MWM Global Network to host business competition & forum
The launch took place at MWM's office in Purcell Estate today March 9, 2016 and the theme for the initiative MWM Business Startup to be held on April 29, 2016 is 'Celebrating Innovation through Giftedness' while the theme for the MWM Entrepreneurial Forum to be held on April 30, 2016 is 'Sustaining the BVI Entrepreneurial Spirit'.
Both days of the event will be taking place in the ballroom of Ups Cineplex in Road Town.
The featured speakers for the events are Curt Richardson, Founder of Otter Box, Blue Ocean Enterprises and Stedman Graham, CEO of Stedman Graham and Associates.
The latter speaker, Stedman Graham, is known to be romantically linked with American television show mogul Oprah Winfrey.
According to CEO of MWM Global Network Meade W. Malone, speaking at the launch, the start up programme is meant to be a platform for businesses to showcase their innovative ideas, products, services and talents under a competition format that rewards the best in class with funding, training and coaching opportunities to further develop and expand their innovation into successful businesses.
Through the programme, participants will be able to showcase their innovative ideas through visual displays of their products and services through stage performances, attend training courses aimed at enhancing their ability to successfully manage their business and access funding, have the opportunity to have the public view their products and services, take part in a business innovation competition that during which they can win cash prizes and an opportunity to receive further training and business coaching from seasoned professionals.
“What we are trying to do is invite entrepreneurs who have a gift and a passion that has manifested itself in a talent,” he said, noting that it is not just meant for younger people but for anyone with the right business idea.
“If you have a recipe that you have been employing to bake cake and people have been telling you that this cake is fantastic but you have an idea to develop it into a business and you don't know how, we want you to bring that cake to our competition. You and others will be judged and those winners will carry on further in the process,” he said.
He pointed out that it is not just for those with an idea for a business but for those already in business.
“The panel of judges will look at the scalability and the marketability of the business idea being presented. The winners in this segments will then be offered cash prizes in the range of $250 third place to $1,000 for first place. The three categories being judged on are product, service and talent,” he said.
First Lady endorses programme
Speaking at the launch, First Lady Lorna G. Smith endorsed the programme and lauded the innovative side of the competition.
“In a place like the Virgin Islands where we have very little to rely on in terms of natural resources certainly innovation is very important to our business men and women,” she said.
She said customers are an important element of business and focus must be placed on them. “I don't think we speak enough about customers but without customers there is little business, [regardless of how innovative you are],” she said.
She also said she wants to see a reduction in the reliance on St Thomas and Puerto Rico as shopping centres for persons living in the VI.
“I say that to say that a programme in marketing is certainly very important for MWM to concentrate on. I am very pleased also about the training [programmes outlined for the forum,” she said.
Sponsors of the initiative include Blue Ocean, CCT Global Communications and Tortola Pier Park.
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