Workshop // How to innovate towards business growth

The paths that lead to a company’s growth are multiple. Despite good sales figures and a positive out look in a company’s development, companies are now forced to innovate around their products to stay ahead of competition and those that do not, risk their business to failure.

In the last few years, companies have risen to the level of the FORTUNE 500 due to innovation while other big companies have lost their relevance due to lack of innovation.

If you ask executives whether they have a chief innovation officer most of the executives will say they do. But what’s interesting is if you talk to them about why you use the term, a common answer is “well everybody else does it.” This goes far and beyond to show how the word has gained traction over the years.

But come to think of it, what is innovation? How will technology innovation especially around your product really help you grow your customer base? Why is innovation key for business growth? And how has innovation, helped a ‘certain’ company grow its user base to over 50 million users just a few years after they launched their presence in Sub-Sahara Africa?

Well, join Zakaria Hersi, Director of Partnerships for Africa at Truecaller on 4th December 2018, from 6pm, at Nairobi Garage, Westlands Office, M2, Mirage Towers off Waiyaki Way. as he helps us best understand how innovation is key and part of Truecaller’s journey of reaching the next one billion people globally.

About the speaker

Zakaria Hersi is Truecaller’s Director of Business Development and Partnerships, Africa. In his role he is tasked with heading Truecaller’s expansion plans in the region as he is the first in the position since Truecaller set up its Sub–Saharan Africa office in Nairobi.

He is also the Founder of Orten.io, a platform that, through events and immersive workshops and training of talented women and minorities from low-income areas, works to inspire greater inclusiveness and cooperation to support tech entrepreneurship, in 2016 after nine years of entrepreneurial successes.

Zakaria has helped the Swedish investment firm Kinnevik launch Saltside in Nigeria, as well as opening offices in South America for Besedo, and has worked with some of the world’s largest marketplaces (eBay, Match.com, and OLX)

He is also an award-winning tech entrepreneur and has been recognized in both Sweden and Africa.

He is currently a Board Member at Global Village, a non-profit organization in the suburbs of Stockholm. The organization is a platform for community engagement with focus on inclusion, culture, education, democracy and diversity.

He holds a master’s degree in business administration and Marketing from Stockholm University.

We regularly host thought-provoking and inspiring talks, skill-focused seminars and unique networking evenings designed to provide opportunities for professional development and creative growth.Get to know what events we having in the space here!