The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), on Monday, organized a one day National Business Skills Development Initiative Entrepreneurship Training for 90 participants drawn from the 23 local government areas of Sokoto State
Speaking on the objectives of the training, Mr Moshud Lawal from SMEDAN Abuja, said the participants will be trained on Tailoring, GSM Repairs, Cathering and Knitting.
Moshood, who said that the greatest challenge with small businesses is lack of foresight by the owner, also decried that mindset is another challenge in the Northern axis of Nigeria.
According to him, the development formed part of the reasons why starting small busnesses and managing them to grow becomes herculean task for many.
Moshood also stated that the most important idea to bear in mind towards starting any business is the ‘BOSS’ idea.
The BOSS mentality, he explained, indicates – Business, Opportunity, Seeking and Skills, adding that for one to be a successful business owner, he or she must strive to always look beyond what others cannot see.
He said, “Stop making assumptions based on first impression, being focused and thinking outside the box to identify business opportunity and allow for proper networking”.
Moshood also listed four factors for any successful business to include, ideas, motivation, ability/skills and resources both physical and financial, in addition to self confidence, business premises, available raw materials, machinery/equipment, personnel and funds.
The SMEDAN top official also noted that small businesses fail because of lack of focus, consistency, good conception, project identification, feasibility study, business plan, evaluation and control as well as sourcing for finance.
On his part, Sokoto State SMEDAN Business Support Manager, Muazu Barau Muhammed, admonished participants to make good use of the training.
Speaking with our correspondent, one of the participants, who simply gave his name as Muhammad, thanked SMEDAN for coming up with such a laudable initiative, stating that necessary action should be put in place on how to give them grants or start-ups at the end of the training.
