Ms Elaine Sam, President of Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana has urged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to ensure that they create positive image about their organisations, services and products.
This, she said would enable them gain good lasting reputation.
She said since reputation or image is everything in business setups, it is important for SMEs to imbibe the tenets of effective communication skills, which should entail a good environment, good business plan, as well as proper feedback sessions that would enable them satisfy the needs of customers and clients.
Speaking at a Strategic Communications Africa (Stratcomm Africa)’s training programme for SMEs on Tuesday in Accra, Ms Sam told the young female entrepreneurs attending the programme that they need a good public relations practice as well to boost their businesses.
The communication training for entrepreneurs programme falls under the “Great Expectation” project being undertaken by Ms Esther Cobbah, CEO of Stratcomm Africa to interact and share with SMEs, on the path to business development and growth.
Stratcomm, however, focused on young female entrepreneurs who deal in the production and sale of made-in-Ghana clothing, shoes, bags, and other accessories though building their confidence while giving the business tit bits to grow their businesses.
Ms Sam who is also a Management Consultant, asked the participants to align what they do with the expectations of their customers through their daily interactions to enable them get the most cherished feedback that would equip them to meet the expectations of such customers.
She commended the young females for taking the risk in setting up their own businesses and “not waiting for someone to employ them and give them conditions of service”.
Ms Cobbah said as the 2013 PR personality of the year, she decided to engage SMEs, and particularly the young females, to interact and build their confidence in the world of business.
She said similar training was held in 2013 and 2014 “but this year’s meeting is focusing on young female entrepreneurs because I want to interact and share with other females”, she told the GNA.
The participants were taken through the rudiments of branding, the importance of feedback and other communication skills to enable them use effective communication to boost businesses.
All the participants described the training as useful, with Ms Awura Abena Agyemang of Wear Ghana, saying, the session had taught her to pay attention to details in her business and the need to network with other entrepreneurs in a healthy competition.
Ms Pearl Penny-Laryea, Creative Director of Lo Pearl Collection also said the training had taught her the importance of relating to clients better while Ms Vera Adu Amani, a shoe and bag making designer said her communication skills had been improved.
Source: GNA