Licencees of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), now have another opportunity to advance their businesses through e-Commerce, as Port officials announced a WEBSITES 101 Training Workshop for Licencees during a press conference on Thursday.
LaShawn Dames, Business Services Manager for GBPA’s Invest Grand Bahama Small Business Bureau (IGBSBB), and project organizer, said that Licencees will receive interactive, hands on training during the event. “Our recent e-Commerce workshop received an overwhelming response from participants. Licencees were simply excited to learn that through Bank of The Bahamas, they could now receive payments online, directly into their B$ account,” she stated.
“Unfortunately, many businesses do not have an online presence, so this training exercise will bridge the gap for those Licencees and allow them to get started with online sales if they so desire,” continued Dames. “This training will provide everything they need to leave the workshop with a basic website.”
Laptops are required for the event and registrants have two days to choose from, Wednesday 8th June or Thursday, 9th June, 2016.
“Attendees can expect a full day of informative, hands-on learning” commented Glendia Sweeting, GBPA Business Development Officer for the Invest Grand Bahama Unit. “Because laptops are required for this event, attendees can expect interactive presentations on Branding, Content Development, and of course…How to build a basic website,” Sweeting added.
Port officials say that this, and recently offered training, has focused on e-Commerce to acclimatize Licencees to the benefits of online business transactions. “Technology and the internet have changed the way we live, learn, communicate, and yes…… the way we conduct business,” expressed Ian Rolle, GBPA President.
“These mechanisms are here to stay, but many businesses are simply not prepared to reap the positive benefits of both. By empowering local businesses to capitalize on, and benefit from such a massive consumer base, we are creating value for our Licencees, with a view to positively impacting our local economy,” Rolle continued.
“Online registration has started and spaces are filling up quickly” he added. “Local businesses want to be a part of the virtual environment, but a lot of them just don’t know how to do that effectively; and we want to help.”
Sr. Manager of Business Development and Invest Grand Bahama, Derek Newbold, noted that Licencees have taken a significant interest in the training initiatives being offered. “We’ve had overwhelming participation by local businesses at recent training events. This clearly demonstrates the desire and need for the training/support offered through the IGBSBB. “Feedback from our Licencees has been extremely positive; they are engaged, excited and appreciate the opportunities we are making available to them,” Newbold continued.
“Technology has transformed the way we conduct business and we want our Licencees to be a part of this positive transformation. Through the initiatives of the IGBSBB, we want to continue to empower them to bring about innovative enhancements to their businesses. Their success has far reaching implications to our local and national economy.” he concluded.