SME Scale Up, a leading initiative aimed at empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, recently partnered with First Bank Nigeria to host a two-day workshop designed to ignite organic business growth and help SMEs reach their maximum potential.
The workshop, held on August 23rd and 24th, was headlined by Ziad Maalouf, the Managing Director Seven-Up Bottling Company, the Visioner of SME Scale Up; Oyeyimika Adeboye, the MD of Mondelez; and Seleem Adegunwa, the MD of Rite Foods. These industry leaders shared their invaluable insights and experiences with a captivated audience of SME owners.
The event, aptly titled “From Seedling to Sequoia,” was a unique and dynamic experience featuring insightful lectures, interactive discussions, and practical business simulations. Participants were immersed in a stimulating learning environment, gaining valuable knowledge and skills to enhance their entrepreneurial journeys in a cosy environment.
One of the standout features of the workshop was the deployment of customized business simulations tailored to various topics, including leadership, networking, commercial acumen, and cash management. These simulations provided participants with hands-on experience and allowed them to apply the lessons learned in real-world scenarios.
Oyeyimika Adeboye, Managing Director of Mondelez West Africa, in her session highlighted the importance of leadership skills in sustaining growth and development for SMEs whilst Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director of Rite Foods, shared the mindset behind the Ritefood innovation story, highlighting SMEs need to thrive in today’s evolving business landscape harping on the fact that the excellence is a choice that SME owners must embrace.