The novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic provides an opportunity for designers and aspiring entrepreneurs in Qatar to plan and go beyond the traditional way of doing business, according to Aysha al-Mudahka, director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnership Development at Qatar Foundation.
Al-Mudahka, who is also the former CEO of Qatar Business Incubation Centre, was speaking at an M7 online coaching session on Thursday with renowned Qatari designer Fahad al-Obaidly on “how to build a business plan from concept to production”.
The same topic will be discussed Saturday via M7’s Instagram account (@m7.qatar) at 9pm by leaders in the field aimed at guiding and encouraging aspiring designers.
During the session, al-Mudahka underscored the importance of capitalising on the use of technology as the current situation pushed many companies to boost the pace of their digital transformation and enhance their online presence.
Such move, she said, can help various businesses to grow and further understand their markets.
“Look at what customers want and not what we think they want. Look for the demand, if there is none, create one,” al-Mudahka suggested, adding that talking to several customers presents another opportunity to learn and gather more useful information to develop a viable business plan.
Citing an example, she said that the demand for products related to a healthy lifestyle was not as huge years back than it is today.
Online platforms, al-Mudahka said, allow aspiring entrepreneurs to easily access information, conduct surveys and get more questions and suggestions, and test their businesses.
While staying at home, she also suggested subscribing and participating to several free online courses, which discuss a wide range of topics about entrepreneurship.
Al-Mudahka said the pandemic is “a good time not to lose a lot of money” while learning a lot from the experts.
M7 is a creative startups hub dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship established by QM for the nation’s growing fashion and design industry. Its coaching sessions will also see Khalifa al-Haroon, founder of ILoveQatar; and Harriet Gyamfuah, founder of Creatives Amplified, discussing ways on how designers can stay connected with their customers using digital platforms under the theme ‘Connect’ on May 14 and 16.
On May 21 and 23, another M7 session, themed ‘Remote’, will discuss the impact of media placements and promotion of design with Bianca Brigitte Bonomi, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar Arabia; and Kai Margrander, fashion director of Harper's Bazaar Germany.
M7 sessions previously tackled many other topics such as “how designers keep themselves inspired with the resources at hand during this challenging period of the pandemic”; “the different applications that designers can use to produce and launch their products”; “the business of fashion and how designers can test if their products will work in a target market”; and “how designers can empower their creative voices”.
According to QM, local and international leaders in the industry share their insights into an array of topics through M7’s online coaching sessions.
From May 17 this year, M7 announced Friday will also be offering an internship opportunity for those who want to be part of its team of interns and volunteers ready to work for upcoming projects this year. Responsibilities would include infographics, posters, newsletters, photo/video edits, and conversion of excel into visual images, among others.
The same topic will be discussed Saturday via M7’s Instagram account (@m7.qatar) at 9pm by leaders in the field aimed at guiding and encouraging aspiring designers.
During the session, al-Mudahka underscored the importance of capitalising on the use of technology as the current situation pushed many companies to boost the pace of their digital transformation and enhance their online presence.
Such move, she said, can help various businesses to grow and further understand their markets.
“Look at what customers want and not what we think they want. Look for the demand, if there is none, create one,” al-Mudahka suggested, adding that talking to several customers presents another opportunity to learn and gather more useful information to develop a viable business plan.
Citing an example, she said that the demand for products related to a healthy lifestyle was not as huge years back than it is today.
Online platforms, al-Mudahka said, allow aspiring entrepreneurs to easily access information, conduct surveys and get more questions and suggestions, and test their businesses.
While staying at home, she also suggested subscribing and participating to several free online courses, which discuss a wide range of topics about entrepreneurship.
Al-Mudahka said the pandemic is “a good time not to lose a lot of money” while learning a lot from the experts.
M7 is a creative startups hub dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship established by QM for the nation’s growing fashion and design industry. Its coaching sessions will also see Khalifa al-Haroon, founder of ILoveQatar; and Harriet Gyamfuah, founder of Creatives Amplified, discussing ways on how designers can stay connected with their customers using digital platforms under the theme ‘Connect’ on May 14 and 16.
On May 21 and 23, another M7 session, themed ‘Remote’, will discuss the impact of media placements and promotion of design with Bianca Brigitte Bonomi, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar Arabia; and Kai Margrander, fashion director of Harper's Bazaar Germany.
M7 sessions previously tackled many other topics such as “how designers keep themselves inspired with the resources at hand during this challenging period of the pandemic”; “the different applications that designers can use to produce and launch their products”; “the business of fashion and how designers can test if their products will work in a target market”; and “how designers can empower their creative voices”.
According to QM, local and international leaders in the industry share their insights into an array of topics through M7’s online coaching sessions.
From May 17 this year, M7 announced Friday will also be offering an internship opportunity for those who want to be part of its team of interns and volunteers ready to work for upcoming projects this year. Responsibilities would include infographics, posters, newsletters, photo/video edits, and conversion of excel into visual images, among others.
