Micro and small businesses are the backbone of any economy, employing a significant percentage of the workforce and contributing significantly to the country's GDP. However, these businesses often struggle to compete with larger enterprises due to limited resources, lack of access to technology, and inadequate knowledge of digitization and automation.
                                                                                                                                                   

To address these challenges, the Women's Wing - Vizagapatam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in association with Amazon Web Services, MSMEmatters, and Aaroh Consulting, organized a half-day training session titled 'Chai pe Business' to educate micro and small business owners on automation and digitization. The session aimed to provide a clear understanding of how simple and effective digitization can enhance the working of micro-enterprises and help them aim towards comfortable and systematic expansion.
                                                                                                                                                 The session covered several topics that are crucial for micro and small businesses, such as awareness of MSME schemes, digitization of accounting, HR processes, inventory management, and market expansion and exports through digital and online marketing. The speakers, including Chief Guest Mr. RVS Rudraraju, Founder Director of RHI Magnesita India Ltd, Mr. Sanjay Singh, Business Development Lead - Small and Mid-market Segment from Amazon Web services for India and SAARC, and Ms. Arundhati Mukherjee, Founder, and Director, Aaroh Consulting, shared their knowledge and expertise on these topics, helping participants gain valuable insights into how digitization and automation can benefit their businesses.
                                                                                                                                                      Amazon Web Services addressed the challenges of access and training by bringing world-class SAAS (Software as a Service) tools, through the easy-to-use AWS platform, and a training program that handheld users through the process of learning. All this was available at a very low introductory price of Rs 120 per month, making it affordable for small businesses.

The event was organized by the Women's Wing VCCI, with Ms. Jeeja Valsaraj, President, Ms. Anila Narla, Hony Secretary, and Ms. Sandhya Godey, Vice President, and coordinator for the program, ensuring its smooth conduct. The program received an overwhelming response from micro and small business owners who were eager to learn and understand the benefits of digitization and automation.
                                                                                                                                                      Digitization and automation can help micro and small businesses reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve customer experience, making them more competitive and sustainable in the long run. Initiatives like 'Chai pe Business' are essential to empower these businesses and equip them with the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital economy.