Programme to build SME capacity

SMALL and medium enterprises (SME) operators from across the country have had the opportunity to gain valuable benefits from a training series that aims to strengthen and enhance the management capacities of small business owners which has been presented 28 times over a six-month period by SMEs Compete.

Abby Boer of SMEs Compete said the organisation conducted a series of workshops nationwide under the theme ‘Run Your Business Better’ during the first half of 2005. Attended by 301 SME entrepreneurs and their staff – of which 65 per cent were women – the workshops were presented in Windhoek, Otjiwarongo, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Oshakati and Rehoboth from January to June.The workshops were structured in such a way that business owners would attend an introductory workshop, after which they would select from a further series of modules on various business aspects.Modules of ‘Run Your Business Better’ included money matters, staff matters, marketing plan development, export marketing development and sales, customer care and shop display.Others, said Boer, were currently being developed based on identified needs during routine interaction with the SMEs sector.Boer said the organisation received positive feedback from small business owners who participated in the programme.”Entrepreneurs and their key staff find the ‘Run Your Business Better’ series meaningful in terms of enhancing their management skill.An evaluation has revealed that they also find it highly motivational.During the workshops entrepreneurs are encouraged to network among themselves and, apart from learning from one another, many business-to-business deals have also been sealed in the process,” said Boer of the programme.Attended by 301 SME entrepreneurs and their staff – of which 65 per cent were women – the workshops were presented in Windhoek, Otjiwarongo, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Oshakati and Rehoboth from January to June.The workshops were structured in such a way that business owners would attend an introductory workshop, after which they would select from a further series of modules on various business aspects.Modules of ‘Run Your Business Better’ included money matters, staff matters, marketing plan development, export marketing development and sales, customer care and shop display.Others, said Boer, were currently being developed based on identified needs during routine interaction with the SMEs sector.Boer said the organisation received positive feedback from small business owners who participated in the programme.”Entrepreneurs and their key staff find the ‘Run Your Business Better’ series meaningful in terms of enhancing their management skill.An evaluation has revealed that they also find it highly motivational.During the workshops entrepreneurs are encouraged to network among themselves and, apart from learning from one another, many business-to-business deals have also been sealed in the process,” said Boer of the programme.