PHNOM PENH, (Khmer Times) -- Cambodian women may
have been historically demure and submissive. But that is changing as females
increasingly step up to the challenges and demands of being leaders – not mere
followers. This weekly column is going to feature exemplary women in various
fields. They are people who are making a difference in business, politics,
fashion, the arts and a host of other fields.
Ms. Seng Takakneary presents the ideal image of a
successful business woman: the clothes, the shoes, the hair, the make-up.
The total package. Along with that, she exudes an air of being in control. This
woman – president of the Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA) and
owner or Sentosa Silk and Salt – knows the ins-and-outs of business.
How to start a business
“To be successful in business a woman has to
start with dream and she needs to stay focused on her aspirations. The other
rule of running a business is to never, ever give up. There may be times when
family or friends try to make you feel guilty about not spending enough time at
home. It can be difficult, but you have to make them realize that dreams are
demanding.”
Skills
“There are also specific skills a woman needs to
succeed. She has to have the qualities of being confident, disciplined,
determined and punctual. It is exceedingly important that you do what you say.
Nothing is worse than making promises to clients or staff and then not keeping
them. It ruins your reputation and you won’t have any credibility.”
History of Sentosa Silk
“I have always loved fabric. At Sentosa Silk we
have hand-woven silk, cotton and linen – no synthetic fabrics. It was important
for me to start off small and then develop the business. At the beginning I had
two tailors, now there are over 40. There are about 50 staff and 200 to
300 families in rural villages are involved in weaving the silk.”
“We train the staff very well, so our products
are all of international quality. You can pick your own designs, ask our staff
for advice or buy the clothes off the rack. Another policy is that you can
bring your own fabric and we will sew it for you.”
“We have expanded to another shop called Salt in
BKK1. It carries the same products as the store on Street 178.”
Networking
“Doing business is all about networking. You have
to develop contacts and maintain an active presence. At CWEA, for example,
women gather, exchange ideas and share information. We have conferences,
workshops and general meetings.”
“In networking organizations it is important to
have clear objectives. Another essential approach is to adhere to the SMART
theory: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound. Keep these
guidelines clearly in mind at all times, as otherwise the organization can get
side-tracked.”
The annual fee for CWEA is USD125. It may sound
like a lot of money, but the contacts you will meet and the business
information you will learn makes it an invaluable investment.
No comments:
Post a Comment