The FINANCIAL — TBC Bank is switching to a new platform of cooperation with its clients. The Bank has launched a new project – “Business Support Program 7 Steps for Success,” which incorporates various consulting services for its customers. Through this programme SME representatives have already received trainings from qualified specialists in the subjects of finances, HR and social media-marketing.
“As well as financial support we want to focus on becoming partners for our customers from whom they can receive various types of free services. We want to support them in their development and offer resources previously inaccessible to them. It was for this reason that we launched the new project “7 Steps for Success”. All the components of this project are focused on long term support for our customers. We have already presented two of the components: trainings and renovated internet banking. The remaining five components will be presented in the nearest future,” Tamar Zhizhilashvili, Head of the SME Sales Department at TBC Bank, told The FINANCIAL.
Small and medium-size enterprises (SME) segment is one of the leading business segments of TBC Bank. The Bank has over 40,000 customers in this direction. The deposit portfolio of SME customers amounts to GEL 300 million and the credit portfolio – GEL 290 million. The credit portfolio of SME clients has increased by 30% and the deposit portfolio – by 40%, in comparison with the same period of last year.
“The enhancement and development of existing business as well as the attraction of new customers are the reasons behind this annual increase. The growth is due to both our new and existing customers,” said Zhizhilashvili.
“Service, trade, tourism and real estate are the most developed business sectors in Georgia, as a result they make up the largest share of our customers,” she added.
In Zhizhilashvili’s words, SME is one of the most prioritized directions of TBC Bank. She said that this direction is developing significantly, and she hopes that in the future it will become a major foothold in the Georgian economy.
“We also offer our clients thematic conferences. We offer qualified professionals to customers and the opportunity to discuss the issues they are interested in. Technological products include internet banking, mobile banking and SMS services. Technological products are very important for our legal entities in order for them to improve efficiency, save on time and more efficiently manage accounts. That is why we included technological products in our programme, as well as non-financial services,” said Zhizhilashvili.
Our trainings have already been attended by over 400 clients. Trainings will be held not only in Tbilisi but also in the regions. The Bank has already arranged presentations in Kutaisi and Batumi. Next week the Bank will be holding trainings in these two cities. Further surveys of participants of the trainings have revealed high levels of consumer satisfaction. Zhizhilashvili has proof that participants in the trainings found them both useful and helpful and are glad to be able to now put what they have learnt in to practice.
“The trainings are covering three issues: finances, HR and social media-marketing. All three are very important for the success of any business. Qualified HR specialists advise attendees on how to manage human resources. In terms of finances they are taught how to properly manage finances, how to find solutions and what influences losses and gains,” she said.
“Social media-marketing is one of the most important directions of this programme. Participants are taught to use internet resources, which are much cheaper than television and radio; how to reach customers more effectively, deliver the desired message, and effectively manage the marketing campaigns, all with minimal expenses. Social media is very important nowadays. The number of Facebook users in Georgia as well as around the world is increasing year to year. It is a channel through which businesses can communicate with customers with minimal expenditure. We want our clients to make use of this opportunity. This is a revelation for most of them. Many have already created a Facebook page, and we are now teaching them how to better manage it, but for those who have not yet created a page, we offer advice on how to do it,” said Zhizhilashvili.
Representatives of TBC Bank are questioning our customers on the subjects that are the biggest priority for them, due to which we then determine the importance of certain directions. The topics of management, running of operations and deepening finances with tax and managerial accounting will be added to the trainings.
“Representatives of small and medium businesses find it difficult to hire qualified staff as resources are very expensive. Small businesses cannot afford to be paying out high salaries. Therefore, consultations with professional qualified persons are valuable to them and they are using this opportunity,” Zhizhilashvili said.
The Bank will be launching a new web platform from which customers will be able to take advantage of useful resources online.
“For example, those interested in HR advice will be offered an application form or evaluation form to test employees’ skills with. In the finance category we will upload balance or profit and loss forms; agreement patterns. When people buy real estate the purchase agreement is a big deal. The same can be said in terms of trade relations with partners when implementing the provision of goods or services. Currently they have to hire a lawyer or acquire someone’s help. All of this will increase the chance of their business succeeding,” Zhizhilashvili explained.
Ernst and Young, BDO, PWC, the Association of Accountants and Auditors, and the Revenue Service are all involved in the web platform. “We have strong partners who will help us,” said Zhizhilashvili.
“This project is linked to significant sums of money. We have foreign donors; the Asian Development Bank has allocated USD 150,000 for this project. The cost of the project is connected with considerable amounts of money, but we think that this is an investment in the economy and in our clients, which will in turn strengthen us,” Zhizhilashvili told The FINANCIAL.
Yet TBC Bank’s “Business Support Programme 7 steps for success” is only for the clients of TBC Bank, but will soon become available to any SME representatives.
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