The company's 'SME Evolution Program', developed in partnership with AllWorld, Aramex, Google, Intel and Zawya, helps improve Small and Medium Enterprises' business readiness for international competitiveness
Dubai, UAE, 1st February, 2011: Potential, a leading UAE-based business development company headquartered in Dubai, today announced the launch of the 'SME Evolution Program', the first free web-training program of its kind which aims to enhance the global competitiveness of thousands of UAE and MENA Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
As part of its ongoing support to the SME sector, TECOM Investments, a diversified conglomerate and a member of Dubai Holding, organized the launch of Potential's program which was unveiled in a press conference with the support of the company's five key partners: Google and Intel, two leading global blue-chips with big focus on the region, Aramex and Zawya, two leading SME success stories from the region, and Harvard professor Michael Porter's AllWorld Network which helps advance the growth of companies in emerging markets worldwide. The press conference will be followed by roadshows across the MENA region to launch the country versions of the program through relevant local partnerships, including important SME-focused government initiatives.
The Program, which is one of Potential's interactive business development programs and pioneering Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, aims to help SMEs improve their business efficiency and readiness to be able to compete internationally, expand their business and create more jobs. Over an initial period of 6 months, the 'SME Evolution Program' will provide a valuable blend of more than 50 free 'webinars' or online interactive training sessions as well as live workshops in collaboration with professors from top international universities.
"SMEs represent the backbone of the region's economies, with employment opportunities in some countries representing up to 85% of GDP," said Shadi Banna, Managing Partner of Potential. "We plan to quickly reach about 500,000 of them in the first 12 months encouraging a large number of SMEs to attend." The webinars, tailored to the size of companies, will enable SMEs to participate in focused practical exercises, templates and tools that they could use in their business, he added.
The SMEs will also be encouraged to participate in the Arabia 500 Competition in partnership with the US-based AllWorld Network. "AllWorld has partnered with Potential on their innovative SME evolution program to set a new benchmark for entrepreneurial development and to drive progress for the region and beyond," said Deirdre M. Coyle Jr., Co-founder of AllWorld Network.
"At the end of the program, the most dedicated participants with the best ideas for sustained growth will be the true success stories that would serve as role models to other SMEs in the region. In addition to gaining more exposure to funding at the end of the program, the top businesses will also get valuable rewards and other free gifts from the main sponsors," Coyle Jr. added.
Wael Ghonim, Head of Marketing, MENA at Google, one of the leading partners of Potential in launching the 'SME Evolution Program", said: "SMEs are a crucial part of the ecosystem in the region. We're excited to be part of this initiative as the Internet enables SMEs to be easily reached by their local and international customers and suppliers."
"Most of the small and medium businesses, especially in emerging markets, don't have the necessary IT infrastructure to operate efficiently," said Nassir Nauthoa, General Manager for the GCC, Intel Corporation. "We at Intel provide training and resources to the system builders who serve that market segment so that more small businesses can manage their computing infrastructure efficiently. The SMB sector is the backbone of our economies and empowering their digital proficiency would not only boost their productivity and efficiency but also impact the economy on a macro level."
Hussein Hachem, Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East and Africa at Aramex, the global logistics and transportation solutions provider, also highlighted the significance of Potential's initiative in moving SMEs business to a further step of development. "Aramex is very pleased to partner with the 'SME Evolution Program,' an important initiative that will help regional small businesses achieve the next stage in their growth. Our support of this initiative reflects the core values and entrepreneurial culture of Aramex, which is committed to leveraging resources, knowledge, expertise and networks to nurture the expansion of SMEs across the region," said Hachem.
"SMEs represent a significant segment of the Middle East's economy," said Gunnar Skoog, CEO, Zawya. "To remain competitive and grow their business, it is crucial that these companies have
access to the most up-to-date and comprehensive market intelligence, which is what Zawya provides," he added. "Our online information platform serves as a business enabler for all types of regional SME's, including entrepreneurs and start-ups, providing them with innovative tools to promote their business as well as find and connect to potential customers and partners."
