CWG holds Maiden ecommerce Workshop for merchants

Computer Warehouse Group plc (CWG) organized the maiden free online technology workshop for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) owners in Lagos.

The workshop with the Theme “Learn How to Set-up, operate and advertise your own store online”aimed at equipping business owners with the skills they require to take their business to the online community by operating an online store on www.openshopen.ng and sell to people other than those in their immediate physical community.

Welcoming the participants, Success Nmerife, the Head Marketing Communications, CWG, informed the participants that the workshop was designed to introduce them to solutions and methods they can employ to maximize the benefits that the internet affords in growing their business. She observed that the shift in the global focus from traditional business model to online commerce has made the utilization of the electronic media in business promotion and sales an indispensable tool for merchants.

Similarly, Adriana De la Cruz Duffo, Business Manager, Openshopen told the participants that Openshopen has been uniquely designed to respond to the challenges of online trading encountered by SMEs in the Nigerian business environment. According to her, “Openshopen is easy to use, cheap and profitable. It addresses the fears of payment gateway security. It also takes care of the logistics of delivery. It is a platform you as merchants can adopt, if you want your business to grow”.

Thereafter, merchants were taken through three training sessions. In the first session, Mr. Tayo Oduwole, Head, Innovation, CWG plc, introduced the Openshopen online platform to the participants. According to him, “CWG’s partnership with Openshopen to introduce the eCommerce platform is in line with our vision to enable Nigerian merchants acquire business enabling technology without incurring business killing own-infrastructure costs”. He explained that Openshopen differs from other online shopping platforms, in that it allows merchants sell directly to buyers and have the privilege of promoting their brands. Unlike other platforms that require merchants to submit their wares for sale. “With Openshopen, you can sell your brand alongside your products, such that people can look for you if they want your products again”, he concluded.

The workshop featured a practical session where Mr. Oduwole took participants through step by step procedure of opening a store online. The participants had the privilege of creating their own store, each having their unique web address, corporate logo and products for display. Thereafter, they were taught the basics of promoting their business using various social media platforms.

At the end of the sessions, each participant was presented with a certificate of attendance by Mr. James Agada, Chief Technology Officer, CWG. At the presentation, Mr. Agada pointed out that the workshop served as one of CWG’s ways of contributing towards the growth of SMEs in Nigeria, creating employment and contributing to the growth of the nation’s economy. He charged the participants to utilize the knowledge they have gained from the workshop. “Having learnt how to open your store and sell online, we look forward to seeing you sell on Openshopen”, he concluded.

The participants expressed their gratitude to CWG for the privilege of the workshop. Most of the attendees indicated that the workshop has been of immense benefit to them. Commenting on the workshop, Mr. and Mrs. YemiAdeyemo, Directors at House of Treasures, observed “In fact, the workshop was worth the while, the lectures were extensive and the speakers were very good. We have learnt a lot that we will like to put them into use as soon as we get back home”.

You can also open your own online store on www.openshopen.ng today.