By: Lebohang Maluke
MASERU
Many enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), face a critical challenge, inefficient or informal leadership structures that hinder growth. This is where leadership training by Paseka Ramokoatsi known as P Dollar under CAFI plays a pivotal role in shaping a path forward on 10 enterprises.
The trainer, P Dollar mentioned that the ten enterprises gained valuable insights into key business concepts and practices. They now have a deeper understanding of the development of documents, which are essential for effective communication and legal procedures within the business world. Additionally, they have learned the importance of leadership qualities and how they can be applied to drive success within their organisations.
The enterprises also acquired the skills to draw up non-disclosure agreements, ensuring that sensitive information is protected. Furthermore, they now understand the relationship between management and government, recognising how each influences the other’s decisions and actions. Overall, these businesses are now better equipped to navigate complex business environments and implement strategies for growth and sustainability.
They possess a diverse set of skills and qualities, including effective communication, strategic planning, and adaptability that are essential for fostering business growth. By leveraging these competencies, they are well-equipped to navigate challenges, inspire their teams, and drive their businesses toward sustained success.
Programme Manager of Prime Cubate Nini Rose Moru, mentioned that transformative leadership training program aimed at enterprise leaders showcasing the critical link between effective leadership, governance, and operational efficiency.
“By exploring key concepts such as corporate governance, leadership vs. management, and strategic visioning, the training guided entrepreneurs toward clearer decision-making structures.” Rose Moru highlighted.
Many enterprises, especially in developing markets, operate with informal or undefined leadership systems. These structures, or lack thereof, restrict the growth potential of businesses. Whether due to cultural norms, resource limitations, or a lack of exposure to structured business practices, many entrepreneurs struggle to define leadership roles clearly. This not only hinders effective decision-making but also leads to a lack of accountability, confusion, and inefficiencies that stunt growth.
The leadership training session addressed these challenges head-on, providing entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools they need to formalise leadership roles and establish more structured governance systems. Participants were guided to recognise the difference between leadership and management, focusing on how effective governance ensures smoother operations, more accountable teams, and, ultimately, better business outcomes.
The program helps enterprises understand that these changes were not just about creating policies but about building an organisational foundation that would support growth and job creation.
The leadership training was not just theoretical; it included hands-on tools and frameworks designed to enhance operational structure and accountability. Among the key strategies introduced were:
“Corporate Governance SWOT Analysis to identify internal governance gaps and prioritize areas of improvement. Templates for policy manuals that address ethics, HR procedures, and compliance key for managing growing teams. Guidance on developing/refining organizational structures, including board and staff roles, reporting lines, and terms of reference.” Rose Moru mentions.
One of the most significant outcomes of the training was its impact on women and youth-led enterprises.
The business planning training session helps bridge this gap by introducing a hands-on approach. Entrepreneurs were guided through the process of defining their business goals, creating key performance indicators (KPIs), and developing strategic documents that would support the growth of their enterprises. This not only built their capacity to plan effectively but also instilled a mindset shift: entrepreneurs now understand how to align their plans with tangible growth outcomes, rather than operating reactively or in an ad-hoc manner.
CAFI strengthen leadership through all 10 enterprises improved their organisational structures, clearly defining leadership roles and reporting lines. A significant number of enterprises began developing comprehensive policy manuals covering governance, HR, and compliance, which are crucial for managing growing teams effectively.
Entrepreneurs now better understand the essential connection between structured leadership and the creation of sustainable jobs, aligning with the broader economic goals of fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth.
The training not only empowers enterprises with practical tools but also provided a shift in mindset, encouraging business leaders to take a proactive, structured approach to growth. For women and youth-led businesses, this training marks a significant step toward breaking through barriers and unlocking their full potential in the competitive business landscape.