L-R: Head, HR Business Partnering, 9mobile, Sherriff Popoola; Business Growth Expert, Tricia Olufemi-Olumide; Public Relations Lead, 9mobile, Chineze Amanfo and Head, Brands and Creative Services, 9mobile, Adeola Kayode at The Hack, an entrepreneurship and business mentorship event organised by 9mobile for SMEs held in Jos recently.
9mobile, Nigeria’s Youth-centric telecommunications company recently took its mentorship and business seminar, The Hack to Jos, the Plateau State capital to help thousands of young SME owners and operators grow and promote their businesses. The two-day event which featured a business seminar and products exhibition was held at Mees Palace Event Center, Rayfield Resort Road, Jos.
Opening the session was 9mobile’s Head of Brands and Creative Services, Adeola Kayode, who said business is the driving force of any economy and involves turning problems into opportunities to make a profit. He said that at the end of the Hack seminar, the entrepreneurs would be better positioned to expand their businesses and overcome their current challenges.
“We are here to share knowledge and insights with you on how to grow your business and the kind of opportunities that are available to enable you to excel. We have experts to discuss and share knowledge of the challenges faced by SMEs with the view to providing solutions. There will also be a product exhibition by some of the participants”, he said.
Kayode further explained that the Hack which has been to eight cities across Nigeria, was aimed at boosting the business acumen of SMEs. He pointed out that one of the main challenges faced by SMEs is the lack of access to finance and markets, adding that there is a need to show SMEs a framework on what they should do to maximise opportunities and partnerships when they are available.
“Access to Finance and Market is very key for SME operators. Vendors in Jos can have their biggest markets in other cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, or outside Nigeria. Access to partnerships and collaboration is also very important. Some of the challenges small and growing businesses face can be resolved by other vendors through partnerships and collaborations “, he said.
Business Coach and Marketing Strategist (TriciaBiz), Tricia Olufemi Olumide shared business ideas with the participants on the best way Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can grow and promote their products and services in their various locations in the state.
Speaking on the topic “Growing Business by Leveraging Online Sales Channels”, the Marketing expert further explained the need for operators of Small and growing businesses to leverage the various opportunities of online platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram beyond selling their products directly to their customers.
The event featured a presentation by Oluwasegun Daodu, Manager, SME Marketing who said 9mobile is helping SMEs to expand their businesses noting that the present crop of young entrepreneurs is the future of Nigeria’s economy.
Also speaking on “Resourcing for Small Businesses, the Role of People in SMEs Growth, the Head, of Human Resources at 9mobile, Sherriff Popoola said the biggest companies today started as SMEs.
According to him, customers are the key element that makes businesses grow, adding that people who want to operate SMEs must understand what they set out to achieve.
The Hack seeks to create a platform to support and promote entrepreneurs in the SME space. It is a business and networking mentorship program facilitated by business experts who share business ideas with participants and groom them to scale their businesses.
The Hack aims to solve specific challenges that entrepreneurs face, with a broad focus on the limitless possibilities in the SME sector.
