Maxis launches UsahaWIRA SME digitalisation programme

• Initiatives showcase success stories of real life hero entrepreneurs
• Focus on programme is to highlight SME Digitalisation programmes by MDEC

MAXIS has launched its UsahaWIRA programme, which is aimed at helping SMEs accelerated business reactivation and build resilience through digitalisation.

As part of the programme, Maxis will be rolling out a series of initiatives and relevant content with a focus on the SME Digitalisation programme and incentives by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), it said in a statement.

These initiatives will showcase success stories of real-life ‘UsahaWIRAs’ (hero entrepreneurs) that are already reaping the benefits of the grant and digital solutions to inspire thousands of entrepreneurs across Malaysia.

Additionally, Maxis’ SME Help Squad will be accessible to answer any questions business owners may have on the grant.

“As SMEs strive to protect their businesses in this challenging landscape, we are encouraging them to think of what they need, both now and in the future, to be future ready.

“The UsahaWIRA programme aims to empower them to act quickly in adopting digital technologies through learnings and results from experienced entrepreneurs,” said Paul McManus, chief enterprise business officer of Maxis (pic).

Aiza Azreen Ahmad, chief digital business officer of MDEC, said that digitalisation is no longer a choice but a necessity.

“To date, MDEC has onboarded 335,834 SMEs onto the digital marketplace and we continue to fine-tune and customise our outreach programmes in line with MDEC’s vision of Malaysia 5.0,” she said.

“We welcome Maxis’ UsahaWIRA programme which will give SMEs the confidence to take the first step in going digital through the SME Digitalisation programmes.”

We can be heroes

There are four initiatives under the Maxis UsahaWIRA programme. The first, called “Ronda-Ronda Ketemu UsahaWIRA”, is a TV series with Astro following celebrity host/ business owner Ajak Shiro as he journeys with a Maxis SME Help Squad representative in search of entrepreneurs and their digitalisation stories, Maxis said.

The weekly six-episode series will air on Astro Ria beginning May 28.

Besides that, Maxis will be unveiling a short film titled “UsahaWIRA” and customer featurettes, which puts the spotlight on three hero entrepreneurs across Malaysia who overcame their challenges by digitalising their businesses with Maxis Business solutions through the SME Digitalisation Grant, Maxis said.

Then there’s “Tanyalah Maxis”, where Maxis Business and MDEC will release various content pieces including bite-sized TikTok-style videos to answer all SMEs’ questions about digitalisation and the aforementioned grant at the end of May, it said

Lastly is “Spark UsahaWIRA”, an extension of Maxis’ Spark series, set to be a full-day event featuring some of the biggest names in the industry along with successful entrepreneurs who will share their journey on digital entrepreneurship and host multiple workshop sessions, Maxis said.

Spark UsahaWIRA aims to highlight the role of digital technology as a key component of entrepreneurship in Malaysia today, as well as empower entrepreneurs and SMEs to grow their businesses by fully utilising the multiple facets of digitalisation, such as content creation, digital marketing, e-commerce and logistics.

To learn more about the UsahaWIRA programme, visit here. More information regarding the SME Digitalisation Grant can be found here.