Dayo Setro, founder of the Setro Group and advocate of business success, said that the micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) can thrive and be successful with the right amount of visibility.
Speaking at the 2019 edition of Africa Fashion and Food Expo (AFFE) organised by the Setro Group, Dayo Setro, convener of the programme, said that there are good businesses run by qualified people which lack basic strategies to survive.
He explained that the programme was a platform to impact MSME in Nigeria and Africa.
“Our vision is to train a minimum of 1,000 youths every quarter for free. Presently we have Sterling Bank as a partner.”
He stated that through webinars and digital platforms, over 22 thousand people were trained on fashion, adding that training the youths and helping business owners involve mentoring, teaching and many more activities.
Speaking on the business environment, Setro alluded that although the business environment was constraining the progress of enterprises and needs to improve.
“Visibility is the greatest challenge for MSME businesses in Africa. This platform will serve as an opportunity to market themselves online as businesses are more active digitally.”
“This is partly why various business owners in the micro, small and medium scale space have been gathered to help them improve their business, encourage networking and basically help the businesses thrive.”
The 2019 event— the maiden edition of the expo— held recently in Lagos with the theme, ‘Expanding your brand beyond Africa’ had experienced business owners present, who advised the participants on steps to making businesses thrive.
Joke Setro, co-convener of the event, announced the launch of ZetraHub in a bid to further boost visibility for the business owners. It is a free e-commerce platform which helps business owners to grow broad clientele.
She said directing startups to establish thriving and sustainable businesses that would satisfy them and impact the economy is a way of helping the government boost the economy.
Chibuzor Awe, head of the MSME desk, Sterling Bank, advised the participants to take steps in sustaining and expanding their business while leveraging various platforms to help survive in whatever circumstance the environment provides.
Chuks Ogbekile, MD Colorvine Services, said it is important to create a brand that knows and addresses people/customer’s needs and work on making that brand the best at finding solutions, adding that other people see businesses as a brand. He stressed the need to carry out business with transparency, accuracy and accountability.
Belema Osagie, a customer service consultant, advised the entrepreneurs to treat their customers right and remain polite in order to encourage referrals and continued patronage of clients.
Gbemi Faminu
