Key Insights

• Digital transformation fails when workforce capability is ignored
• Grants are most effective when used as part of a broader strategy, not standalone
• The highest ROI comes from integrating tech adoption with human capital development

What This Means

• SMEs that win will not just digitise.
• They will structure their transformation deliberately, using funding as leverage.

The live presentation done by Gerald can be found 👉 here. 

Held at Suntec City, the session brought together business leaders, technology practitioners, and grant specialists to address one core challenge: How SMEs can scale digital capabilities without overextending resources.

What Was Covered

• Practical strategies to drive SME digitalisation using cost-effective tech adoption
• How to leverage government grants across areas such as automation, product development, overseas expansion, and consultancy support
• Real-world approaches to improving operational productivity and ROI through new tech stacks
• Workforce transformation strategies to build digitally-savvy teams

Key Takeaways

Most SMEs don’t fail at digitalisation because of lack of tools. They fail because of poor alignment between technology, people, and funding strategy.

From the discussions:

• Digital transformation is not just about adopting tools but redesigning workflows and decision-making
• Human capital remains the bottleneck. Upskilling and structuring teams correctly is critical
• Grants are underutilised because companies approach them tactically instead of strategically
• The highest ROI comes from combining technology adoption + workforce transformation + funding support

This aligns with broader industry findings that digital technologies significantly improve efficiency, decision-making, and innovation when properly integrated into business models

Speakers & Contributors

The session featured insights from leaders across technology, consulting, and digital transformation:

• Rahul Kaul – Managing Director, GECO Asia
• Christie Dao – Director, Capability & Organization Optimization, GECO Asia
• CK Soh – Founder, PilotPulse
• Dazri Hanif – COO, Devhaus
• Gerald Yap – Director, Real Inbound Consulting

The original webinar registration page can be found 👉 here.

​Who is Meka?

• Product innovation agency that helps businesses with product innovation, problem solving, concept development, product design and manufacturing.
• Makes it easy and relatively risk-free for businesses to build innovative new hardware products.

Who is Real Inbound Consulting (RIC)?

• Over 7 years of success in helping businesses implement grant-supportable projects & secure grant funding.
• Hand-hold businesses throughout the entire grant lifecycle - from application to claims & reimbursements.
• Team holds Professional Singapore Certified Management Consultant certification by TUV SUD, and is recognized by Enterprise Singapore under the Consultant Quality Initiative.

What are the grants that your business can leverage?

• EDG New Product Development Grant: Supports businesses in developing new offerings for commercialisation (that are not its first product). Supportable costs included salaries, equipment, consultancy, IP filing & 3rd party services.
• EDG Automation Grant: Support businesses in using automation and technology which can result in tangible benefits, significant growth and resource efficiency. Supportable costs include adoption / development of hardware / software solutions.