The Fourth Bottom Line; Building Tomorrow's Employees Today

2nd Young Professionals Technology Symposium May 7th 2011, Makerere University, School of computing and Informatics Technology

The fourth bottom line:

Building tomorrow’s professionals today

EVENT REPORT

An Enterprise Technology magazine event in partnership with these leading brands

ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY :: ICT CREATIVES LTDPlot 4667, Ggaba Rd, Kansanga, Muva HouseTel: +256 414 266 423 Mob: +256 773 092 290Email: [email protected]/enterprisetechnology

Contents 3 Introduction

4 Basic facts and figures

6 Symposium programme

7 Event management team

8 Partners, sponsors & exhibitors

12 Speakers

13 The Innovators Dream business idea competition

14 Participant feedback

16 What next?

Introduction “All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants.” John .W. Gardner

In 2010 Uganda Bureau of Statistics came out with a startling statistic: annually, there are 400,000 graduates from tertiary institutions in Uganda; only 80,000 are absorbed into formal employment. What happens to the other 320,000?

Twenty years ago, employees worked for one company for their entire career and then retired on their savings; today, worldwide, employees work on average for three years and then move on. What’s interesting too is that more and more professionals are choosing to start up their own businesses, capturing niche markets and creating innovative products that address untapped market needs.The 2010 Legatum Prosperity Index which tracks global prosperity revealed that of the top 20 most prosperous countries in the world, 19 out of them also had the highest level of entrepreneurship.

Finally, technology has proved itself to be the most dynamic of all disciplines providing us with solutions that address problems across all sectors from manufacturing, to telecoms, to agriculture to media and fashion. Computing technologies in the form of software, or internet based applications or gadgets have made work processes more efficient and allowed us to get more work done.

What is the Young Professionals Technology Symposium?

The first Young Professionals Technology Symposium (YPTS) was held in October 2010 at Kampala International University, and is now a bi-annual practical learning forum where Young Professionals meet experts in different technology, business and entrepreneurial fields to learn how they can acquire value added skills that help them add value to companies immediately, and that help them become entrepreneurs who start their own businesses and offer products and services that companies need.

These skills are a melange of technical skills (networking, web application development, security, multimedia, Open source) , corporate etiquette (answering customer calls, office decorum, professional image); and business skills (market assessment, product branding, selling your idea, work ethic).

Additionally, the participants are given the opportunity to network with leading brands that exhibit and recruit at the symposium, exposing them to the world of work and giving visibility to those brands.

A unique aspect of the recently concluded symposium held at Makerere, was the introduction of The Innovator’s Dream business idea competition where 20 young innovators gave 5 minute presentations of their innovations before a panel of judges in order to win startup funding and business coaching.

We have seen a growth in interest and collaborative partnership where the first symposium had 150 participants and 5 partners, the second symposium had close to 400 participants and 25 partners.

The success of the symposium overall lay in the diversity of topics covered, the calibre of speakers and the sponsorship received from leading regional companies.

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3 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY


Symposium facts and figures

Social media usage continues to grow among young professionals; Facebook usage grew from 87% to 94% while the highest growth was traced to LinkedIn, the professional career network platform which grew from 20.2% to 32%. Social media is clearly popular among young professionals and provides an avenue for companies to meet this audience on a turf they are comfortable with.

Essentially, social media provides companies with a platform from which they can engage young professionals in a two way feedback process. Strategic companies need to develop a comprehensive social media network strategy that helps them reach this audience.

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Number of participants 386Average age 24 years

Institutions with highest representation

Makerere University, KiBO Foundation, Kampala InternationalUniversity

Number of exhibiting companies 10

Number of partners 25

Facebook 94%

Twitter25%

LinkedIn32% No social

network0.02%

Note: Most participants are on more than one social network

1.1 Social media network usage

1.0 Attendance



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1.2 How they learned about the symposium

Poster 42%Colleague 32%

Advert 21%

Email 8%

Other 4%Although various forms of advertising are important, the most effective way to reach Young Professionals is through companies that have close association with their peers and visible attractive posters.

1.3 What convinced you to attend the symposium?• Getting a Certificate• ICT Creatives personnel at ticket sales • Innovator’s dream• Companies involved • Symposium kit• Desire to learn more about Information Technology • Diversity of topics• Job opportunities• Internship• The statement ‘Young Professionals Technology Symposium’• Advert• To relate technology to Business • To acquire practical technology skills

• Curiosity• Lecturer • Colleague• Related to course• Job market requirements• The theme• Networking with professionals• To gain skills• T-shirt and food• Speakers• Venue• Practical demonstrations


