Neil Fleming shares his first-hand insight into what it’s like supporting small and medium sized businesses globally during the COVID-19 pandemic; highlighting the vital importance of SMEs in job creation now and in the future and the real risk of many businesses going under. Neil is Director at The Challenges Group, an international NGO working across 66 countries, with five offices in sub-Saharan Africa.
Neil’s experience shows the need for deep understanding of the social and economic impacts of this pandemic alongside immediate crisis response action. For him this means listening hard to those on the ground, deeply understanding what is needed and how resources can be deployed to create real positive impact.
Neil explains that: “Now there is an opportunity to re-evaluate how we do business. Look at our supply chains. The global community needs to take stock, the role of money, who has it and who doesn't. It’s time to rip up the rule book.”
For more information on how business can help both NGOs and MSMEs during the COVID-19 crisis, do take a look at the Business Fights Poverty Response Center, where you will find Action Toolkits on these and other important topics: https://snipbfp.org/C19_ResponseCentre
Links:
Business Fights Poverty Response Centre: https://snipbfp.org/C19_ResponseCentre
The Challenges Group: https://thechallengesgroup.com