Banna concluded by stressing that SMEs will also be able to network with thousands of their peers throughout the Middle East where they could get support from each other and from other mentors who would be assigned to the program to answer questions and inquiries.
SMEs are invited to register for the free webinars on the following website: www.potential.com/sme-registration
-Ends-
About Potential:
Potential has pioneered the innovative Next Generation Performance framework for DEVELOPING STARS, whether Individual Entrepreneurs, Large Organizations or employees within SMEs. Founded in 2005 with headquarters in Dubai and team locations across the Middle East region, Potential is supporting thousands of individuals and hundreds of companies to kick-start their businesses, improve their performance, boost sales, improve customer service performance, innovate, expand and develop their Next Generation Leaders.
The company's portfolio consists of consulting, coaching and training capabilities, deployed across products such as the flagship Potential Entrepreneur program for Individual Entrepreneurs as well as bespoke development programs for SMEs and Large Organizations. Potential follows a special and unique methodology of work with its customers. It uses a customized sequential program to evaluate the situation of the client's business, discover areas that need improvement, undertake training and onsite coaching and then re-evaluate results.
During the past 5 years, Potential helped dozens of entrepreneurs to startup their companies and supported hundreds of SMEs to expand their business. Moreover, Potential has provided tailored performance improving programs to over 50 leading corporations including Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, Doha Bank, Dell, Du, Belkin, HP, and Saudi Telecom.
For more information, please visit: www.potential.com
About All World Network:
AllWorld Network was established in 2007 by Deirdre M. Coyle Jr., Anne Habiby and Professor Michael E. Porter of the Harvard Business School, after many years of promoting entrepreneurship in the developed and developing worlds. Recognizing that entrepreneurship drives economic growth and innovation, AllWorld's mission is to find and advance ALL the growth entrepreneurs of the emerging world by 2015. AllWorld does that by creating Fast Growth rankings: Africa 500, Arabia 500, Asia 500, Eurasia 500 and Latin America 500.
AllWorld's goal is to give entrepreneurs the visibility and leadership skills to take their companies and their countries to the next level. The 500s establish a definitive record of the fastest growing, most dynamic entrepreneurs in the region. By shining a light on these emerging business leaders, the 500 lists facilitate access to capital, open new markets for entrepreneurs, provide real time feedback to policy makers, and put momentum behind these entrepreneurs as they create the next economy for their countries.
About Google: Beginning in 1996, Stanford University graduate students Larry Page and Sergey Brin built a search engine called "BackRub" that used links to determine the importance of individual web pages. By 1998 they had formalized their work, creating the company you know today as Google.
Since then, Google has grown by leaps and bounds. From offering search in a single language we now offer dozens of products and services--including various forms of advertising and web applications for all kinds of tasks--in scores of languages. And starting from two computer science students in a university dorm room, we now have thousands of employees and offices around the world. A lot has changed since the first Google search engine appeared. But some things haven't changed: our dedication to our users and our belief in the possibilities of the Internet itself.
About Intel: Intel [NASDAQ: INTC], the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com
About Aramex Aramex is a leading provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions. Established in 1982 as an express operator, the company rapidly evolved into a global brand recognized for its customized services and innovative multi-product offering. Traded on the NASDAQ from 1997 to 2002, Aramex today is a publicly traded company on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM: ARMX), employing more than 8,600 people in 310 locations, and leads a strong alliance network providing global presence, and bringing together 40 independent express companies from around the world. The range of services offered by Aramex includes integrated logistics solutions; international and domestic express delivery, freight forwarding, secure records and information management solutions, e- services including e-business solutions and Shop & Ship.
About Zaywa: Zawya enables over 750,000 professionals to find and connect to the right business and investment opportunities in both private and public markets across the Middle East. Zawya's wide range of unique content and tools includes detailed company profiles, timely aggregated news including Zawya-Dow Jones, leading industry and asset class research, as well as an exclusive online network. Headquartered in Dubai, Zawya has presence in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.
For further information, please contact:
MEDIA CONTACTS
Raghida yazbek
T: +971 4 4469755
Email: raghida@perspectivepr-me.com
Celine Chami
Head of Marketing
Email: celine@potential.com
Press Release 2011
