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Blue bank, Namibia Economist ignite series of online events to help drive SMEs, start-ups’ growth

Blue bank, Namibia Economist ignite series of online events to help drive SMEs, start-ups’ growth

In an attempt to provide owners of micro, small and medium enterprises (SME) with a viable, affordable business solution, Standard Bank in partnership with the Namibia Economist, launched a series of online events to inspire SMEs and prospective business owners and provide them with guidance, mentoring and management training.

At the launch event held in Windhoek on Monday, 05 October, the Namibia Economist’s Marketing Manager, Desèré Lundon-Muller, said the virtual exchange of ideas on running one’s business will start on Wednesday, 14 October and will continue monthly until August 2021, excluding December and January.

The #GrowYourBusiness talks replace the annual Businesswoman Northern Conference which has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she added.

According to Lundon-Muller the new and exciting virtual setup allows them to create a marketplace of ideas for a national or even international audience and is open to women and men entrepreneurs alike.

Lundon-Muller said at each Business Talk, a business expert will cover a theme that SMEs routinely deal or struggle with.

These topics will range from how to register a business, how to effectively marketing your business, financial management to hiring for success and much more. After every talk a panel of Namibian and international experts will give practical tips and answer questions from our viewers.

“The goal of the #GrowYourBusiness talk series aim to inform and inspire entrepreneurship and encourage continued SME development to achieve financial success and independence. The Business Talks will be livestreamed, and all sessions will be available on the Economist Business Development site at https://economist.today afterwards,” she added.

Speaking also at the launch, Standard Bank’s Head of Enterprise Direct, Felicia Jooste said the bank is here to serve, ignite and make sure that they drive Africa’s growth, starting at home.

“Namibia is our home and we drive her growth. What better way is there than to grow businesses that create jobs and pay tax? As a bank we aspire to be an enabler of dreams and ambitions. Most people have a goal in life that helps them to take charge of their future. In line with our new slogan we are telling people that ‘It Can Be’. You can achieve your goals no matter what they are, and Standard Bank is here to help you with that, she added.

Meanwhile, Lundon-Muller said after every Business Talk a prize winner will be selected among the online participants and receive a prize in line with the theme for that month to help the entrepreneur take their business to the next level.

“For the first Talk, Standard Bank generously sponsored N$10,000 to start or grow an existing business. To qualify for the prize, an entrepreneur will have to answer questions will be posted during the event. At the final Talk, Standard Bank and the Economist will announce an overall winner of the #GrowYourBusinessTalk series,” she said, adding that the monthly events will be augmented by specific “Follow Up Friday” breakout sessions.

 

 

Felicia Jooste Head of Enterprise Direct, Standard Bank; Isack Hamata, PR and Communications Manager, Standard Bank and Desere Lundon-Muller, Marketing Manager, Namibia Economist at the launch of the business talks series.


 

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The Staff Reporter

The staff reporter is the most senior in-house Economist reporter. This designation is frequently used by the editor for articles submitted by third parties, especially businesses, but which had to be rewritten completely. - Ed.