Heritage Bank Limited, Nigeria’s most innovative banking services provider, has empowered over 600 women across the country as part of activities to mark the International Women’s Day tagged: “Be Bold for Change.”
The bank organised a training programme with theme: Emerging Female Entrepreneurs Forum for women in Benin, the Edo
state capital, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Minna in Niger State and in Lagos respectively.
The
United Nations adopted March 8 every year to celebrate women in honour
of the remarkable contributions by women to the global society. The day
also commemorates
the inspiring roles of women around the world to secure their rights
and build more equitable societies.
Addressing
participants in Lagos, Cynthia Erigbuem, Group Head, Market
Intelligence & Analytics, Retail Banking of Heritage Bank noted that
the bank recognized that
this group of stakeholders play a vital role in driving retail business
and that is why it is partnering with them to achieve its corporate
goals.
“Our
culture is predisposed to welcome every woman and her vision into our
mind-set of creativity and knowledge, helping her to grow her business
beyond where she can
ever imagine by offering specialized products and services for her
business,” adding that “by our very nature, our services are personal,
and deliberately approached from a bespoke angle, to simplify her life
and business so as to be able to create, preserve
and transfer wealth across generations.”
Erigbuem
observed that Heritage Bank is a leading Nigerian bank with an
excellent service culture hinged on working with each customer to create
a name and heritage
for today and for future generations. With the ideals of Service,
Performance, Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Tenacity and Excellence
forming core values, we have set out to redefine the concept of banking
for the quintessential customer.”
In order to achieve this goal, she stated that Heritage Bank specializes in products and services that are tailored
towards the specific needs of women, irrespective of their age and social status.
According to her, such products that can be exploited by women to their advantage are Power Base, Why BankMy
Family, HB Concourse and SME Business Advisory Services.
She
listed 10 financial literacy tips for the emerging female entrepreneurs
to be successful in business: keep records such as bank statements,
receipts, invoices; write
down your business goals, make your bank account officer your best
friend and have a separate account for your business.
Others
are know your financial personality, identify your business needs and
wants, take advantage of banking channels/products for ease of business
dealings; save,
no loose change; bank your money, avoid losing income and pay your
taxes when due as well as measure business performance against your
goals.
Other
facilitators at the Lagos forum were Mrs. Ini Abimbola, CEO/Lead
Consultant, ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited; Mrs. Adetayo Otun, CEO,
Ambassador Kitchen and Catering
Services and Mrs. Oluwakemi Oduntan, a legal practitioner among others.
In a
keynote address, Ms.O Idahosa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Education, Benin City, Edo State said growing a successful business
required hardwork and knowledge
of the business, determination and a personal resolve to be a solution
to a problem or a supplier of a need.
She
enjoined the women entrepreneurs to ensure that a product must satisfy
an immediate need, develop a complete business before starting; offer
good quality at a fair
price, be careful with money- cash flow is essential; maximise
marketing opportunities, love your customers and never give up.
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