Faced with problems that hinder business growth and development, micro, small and medium enterprises run by women rise to the test of overcoming obstacles to realize the full potentials of their businesses.
In Zimbabwe, seventy-two women’s SMEs from Harare, Masvingo, Marondera and Kadama explore innovative ways of getting their businesses on the path to robust growth and development. Through the WINNER, which is a program being implemented by the Technological Information Promotion System (TIPS) in Zimbabwe, these women created opportunities for themselves by building linkages, sharpening their technical skills and exploring new markets.
Among the innovative ways explored by these women are regular breakfast meetings during which invited technology and business experts give talks on relevant topics on best business practices and improved production techniques. In addition, these women SMEs launched regular visits to companies to observe operations, exchange ideas with factory supervisors and get advice from owners of these the companies on aspects of business and production. Subsequently, these women formed business clubs to continue the exchange of ideas and experiences among themselves, particularly in moving forward with their respective businesses. These women’s business clubs also organize meetings to keep members abreast of developments in the business environment in Zimbabwe as well as to explore prospects for new markets.
In Nepal, women entrepreneurs engaged in intensive training on innovative handicraft design to establish powerful connection between creativity and business.
Organized by WINNER-Nepal, in collaboration with Women Entrepreneurship Committee of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the training comprised several sessions, with each focusing on: design principles, materials, ideas and elements of design, colors, product development, pricing, targeting market niches and online marketing campaigns.
WINNER-Nepal Director Nibedita Shrestha said: “There was strong interest on the part of the women to learn everything there is to know about design and how to capture the market’s imagination.” In summing up the training outcome, Ms. Shrestha said that “clarity and simplicity of design”, “pragmatic view of design” and “autonomy of design” are the basic principles learned by the women.
Meanwhile, KIP-UN Initiative (Knowledge, Innovations, Policies and Territorial Practices for the United Nations Millennium Platform) and Devnet (Development Information Network) recently signed a cooperation agreement to mobilize efforts and resources towards the creation of an international school of policies and best practices aligned with the United Nations Millennium Platform. This gives focus on innovation as key to sustaining business growth and development. The initiative is a strategic approach to development as it is based on the active role of local communities in enhancing local, natural, human and historical resources and in integrating all social sectors to capitalize on the knowledge gained from the experience of territorial development and to expand the network of experiences that are coherent with the UN Millennium Platform.
