BIUST EQUIPS ENTREPRENEURS FOR SUCCESS
Entrepreneurs in the Services’ sector were treated to a plethora of knowledge in a bootcamp that was hosted by the Botswana International University of Science and Technology ( BIUST), through the Centre for Business Management Entrepreneurship and General Education ( CBME& GE)
The three- day virtual bootcamp hosted panellists who deliberated on a number of topics that were tailor made to equip attendees with soft skills that will give entrepreneurs a competitive edge in the business world.
The bootcamp was held under the theme, ‘ Service Sector Sustainability: Navigating Contemporary Challenges’ and was also aimed at giving entrepreneurs industry secrets such as lessons on how to do business in China, given that China has a thriving lucrative market. The University saw it fit to give bootcamp attendees knowledge on some cultural aspects of China and information that would help them do business with ease.
The Director of the Centre for Business Management, Entrepreneurship & General Education Professor Patricia Makepe noted that BIUST has an objective to produce scientists and engineers who do not only know the core technical skills of their profession but aim to produce scientists and engineers who have soft skills that can help them in the business world after graduation.
Professor Patricia Makepe stated that the mandate of BIUST is to change the economic landscape of the country by producing all rounded graduates who will contribute to the economy positively. Moreover, BIUST strives to engage with relevant stakeholders in the community, as they want to help other organizations succeed on the backdrop of the pandemic.
Mr Kelebonye Bagai of the Department of Academic Literacy and Social Sciences stated that entrepreneurs faced a lot of challenges in conducting businesses during the pandemic as entrepreneurs could not meet their clients physically and build business relationships. Bagai noted that communication is an integral part of business and it was disrupted during the pandemic. Bagai noted that it is important for people to communicate effectively because one’s customer base is built on communication. “Culture, communication and ideology go together,” Bagai stated, adding that entrepreneurs should always be aware of who they are talking to, their culture and the best way to get to them.
Bootcamp attendees were also served knowledge on various topics such as Client Relations, Quality Service Provision in the Service Sector, Pocket Guide to Doing Business in China, Bootstrap Marketing Techniques and Intellectual Property in the Service Sector.
The second edition of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship bootcamp brought together various entrepreneurs in different areas of business who all desire to grow and sustain their businesses. Through this bootcamp, BIUST ha shown it’s unwavering commitment to changing the economic landscape of the nation by imparting knowledge and skills to Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in Botswana.