Zoho, a leading global technology company, today announced the opening of its first office in Qatar in Doha, following substantial growth in the country. The company marked a 29% surge in revenue and a 50% expansion of its channel partner network in 2023. During a press conference at Zoholics Qatar 2024, Zoho also unveiled findings from its latest survey exploring the trends in productivity and collaboration among businesses in Qatar.
Zoho’s Growth in Qatar
Zoho’s significant growth in Qatar demonstrates a strong demand for its comprehensive cloud-based business applications, driven by a commitment to providing innovative and localised solutions. To better serve the Qatari market, this year Zoho has opened a new office in Doha, hired locally, and expanded its network of local IT service providers and resellers. This strategic move enables the company to deliver bespoke services, build stronger customer relationships, and launch new features and solutions that meet the specific needs of businesses. Zoho’s top selling products in Qatar are Zoho One, Zoho Books, Zoho People, Zoho Creator, and Zoho Expense. Zoho recorded revenue growth of 27.5% through channel partners in 2023.
“We’re thrilled to witness our company’s continued growth in Qatar, a market that has consistently demonstrated a strong appetite for innovative technological solutions. The vibrant business environment and forward-thinking approach of the local ecosystem have created a fertile ground for our expansion. As Qatar continues to embrace digital transformation, we remain committed to providing cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving needs of businesses and contribute to the nation’s economic prosperity,” said Hyther Nizam, President Middle East and Africa (MEA).
Productivity and Collaboration trends in Qatar
The findings of the study shed light on the significant challenges and opportunities facing workplace collaboration. The study, which surveyed 3301 employees across various industries and work environments across Middle East and Africa (MEA) and 396 employees in Qatar, uncovered key trends and insights into the factors hindering effective collaboration.
Key findings:
Despite post-pandemic workplace shifting companies towards hybrid and remote work arrangements, the survey revealed that most businesses have returned to the office, with 60% of respondents working fully on-site and 32% adopting a hybrid model. Only 8% were working fully remotely.
When it comes to technology usage, respondents relied heavily on digital tools. While 51% used 1-5 apps daily, 31% used 5-10, and 18% used more than 10. The ability to track tasks in a unified view was crucial for many, with 76% of those using it reporting time savings of up to 3 hours. However, 77% of those manually tracking tasks or not tracking at all saw similar potential time savings with a unified view.
Information accessibility was a challenge for many, with 25% reporting limited or no access and over 24% needing occasional assistance. Despite this, respondents expressed confidence in their companies’ resilience and a desire for improved collaboration practices.
The study’s findings highlighted the importance of technology adoption and effective collaboration tools. While a majority recognised the value of quick access to information and AI-powered automation, the survey also revealed a significant lag in technology implementation. Many companies have yet to adopt new solutions, with 72% reporting no changes in the past two years, suggesting a missed opportunity given the competitive advantage offered by AI and streamlined workflows.
The study revealed a disparity in the perceived need for improvements in communication and collaboration tools. Only 8% of remote workers identified areas for improvement, while 32% of hybrid workers and a substantial 60% of fully on-site workers expressed a need for changes.
According to the findings, remote workers emerged as more likely to adopt new technologies and use a wider range of apps. However, they also faced unique challenges in accessing relevant data and information. On-site and hybrid workers, on the other hand, expressed a greater need for improvements in communication and collaboration tools.
“Our enterprise collaboration platform, Zoho Workplace, pioneered the unified experience way back in 2017. Our vision has been validated with the survey results that have highlighted the lack of access to necessary data, challenges in tracking tasks, and difficulties in communication within the organisation. Moreover, as we build apps for various business functions and understand how they interoperate, we have created a communication layer across our offerings to foster contextual collaboration,” said Nizam.
