Empowering women in business
Published on: Monday, March 08, 2021
Lai
Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (Swepa) did not allow the Covid-19 pandemic to get in the way of its women empowerment mission while complying with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the Government.On the contrary, it created the Swepa Wanita Empowered Business Mentorship Program as a platform to empower women from three states to become champions of their own development.
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The collaborative effort, spearheaded by Swepa as the key organiser, involves 3R and two local partners, namely Women Entrepreneurs & Professionals Association Sarawak (WEPS) and Penang Women Chamber of Commerce (PWCC).
Swepa President Lai Fui Nar said the project is funded by the US Embassy and Swepa was given the grant to run the program with 3R, together with the Association’s counterparts from neighbouring Sarawak and Penang.
Swepa Wanita Empowered Business Mentorship Program caters to established businesswomen and entrepreneurs and runs from November last year to April this year.
On hand to grace the virtual launch was US outgoing Ambassador to Malaysia, Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir. It was officiated by Sabah’s Assistant Minister of Community Development and People’s Wellbeing, Datuk Julita Majungki.
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“Thirty participants here selected from Sabah, Sarawak and Penang for this six-month programme. They have been paired with industry experts and top women executives who serve as mentors.
The programme draws on the expertise of the mentors to further enhance and develop the business and leadership skills of the participants through face-to-face mentoring and skills development activities such as workshops and a peer sharing session,” Lai said.
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She said ultimately, participants will be armed with knowledge and skills to grow their businesses by pitching to potential investors, “in tandem with the short-term and long-term goal of the project.”
The Sabah mentees with their mentors (back row) at the Meet & Greet Session.
The short-term goal is to provide training and mentoring to women entrepreneurs covering various topics under the four main categories of Finance, Branding and Marketing, Legal and Human Resource, and Digitalisation/Mental Health/Others, depending on the profiles of the mentees.
The objectives of the short-term goal, Lai added, are to address the two significant challenges that women face which have been identified as access to skills and knowledge, and access to markets and networking.
On the long-term goal, she said it is to ensure that women are empowered to take on bigger roles through self-development and expand their businesses further.
Mentees from the Sabah side are business owners and entrepreneurs comprising Zaharinah Masair, Lim Hsiao Yin @ Melissa, Nicole Lee, Josie Hiew, Natra Michael, Sylvia Desmond Lee, Melissa Lee, Radziah Matarsad, Vellary Maydelina Yong and Arlene Philip Lee.
Criteria for selection of mentees were :
- Malaysian woman residing in Sabah, Sarawak or Penang
- Aged 25 and above
- Owns a business with a minimum of three years in operations
- Proficiency in English
- Accessible to online training (fluent in digital technology and able to access internet)
- Eager and committed to develop herself
- Able to attend all sessions
- Has no criminal record
The online business mentorship programme entails a mentor workshop, nine online training sessions for mentees, two mentoring sessions per month with an assigned mentor, a peer-sharing session per month, a meet and greet session, and the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration on March 8 today.
Lai said the “Meet & Greet” session provided the opportunity for the project team to meet the mentees and mentors in person.
“Mentees were given time to introduce their respective businesses. We also had a talk on ‘My Boss and I’ by international trainer Teresa Alberto.” Also present was the Project Manager Michelle de la Harpe.
The US Embassy-sponsored business mentorship program is beneficial from the perspectives of enhancing self-development, improving social marketing and developing business leadership skills, according to entrepreneur Josie Hiew who runs a few small businesses.
“I have a good mentor. We are being coached on how to do business, to identify our strengths and how to be a role model, among other aspects,” said the single mother of two.
With her knowledge, skills and networking on entrepreneurship, Hiew, who was in the finance industry while in her twenties, aspires to lead other women on their career path towards success in the near future. “That will be part of my legacy.”
Kudat’s enterprising cosmetics producer, Zaharinah Masair said she picked up useful tips on good business decision-making to avoid errors, staff management skills and on how to be an effective communicator from the programme.
“My mentor has infused me with the courage to speak up and present views in a zoom meeting without fear,” said the ex-banker, adding she was also inspired by other talented mentees.
Zaharinah, who is the Managing Director of LZ Industry Sdn Bhd and has a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) degree, established the company in 2018 to create job opportunities for local youth and entrepreneurs. It operates a factory that produces a variety of quality cosmetic products, using natural resources like abalone, seaweed and ginger.
Lawyer Natra Michael said she learned a lot from the programme on business management, effective communication and overcoming obstacles, and that it has empowered her considerably.
“The most important thing is how to be super flexible during this very challenging time. With the help of my mentor, who believes in me, I now have greater belief in myself. I am confident of helping and empowering my community in turn. Together we can stay strong and achieve success,” said the Founder of Messrs NM & Co, adding that all the coaches have helped her to clarify her goals.
For Lim Hsaio Yin @ Melissa, who has her own social enterprise, named Rustic Borneo Craft Enterprise, this is her first formal mentoring programme which is scheduled to end on April 10.
“With the experience gained, I will be able to empower the indigenous women of Sabah to drive their business forward through my social enterprise with focus on an eco-sustainable business.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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