Standard Bank’s business series returns
The third session of the Standard Bank #GrowYourBusiness series takes place on Thursday, 18 February with an exciting line up of acclaimed panellists who will share their expertise and help business people prepare for the opportunities that come with adversity. The third session of the #GrowYourBusiness series will be held under the theme “Prepare for the opportunities that come with adversity”.
The series aims to provide business people with a strategic direction and purpose for their business and help them set realistic goals to accomplish in the coming year. It is described as a practical guide to innovate, plan, prepare and implement for the year ahead.
The panellists for Thursday are Afra SchimmingChase, a partner at CHASE & Associates; Norbert van Wyk, Confidence Coach and Facilitator at Star Brain Coach Namibia and Felicia Jooste, Standard Bank Manager of Enterprise Direct. Apart from sharing advice on how businesspeople can take advantage of opportunities that come with adversity, the panellists will explore and share advice on how to build a resilient mindset as well as how to innovate, plan, prepare and implement for the year ahead.
Standard Bank, in partnership with the Namibia Economist, launched the series of online events to inspire SMEs and prospective business owners and provide them with guidance, mentoring and management training.
Standard Bank’s Enterprise Direct Manager, Felicia Jooste said the series was born out of a genuine need to help small and medium enterprises through the economic challenge and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As a bank, we are determined to help our small and medium businesses navigate these difficult prevailing conditions. We have therefore decided to start with these series of talks that are aimed at imparting practical skills as well as learning from experts in the business,” Jooste said.
She added that small and medium enterprises were the lifeblood of the economy and they employ thousands of people across various sectors. “To leave them to die will be an injustice to the employees, to themselves as businesses as well as to the Namibian economy. To help them navigate the stormy economic weather is one of the main reasons we have decided on the #GrowYourBusiness Talks Series. We hope that at the end of the day, the businesses will derive as much value as possible from these engagements,” she stated.
The first two sessions of the #GrowYourBusiness series already took place in October and November 2020. In the first instalment, acclaimed business personality, Kauna Ndilula provided advice on how to turn a business idea into action while young entrepreneur Toivo Nuugulu shared insights on the path he walked to become a registered architect.
Jooste offered advice to SMEs on how they can access loans as well as how loan applications are assessed by the bank.
The second session in November last year featured managing director of Dinapama who spoke on how businesspeople can manage their funds to grow their businesses and Vladimir Quido Winkler, founder of multiple businesses who shared an account of his journey as an inspired businessman.
Throughout the series which will run until September 2021, various experts will offer tools on how to remain resilient during challenging times, how to start a business, to find the right financing in the right place, to define the markets and customers and to use internet tools for business and accounting systems to help entrepreneurs keep business in good standing with authorities.
SME owners will also be taught about the unique elements of HR management, or where to locate their business for optimal performance and market access. Finally, they will be guided to align their insurance with their business needs, anticipate legal challenges and formulate strategies for long-term investment.