Thursday 26 / December / 2024
Muscat: Zubair Enterprises Development Centre (Zubair EDC) has unveiled the second phase of the Azm training program in collaboration with the Al Jisr Foundation. Leveraging the support of specialised firms and experts in the marketing domain, this stage aims to implement advanced technical aspects. The primary focus is on elevating the marketing and promotional sides of projects associated with rehabilitation centres for individuals with disabilities, all overseen by individuals within this category.
Azm stands as an initiative introduced by the Al Jisr Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development. Its primary objective is to bolster consumer trust in products designed for individuals with disabilities that bear the Azm logo, positioning them as the preferred choice. This is achieved by establishing a positive mental image, portraying products under this brand as trustworthy and of high quality. The assurance of unified manufacturing standards in terms of quality, standards, and packaging further contributes to the credibility of products associated with the Azm brand.
The consultants from Zubair EDC organised workshops and conducted site visits to rehabilitation centres for individuals with special needs who are part of the programme. During these sessions, the objective was to empower students with disabilities to showcase their products in a sophisticated manner and align with market demands. This stage encompassed four key areas, each spanning a week. The initial week focused on elucidating the concept of a commercial identity, followed by discussions on the working of social media in the second week. The third week centred around the art of packaging, and the programme concluded in its fourth week with workshops on providing a stellar customer experience.
Amer Elias, the Administrative Manager of Zubair EDC, emphasised that this stage is specifically directed towards the success of any project—highlighting the visual identity (brand) and packaging methodology. He said, “The expectation from this phase is that it will bring about a qualitative transformation in the products generated through workshops, whether they are associated with rehabilitation centres or created by individuals with disabilities. Elias highlighted that the training program aims to spark creativity and enhance the skills of both supervisors and participants, enabling them to grasp market needs and formulate effective marketing strategies. He underscored the importance of focusing on customer experience, emphasising its role in fostering genuine interaction with products and building trust-based relationships with customers.”
“Therefore, we express our gratitude for the initiatives undertaken by the Al Jisr Foundation in introducing Azm, aimed at empowering entrepreneurs with disabilities. Our heartfelt thanks go to the supervisors of the rehabilitation centres for people with disabilities, whose efforts have played a crucial role in the success of this programme. It is evident that reaching this stage would not have been possible without the collective cooperation of all involved parties. We anticipate that these collaborative efforts will result in tangible improvements in product quality and increased competitiveness. This, in turn, will strengthen the role of rehabilitation centres in supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities in effectively managing their own projects.”
Saleha Al Alawi of Al Jisr Foundation conveyed her conviction regarding the significance of electronic marketing in the current era, recognising it as one of the most potent tools in the marketing domain, particularly through social media platforms. She highlighted the intention of this phase to equip members of rehabilitation centres and individuals enrolled in the current Azm programme batch. The goal is to enhance their ability to showcase products in a sophisticated manner, elevate their competitiveness in the market, and adeptly navigate the essentials of customer interaction and content management in marketing.
Conversely, Al Jisr Foundation underscores the significance of endorsing products eligible for the Azm programme. The organisation is dedicated to actively participating in the marketing of these products through the designated platforms for Azm. Furthermore, it has been asserted that this platform will encompass a diverse array of products in the future, all crafted by individuals with disabilities and distinguished by quality standards that render them competitive in the markets.
A growth initiative from The Zubair Corporation, the Zubair Enterprises Development Centre (Zubair EDC), established in 2014. It is a centre which highlights the important role of enterprise development in an increasingly diversified economy. The centre provides and inspiring, supportive, and professional environment for young Omani entrepreneurs and enterprises of all sizes to accelerate sustainable businesses.
