Finishing School for professionals

With Njoki Karuoya

Are you a businessman or woman and want to learn how to improve your business? Do you want to know how to impress potential business partners during a meeting in an office or while enjoying a business meal?

Do you want to grow your business but have problems networking with the ‘right’ people or conducting business with polish and finesse?

You could also be a student leader or project manager who needs to acquire all these skills. If you have children, you may wish to introduce them to courses that teach them how to be all-rounded individuals on the path of career and social success.

Women especially would be interested to discover a course where they would be taught how to dress to impress and how to act socially, especially if the skills are passed on practically at a high tea event complete with a mini-fashion show.

Add to it training on how to use the latest technological advancements and you get a powerful week of professional development training, business protocol and etiquette series that is back in Kenya by popular demand. The workshops will be held at Nairobi’s Serena Hotel from September 12-17.

The last time this powerful series was conducted was in 2002. Participants included employees of government institutions and highly rated corporate organisations. The upcoming series is expected to attract corporate managers, government officials, entrepreneurs and employees from universities and other learning institutions.

The objective of the workshops is to equip participants with skills that will give them the competitive edge in their careers, professions or businesses, both in the local and global arena, which has grown into a cutthroat market due to competing interests.

       To date, Protocol International, which is a business etiquette and professional development company, has trained, through workshops and coaching for over 12 years. They have trained more than 5,000 people on business meeting protocol, networking skills, first impressions, image, dining skills, techno etiquette, social skills, presentation skills and gifting strategies among others.

The trainings in Nairobi will be hosted by the US Commercial Services in Kenya and sponsored by Barclays Bank, Star Travel & Tours, Serena Hotels and WASP Africa. We at Eve Woman have a bit of stake in this exciting programme as it ties in well with one of our objectives, which is to help in the mentoring of women and girls.

Changing Lives

Those who are lucky to participate will benefit from the wealth of knowledge of some of East Africa’s top professionals. Afterwards, they can use the skills and insights gained to grow their personal brand or their company’s brand, and enhance their international professional shrewdness.

The training week will start with a Community Day and dinner fundraiser on September 11, whose proceeds will go to Partners for Care, a small Non Governmental Organisation that is working with marginalised communities in Nairobi and Marsabit to change lives.

Partners for Care is led by Connie Cheren and its activities focus on saving the lives of children who die from preventable diseases such as HIV and Aids, malaria, water-borne diseases and starvation.

The series of workshops will conclude on Saturday, September 17, with a session for young people dubbed “How to be a Social Success”, and a special Women’s Networking High Tea Event with a “Dress to Impress” mini-fashion show. So let’s meet there.

If you require more information, email Caroline.Ochieng@trade.gov, Catherin.Malinda@trade.gov, fhmcollaborations@gmail.com.