In a move that was initially celebrated as a significant step towards empowering small businesses in India, MBG Card, an emerging player in the digital transformation space, announced a partnership with Paris-based Partoo, an official Google My Business (GMB) partner. The collaboration aimed to deliver Presence Management and Google growth services to small businesses across India, leveraging Partoo’s expertise and MBG Card’s innovative digital tools. However, what seemed like a promising venture has raised concerns, casting a shadow over the efficacy of this partnership.
MBG Card’s Rapid Rise and Ambitious Goals
MBG Card, founded in 2020 by Abhinavv Dubey and Prakash Bajantri, started with a mission to revolutionize how small businesses in India manage their online presence. The startup introduced a smart digital card to replace traditional business cards, enabling businesses to easily share their digital identities across platforms. The company rapidly expanded, acquiring over 5,400 customers across more than 100 business categories? (YourStory).
In January 2021, MBG Card partnered with Partoo to further its vision of helping small businesses grow their online presence, particularly through Google My Business? (EdTimes). The partnership was poised to offer comprehensive digital services, including website development, SEO, CRM, and marketing automation tools.
Challenges and Customer Dissatisfaction
Despite the initial hype, the partnership has faced significant challenges, particularly concerning customer satisfaction. Numerous reviews on platforms like Google have surfaced, highlighting issues such as poor service delivery, lack of customer support, and unmet expectations.
Sunil Jain, a Local Guide on Google, expressed his frustration, stating that after subscribing to MBG Card’s service and paying for it months ago, he has struggled to get any response from the company. He described the service as “pathetic” and lamented losing even a small amount of money, warning others against opting for higher-priced services? (EdTimes).
Similarly, Sarang Shahane criticized the company for failing to deliver on its promises, particularly regarding WhatsApp automation. He pointed out that the marketing collaterals provided by MBG Card were basic and could easily be created using free tools like Canva. His review strongly advised against joining their services, labeling the experience as a waste of money and its a big MBG scam.? (EdTimes).
The Role of Partoo in the Partnership
Partoo, a well-regarded player in the digital presence management space, entered this partnership with MBG Card to tap into the Indian market. The collaboration was expected to bring cutting-edge tools and methodologies to small businesses, enhancing their online visibility and customer reach through Google My Business. However, the execution of this vision appears to have fallen short, raising questions about the due diligence and strategic planning involved in the partnership? (YourStory).
Analysis: Where Did It Go Wrong?
From a business perspective, the issues with the MBG Card-Partoo partnership seem to stem from several key factors:
- Over-Promising and Under-Delivering: The primary issue appears to be a mismatch between what was promised and what was delivered. Customers were enticed with the potential for significant digital growth, but the tools and support provided did not meet expectations. This has led to widespread dissatisfaction and negative reviews.
- Lack of Effective Customer Support: Multiple reviews highlight the lack of responsive customer service as a major pain point. For a company that deals with digital transformation, having a robust and efficient customer support system is crucial. The failure to address customer concerns in a timely manner has further eroded trust in the brand.
- Executional Challenges: While the partnership with Partoo was expected to bring advanced digital solutions to Indian small businesses, the execution seems to have faltered. Whether due to cultural differences, market-specific challenges, or internal misalignment, the partnership has not delivered the expected results.
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Future Collaborations
The challenges faced by MBG Card and Partoo highlight the complexities involved in international partnerships, especially in the rapidly evolving digital space. For businesses looking to collaborate across borders, this case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thorough market research, clear communication, and aligning expectations with deliverables.
For MBG Card, the road ahead involves rebuilding customer trust, enhancing service delivery, and perhaps re-evaluating its partnership strategies. For Partoo, this partnership underscores the need for a deeper understanding of local markets and a more hands-on approach to collaborations.
Conclusion
The partnership between MBG Card and Partoo was a bold move aimed at transforming how small businesses in India manage their digital presence. However, the execution has left much to be desired, leading to customer dissatisfaction and raising questions about the strategic alignment between the two companies. Moving forward, both companies will need to address these challenges head-on to restore confidence and achieve their ambitious goals.
