Firstbank takes its SMEs Business Clinic to Port-Harcourt and Abuja

Friday, February 21, 2020 / 03:50 PM / First Bank / Header Image Credit: First Bank

In recognition of the significant role SMEs play in achieving sustainablegrowth and development in the economy of the country, Nigeria's premier and leadingfinancial services provider, First Bank of Nigeria Limited would host SMEs inits 2020 second edition of the SME Business Clinic. The event themed "Building a sustainableBusiness" would be held on 25^thand 27^th February 2020 in Port-Harcourt and Abuja respectively.

SMEs are encouraged to take theFirstBank SME diagnostic tool by visiting https://smeconnect.firstbanknigeria.com/ in order to stand a chance to be amongst the participants that will bein the SME Business Clinic in Port-Harcourt and Abuja. The FirstBank SMEdiagnostic tool is designed for SMEs to check the health of their business,better understand it and drive profitability. The SME Clinic will feature one-on-onebusiness advisory services, mentoring, networking opportunities andparticipants will also be acquainted with the requisite knowledge and businesstools needed to drive efficiency in the day-to-day operations of theirbusiness.

Speaking on the event, Gbenga Shobo, the Deputy Managing Director,FirstBank, said "at FirstBank, we are proud of the giant strides we have takenover the years towards enhancing the SMEs for their businesses to thrive, havea fair play in the market and contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of thecountry. We remain the trusted financial partner of SMEs and reiterate ourresolve to be known as the brand that enables their success; much the same waythat we have for over 125 years enabling Nigerians and the economy at large".

The coaches at the event are Seye Olurotimi, LeadConsult at Cedar Tribe Limited, an SME branding expert and business growth consultant with vast experience helpingSMEs grow effective brands and Robert Yakubu, founder of the Instabiz Academyand the Business Mastery Program, a digital entrepreneur and businessstrategist empowering entrepreneurs, marketers and business professionals in Port-Harcourt and Abuja respectively.

The SME Clinic session isorganized in partnership with SME Traction, a leading business coachingplatform aimed at empowering SMEs to make informed choices about theirbusinesses, thereby facilitating growth and bolstering their contribution tothe development of the economy.

Expressing her delight on theimpact the inaugural SME Clinic has had on her business, the CEO, Nibbles Plus More Ventures, Owoeye, Oluyomi, statedthat "the first step I took afterthe SME business clinic was do a strategic road map for my business. Riding onthe information I got from the business trend session on consumer landscape, Ihad a clearer understanding of who my target audience are and have includedthat in my business plan. The feedback we believe will help us identifyuntapped markets and problems in our industry, how to reach them and what valuewe can offer them".

Like we were told at theclinic, progressing into the counter intuitive zone of the business modelreinventing box is what brings about Innovation. Something must triggerinnovation and not just our intuition. Hence, we have chosen research, sheconcluded.