WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS ATTEND FIRST MODULE OF P&G TRAINING PROGRAM 2017

Early on Friday morning, Nosipho Gxumisa, Managing Director of APG Logistics, took her seat in the P&G training room in Johannesburg. As a women’s business enterprise (WBE) certified by WEConnect International, she had joined some 20 other women business owners who were eager to start the first of two modules in the P&G Training Program on May 26, 2017.  This group was selected from over 50 applicants for training in the 10-module program (ending in July 2017), on the basis of P&G’s business criteria for business relationship building with women-owned businesses.

P&G’s commitment to training women business owners is underpinned by its global gender equality strategy and aims to foster leadership skills and business development.  The program is the first in IMEA, and follows on the successful presentation of similar training courses in the US, Turkey, China and Mexico.

Modules 1 and 2 cover the topics, Understand and Grow your Business, and Understanding and Reaching your Customer, were facilitated by Jean Chawapiwa, Country Director: WEConnect International in South Africa, and Shereen Wardakan, Group Purchasing Manager, P&G, SSA Marketing & SEA Purchasing Cluster Leader & IMEA Gender Equality Leader.

The morning session commenced with a welcome note by Faisal Sabzwari: SEA Vice President; Khalil Benchekroun, Director: MEA Cluster Leader Associate followed by a panel discussion with Judy Sunasky of Blendwell Chemicals, Zaida Enver of Pure Grit and Zandile Nzalo of Zanenza, three certified women business owners, who share real-life examples and experiences.  In the afternoon session Ricardo Cele and Mangi Mudau, both Sales Associate Directors, were joined by Shaheema Adams, CEO: The Customer Experience Lab and a certified WBE, lead the module: Understanding and Reaching your Customer.

At the end of the full-day program, Nosipho’s enthusiasm knew no bounds. She said, “I feel extremely privileged to have this opportunity to not only increase my knowledge base but to meet and create networks with the P&G team and other women owners. The training was very informative and relevant to me as a logistics operator starting up.” Situated in Johannesburg, APG Logistics specializes in supply chain and logistics, and has satellite offices in Port Elizabeth and Durban.

For more information, contact:

Jean Chawapiwa, Country Director of WEConnect International in SA I  jchawapiwa@weconnectinternational.org I +27 836606586