Zoho: unified platforms key to boosting Nigerian business productivity

Joy Agwunobi

A recent survey by Zoho, a global leader in technology solutions, underscores the growing need for unified collaboration platforms among Nigerian businesses to overcome productivity barriers.

The report, titled “The State of Productivity and Collaboration in Nigeria, 2024,”surveyed  over 500 organisations with more than 50 employees, revealing significant challenges in the workplace that hinder efficiency and collaboration.

These challenges, according to the report, are largely attributed to fragmented systems, data silos, and the inefficient use of multiple applications.

The study found that 55 per cent  of Nigerian businesses operate with a fully on-site work model, while 31 per cent  have embraced hybrid setups. Only 14 per cent  of businesses have fully remote roles. Interestingly, most remote roles are filled by individual contributors who do not rely heavily on collaboration tools, whereas hybrid workers face difficulties in maintaining seamless communication and collaboration, especially in the face of connectivity issues.

The survey highlighted that Nigerian workers rely heavily on a wide array of applications, with 51 per cent  using 1-5 apps daily, 35 per cent  using 6-10, and 14 per cent using more than 10 apps. Notably, the C-suite executives are the heaviest app users, with 81 per cent  relying on over 10 different tools. Despite the frequent app usage, only half of the respondents report having a unified view to track tasks. The gap is particularly evident between senior leadership, with 78 per cent  using unified task management systems, compared to just 50 per cent  of junior employees.

For Nigerian workers, poor Wi-Fi and data connectivity emerged as the most significant collaboration challenge, with 80 per cent of respondents acknowledging its impact. This challenge underscores the need for collaboration tools that function offline and are data-efficient, allowing employees to stay productive even with limited connectivity. Other issues contributing to productivity loss include digital fatigue (54%) and the spread of information across multiple platforms (45%).

Middle managers, in particular, face difficulties communicating with employees in remote or hybrid setups, further complicating the already challenging collaboration landscape. According to the respondents, the most effective way to enhance productivity is by enabling quick access to critical information across various apps (78%), followed by the adoption of new technologies (72%) and integrating communication tools within business apps (55%).

The survey points to a clear demand for unified collaboration platforms that can streamline workflows, reduce the time spent switching between apps, and alleviate digital fatigue. The findings suggest that Nigerian businesses are increasingly adopting advanced tools and technologies to address these productivity gaps, with 51% of companies reporting they have implemented new technology to navigate the economic challenges. Those companies that have embraced digital solutions are more optimistic about their competitiveness, rating their ability to handle competition 4 out of 5, compared to just above 3 out of 5 for businesses that have not adopted new technologies.

However, the survey revealed that slow adoption of emerging technologies remains a significant barrier, with 46% of respondents citing it as the main factor preventing their companies from staying ahead in a rapidly evolving market. Other challenges include low digital tool adoption (45%) and the strain caused by employees juggling too many apps (41%).

Kehinde Ogundare, Zoho’s Country Head for Nigeria, commented on the findings, stating that Nigerian businesses are beginning to realise the limitations of disconnected tools that lack integration, creating inefficiencies and productivity losses. He further emphasised that the growing demand for unified collaboration platforms, particularly those with AI capabilities, reflects the need for businesses to streamline their operations.

“Zoho Workplace has been a pioneer in providing a unified interface for businesses, offering contextual data to enhance productivity and simplify workflows. We’ve seen a surge in its adoption in Nigeria, which aligns with the survey’s findings,” Ogundare added.