Insights from the ASSEK Annual Conference and Innovation Awards Gala 2024

The ASSEK Annual Conference and Innovation Awards Gala 2024, themed Collaboration4Impact: Economic Empowerment to Address Unemployment and Promote Sustainable Innovation, was an eye-opening event! It was a two-day event held at Emara Ole-Sereni in 2024. Its purpose was to bring together great minds to share innovative ideas on how to address the high unemployment rate and tips on how to make our organisations more effective, focusing on the growth of Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs).

Transforming ESOs into Centers of Sustainable Innovation to Achieve Global Impact

This discussion emphasised that while ESOs are established to support entrepreneurs, they must also become self-sustainable to thrive. Experts in the field, through a panel discussion, highlighted that a significant challenge for ESOs is insufficient funding, which can cause the organisation’s operations to stall or collapse. 

ESOs were advised to focus on delivering valuable services that create and maintain a strong market reputation, establishing impactful partnerships that leverage combined resources and expertise with the stakeholders. ESOs should also diversify revenue streams to ensure smooth operations. This approach helps ESOs tailor their support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups while remaining resilient. 

 Leveraging AI to scale the socio-economic impact for startups and SMEs

We are living in times where AI is rapidly evolving, and businesses are continually integrating AI into their operations. The speakers highlighted the power of AI to simplify planning, research, and evaluation. They urged organisations to integrate AI strategies into their operations by first listing the potential challenges in society, and then identifying some AI solutions to help address the listed challenges. 

Organisations can effectively leverage AI by prioritising key areas and building affinity diagrams. The speakers, however, emphasised that applying strong cybersecurity measures is important to safeguarding organisations’ systems, networks, and programs from potential digital or cyber attacks, such as phishing or malware. Additionally, ESOs need to measure quantifiable metrics, which is essential to tracking progress and gaining actionable insights.

Improving Behavioural Competencies of  ESO Staff for Increased  Enterprise Outcomes

This session focussed on both the behavioural competencies of staff as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. Improving behavioural competencies among ESO staff is an important component of success. The event highlighted the value of having soft skills, such as persuasion, networking, independence, and self-confidence, which empower individuals to build strong professional relationships and positively influence others. 

When aligning your organisation’s mission and vision with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), you should use the ‘AIM’ approach. This means being Authentic, Intentional, and Measuring your progress and success. This approach will enable you to enhance personal growth and achieve organisational excellence.

Achieving Organisational Excellence 

Have you ever sat down to evaluate the structure of your organisation? Have you achieved organisational excellence? 

Finally, the conference reminded us that achieving organisational excellence begins with a thorough evaluation or reevaluation of the organisation’s structure, leadership, and strategic planning. Organisation leaders are encouraged to define a clear vision, continuously assess every aspect of their organisation, and take steps to implement and monitor their programmes with determination. By addressing arising challenges from the root, organisations can drive meaningful and positive improvements and, therefore, achieve lasting success and excellence. 

The ASSEK annual conference and Innovation Awards Gala was a success and was quite inspiring. I gained a lot of insights on how to enhance our programmes and build a sustainable and innovative organisation. JAY4T looks forward to joining ASSEK in 2025 as a member organization and to collaborate with other Entrepreneur Support Organisations in the community to create employment solutions.