4 minute read
Namibia Trade Network hosts first Business Breakfast Club of 2024
from FlyNamibia May 2024
Another insightful event for thought leaders and captains of industry took place in the capital, the first of the Namibia Trade Network’s Business Breakfast Club (BBC) for the year. The Business Breakfast Club offers a platform for members to engage with like-minded individuals and stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in a wide array of fields.
As the Namibia Trade Network’s 2023/24 publication is centred around the theme of sustainable growth, it was fitting to start off the year with an event that looked at learning and development within the landscape of sustainable growth.
The BBC, a platform for networking events and conversations, hosted a thoughtful panel discussion with experts on the topic. The panel included Nina Louw, Head of Strategy and Business Development at FirstRand Namibia, Julia Muetudhana, the Executive for Talent, Innovation and Productivity at NIPDB and Elke Hanstein, the Debmarine Senior HR Manager. These industry leaders shared insights into how businesses can foster a culture of continuous learning and adapt to the demands of a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
Hosted at The Stellenbosch Wine Bar, a captive audience was in attendance as the panel unpacked questions that looked at the corporate culture and approach to organisational learning, as well as the most sought-after skills currently lacking in the Namibian labour market.
Another intriguing discussion of the panellists centred around how companies can be part of the solution in preparing for a future where certain sectors are expanding rapidly and skilled labour is becoming a necessity. As Nina Louw explained, it is crucial for companies to foster intergenerational, intercultural and interdisciplinary learning environments to facilitate the crucial skills transfer from the leaders of today to the future leaders. The panellists debated on how best to address the skills gap in the Namibian labour market, particularly in light of burgeoning sectors such as energy.
As Namibia stands on the cusp of significant economic expansion, the BBC’s discussions underscored the critical need for strategic and continuous investment in human capital development. As Julia Muetudhana put it, “Learning is the humility to continue growing.”
The conversation also explored tangible strategies for embedding long-term thinking and sustainability into corporate learning initiatives. Each speaker detailed their viewpoints on how we can enhance operational productivity while still contributing to societal progress through inclusive and sustainable educational practices. Another key takeaway, as outlined by the panellists, was ways for companies to expand their learning opportunities without incurring additional costs.
The Business Breakfast Club Namibia is an exclusive membership-based event series designed for professionals and business leaders who are looking to expand their networks and gain valuable insights into various Namibian industries. With a focus on fostering meaningful connections and promoting knowledge sharing, each event features industry talks from experts and thought leaders, providing members with unique opportunities to learn from some of the most successful and innovative minds in business. Whether you are an entrepreneur, executive, or simply looking to connect with other professionals, the Business Breakfast Club Namibia offers an unparalleled opportunity to expand your network and deepen your knowledge of trade and industry. Learn more at www.bbcnam.com
The Namibia Trade Network and the Namibia Trade Network’s Business Breakfast Club are initiatives of Venture Media, a 100% Namibian publishing house with expertise in content creation, creative concept development, publishing, social media management and video production. Focusing on the pillars of tourism, conservation and industry promotion, Venture Media’s three decades of expertise position them as an industry leader in the distribution of accurate, credible, up-to-date and regular information in print, film and on social media.
