Whatsapp launched SMBSaathi Utsav initiative which aims to support small businesses. By helping them to adopt digital mediums like Whatsapp Business App. Utsav has started the initiative with a pilot in Jaipur’s Johri Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar. Over 500 small businesses trained. Accordingly the initiative was launched in the collaboration with Josh Talks. Hence the SMBSaathi Utsav is the second phase of the SMBSaathi campaign.
Key points:
- To help these businesses revive from this downturn, WhatsApp launched the SMBSaathi initiative earlier this year, which showcased inspiring stories of business owners across India who pivoted to digital ways of doing business during the pandemic.
- However for many of these businesses WhatsApp was their first digital gateway and an easier and more effective alternative to building and maintaining a website. The SMBSaathi Utsav is the second phase of the SMBSaathi campaign.
- Therefore as part of the SMBSaathi Utsav, trained volunteers are providing one-on-one digital training to businesses in Johri Bazar and Bapu Bazaar in Jaipur.
- These trainings involve educating the business owners about building a digital presence on the WhatsApp Business App to help them better manage incoming leads and queries, consequently build a product/services showcase and market to key audiences using online tools.
- Founded: 2009;
- CEO: Will Cathcart;
- Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States;
- Acquisition date: 19 February 2014;
- Founders: Jan Koum, Brian Acton;
- Parent organization: Facebook.