Experts from the nation’s marketing communications (MarComs) space have advised Nigerian women, especially entrepreneurs and professionals, on the need to embrace the three critical tools of education and skill acquisition, financial empowerment and networking in order to compete and succeed in today’s topsy-turvy business landscape.
The experts, who offered the solutions at this year’s edition of The Industry Women’s Conference, tagged:”Tools Nigerian Women Need To Compete and Succeed”, held over the weekend, in Lagos, noted that women’s contributions on the economy space remains critical to the survival of the global economy.
Former Chairman, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), then Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, believed the advent of technology and Internet of Things (IoT) provides women, especially professionals, the opportunity to upscale their skill sets.
The Group CEO, Prima Garnet Africa added that access to finance also remains a major hurdle which women must scale to enable them compete and succeed in today’s world.
“Access to capital remains a major barrier to many Nigerian women entrepreneurs. But, I think what they should be thinking now is how the likes of Adenike Ogunlesi of Ruff N’ Tumble were able to leverage creativity and resilience to survive the storm while in a similar situation,” he added.
He believed being financially empowered offered women entrepreneurs more opportunities to leverage for their career enhancement.
The former ARCON boss also advised women to seek and build professional relationships, while stressing the need to mentor the younger ones and also be mentored by those who have made their marks, in their chosen careers.
The Group Head, Women Banking, Access Bank, Mrs Abiodun Olubitan, also toed the path of the earlier speakers. She described learning as no longer optional, and that knowledge and skill-set development should be a continuous exercise for today’s women entrepreneurs, to enable them to compete effectively.
“Explore informal learning tools. Online programs, help in enriching your knowledge. And remember knowledge does not just open the door, it keeps such door open. It positions you for success before the opportunity comes,” she added.
The Access Bank’s Group Head, Women Banking would also want the womenfolk to leverage technology, irrespective of the career they intend to pursue, since it holds a lot of benefits for them.
The Convener of the conference, Goddie Ofose, explained that the idea to make women the focus of this year’s edition stemmed from the role the feminine gender could play in enhancing the fortunes of such society if given the opportunity.
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