Dialog to transform business with digital services

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya

Dialog Axiata PLC scored another first with the launch of digital services to transform the banking, financial and insurance sector last week in Colombo. Dialog Group, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya said that in a rapidly growing digital world, telecommunications service providers have a huge role to play in catering to the real needs of consumers who look for smart ways of transacting business.

“The consumer of today is advanced and we need to redefine who they are. The 'big players' in the industry are not our competitors but the consumer and his satisfaction. We should not take things for granted. Even the smallest transaction is vital to provide a classy service to the customer,” he said.Dialog Axiata, one of the largest telecommunication service providers in the country with interests in fixed wireless service and pay television has launched many customer convenience products that have helped boost efficiency in businesses.

Dr. Wijayasuriya said that thinking out of the box was vital to develop business, as an employee of Parker, a leading pen company in the US, who said his company was making gifts when asked by the CEO what business they were doing. The simple reply transformed the business of the company.

“Similarly we need to identify our consumers and satisfy their needs with smart products that offer convenience and efficiency.

Businesses including telecommunication service providers need to recognise the businessman in the village who is our consumer. The trust that he places on our products is vital to enhance business.

We need to recognise the power of the consumer and engage in a dialogue with them,” Dr. Wijayasuriya said. Dialog Axiata recorded a robust third quarter for the nine months ended September 30.

The company posted a consolidated revenue of Rs. 16.1 billion. Group revenue was Rs. 47.0 billion with a three percent quarter-on-quarter and 14 percent year-to-date. Dr. Wijayasuriya said that the challenges for the financial sector and telecos is accelerating and added “We need to focus on how we deal with risk.