Brazilian SMEs lose millions of hours to bureaucracy while seeking digital growth

A study by fintech Conta Simples and Visa found that Brazil's 4.5 million formal small and medium enterprises (SMEs) spend an average of 21 hours per week on administrative tasks, totalling roughly 97 million hours weekly. The research highlighted that 39% of these firms still rely on manual methods such as notebooks and basic spreadsheets, leading to errors and wasted effort. CEO Rodrigo Tognini said, “O estudo destacou que 39% das MPMEs ainda utilizam recursos manuais… esse processo fragmentado gera retrabalho para a equipe e desperdiça tempo precioso.” He added that emerging platforms and AI could automate repetitive activities, allowing staff to focus on higher‑value analysis and decision‑making.

Separately, guidance for small business owners stresses the importance of structured product‑launch strategies. Key steps include market and audience research, a clear launch plan with budgeting and timelines, digital‑marketing tactics (SEO, social media, email), partnership collaborations, pre‑launch teasing, and post‑launch performance evaluation. Implementing such practices alongside digital tools can help Brazilian SMEs convert the time saved from reduced bureaucracy into growth and innovation.