US Consulate Empowers Entrepreneurs in Nagaland

By: WE Staff | Saturday, 6 August 2022

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) alumni, along with other women business owners in Nagaland, completed a five-day train-the-trainer training at the YouthNet headquarters in Dimapur on August 5.

The programme was put on by the Regional English Language Office (RELO) of the US Embassy in India and the US Consulate General in Kolkata.

In Dimapur, the trainer, Dieter Bruhn, an English language specialist from the US, collaborated with 16 participants to create a curriculum that workshop attendees can utilise as a vital training resource with their peers.

The training programme was designed to improve the participants' business communication and presenting abilities, with a particular emphasis on networking, haggling, elevator pitches, and formal pitches for particular audiences.

The course equipped participants with the skills necessary to present a persuasive business case in front of a live audience that included investors, business executives, entrepreneurs, and academics.

Nine participants presented their final pitches on the workshop's last day in front of a panel that included Lezo Putsure, founder of the EduCentre School of Business, Nuneseno Chase, director of YouthNet, and Shweta Khanna, regional English language specialist at the US Embassy's office in New Delhi.

Three female business owners—Imliben Lemtur of Monalisa Business Solutions, Temusenla Jamir of Fusion Store, and Tasangkala Imchen of Expression Life—were ranked first, second, and third, respectively, based on the clarity of their business ideas and their ability to communicate with the live audience.

The participants were given certificates by Dieter Bruhn, who also "encouraged and inspired the women leaders to continue educating other women entrepreneurs in their circle so that they attract investors and secure finance for their ventures."

Dieter Bruhn, who is also providing similar training for female entrepreneurs in Ranchi, Patna, Imphal, and Kolkata, commented to the media following the pitching session that Nagaland residents have excellent English skills, great business ideas, and a talent for spotting problems and sincerely attempting to find incredibly creative solutions. The energy, linguistic abilities, and ability to stand in front of the group, pitch, and present while doing so, he added, were all quite outstanding.

“I see a lot of things like environment, agriculture, preserving cultural heritage and also building bridges,” Dieter Bruhn said and that there is a certain level of effort to connect with the other part of India and not only share their product but also their culture. “That is a beautiful thing,” he stated. 

Dieter Bruhn continued, "I've witnessed a big improvement in their confidence, organisational abilities, financial management, and the entrepreneurs are more succinct, clear, and develops excitement about their firm. " Over the course of the five-day training, he noted.

He claimed that having a group of women together gave them a lot of power, comfort, and room to grow.

Adrian Pratt, the director of the American Center, conveyed greetings to the participants in the meantime. "Language empowers and teaches, and this is what sets us apart," he asserted. We're not just here to teach you English; we're also here to help you develop the attitudes, drive, networking, public speaking, and effective communication skills that will improve your abilities and better position you to showcase your endeavours. You and your efforts matter and have a concrete impact. Language matters. Being visible matters.

The same training was delivered last month in Ranchi and Patna, and it will be delivered in Imphal and Kolkata in the coming weeks.