AFETT’s ‘Steps to Success’

On Saturday the Association of Female Executives of Trinidad and Tobago (AFETT) will present a Business Skills Seminar entitled “Six Steps to Success.”

The Centre of Excellence in Macoya will be the venue where men and women can learn critical skills to help them climb the ladder of success.

The idea for the seminar came about at a fund-raising meeting of the Fundraising/Marketing Committee of AFETT. Not only did the members want to raise funds, but also to live up to their slogan of “making women winners.”

It caters for those now entering the workforce, persons who are returning to secular work and for those just looking to make a change. Realising that many local seminars are far beyond the price range of the average person, AFETT hopes to give those who can not afford costly seminars the opportunity to benefit from the guidelines that will be presented.

“Too many business seminars are for a certain echelon in society,” said Allana Steuart, president of AFETT. “People would like to do better and improve their lot in life but they don’t know where to get the help they need.

“They don’t know where to start and even if they have the information, they don’t have the funds. We believe our cost of $250 for three sessions is fair.”

“We even have a paid day care service that will be provided by a qualified day care provider on request for those who need it.”

According to Steuart, many people are buying into the service AFETT is trying to provide. Companies such as Sagicor, Johnson and Johnson and Clico have agreed to sponsor parts of the seminar. Other sponsors include Scotiabank, COSTATT, Digicel, UWI, Nestle, NP, and BWIA. Those companies, and others, will also have booths set up at the Centre of Excellence throughout the day.

Conscious of their social responsibility, AFETT is also inviting Non-Government Organisations to take part in the event.

“It is important that the public is made aware of these organisations,” stated Jill Padmore, an active member of the Fundraising/Marketing Committee which is responsible for the event.

“Even if persons know they exist, they don’t understand the dynamics of the organisations or how to use them effectively,” she said.

The presenters, who are professionals and experts in their own rights, have also volunteered their time to speak at the event free of charge.

They include Lara Quentrall-Thomas, Dr Monica Starke, Diana Mahabir-Wyatt, Camille Ramdial, Odyssey Consult Inc, and Aegis Management Ltd (AMSL).

Quentrall-Thomas is the founder and first president of AFETT. She is also the founder and managing director of Regency Recruitment, a leading human resource and recruitment management consultancy in TT.

She holds a degree in Business Management from University of the West of England, Bristol UK and is currently completing her MBA with Henley School of Management. Quentrall-Thomas is also the 2005-2006 president of the Rotary Club of Central Port-of-Spain.

Mahabir-Wyatt graduated from Mc Gill University, Quebec, Canada majoring in literature and philosophy with economics and psychology minors. In 2001 she got her MSc (Edu) from USC, specialising in online education and adult learning.

She served as chief executive officer of the Employers’ Consultative Association of TT and the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation simultaneously for almost 15 years. She also served as a founding member of the National Training Board of TT; of the Registration, Recognition and Certification Board; and of the National Insurance Board of TT.

She is deeply involved in community development work and is serving on several boards and organisations.

Dr Starke is a certified psychotherapist, specialising in children and family therapy. She once taught Organisational Leadership at the Nova South Eastern University in Fort Lauderdale.

Participants can register for three of the six hour-long sessions. Topics include R?sum? Magic/Job Interview Techniques which addresses writing an effective resume, handling an interview, emotional intelligence employee rights. “Life is Not A Stress Rehearsal” will deal with stress management, time management, inter-office relationships, and peer pressure. “The Path of Negotiation” will focus on negotiating your worth, promotion. “Business Etiquette” with address crucial areas such as proper dress, phone and office behaviour, establishing contact, and listening. And, “Money Management Matters” pays attention to. investments/savings and planning for retirement.

Registration costs $250 for three sessions and $100 for any additional session. A light lunch will be provided and a certificate of participation will be awarded to all attendees. Registration can be done at AFETT’s website at www.afett.com.