participants will learn about financing methods, as well as brand management and expansion. They will also have the opportunity to collaborate with partners from MTN’s Enterprise Business division, and gain publicity for their businesses via MTN’s social media platforms.
Since the inception of the programme, a total of 200 SMEs have been selected to make up the “Y’ello 200”. These SMEs, which were identified as the high-performing SMEs from the masterclass sessions, will enjoy exclusive access to a wide range of productivity tools, technology and free services geared at boosting their businesses.
During the first season of the Revv Programme – which ran from August to December 2020 -Srinivas Rao was a facilitator at one of the masterclasses organised by MTN Nigeria, themed :Setting Up Your Business For Success: The Technology Advantage”. At that masterclass, the company expressed its willingness to collaborate with cloud technology service providers, with a view to providing support for small businesses in Nigeria.
In December 2020, MTN Nigeria revealed plans to launch new mobile applications relevant to SMEs. This revelation was made at the Y’ello Clinic, an engagement session between MTN executives and business owners, which featured discussions around funding and finance, customer retention, business management processes, and running a business that is as sustainable as it is profitable.
Since Rao became the company’s first Chief Digital Officer, MTN Nigeria has entered into strategic partnerships with several global digital platforms, including Tidal, Gameloft, uduX and Showmax. It is no coincidence that these deals are being sealed with him at the helm of digital affairs, and there is every chance that in convincing these brands to sign the dotted lines, his negotiation skills were brought to bear.
If the Revv Programme is going to reach a wider audience, strategic digital campaigns will be key. The success of the first season is a testament to Srinivas Rao’s leadership skills and capacity to take charge of MTN Nigeria on the digital front. For an office that was launched only two years ago, he is handling it so well. Nigerian entrepreneurs are the major beneficiaries of the Revv Programme, and the programme itself benefits from Rao’s management expertise. It’s a win-win for him, for MTN Nigeria, and for the country’s struggling SMEs.
