The five delegates are with Perez Ochieng of Sacoma in Coventry, learning about the work of Women's Business Development Agency. Addressing us is Rachel Doyle, who is a women's enterprise consultant and has a business selling batteries. She described briefly a European project she is working on.
We are discussing mentoring. Although we will get the slides, let me share some points
- consider all parts of life, not just the business
- have flexible times so the client can be considered
- use safe and welcoming venues
- avoid business jargon
- move at a pace set by the client
- empower, build confidence and self-esteem
- gain and maintain two-way trust
- set ground rules
In other words, having coffee together works better than being strictly in an office environment.
CAWEE has its own mentoring tool. Perez Ochieng is also a professional mentor. It could be a good action to share mentoring tools between the group, as mentoring is an important part of the work of an intermediary organisation.
Anyone can become a member of the WBDA forum with resources for women entrepreneurs in UK but also abroad.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce
From the persepective of an intermediary organisation, the Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce (BDCC) has lots to offer.
The BDCC has been in existence since 1953 and for the first half of those 50 years it serviced a community that was largely fed by the Ford car trade. 30 years ago Ford left the area and it has taken a long time for the community to recover and rebuild.
BDCC is doing its bit, by working with businesses to create wealth for the community.
it has four areas of activity
- networking: businesses finding each other through networking events. We went to the networking event and met people in the cleaning business, accountants, trainers, builders, consultants, retailers and manufacturers
- lobbying: for example, they work with local Members of Parliament to solve the traffic problems that limit trading possibilities in the area
- Raising the profile of businesses - through an annual exhibition, and b having members host networking events
- Providing information - databases, forwarding people to local businesses, and other things.
BDCC offers a tailor made service: You can ask them anything, if you are a member.
BDCC generously welcomed us to their monthly networking event for free. They advised us to bring a list of what we want to supply. Dina Bina and I worked with a Sacoma designer ad had a very good list with which Dina could wok the room.
The BDCC has been in existence since 1953 and for the first half of those 50 years it serviced a community that was largely fed by the Ford car trade. 30 years ago Ford left the area and it has taken a long time for the community to recover and rebuild.
BDCC is doing its bit, by working with businesses to create wealth for the community.
it has four areas of activity
- networking: businesses finding each other through networking events. We went to the networking event and met people in the cleaning business, accountants, trainers, builders, consultants, retailers and manufacturers
- lobbying: for example, they work with local Members of Parliament to solve the traffic problems that limit trading possibilities in the area
- Raising the profile of businesses - through an annual exhibition, and b having members host networking events
- Providing information - databases, forwarding people to local businesses, and other things.
BDCC offers a tailor made service: You can ask them anything, if you are a member.
BDCC generously welcomed us to their monthly networking event for free. They advised us to bring a list of what we want to supply. Dina Bina and I worked with a Sacoma designer ad had a very good list with which Dina could wok the room.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
So many contacts: Networking in London
The PROINVEST delagation, accompanied by Perez Ochieng of Sacoma, participated in a monthly networking eent organised by the Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce. The meeting provided many opportunities. We met an accountant who has contacts with potential clients. We met a printer who will put us in touch with a jeweller, interested in the Tanzanian gems. We met a health charity with whom important relationships can be developed.
The treasurer of the chamber was delighted to tell me that his 200 year old company makes drums. In its first 100 years most of the drums went to Africa, where they were used to transport cement.
The conversation reminded me that there are so many opportunities of doing business in Africa that companies in Europe are taking advantage of. There is every reason for a Tanzanian company to make drums. Why leave it to the Brits? Could contacts like this be a beginning for knowledge sharing that could lead to more profits being generated and retained by African companies?
The treasurer of the chamber was delighted to tell me that his 200 year old company makes drums. In its first 100 years most of the drums went to Africa, where they were used to transport cement.
The conversation reminded me that there are so many opportunities of doing business in Africa that companies in Europe are taking advantage of. There is every reason for a Tanzanian company to make drums. Why leave it to the Brits? Could contacts like this be a beginning for knowledge sharing that could lead to more profits being generated and retained by African companies?
NIgest reflects on day 2
Nigest Haile, founder and director of CAWEE in Ethiopia, is leader of the Ethiopian delegation to the PROINVEST visit to Sacoma. Nigest is on the lookout for lessons to be learned from good practices in intermediary organisations. Chambers of commerce are a good place to start. She wants to observe how the chambers are accommodating women and what services they provide.
Stationery lessons
Dina Bina of Dina Flowers and the Tanzanian Women's Chamber of Commerce continues to share her lessons learned during the visit to London. The stationery shop held many lessons, as she explains in this video.
NIgest Haile of CAWEE reflects on day 2 in the UK
Nigest Haile, founder and director of CAWEE in Ethiopia, is leader of the Ethiopian delegation to the PROINVEST visit to Sacoma. Nigest is on the lookout for lessons to be learned from good practices in intermediary organisations. Chambers of commerce are a good place to start. She wants to observe how the chambers are accommodating women and what services they provide.
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