IN SUMMARY
WOMEN IN BUSINESS. MTN’s Women in Business dinner attracted women and men from both professional and business circles, who shared and learnt from each other’s experiences.
Step up. These two words uttered by Jennifer Mwijukye, chief executive officer and founder Unifreight Group, the keynote speaker, were both the conviction and inspiration that the women gathered at the 2016 MTN Women in Business awards dinner needed.
“CEOs who are seated in the office can no longer sustain their businesses. You must go out there. Think beyond profits and think about how to sustain your business and impact society,” Mwijukye said.
Set against the backdrop of women adapting ICTs to boost their different businesses, the evening at Kampala Serena Hotel last month, brought together both professional and business women, as well as a few men, to sip from the wisdom of different experiences.
Right from the former finance minister Maria Kiwanuka, to the admirable panellists, the speakers quipped that technology goes a long way to improve one’s business, especially the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), giving them a competitive edge and also helping one minimise costs. Data from Uganda Communications Commission puts the number of internet users in the country at 8.5 million, thus women in business are able to take advantage of this fast growing technology to provide business solutions.
The panel, moderated by Marketing and communications specialist Susan Nsibirwa comprised Knight Frank’s managing director Judy Kyanda, TradeMark Africa Country director Allen Asiimwe, MTN’s chief marketing officer Mapula Bodibe and Vivo Energy’s head of marketing Jean Mugisha. The Women in Business awards are an initiative to accelerate the role of women in driving enterprise development and job creation.
The journey
As I indulged on the mouthwatering three course dinner, these highlights on how women can step up in business, especially from Mwijukye, got me nodding in appreciation;
• Forget the talk about capital, which usually makes many procrastinate on following their dreams. She emphasised that it is not money that starts a business, but rather an idea.
• Passion however, is the driver that will keep your business flourishing. Different speakers pointed out that starting a business is quite challenging but when one is driven by that internal force, they are able to hold on to their dreams and go beyond boundaries to achieve it.
“Don’t start a business just because your friends are doing business and are successful,” Mwijukye cautioned, adding that copying other people will not yield similar results.
• For worthy results though, it is crucial that one scans the environment and looks for as much information as possible, not only about their business, but also about economic policies.
“There are many opportunities out there, but women miss them because they are not informed. Read and research, then use the information to design your strategic plan. Check your resource base; can you be able to serve your customers well?” she advised. Other speakers on the panel encouraged women to be part of conversations that can influence their businesses especially on social media as this widens their knowledge base.
• Preparation is an aspect that was fronted as key, as this enables one be able to boldly take on opportunities irrespective of how challenging they may seem.
Being equipped with information helps one prepare themselves so that when an opportunity strikes, they are ready to go for it. Mwijukye shared her personal experience of taking up the management of the Mombasa port because she was keeping tabs on the growing East African trade and thus positioned her company.
• Professionalism is what will set one’s business apart. This, according to Mwijukye, means using the corporate governance principles in your business such as paying taxes. Conducting one’s business as thus enables one be able to cater for international clients as well and also be able to meet recognisable standards.
Record keeping and building efficient data bases was one of the things recommended by Kiwanuka because while assessing the nominees for the business awards, it was discovered that women are not keen on gathering and keeping information about their business activities yet these are crucial reference points.
• Compassion strategies in one’s business are also instrumental in its sustainability. Business women were urged to adapt welfare and health strategies for their staff and the business itself as they position themselves.
In this as one carries out their trade, they should not only be driven by the desire to make profits but also consider the general wellbeing of their employees and the environment in which they operate in at large.
• The last word; Go for It.
ABOUT THE AWARDS
The Women in Business Awards, now in its 4th year, is an annual event through which telecom company, MTN recognises and celebrates outstanding women in business. This year’s event was held under the theme; “Women in Business: Using Technology to manage their businesses.” As part of the event, there was a one day business expo, a panel discussion and an awards ceremony. The awards fell in three main categories; Excellence in ICT Awards, Excellence in Financial Services Award and the CEO of the year Award. The winners were selected by a panel of judges including; Maria Kiwanuka, Dr Maggie Kigozi, Zipporah Mungai, Aggie Asiimwe Konde, George Egadu and Steven Kirenga.
AWARD WINNERS
MTN Women in Business Excellence in ICT Award:
Susan Ajok of Straight Talk Africa.
MTN Women in Business Excellence in Financial Services Award:
Jacqueline Birigwa Nuwamanya of Rural Communication Centre LTD.
MTN Women in Business CEO of the Year Award:
Alice Karugaba of Nina Interiors.
Public Choice Award:
Charlotte Kanabahita Kamugisha of Bunyonyi Safari’s.
Source: The Monitor

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.