It’s no accident that golf has long been associated with the business world. Indeed, there is compelling evidence that the game can enhance your business and help you develop professionally, personally as well as gain great networks. That is exactly what happened this year at the annual Strathmore Business School (SBS) Great Africans’ Getaway which was held at the Great Rift Valley lodge.

The Alumni event sought to bring together business leaders and professionals who included company owners; senior managers, directors and CEOs to a weekend of fun, networking and knowledge sharing.

A welcome note from Dr. George Njenga, the SBS Dean, kick-started the weekend as he urged the participants to leave behind a legacy. “Creating your legacy is a pathway resulting in a deep sense of significance, where true meaning is found somewhere beyond the pursuit of success, which results in a ripple effect that positively impacts society, which is in line with SBS’ mission of Service to Society.”

The sessions commenced with Public Private Partnerships (PPPs): Identifying Opportunities, a panel session by Gabriel Negatu, Regional Director, African Development Bank, David Ronoh, a legal expert on PPPs and Nandu Hirani, a consultant in the infrastructure industry. Mr. Negatu mentioned “PPPs should try & relieve the government of duties that the private sector can do” as Mr. Ronoh urged private institutions to be part of the solution in bringing development.

Heril Bangera, the CEO of Flame Tree Group of Companies, and Hon. Johnson Sakaja, Chair of the National Alliance, took on the second session, Business against the odds, focusing on the entrepreneurs’ journey to success. Hon Sakaja recommended on how business leaders could guide the youth to starting their own businesses. This will bring about the government to ensure that Kenyan expertise and content is used first before outsourcing from other countries.

 

Participants also had the privilege of listening to Charles Handy, Author and Broadcaster; Management Guru (UK) as well as Nigel Boardman, Partner, Slaughter and Mary (UK) as they shared insights on Good Business needs Good Law. Mr. Boardman stated, “At no point should the law be seen as separate from the community in which it is based, rather, it should be part and parcel of it.” Charles handy closed the session with “If you do the right thing, and if you know what the right thing is, you will feel good about yourself.”

 

Participants were later on treated to an afternoon of fun activities which included golf, zumba, corcket, badminton, darts, tennis, nature hike, bird watching and Biking among others.

This Year’s Great Africans’ Getaway had Irene Kinuthia SBS Certified coach help participants identify what they would want to achieve in the years to come as well as what their game plan was in achieving their vision. On the other hand, Suzie Wokabi the Founder and CEO of Suzie beauty a make-up and cosmetic company was also resent to give her entrepreneurial journey as well as share her beauty secrets with the ladies ahead of the Gala dinner later on.

This getaway created a great opportunity for participants to share knowledge, have a weekend of playing golf among other activities, all in an atmosphere of fun and networking with fellow alumni, business executives and friends representing different organizations and sectors.