Chandaria urges small enterprises to adopt global standards to win customer confidence

NAIROBI, KENYA: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been urged to adopt global standards in order to be competitive in the business field.

Industrialist Manu Chandaria said most small businesses fail to enjoy premium prices in both local and international markets as their products are developed without focusing on meeting global standards.

"Most small businesses lack the culture of applying standards to their products that can enable them to endure cut throat competition," he said. Dr Chandaria, who is also a chairman of Comcraft Group advised SMEs to embrace philosophy of new business standards as part of efforts to tapping and exploiting opportunities in the global market.

"You have to be committed to your business as well ensure you observe sound business ethics. Further, obey the rules and regulations of standards because if you do not, you will not succeed," he said.

Dr Chandaria made the remarks during an exhibition and conference organised at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) by the Apex Management Systems.

He advised families starting businesses to equally adopt requisite standards that can guide them in business. "In our 50 years in business as a family we have standards that guide us. We have a card printed with the guiding standards which we have emphasised continuously," he disclosed.

He added, "If you are making T-shirts, and you promise your clients that it will not shrink, ensure that indeed it will not shrink."