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intelligent
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Intelligent SME. tech is an Intelligent Global Media publication for professionals with an interest in global SME news and events.
EDITOR’ S NOTE
ello and a warm welcome to the 61st edition
H of Intelligent SME. tech. This online magazine is dedicated to all things SME. Within these pages, you will find news from around our regions, features and whitepapers with a core focus on the issues affecting technology for SMEs.
On this month’ s front cover, we feature Marianna Satanas, President at HANRO USA. HANRO is a Swiss heritage brand established in 1884, globally recognised for its understated luxury in lingerie, nightwear and loungewear. With a presence in global retail and e-commerce, the brand continues to evolve while staying true to its origins in refined European design.
It partnered with Remarkably to assess its business through the lens of Remarkably Better – a proprietary brand intelligence tool that harnesses behavioural science and neuroscience, alongside the power of AI, to provide a multi-dimensional assessment of customer empathy, transparency and promise-keeping – sparking a customer insight-led transformation that is now informing strategy across the business. Turn to page 14 to read more. and freelancers and expand regionally. Turn to page 24 to read more.
Business Experts MEA is a Microsoft Solutions Partner in the UAE, which is consistently ranked highly in the SMB sector for delivering tailored cloud, cybersecurity and AI-driven solutions for regional businesses. In this feature, Tasneem Najmuddin, Vice President – Digital at Business Experts MEA, explores AI adoption challenges and opportunities in the Middle East. Turn to page 35.
We also have an Intelligent Technology section dedicated to all the latest technology developments affecting SMEs and a page called Project Round-Up which features news from across our regions.
I hope you enjoy the magazine and if you’ d like to contribute to any future issues, please contact me by emailing rebecca. miles @ intelligentglobalmedia. com
Rebecca Miles Managing Editor
Our expert column is from Ben Leitch – Digital Content Manager at Intelligent Global Media. He talks about how sustainability isn’ t a moral bolt-on; it’ s a business strategy for SMEs. Lenders and investors are increasingly linking access to finance with environmental performance. Turn to page 18.
HALA, Saudi Arabia’ s leading SME-focused FinTech, has raised US $ 157 million in a record-breaking Series B round led by TPG’ s Rise Fund and Sanabil Investments. The company will use the funding to strengthen its position in the Kingdom, scale lending and embedded services for small businesses
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