Fighting Covid-19 by Helping One Business at a Time

We talked to Murtaza Khambati of telkoware on how they are fueling other businesses and he had the following to say about it.

First of all, how are you and your family doing in these COVID-19 times? 

Murtaza Khambati: We are doing very well. Thank you for asking. We have been impacted due to Covid-19 just like everyone else, but thankfully, we have adapted to the new routine and lifestyle, and everything has been going well so far. I understand that others have been significantly impacted negatively. Our thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes are with them.

Tell us about you, your career, how you founded telkoware.

Murtaza Khambati: I started my career in IT after completing my Computer and Information Systems Engineering Degree in 2004 and worked for different IT and Telecom organizations in different roles. During this time, I noticed that small businesses were not using digital tools and technology to grow their business. They did not have the resources to hire big agencies or to hire a dedicated person. Since they were not investing in a business website and Digital Marketing, they struggled to acquire new customers, thus restricting their business growth. So, I decided to start a business to help small businesses promote their products and services through website design and digital marketing.

Ninety eight percent of Canadian businesses are small (less than 100 employees), but only 35% survive the first five years. I want to turn these stat on its head by helping small businesses grow exponentially so that 100% of Canadian businesses survive the 1st five years.

How does telkoware innovate? 

Murtaza Khambati: Innovation has always been at the heart of our business. We listen to our customers, understand their pain points, and come up with innovative ways of addressing those pain points. By listening closely to our customers, our organization has grown rapidly, and we have added more services to our offering, including software development and mobile app development.

How the coronavirus pandemic affects your business, and how are you coping?

Murtaza Khambati: Due to the pandemic, we quickly shifted to the WFH model and implemented tools and systems to work efficiently from home. All of our meetings internally as well as externally, have shifted to Zoom and Google Meet. With more and more businesses switching from brick and mortar to an online e-Commerce store, the demand for our services shot through the roof, which has kept us extremely busy so far.

Did you have to make difficult choices, and what are the lessons learned?

Murtaza Khambati: Luckily, we didn’t have to make difficult choices. None of the team members were laid off; in fact, they are more busy than ever. I strongly believe that our employees are our biggest asset, and I always strive to keep them happy. If employees are happy, then customers will be satisfied.

How do you deal with stress and anxiety? How do you project yourself and telkoware in the future?

Murtaza Khambati: Stress and anxiety is part of every entrepreneur’s journey, but with Covid, it has increased to another level. Thankfully, I have been blessed with a very supportive family, and their positivity is contagious.

Who are your competitors? And how do you plan to stay in the game?

Murtaza Khambati: There are other web design and digital marketing agencies, but based on our unique offering, personalized service, and diverse set of services, we stand out from the competition. I collaborate with other companies and try to find synergies to help each other get ahead. We can all win this game by working together.

Your final thoughts?

Murtaza Khambati: Don’t be afraid to take risks and keep exploring unconventional, creative ways of solving your customers’ pain points. Keep your customers as your North Star, and think about how you can give them a truly remarkable service and a pleasant experience.

Your website?

https://telkoware.com