by BreakBite Editorial Wing | Feb 14, 2024 | WSME Business Insights
The Women Entrepreneurs Business Support Center, a key initiative under the We-Fi project of the World Bank and organized by BreakBite in collaboration with North South University, successfully conducted a comprehensive workshop on Holistic Marketing on February 14, 2024. The workshop, led by Mr. Omar Nasif Abdullah, faculty from the Management and International Business Department at North South University, and Mr. Shah Paran, CEO of Overlay Asia, attracted 40 active participants from a confirmed list of 67.
Workshop Overview:
The workshop was conducted in two phases, each focusing on crucial aspects of marketing and digital marketing to empower women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed for business growth.
Phase 1: Holistic Marketing
In the first one and a half hours, Mr. Omar Nasif Abdullah provided an in-depth understanding of holistic marketing. He covered fundamental branches of marketing, emphasizing the importance of segmentation, targeting, and brand development. Mr. Abdullah’s session highlighted:
- Marketing Fundamentals: An overview of the basic principles of marketing and their application in real-world scenarios.
- Segmentation and Targeting: Techniques for identifying and reaching target customer segments effectively.
- Brand Development: Strategies for creating and maintaining a strong brand presence in the market.
Phase 2: Digital Marketing
The second phase, led by Mr. Shah Paran, focused on digital marketing trends, tricks, and tips to enhance brand visibility, customer engagement, and overall business growth. Key topics included:
- Facebook Marketing: Detailed exploration of Facebook’s role in attracting and retaining customers, especially during peak seasons.
- Inbox Automation Strategies: Importance of streamlining communication processes to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction through automated responses.
- Basic Boosting Process: Insights into creating impactful Facebook ads and dissecting competitor advertisements to gain a competitive edge.
- Customer Engagement: Building a loyal customer base through effective digital marketing strategies.
Engaging Q&A Session:
The workshop concluded with an engaging Q&A session, reflecting the participants’ eagerness to understand marketing specifics related to their businesses. Both trainers addressed queries on various topics, including:
- Acquiring customers during peak seasons
- Building a loyal Facebook customer base
- Leveraging digital marketing for business success
The dynamic exchange of knowledge showcased the commitment of the WeFi Center and Overlay Asia to empower women entrepreneurs, equipping them with practical strategies in a collaborative setting.
Participant Feedback:
Participants expressed their gratitude for the comprehensive and practical advice provided by the trainers. They appreciated the opportunity to engage directly with experienced marketing professionals and receive tailored guidance on their unique business challenges. The workshop was highly productive, offering practical solutions and empowering women entrepreneurs with the knowledge to navigate marketing complexities effectively.
The Women Entrepreneurs Business Support Center continues to empower women by providing essential resources and insights through such interactive workshops. The center remains committed to supporting the growth and success of women-led SMEs by providing tailored support and expert guidance.
by BreakBite Editorial Wing | Feb 6, 2024 | WSME Business Insights
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Successful Mentorship Session on Business Legal Q&A by WSME Business Support Center
Date: February 6, 2024
Specialist: Mr. Shahriar Kabir, Legal Consultant, BreakBite E-Business Limited
Participants: 15
The Women Entrepreneurs Business Support Center, a key initiative under the We-Fi project of the World Bank and organized by BreakBite, successfully conducted an informative mentorship session on Business Legal Q&A on February 6, 2024. The session featured esteemed legal consultant Mr. Shahriar Kabir from BreakBite E-Business Limited and saw active participation from 15 women entrepreneurs.
The webinar focused on addressing various legal challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, including issues related to trademarks, BSTI regulations, trade licenses, VAT, and other personal business legal matters. The session provided a platform for participants to raise their questions and gain expert advice on navigating the complex legal landscape of running a business.
Key Discussion Points and Participant Queries:
- Nasreen Sultana:
- Query: Questions on TIN, BIN, IRC, and ERC.
- Discussion: Mr. Kabir provided detailed explanations on these legal identifiers and their importance for business compliance.
- Afroza Khatun:
- Query: Export AIT always comes with an extra amount and rebate facility during export is 20%. Issues related to agro products such as potatoes, cabbage, and pumpkins.
- Discussion: Solutions were provided to manage export AIT and utilize the rebate facility effectively. Guidance on compliance for exporting agro products was also discussed.
- Afroza Naznin Shumi:
- Query: Applied for a trademark two years ago and needs to update it.
- Discussion: Mr. Kabir explained the process for updating trademarks and the necessary steps to ensure legal protection for her brand.
- Hasina Khanom:
- Query: Need an appointment to resolve VAT issues.
- Discussion: Mr. Kabir addressed her VAT concerns and recommended scheduling a follow-up appointment for a detailed resolution.
Participant Feedback: The participants expressed their appreciation for the comprehensive and practical advice provided by Mr. Shahriar Kabir. They valued the opportunity to engage directly with an experienced legal consultant and receive tailored guidance on their unique business challenges. The session was highly productive, offering practical solutions and empowering women entrepreneurs with the knowledge to navigate legal complexities effectively.
