By: Martin D. Shaanika
The recent pandemic has put much on hold and, in many cases, shown us that platforms to showcase products and services play a significant role in brand awareness and increasing service delivery.
Participating in showcasing efforts enables start-ups and well-established corporations to develop and thrive by showcasing their goods and services to a large audience who might not typically have the time to explore what the organisations have to benefit them.
We can now demonstrate what we do and how it will help consumers and potential consumers through platforms such as the Windhoek Agricultural Show.
Namibia boasts a population of under 3 million, and it is critical to support initiatives that strive to boost the economy through trade and networking.
Referring once more to the pandemic, much isolation has caused a greater need now than ever to network and appreciate platforms put on hold due to social distancing and the severity of the killer virus. We will now be able to connect with more businesses and consumers and develop stronger collaborations which we have missed out on over the past two years. Our businesses will once more have an opportunity to put in the effort to utilise networking events as such, to gain new prospectus and allow that personal touch to elevate customer relations further.
As much as digital platforms have boomed during the lockdown, we must admit, from an African point of view especially, that personal interaction remains more impactful. From networking spaces, we can once more engage from a “peoples’ point” of view with more compassion and understanding.
In our industry, especially the insurance sector, much one-on-one is celebrated before committing financially and offers insightful information to drive the financial literacy narrative further. The value of similar sectors rubbing shoulders and engaging not only in serious discussions but through stakeholder networks that grant another side of co-operation and collaboration.
From a consumer point of view, this is no better space than to shop under one umbrella in the comfort of their own time. It is the same reason Namforce decided to utilise face-to-face consultations on a public platform to make it easier for its customers and potential customers. This diverse exhibition space saves people time and money by enabling them to access various services and goods in one location. Customers are more engaged since showcasing activities gives them a platform to quickly learn about the goods and services available, enquire more, and be more convinced about their options. As corporates, it is essential to applaud such organisations and support other exhibitors to ensure that our Namibian economy is invested on our own and stays within our borders.
It was evident how dependent Namibia was in terms of imports and export during a lockdown; therefore, building a culture of buying and purchasing more Namibian-owned products will help us support our service delivery. This may still take time as we are barely trying to recover from many setbacks over these past few years, but through venues that call for Namibian companies to sell and trade under one roof, it should be embraced even more.
Therefore, Namforce has decided to hold hands with other corporates/exhibitors to be at this year’s Windhoek Agricultural Show to further sensitise the public about financial literacy. Not only financial literacy but what vehicles have been designed to help them, especially in such uncertain times that we are living in. Our qualified team will be able to walk through and show attendees the importance of saving and securing a comfortable future with products that have been customised to assist them. We boast of being a fully Namibian-owned life insurance company and will continue to fulfil our mandate to educate our Namibians and lend that helping hand to reduce financial distress in a society that escalated through this global pandemic. We trust that all corporates this year and attendees will support us in numbers to understand the significance of our ever-growing industry through fully supporting collaboration and investment in our own.
*Martin D. Shaanika is Namforce’s Managing Director