Symposium programmeMORNING SESSION10 am -11:00 am: Registration and welcoming of participants by Charles Halonda Funa, Workforce Development- School of Computing and Informatics Technology, MUK11:00 am -11:15 am: Institute of Financial Empowerment Consultants: Keynote speech11:15 am -11:30 am: Missy Apps: Faridah Nakawooya: Website design that sells11:30 am -11:40 am: Standard Chartered bank: Global recruitment drive- Judith Nasimolo, Head, Learning and Talent Development, Standard Chartered Bank (Uganda)11:50 am -12:00 pm: Monitor Publications: Monitor Digital products- Allan Zaramba 12:00 pm -12:15 pm: Makerere School of Computing & Informatics Technology: CV skills12:15 pm -12:25 pm: HR Link Consult: Alex Mukibi: How to sell yourself during a job interview

LUNCH BREAK/EXHIBITOR VIEWING/BREAK OUT SESSIONS PRACTICE

EXHIBITOR SESSIONS/BREAK OUT HUBSMara Foundation: Entrepreneur Launchpad programme- Director, Nigel Ball Bringing Being into Business: Director, Kshitij Gheewala- Business mentoring within the symposium ICT Labs: Director, Albert Aguta; All day practical ICT training- setting up corporate networks Linux Users Group: Kyle Spencer: Demonstrations of Ubuntu and other innovative open-source technology Baaze Business Services: Business Development Director, Peter MutyabaTechnobrain: BizTalk Systems: Geoffrey Sekitto: Developing effective web based appsEnovate Soft: Ronald Karakire: Website design demo

AFTERNOON SESSION3.00 pm- 4.00pm Innovators Dream business competition Entertainment/deliberation by the judges and announcing of the winner4:00 pm -4:10 pm: Gregory Branch, CNN & CBS: Building a multimedia content career-showcase4:10 pm -4:20 pm: iBrand: Belinda Namutebi-Branding your product for future success4:20 pm -4:30 pm: BDE Consults Natalie Kimbugwe-Building a career in internet based research4:30 pm -4:40 pm: KiBO Foundation: Work Ethic and Community Service4.40 pm- 5.00 pm: Edouard Blondeau: Chief Officer Strategy and Broadband, Orange Uganda Raffle draw for the IDEOS smartphone

5:20PM CLOSE OF SYMPOSIUM/HANDING OUT OF CERTIFICATES Note: Due to time constraints, we were unable to cover all the planned topics for the symposium. The original programme included:

Baaze Business Services: Maximize your online marketing in UgandaSoft Solutions: Brian Ssenoga- Open Source Business ModelsArtfield Institute of Design: Introduction to Animations and Graphics designEnterprise Technology/ICT Creatives: Social media for career growth and business marketing


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Event Management Team

Rosemary AlupotRegistration and data analysis

Martin WangoloPublicity and marketing

Isaac SebaggalaEvent coordination

Edson RuyondoEvent manager

Joyce Kyeyune TondaEvent concept and sponsor prospecting

Charles Halonda FunaLiaison, School of Computing, MUK







Partners, sponsors, exhibitors

Lead sponsor: The Innovator’s Dream: SMS Media

TRUTH EVERY DAY

DAILYMONITOR

Media partner: Monitor Publications

Practical technology training partner: The ICT Labs

Oscar Byamugisha, Operations, SMS Media explains the importance of innovation

Allan Zaramba, Daily Monitor, discusses the benefits of using the Monitor Digital suite of products

Albert Aguta, Director ICT Labs illustrates a point during a training with the participants

Logistics and coordination partner: The KiBO FoundationPatricia Otoa, KiBO Foundation Corporate Affairs Associate


Job opportunity sponsor: Standard Chartered

Judith Nasimolo, Standard Chartered describes the bank’s

Refreshments sponsor: Crown Beverages

Pepsi products kept the participants refreshed

Attire and raffle draw (IDEOS phone) sponsor

Business coaching sponsorBringing Being into Being

Business mentoring sponsorMara Foundation

Bring Being into Business staff explain the company’s unique approach

Nigel Ball, Director, Mara Foundation describes the Entrepreneur Launchpad programme

Attractive, tastefully designed t-shirts were worn by symposium participants.

The School of Computing demonstrated a wide array of courses including animation and design

Venue sponsor: School of Computing




EXHIBITION HUB

The exhibition hub functioned as a breakaway area without actually leaving the symposium; in the hub speakers could contine with the Q&A generated from their presentations as other speakers took to the podium due to the intensive symposium programme.

Participants could also choose to leave the main symposium area temporarily and visit different company booths in the exhibition area which was a partitioned area within the main sympsoium hall.

Registration for business related learning was popular as many participants are already cognizant of the reality that they will have to start their own businesses rather than wait indefinitely to be employed.



EXHIBITION HUB

Exhibiting companies included, Monitor Digital, Baaze Business Services, Technobrain, Mara Foundation, Orange, BizTalk Systems, Ennovate, School of Computing & IT Makerere, Linux Users Group of Uganda, Bringing Being into Business and ICT Labs.

