INSIGHT: Museyamwa, ignore the internet at your own peril!

Howdy folks!
The way we look at doing business in Zimbabwe is changing and fast becoming a safer haven for those who are no longer trapped in the BC era.

I am not talking about the Before Christ era here, in case some may get confused. I am talking about the Before Computer era.
It is high time that our small businesses, ana Museyamwa, fully embrace the AD era — the Anno (in the year of) Digital era that is.
In fact, we should all wake up and live in the new world of the internet.
Granted, the cyber world can be a devil that never forgives (say for someone who has moved on with their lives but their sex-tape is still stuck on some website where people can easily download it and judge them) but it all depends on what you are doing there — what you reap is what you sow.
A lot of changes have been taking place in the world of business. Change is something that we have all gone through from time to time.
Some may reject it and get away with it. But when it is inevitable as in this case, the best option is just understanding how best to cope with it.
And technology is one typical example of the new normal that ana Museyamwa can ignore at their own peril.
The world of business is becoming paperless by the day and things are now happening at the click of a button. The paper is losing in this fight and has to quickly join the button or risk being stationed next to the dinosaur in the museum.
Many business processes and dealings are happening online in this contemporary era.
For businesses to operate, they require a tax clearance from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
That document is now obtainable through an online process. (My only complaint is how the ZIMRA system is sometimes down such that one cannot access this service.
Their system was down for a number of days last week, much to the inconvenience of its clients).
And with effect from 1 April, 2016; Zimra is going a step further by having its returns and forms such as income tax returns, VAT returns, and PAYE remittances advice forms lodged online through an e-services platform. Hopefully the system will always be up and running so that those trying to access it will not get frustrated.
Again, folks used to travel to Makombe Building Complex to apply for liquor licenses.
That was the only place where even a bottle store owner in kwaBenzi, Zaka, was supposed to sojourn to if they wanted to obtain the liquor license. Not anymore! People can now apply for the liquor license online.
And if you want to apply for a passport without having to stand in a queue, you can do that online as well.
Again, those that are abroad and need to apply for a business or holiday visa in Zimbabwe can do it online.
As you can see, everything is going online folks, and those who do not want to lose out should follow suit.
You may be a Museyamwa who is resisting the tide but one day you may want to import a cargo. For that to happen, you will need to clear the cargo online using ASYCUDA World.
It doesn’t end there, even if you want to apply for land in provinces such as Mashonaland East, it can now happen at the click of a button.
The world is getting rid of paper by the day and those who are stuck with it will be condemned to sharing the same hell with the paper.
For a country with a high unemployment rate, with youths bearing the brunt, Zimbabwe can tap into online job opportunities. There are many jobs that our youths can do online for clients in other parts of the world and get a good income.
Take for instance, a graphic designer can receive magazine material from a client in Dubai. The young designer can actually design the magazine and send the completed work back to Dubai, with his money being sent via Western Union on the morrow.
There are many such jobs, from translation to tutoring, you name it.
Then there is also the issue of online sales. Those who are taking advantage of the internet are experiencing phenomenal gains from it.
Therefore, you can not afford to be a laggard in this internet revolution. If it’s inertia, there is need to bust it as soon as yesterday and start joining the coterie of those making inroads.
Computers and the internet should be made compulsory in our education system, starting from primary level.
This will prepare our young people to cope with the internet era.
It will also increase economic opportunities for our country as we will be able to tap into opportunities from across the globe.
However, parents should be able to monitor their children’s internet usage as instances of abuse may occur online. If not monitored, children may access content that is not age appropriate. But, back to Museyamwa, the efficiency and cost effectiveness that come with the internet is unparalleled.
Later folks!