From Structure to Scale: The GNBCC SME Support Desk Closing Workshop Advances Businesses from Capacity Building to Growth and Export Readiness

The GNBCC successfully concluded its three-day SME Support Desk closing workshop, held from 21–23 July 2026 at the Airport View Hotel. The event, themed “From Structure to Scale: Sustaining Growth and Export Readiness,” served as a pivotal transition point for Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 alumni, moving them from capacity building toward the practical implementation of business systems and growth strategies.

The GNBCC SME Support Desk is a three-month, hands-on program providing practical, expert guidance in marketing, accounting, and human resources for companies in the horticulture and cocoa sectors.

Rather than a formal conclusion, the workshop acted as a practical platform for SMEs to evaluate their progress, address operational challenges, and secure the talent and resources needed for long-term expansion.

Day-by-Day Progression

Day 1: Review, Reflect and Reconnect

The opening day was dedicated to assessing the journey of the SME Support Desk programme. Through a “Progress Showcase,” participants engaged in an open forum titled “The Reality of Implementation: What worked, what failed, and how our structures have changed.” This allowed alumni to share honest insights regarding the challenges of applying new business practices. The day also featured one-on-one consultations between SMEs and Desk Leads, providing targeted, personalized guidance to help businesses refine their internal systems and strengthen the alumni network.

Day 2: Closing Knowledge Gaps

The second day focused on problem-solving through the “360-Degree SME Clinic.” Recognizing that SMEs often face multi-faceted challenges, the clinic utilized rotating roundtable consultations. This format gave participants access to cross-functional expertise beyond their initial scope, allowing them to seek fresh perspectives on accounting, human resources, and marketing. By addressing specific, immediate operational needs, the clinic helped SMEs identify and bridge critical knowledge gaps with expert support.

Day 3: Project Integration, Talent Matchmaking, and HBC Collaboration

The final day, “Project Integration & Talent Matchmaking,” centered on the human capital essential for business scalability. The day began with an “Internship Masterclass” designed to equip SMEs with strategies for effectively onboarding and retaining interns to drive growth.

Crucially, the afternoon featured a “Talent Speed Dating” session, a highlight of the workshop that facilitated a direct collaboration between participating SMEs and graduates of the Horticulture Business Challenge (HBC), another key GNBCC project. This session moved beyond conventional recruitment by creating a structured environment for SMEs to communicate their growth needs and for HBC graduates to showcase their specific capabilities. This interaction served a dual purpose: it provided SMEs with a pathway to fill talent gaps to implement their business plans, while offering HBC graduates a practical entry point into the workplace. The process concluded with match finalization and planning for the next stages of engagement. From the feedback received from our SMEs, each one of them had at least two candidates to continue engaging with.

Looking Ahead

The workshop concluded with an impact evaluation, reinforcing that sustainable growth requires the integration of stronger systems, expert guidance, and access to the right talent. As the SME Support Desk programme closes, the focus for participants now shifts to sustaining these newly formed connections and applying the strategies developed during the workshop to compete effectively in wider markets.