Leading Companies Online Magazine Archives
Networking Website Launched to Serve Alumni
of the Middle East Entrepreneur Training Program
By Mona Yousry, MEET Alumni Network Manager
Since 2003, over 250 of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s prominent business and civil society organization (CSO) leaders and entrepreneurs have taken part in intensive two- and three-week training and networking programs in the U.S. and MENA region conducted by the Beyster Institute at the Rady School of Management, University of California, San Diego and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). Today, alumni of the Middle East Entrepreneur Training (MEET) program continue to share ideas and make contacts through a new MEET Alumni Network website (www.meet-alumni.org) devoted to the success of their organizations and careers and the development of strong economies throughout the region.
The Beyster Institute launched the MEET Alumni Network website on June 7, 2007. The MEET website is a flexible, powerful resource that will allow fellow MEET alumni to continue the many lively discussions and promising business relationships that began during the training programs. This website will help strengthen ties through the sharing of success stories, business opportunities, contacts and other resources.
By registering as a member on the website and getting involved, MEET alumni will enjoy the benefits of creating:
- Avenues to business opportunities
- A strong community of alumni
- Access to key consultants and members
- Access to financing and partnerships
- Connections to other parts of the region
The website features profiles of MEET alumni, resources and inspiration for improving management and entrepreneurship, and a members-only area with access to blogs, message boards, and a valuable directory of MEET alumni.
This website was created based on alumni feedback and suggestions. The feedback revealed that:
- 72% of the alumni wanted to look for country-specific business information in the MENA region
- 84% would use the site to look for information about fellow alumni
- 85% wanted to stay updated on alumni issues and networking
- 96% were interested in updates on alumni news, business expansion, partnerships and success stories
- 98% were interested in forthcoming events and MEPI news
The main features of the web site include:
- Fully tri-lingual content in English, French and Arabic
- User-friendly navigation
- Sophisticated yet simple graphics, reflecting a trendy and innovative image
- Feedback and support easily accessible to users
For the alumni who invested weeks developing new relationships during the training, the MEET Alumni Network website provides an excellent set of tools in an easy-to-use format so those ties can continue to be strengthened and extended. As the MEET Alumni Network Manager, I encourage the alumni to utilize the site and become actively engaged in its ongoing development. Any ideas or suggestions that will make the MEET Alumni website more useful are always welcome. We constantly remind the alumni that although they are all busy dealing with daily events, it is important to realize how valuable ongoing contact with their peers is and the impact they can have on others by staying active on this site.
Eligibility for membership in the MEET Alumni Network is restricted to those business leaders, entrepreneurs and CSO leaders who have successfully completed a MEET training program. We will soon add another category, called ”Affiliates," for those who have interacted with the program participants, such as instructors, host companies for site visits and the visiting entrepreneur program, program staff, etc. In addition, there is a public access page where those interested can read about the program, post business opportunities for the MENA region, preview upcoming events, and read participant blogs on topics of interest. The MEET Alumni Network website is another great innovation in a very innovative program – bringing together people from the U.S., the Middle East and North Africa.
©2007 The Beyster Institute and its authors and their entities. All rights reserved.
|
Back |
|
|
Print this page |
|