The goal is to reach 10,000 professionals across the country with training on WhatsApp Business
As a way to support the economic recovery of one of the groups most affected by the pandemic, the Integrated Center for Studies and Sustainable Development Programs (CIEDS) and WhatsApp created the Conecta+ Brasil program to support formal and informal professionals from the communities and suburbs of the parents. The program will bring content about entrepreneurship, good business practices, in addition to the tools available for free within WhatsApp Business. The initiative is estimated to reach around 10 thousand entrepreneurs.
“At a time when the post-pandemic is being discussed, it is very important to take into account those most affected by the crisis. Conecta+ Brasil has the objective of training workers of all types, so that they too can be protagonists in this phase of recovery”, comments Vandré Brilhante, president of CIEDS. “We believe that entrepreneurship goes beyond opening a business, it also has the potential to be a strong agent of change”, he adds.
In addition to training for a broader use of WhatsApp Business functionalities, participants will also have access to exclusive training aimed at the entrepreneurial scenario, such as innovation, creativity, personal finance and business finance, in order to optimize the development of these small businesses.
“Because it is a simple, safe and reliable application, WhatsApp is very present in people's daily lives and, during the pandemic, it has become even more relevant for small entrepreneurs to continue running their businesses and guaranteeing their income. Our objective with a program as robust as Conecta+ Brasil is to look at the needs of these entrepreneurs, in order to empower them to make better use of the tool and thus positively influence the economic recovery scenario”, says Dario Durigan, Head of Policy Public for WhatsApp on Facebook Brazil.
At the end of the training, participants will be able to join the national Conecta+ Brasil network, with ongoing training and constant exchange of knowledge, and will also have a special certification. Registration is free and is already open to entrepreneurs from all over Brazil on the website https://conectamaisbrasil.cieds.org.br/ .
At a launch event that was attended by WhatsApp and CIEDS representatives, the president of Sebrae, Carlos Melles, reinforced the relevance of the program and its importance for the scenario of entrepreneurs in Brazil. “Research shows us the strength of WhatsApp as a fundamental tool for small businesses in this pandemic. The app helped micro and small business owners keep in touch with customers and close sales. The use of WhatsApp by the entrepreneur was transformative and very positive”, emphasizes Melles.
On the same occasion, Igor Calvet, president of the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development – ABDI, brought data on the level of digitalization of entrepreneurs. “A survey carried out by us showed that 66% of Brazilian micro and small companies are still at an analog or emerging level, seeking technologies and improvements to their business model. A program like this will allow companies to have more possibilities to engage with their customers, entering the very important world of the digital economy”, reinforces the executive.
