Scotiabank workshop boosts digital readiness for women-led businesses
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Women-owned businesses are better equipped to use technology, e-commerce and digital tools following a Scotiabank Women Initiative (SWI) workshop focused on resilience and innovation. The workshop, titled Deepening Business Resilience Through E-Commerce and New Technology, brought together women-led businesses from sectors including law, manufacturing, tourism and entertainment to explore how technology can help them prepare for and respond to disruption.
Delivering remarks, Programme Lead for SWI and Vice President of Credit Solutions, Scotiabank, Nadine Heywood, said the decision to host the workshop was a deliberate and strategic response to the realities facing businesses today.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters such as Hurricane Melissa and other emerging challenges have had a debilitating impact on some businesses, while we have also seen businesses recover, adapt or transform,” said Heywood. “The Scotiabank Women Initiative intentionally centred this workshop on resilience to reinforce the place of technology and digital tools in future-proofing businesses, planning for continuity and creating new opportunities for growth.”
Founder of SmartNote2Self, Marcelle Smart, who was a key presenter at the workshop, highlighted the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence in helping entrepreneurs remain efficient and competitive, particularly when operating with lean teams. She led participants through an exercise which assessed their business resilience using a tool that she developed for SMEs.
“The impending hurricane season provides an annual window/trigger for SMEs to be proactive [regarding] resilience readiness. AI allows business owners to automate routine tasks, improve productivity and fill gaps they may not yet be able to fill through human resources,” Smart explained. “The reality is that many entrepreneurs are running lean operations, and technology gives them the ability to still operate efficiently, scale strategically and remain competitive.”
Participants also received insights into digital payment solutions and online transaction security from Gail Whylie, senior manager, global transaction banking at Scotiabank.
“At Scotiabank, we are powering the e-commerce activities of our clients by enabling them to accept online payments via debit or credit cards, which settle directly into their accounts through secure e-commerce solutions,” said Whylie. “One of the major advantages of our platform is the built-in security and fraud detection capabilities, which help identify suspicious transactions prior to the card authorisation process, helping to protect our clients from potential losses associated with fraudulent online payments.”
Nadine Heywood also reinforced the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs through access to financing, education and strategic support.
SME innovator, Aybarinee Campbell Mendez, founder of Mendez Kare, gave a testimonial at the event, which gave insight into her company’s resilience and continuity strategies and the role of e-commerce as a buffering pillar of her business’s success.
Launched in Jamaica in 2022, the Scotiabank Women Initiative is designed to support women-owned and women-led businesses through tailored financing solutions, advisory services, networking opportunities and educational programming.