01 Feb 2021

Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) continue to empower and train citizens to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship as well as to develop the aspiring entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a five-day  entrepreneurs training in Gaborone LEA's Chief Operations Officer (COO),  Mr Omphitlhetse Saleshando applauded participants for their commitment  and participation during the training session.

He said the objective of the training was to assess whether the would-be-entrepreneur had the right qualities to enable them to operate businesses.

Mr Saleshando emphasised that  trainees should apply the knowledge acquired from the training programs to resolve problems at their businesses.

He  encouraged the participants to form partnerships so as to expand their businesses, to develop new products or move into new markets.

“With partnerships your businesses may have strong potential for growth and you may have innovative ideas, more resources, and greater capacity, access to established markets and distribution channels and products,”he said.

He further noted that small businesses also presented new employment opportunities and served as the building blocks of the country’s largest corporations hence encouraging them the support the local.

Meanwhile, Mr Saleshando advised the public to visit the nearest LEA branch for registration to attend the trainings, adding that they would also be assisted to address the challenges they were faced with. For his part, one of the participants Mr Oyapo Chimidza said entrepreneurs should know that people were more important in the networking process.  

“When you have the right person, he or she will be able to build a network around any kind of product or service” he said.

 He said too many entrepreneurs focus on bringing in new business themselves with the sales force but overlook their support staff as a source of referrals.

 

Mr Chimidza also advised participants to use organisations such as CEDA, BUAN and others for help and support of their businesses. ends