Webinar Series
Suva, Fiji – Small businesses around the country are getting the opportunity to engage directly with highly experienced business coaches through a free webinar series, as they find ways to respond and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Over 100 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) registered to participate in an interactive webinar on COVID-19 – Business Survival, Revival and Growth today, hosted by international trainer, Steve Cordeiro, and organised by Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) in partnership with the Australian Government.
The webinar marked the official launch of a six-part series by FCEF, facilitated by Cordeiro and four expert local business coaches. FCEF is providing the webinars, as well as the business coaching and counselling services, through its Fiji Enterprise Engine (FEE) Accelerator Program, set up in 2019 with support from the Australian Government-funded Market Development Facility (MDF).
“We are proud to offer this free platform as an added service to assist our local small businesses as many have been greatly impacted by COVID-19. This webinar series allows them to engage directly with highly experienced business coaches who also understand the local landscape. We are very grateful to the business coaches for lending their time and expertise to help small businesses in Fiji,” said Mr Kameli Batiweti, FCEF Chief Executive Officer”
The series will also cover pandemic-proof proactive strategies, managing cash flow in crisis, resetting mindsets in a pandemic, and adapting marketing strategies during and post COVID-19.
“Australia is a strong supporter of the Fiji Government’s efforts to grow small businesses in Fiji, which play such an important role in the local economy. These webinars provide a useful forum to share innovative ideas and strategies for local businesses to respond to the economic challenges COVID-19 has created for both our countries,” said John Feakes, Australian High Commissioner to Fiji.
Businesses will also be able to book follow-up one-to-one business coaching and counselling sessions with the business coaches to seek further advice and information suited to their specific needs.
“The targeting of young men and women entrepreneurs by the FEE is very relevant. The most recently released ILO Monitor on COVID19, specifically highlights that youth are being disproportionately affected by the pandemic, particularly affecting young women more than young men. The pandemic is inflicting a triple shock on young people – destroying their employment, disrupting their education and training and placing major obstacles in entering and moving within the labour. The ILO envisages the FEE to be part of FCEF’s menu of membership services and an opportunity to share the learnings with other Employer Organisations across the Pacific ,” said Mr Matin Karimli, Director of the International Labour Organisation.
