Expert tips women SMEs on Covid-19 business solutions

A Kenyan leadership expert has tipped women entrepreneurs in the country to find business survival solutions to ensure sustainable operations amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Breakthrough Leadership Transformation chief executive officer Patricia Murugami said this on Monday during the virtual launch of Standard Bank plc Women on the Rise: Business Master Class Series.

She said time has come for women to step forward to embrace problem-solving mindset as Covid-19 is altering some old ways of doing business such as physical meetings in favour of virtual market platforms.

Said Murugami: “Instead of getting stuck with the old model of doing business, in this Covid-19 era you need to move with time.

“You need to learn new things, for instance, using technology to leverage on business opportunities.”

Standard Bank plc head of global markets and HeForShe champion at the bank McLewin Sikwese said women play a critical role in the economy; hence, it will be unwise to leave them behind in the agenda of economic, social and cultural transformation.

“Women compose the biggest block of human capital that we have. They compose the most important untapped potential that has always been there,” he said.

Sikwese noted that SMEs sector is large and considering women-led SMEs, the push to get the right economic growth is even bigger; hence, this year the bank considered to interact with women-led businesses.

He said there is need to create a conducive environment for women to participate in economic activities to achieve national development as well as encouraging men to work alongside women for a common cause.

The series will also run on March 17, 24 and wind up March 31, 2021.

Participants are expected to gain insight on how to build and store business resilience and immunity in times of Covid-19.

During the seminar, a panel of judges will choose the winner of the K10 million capital injection.

Women on the Rise: Business Master Class Series will be engaging 30 participating small and medium enterprises (SMEs) owners in all sectors and aims to discuss performance-enhancing practices, personal development and unique insights surrounding women in business.

The series, which are part of Standard Bank plc International Women’s Day celebrations, will see the best pitch winning K10 million in business recapitalisation.

Malawi Stock Exchange-listed Standard Bank plc is a champion of #HeForShe, a solidarity movement for the advancement of gender equality.