The Women Entrepreneurs Business Support Center continues to empower women by providing essential resources and insights through such interactive sessions. The center remains committed to supporting the growth and success of women-led SMEs by providing tailored support and expert guidance.
by BreakBite Editorial Wing | Jan 27, 2024 | WSME Business Insights
The Women Entrepreneurs Business Support Center, a key initiative under the We-Fi project of the World Bank and organized by BreakBite in collaboration with North South University, successfully conducted an online workshop on Product Handling and Brand Development on January 27, 2024. The workshop was led by Dr. Farzana Nahid, Associate Professor from the Marketing Department of North South University and Founder Director of NSU Startups Next, and attracted 30 enthusiastic women entrepreneurs.
Workshop Overview:
The three-hour intensive workshop focused on providing case-specific marketing and promotion-related solutions to participants. Dr. Farzana Nahid offered one-to-one tailored guidance, addressing various challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in their businesses.
Key Recommendations:
- Enhancing Online Presence:
- Dr. Nahid emphasized the importance of a strong online presence for business success. She provided actionable strategies for improving website functionality, leveraging social media platforms, and optimizing search engine visibility to attract and retain customers.
- Exploring Referral Marketing:
- The workshop highlighted the benefits of referral marketing as a cost-effective way to increase customer acquisition and loyalty. Dr. Nahid discussed methods for implementing referral programs and incentivizing existing customers to refer new clients.
- Refining Product Presentation:
- Dr. Nahid underscored the significance of product presentation in influencing customer perceptions and driving sales. She offered practical advice on improving packaging design, product photography, and overall branding to create a compelling visual identity.
Interactive and Personalized Guidance:
Participants were actively engaged throughout the session, benefiting from personalized advice tailored to their specific business needs. Dr. Nahid’s expert insights and practical solutions empowered the entrepreneurs to overcome their marketing challenges and enhance their brand development strategies.
Participant Feedback:
The participants expressed their appreciation for the comprehensive and practical advice provided by Dr. Farzana Nahid. They valued the opportunity to receive tailored guidance and engage in interactive discussions. The session was highly productive, offering practical solutions and empowering women entrepreneurs with the knowledge to improve their marketing and promotional efforts effectively.
The Women Entrepreneurs Business Support Center continues to empower women by providing essential resources and insights through such interactive workshops. The center remains committed to supporting the growth and success of women-led SMEs by providing tailored support and expert guidance.
by BreakBite Editorial Wing | Dec 10, 2023 | Industry Insights
The story of e-commerce in Bangladesh is one of rapid transformation and growth, particularly evident in the last five years. This journey, however, is rooted in pivotal developments that have shaped the digital commerce landscape of the country.
Early Milestones: Paving the Way for Digital Commerce
The foundational steps for this digital journey were laid in 2009 when the Bangladesh Bank approved online payment systems. This regulatory shift marked the beginning of a new era in digital transactions, opening up possibilities for e-commerce platforms and consumers alike.
In 2013, another significant milestone was achieved. The Bangladesh Bank approved the use of debit and credit cards for online payments, further facilitating the ease of digital transactions and bolstering consumer confidence in e-commerce platforms.
A Five-Year Surge: Remarkable Growth in Digital Payments
While the foundations were laid a decade earlier, the most striking growth in e-commerce in Bangladesh has been observed in the last five years:
2019: Marked a strong year with digital payment transactions amounting to 23,557.71 million BDT.
2020: Witnessed a surge to 51,422.36 million BDT, fueled by the pandemic’s push towards digital platforms.
2021: Saw the growth double to 102,148.98 million BDT, a testament to the increasing reliance on online shopping.
2022: Continued the upward trend with transaction volumes reaching 119,233.56 million BDT.
2023: Broke all previous records, soaring to an unprecedented 160,989.35 million BDT in digital payments.
Understanding the Growth Dynamics
This exponential growth in digital payments, especially in the last five years, reflects a broader trend of digitalization in Bangladesh. It signifies a shift in consumer behavior, with a growing preference for the convenience, safety, and efficiency of digital transactions over traditional cash dealings.
Looking Ahead: The Future of E-Commerce in Bangladesh
As Bangladesh continues to embrace digital innovation, the future of e-commerce looks bright. With supportive regulatory frameworks, an active trade body, and a growing tech-savvy population, the country is poised for further advancements in the e-commerce sector.
In Conclusion
The journey of e-commerce in Bangladesh, marked by significant regulatory milestones and the recent five-year surge in digital payments, paints a picture of a rapidly evolving digital economy. From the approval of online payment systems in 2009 to the remarkable growth witnessed in recent years, Bangladesh’s e-commerce landscape is a testament to the country’s adaptability and forward-looking vision in the digital age.
Author: Asif Ahnaf
Finance Secretary, e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB)
CEO, BreakBite eBusiness