WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISES HONE PRESENTATION SKILLS AT INTEL-HOSTED SESSION

An interactive training session on best practice in planning and giving presentations provided Women Business Owners with a unique opportunity to assess and improve individual skillsets. Organised as part of a connect session by WEConnect International in South Africa, and hosted by corporate member Intel in Johannesburg on 8 November, the training was presented by Deaneesha Govender, Commodity Manager – Europe, Middle East and Africa Regional Strategic Sourcing, Intel Corporation. Some 19 certified Women Business Enterprises, attended the morning event.

Presentations are a powerful marketing tool, particularly for larger audiences, when engaging with clients and potential clients. Using a set of training videos on ‘Elements of a great presentation’, and ‘How to stay on point’ from Lynda.com, Deaneesha led a discussion with the Women Business Enterprises on experiences in preparing and giving presentations with potential clients. She emphasised, “It is so important to put both your business and yourself in the best light when engaging with clients. When making a pitch make sure have your business profile as a handout and are ready to talk about your financials, customers and your vision.” She advocated storytelling as a technique to keep the interest of the audience.

Deaneesha is the former Chair of the Advisory Council of WEConnect International in South Africa, a role to which she brought great passion and commitment. She procured from various WBEs for Intel and will continue to work with WEConnect International in South Africa, as she takes up an internal transfer to the UK at the beginning of 2017.

Jean Chawapiwa, Executive Director of WEConnect International in South Africa, reported a significant growth in the number of Women’s Business Enterprises, which now stands at 23. The range of goods and services offered by Women Business Enterprises and women-owned business shows remarkable diversification.

“As WEConnect International in South Africa, we will continue to leverage our networks and connections, and encourage each of you to bring in new women-owned businesses to help us grow the number of South African Women Business Enterprises.”

Responses from the attendees were very positive as many thanked the organizing team for wonderful, informative, educational and inspiring session.