Mumbai: Procter & Gamble India (P&G India) in partnership with WEConnect International conducted the next edition of the Women Entrepreneur Development Programme (WEDP). More than 30 women entrepreneurs, who were selected via an application process, graduated from the two-day programme aimed at their capacity development. As part of the programme, senior leaders from P&G conducted training and workshops with real-time case studies covering various aspects of building a sustainable business including professional skills like business strategy, finance capital, new customer outreach and more, including strategic inputs for driving business growth.
Taking this a step further, the holistic programme also provided women entrepreneurs, an opportunity to explore business opportunities with P&G. Just in the last two years, P&G India has spent ₹400 Crore by deliberately working with women-owned and women-led businesses. This commitment was announced by the company in 2018, as part of the inaugural WEDP initiative aimed at fostering supplier diversity.
LV Vaidyanathan, CEO, P&G India said, “We are delighted to conclude this edition of the Women Entrepreneur Development Programme (WEDP). Through this initiative, we conceived a holistic capability platform which will help women entrepreneurs build their businesses sustainably. This initiative is in line with our global commitment to empower women-owned and women-led businesses, which is an important aspect of our citizenship efforts. We believe, that empowering and enabling equal and inclusive business practices will not only stimulate economic growth but also bring about a long-lasting social change.”
The training preceded P&G India’s flagship External Business Partner Summit where the Company announced a ₹300 Crore ‘P&G Supply Chain Catalyst Fund’ to collaborate with external partners and innovators, in co-creating solutions that accelerate its journey towards Supply 3.0 – the modern supply chain ecosystem. This fund will provide an opportunity for start-ups and innovators to collaborate with P&G on business solutions customised to create the next level of supply: a supply chain that provides greater agility, flexibility, scalability, transparency and resilience. The announcement is in line with the Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti initiative, which is an endeavour towards multi-modal connectivity in the country, that will enhance the seamless movement of goods and services through targeted interventions. The strategic investment will encompass a diverse array of initiatives, including supply chain optimisation, digitisation, capacity enhancement and sustainability, all designed to catalyse the Company’s Supply Chain prowess.
This new fund is part of P&G India’s ‘vGROW’ Programme that focuses on identifying and collaborating with start-ups, small businesses, individuals, and large organisations offering innovative industry-leading business solutions. These solutions will help the Company in delivering a superior experience to its consumers and continue to drive constructive disruption.
