Group photograph of in-person participants
The Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID), in collaboration with the Embassy of Israel and the Building Stronger Universities Phase III project, has organised an interactive workshop. The workshop, which was held at the Centre for African Wetlands’ auditorium was dubbed: Building an Innovative Business, and was held on 25th November 2021 as part of activities marking the Ghana Digital Innovation Week.
In his opening remarks, Professor George Obeng Adjei, Director of Research, ORID, welcomed both virtual and in-person participants. He noted that there is a bulging entrepreneurial space in Ghana that young people especially can take advantage of. He added that although there are a lot of opportunities, there is the need to become innovative to be able to stay relevant and compete within the space. He was optimistic that the workshop would equip participants with the necessary toolkits and lessons that will help them grow, expand, and sustain their businesses.
Professor George Obeng Adjei, Director of Research, ORID
Addressing the workshop on the topic, Building an innovative business, Mr. Ariel Brosh, CEO of SUGAR Active and an entrepreneurship and innovation expert, reiterated that entrepreneurs who desired to create innovation or make their businesses innovative should always be prepared and adaptable to change. They should strive to make meaning of the business and think of impact instead of money. He gave six pointers to developing an innovative business as: being passionate and always prepared, having a mantra, staying on the edge, learning and adapting to change, perseverance and, last but not least, looking for the next wave in your business.
In a presentation by the CEO of TNYOU Fitness, Mrs. Tracy Sena Yeboah, who doubles as a lifestyle and fitness coach, spoke about the journey of TNYOU Fitness and shared her experiences of breaking through within the digital and innovation landscape in Ghana. She admonished participants to take risks, be self-motivated and take advantage of digital marketing platforms to promote their businesses. She acknowledged that while it was necessary to be passionate about what one is doing, it would also be important to know the needs of clients and innovate to address them in order to stay in business.
Mrs. Tracy Sena Yeboah, CEO of TNYOU Fitness
On developing the buyer persona, the third speaker, Mr. Kenneth Abeiku Owusu, an Entrepreneurship Development Consultant, noted that it is vital for entrepreneurs to tailor their businesses towards buyer preferences. This, Mr. Owusu noted, will require taking time to investigate the behaviour of consumers, considering their perceptions, culture, and beliefs.
Mr. Kenneth Abeiku Owusu, Entrepreneurship Development Consultant
Mr. Charles Agyemang Badu, the General Manager of Fido Micro Credit, presenting on: Sustaining your business: the Fido story, noted there is a digital revolution and for businesses to remain relevant, they should adapt to technology. He also indicated that it was essential to recruit top talents to deliver the business objectives, put systems in place to measure operational efficiencies, target the right clients, make sound decisions, thinking big and ensuring great leadership.
Mr. Charles Agyeman Badu, General Manager, Fido Miro Credit
At the end of each presentation there was an interactive session that enabled participants to engage with the speakers. Also as part of the workshop, a speed mentoring session was held to afford participants the opportunity to present challenges they were currently facing in their various businesses for expert advice. The workshop was moderated in-person by Ms. Pascaline Songsore, Senior Assistant Registrar, School of Graduate Studies and virtually by Mrs. Amma Appah, Research Development Officer ORID.
