Zubair SEC holds Tajribati session on current challenges facing SMEs

The ‘Tajribati’ series serves as a unique platform to connect business experts with start-up owners and new entrepreneurs to exchange views, discuss common challenges and share best practices

MUSCAT: With an objective to build the capacity of start-ups, Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC) organised its monthly ‘Tajribati’ session on the current challenges facing small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Entrepreneurs, industry consultants and aspiring entrepreneurs, attended the ‘Tajribati’ session. The ‘Tajribati’ series serves as a unique platform to connect business experts with start-up owners and new entrepreneurs to exchange views, discuss common challenges and share best practices.

Ahmed Abdullah Al Shanfari, lawyer and legal adviser, who was the guest speaker for the session, shed light on what are the biggest challenges that SMEs need to overcome and suggested solutions.

The session focused on the significance of groundwork and the importance of being equipped with legal and financial knowledge.

The speaker also emphasised that entrepreneurs must find ways to stay relevant in an ever-evolving market. The session reflected on topics such as legal knowledge, financing, innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, the relevance of technology among others.

Ali Said Al Rashdi, the founder of Muaawana, a small business enterprise, and Nadia Ali Said Al Ajmi, owner of Dar Al Khyout Fashion, spoke about their entrepreneurial journey and the trials they faced along the way. Ali, a member of Zubair SEC is the winner of Zubair SEC’s Direct Support Programme for 2016 and Nadia is the winner of the 2017 edition of the same programme.

Muaawana specialises in providing high-quality maintenance services for different facilities including residential and commercial buildings. It also runs a division that manages maintenance service of a fleet of vehicles. Dar Al Khyout Fashion offers a wide range of traditional yet chic apparels for Omani women.

Ali Al Rashdi and Nadia Al Ajmi stressed that improving operational efficiency, enhancing the customer experience and equipping themselves with relevant knowledge have been key to their success.

Saying that the challenges facing SMEs in the current climate are ones of finance, legal, promotion, marketing and human resources, Al Shanfari said, “The solution is to revisit current business plans and determine where course corrections can be made.”

He added, “It is essential that start-ups are conscious of the legal issues when operating a business. The laws regulating the SME sector have changed significantly and it is vital that entrepreneurs are up to date with the developments that have taken place.”

Asking new entrepreneurs to have a clearly defined strategy, Al Shanfari said, “Perseverance, fortitude, discipline, and knowledge are all critical to success.”

Appreciating the achievements and successes achieved by Zubair SEC, Al Shanfari said, “The Centre has played a powerful role in encouraging young entrepreneurs and that is why today we see a lot of its members enjoying success. These ‘Tajribati’ sessions are wonderful because they perform a unique role in connecting experts with start-up owners and entrepreneurs. Through this platform, SMEs can gain knowledge, obtain information, debate common challenges and get an understanding of best practices. I thank Zubair SEC for this opportunity to interacting with these young minds.”

Ali Shaker, Business Adviser at Zubair SEC said, “SMEs today must deal with a myriad of different regulatory pressures and other challenges. It is not easy operating and growing a small company, especially in an ever-changing business world. This month’s session shed light on current challenges faced by SMEs and how to face them. It was very informative and helpful. The Centre’s Tajribati sessions have been gaining very good momentum year on year. Members share insight with their fellow entrepreneurs, discuss matters of concern, gain knowledge and experience, and network in a friendly constructive atmosphere.”

Members speakers emphasized that the Omani market has adequate space for many small businesses to grow and flourish, provided they deliver top highly competent services. They also mentioned that they have been privileged to have the support of Zubair SEC, which equipped them with required skills. They also elaborated on how every aspiring entrepreneur requires mentoring and guidance to find success, and how Zubair SEC has helped fulfil many of its members’ dreams of running a business effectively.”

Zubair SEC, a social responsibility initiative of The Zubair Corporation, has held several ‘Tajribati’ sessions covering a variety of topics pertinent to SMEs. Given the importance of such topics, the Centre plans to hold further workshops to keep building the capacity of its members in critical areas.

The ongoing ‘Tajribati’ discussion series is aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium enterprises.