To help the people fight the epidemic, break through industrial blockades, and promote the resumption of work and production, the wave of digital economy is accelerating across China. At present, China’s small and medium-sized enterprises have reached more than 18 million, accounting for more than 90% of the total number of enterprises in China, becoming an important subject that cannot be ignored in the development of the digital economy.

The China Association for Science and Technology recently held the 2020 Global Forum on the Digital Economy for smes, bringing together for the first time in the post-epidemic era, focusing on the development difficulties and opportunities of smes in the context of the digital economy, and discussing the digitalization process of smes from different perspectives such as technology, system and practice.

Huai Jinpeng, secretary of the Party Group and executive Vice chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, pointed out that in the past decade, the digital economy has changed not only the way of obtaining information and the way of life, but also the way of thinking and the way of social operation. In the next decade, 5G, artificial intelligence, big data and other technologies will be applied on a large scale, in the face of the intelligent era, small and medium-sized enterprises should think hard about how to grasp the opportunities of digital economy transformation.

We will actively foster a new digital economy

During the COVID-19 epidemic, many small and medium-sized enterprises have faced serious difficulties in security, employment, capital, supply chain, logistics and other aspects, but new forms of digital economy such as “food delivery + live broadcast”, “cloud shopping guide”, “cloud house sales” and “cloud fitness” have shown strong resilience. The digital economy not only empowers the traditional economy and traditional industries, but also promotes win-win industrial ecology and innovation and entrepreneurship.

On July 14, the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments issued the Opinions on Supporting the Healthy Development of New Business forms and New Models to Activate the Consumer Market and Promote the Expansion of employment, pointing out that it is necessary to accelerate the digital transformation of industries and strengthen the new drivers of the real economy.

Actively cultivating a new digital economy requires the support and concerted efforts of all parties. In response to the establishment of the digital economy regulation and governance model, Liu Yuanchun, vice president of Renmin University of China, pointed out that the digital economy is different from traditional elements and traditional economic attributes, and has strong externality, publicity and sharing, and also needs moderate market competition, which implies contradictions.

“Filling the digital divide and achieving breakthroughs in digital economic governance are not only reflected in the integration and development of technology and various traditional economies, but also in the availability of digital infrastructure and digital technologies.” The governance of the digital economy does not emphasize national dominance like traditional governance, but needs a multi-dimensional system, especially a global collaborative digital economy governance system from a diversified perspective.” Liu Yuanchun pointed out.

Michael Dowling, academician of the German National Academy of Science and Engineering, said that in the future development of the digital economy, international standards must be established, and many countries are currently discussing how to develop new digital international standards.

“Smes also need to pay close attention to this standard. The digital transformation of smes must seek international cooperation, be oriented to the global market, and meet global standards.” Michael Dowling said.

Strategy first promotes digital transformation

Digital transformation of smes has been widely mentioned in the past 20 years, so what does digital transformation of enterprises consist of? Experts believe that the digital transformation of enterprises should be strategic first, strategic attention, and correct tactics in order to have the opportunity to obtain the digital transformation dividend.

Chen Liming, chairman of IBM Greater China, combined with his own practical experience, pointed out that small and medium-sized enterprises must change the way of thinking, behavior and concept for digital transformation. He believes that the most important thing for digital transformation is to reshape the enterprise model, find the most suitable digital transformation solution with partners, and form the core competitiveness. At the same time, find partners to provide relevant services, “let professional people do professional things”.

Combined with China’s experience in fighting the novel coronavirus epidemic, Li Peigen, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, pointed out that platform enterprises have played a huge value during the epidemic, and they have exerted their industrial integration capabilities, providing new opportunities for industrial development. When smes carry out digital transformation strategic planning, they can take platform enterprises as the development direction or form cooperation with platform enterprises according to their own characteristics.

Michael Dowling said that in addition to embracing digital technology, smes also face the problem of how to attract good digital talent.

“Talent training and digital transformation are significant opportunities and challenges. Talent is the first resource. In the global cooperation, talent training and education are the major issues faced by smes. In the context of the digital economy, smes should focus on open innovation, talent training and cooperation.” Huai Jinpeng said.