Participants were attracted to exhibitors who had practical demonstrations as they provided opportunities to learn something new which is what essentially convinced participants to attend the symposium.





Speakers

Speakers were chosen from a broad array of leading brands and they represent a new breed of professionals who are challenging the status quo and effecting change by doing things differently. They were chosen for their successes and ability to interact with young professionals and transfer useful practical knowledge to them.



Top row: Farida Nakawooya, Director, MissyApps; Allan Zaramba, Monitor Digital; Gregory Branch, CBS & CNN Africa representative; Edouard Blondeau, Chief Strategy Officer, Orange Uganda; Badru Ntege, Group CEO, NFT ConsultMiddle row: Belinda Namutebi, Chief Custodian, iBRAND; Judith Nasimolo, Head, Learning and Talent Development, Standard Chartered Bank, Uganda; Kshitij Gheewala, Director, Bringing Being into Business; Michael Bwisho, IFE;Bottom row: Evans Maganda, Symposium Moderator; Alex Mukibi, Director, HR Link Consult; Nigel Ball, Director, Mara Foundation; Charles Halonda Funa, Workforce Development, School of Computing & IT, MUK

The Innovators Dream


One of the key goals of the symposium is to encourage and reward innovation among young professionals as a way to drive entrepreneurship in Uganda and East Africa. During the symposium 20 participants were given the opportunity to present a technology business idea in 7 minutes before a panel of judges to win startup funding, mentoring and a business training opportunity that will bring their business idea to commercialization.

The innovations varied broadly from electricity applications to mobile applications and the judge’s final choice was based on applicability to a wide community and practicality of the idea.

Annet Namubiru emerged the overall winner of The Innovator’s Dream business idea competition with her food security idea.

Miss Namubiru received UGX 1 million cash from SMS Media, the lead sponsor, to help her start the company registration process. She will also benefit from a 6 month long business mentoring from the Mara Foundation under the Entrepreneur Launchpad programme.

Judges on the panel, Director Mara Foundation, Nigel Ball; Head, Operations, SMS Media, Oscar Byamugisha; Badru Ntege, Group CEO, NFT Consult




Participant FeedbackIn order to measure event success, 250 questionnaires were given out and collected at the end of the symposium. To ensure a good feedback rate, participants were handed certificates only after handing over a completed anonymous questionnaire.

Q: Which topic was most relevant to you?A: Career guidance presentations

Top reasons for attending the symposium1. Receive the symposium certificate2. The Innovators Dream business idea competition3. Network with companies4. Job opportunities5. Learn more technology skills6. The statement ‘Young Professionals Technology Symposium’

Q: How most did you benefit from this symposium1. Acquired skills2. Learned to be innovative and creative3. Networking4. The Innovator’s Dream5. Exposure

On a scale of 1(poor) to 10 (excellent) rate the symposium

8/109/10

10/10

7/10

6/10

24%

10%

27%

14%

8%

17% rated it 5 out of 10 or less



Participant Feedback

“ QuotedI was encouraged to be creative when it comes to entrepreneurship.

I gained useful company contacts.

I would like to see more practical sessions and less speaking

The discussion on web design and the exhibition on business skills gave me many ideas.

I learned how to present myself before an interviewer.

The topics were good but better time management is required next time.

Certificate of participation

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Made possible by the generous support of these leading brands:

Young Professionals Technology Symposium

Saturday, May 7th 2011, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

Joyce Kyeyune Tonda,Managing Director, Enterprise Technology




What next?Any useful event must have a tangible measurable impact long after the event is over. Symposium participants are registered in a database (email and mobile numbers) where they are tracked and followed up every three (3) months to find out their employment status. Althought it is an imperfect science, the eventual goal is that Uganda will begin to have useful accurate data on the state of entrepreneurship and employment among young professionals in the country.

The second goal is to understand whether frequent exposure to the World of Work through a platform like a symposium is capable of creating professionals who do not have to jump the 5 years of experience hurdle and can immediately add value to companies as intrapreneurs.

We plan to hold The Young Professionals Technology Symposium annually throughout East Africa to address the unique challenges of Young Professionals in each country in the region.

Partner requests may be directed to: [email protected]/ alt email: [email protected]




Enterprise Technology develops technology based solutions customized for businesses that want to use new technology to reach untapped markets in East Africa. Our solutions include the following:

• Enterprise Technology magazine • Social media network marketing• Web content development • Young Professionals Technology symposium

Reach usWebsite: www.ictcreatives.comEmail: [email protected]: +256 414 266 423 | Mobile: +256 701 100 516 ; +256 773 092 290Plot 4667, Ggaba Rd, Kansanga, Muva House,Kampala, Uganda

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The Fourth Bottom Line; Building Tomorrow's Employees Today

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