Women in business and digital delivery: Tok Stret Consulting PNG attend ICDP Network Dialogue Forum 2019

The Pacific is undergoing an unprecedented technological transformation, making it an ideal time to discuss and plan its digital future. The recent International Centre for Democratic Partnerships (ICDP) Network Dialogue Forum held in Brisbane from the 17-20 February 2019 discussed the role of women in business and digital delivery.

Co-facilitated  by Catherine Fritz-Kalish (Director  of ICDP and Co-Founder and Managing Director of Global Access Partners) and  Brenda Heather-Latu (Special Advisor of ICDP and Consultant of the Strategic Development Group, Samoa), the event identified opportunities for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as a development tool in the context of growing connectivity and capacity in Pacific Island countries beyond traditional ‘aid and trade’ approaches.

Julianne Terry, owner of Papua New Guinea based Tok Stret Consulting Limited (TSCL), a Business Link Pacific advisory service, was part of a delegation of current and emerging women leaders from Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Zealand and Australia.

Julianne began TSCL in June 2017 focusing on developing SME businesses in LAE, Morobe Province and wider Papua New Guinea, through business and personal skills development and using social media as a marketing and communication tool.

“The future is digital and it is already here in Papua New Guinea. The 4,700km submarine cable linking Sydney to Port Moresby and Honiara will deliver faster, cheaper and more reliable communications. This will have a significant impact on economic and development opportunities, we must be prepared for it,” Julianne said.

Apart from business mentoring, sales presentations, management and leadership courses, Tok Stret provides website solutions for SMEs.

“We have a firm belief that having a digital tool is one thing but using it effectively and being professional and responsive is critical within PNG and this is where education on the digital front can make a difference.”

Ms Zha Agabe-Granfar, Executive Director of VERGE, a boutique marketing agency based in Port Moresby, PNG, echoed similar sentiments through her experiences of building VERGE.

“So far, it’s become evident to me how impactful and powerful digital technology, skills and trends are for Papua New Guinea and the wider Pacific Region,” she said.

Zha believes that with the right broad policy framework, as well as targeted strategies of implementation, these digital forces can positively and exponentially create development opportunities and milestones that would otherwise take several decades to achieve.

Other prominent emerging women leaders at the Network Dialogue Forum included Mary Aue, the Founder and Manager of Auckland based Coconut Wireless, the largest self-funded Maori and Pacific online platform and Dr Annie McAuley, Founder & CEO of TalkiPlay.

The BLP PNG Team was represented at the event by Ms Nancy Lai Runawery, StratCom and  Ms Julianne Terry, Tok Stret. Both business advisory service providers have increased their support to SMEs based in Lae and Port Moresby through the BLP’s Subsidy Scheme, available to growing businesses that see the opportunity to improve their operations, tax compliance, marketing and communication strategies, and other areas of concern.

From L-R: Ms Nancy Lai Runawery (StratCom) with owner of Tok Stret Consulting Limited (TSCL) Julianne Terry.

Since the official announcement of Pacific Connect at the 48th Pacific Islands Forum, the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships (ICDP) has been working with regional partners and local leaders to create a series of Network Dialogues.

The inaugural Business Network Dialogue was held in March 2018 in Port Moresby; the Academic Network Dialogue convened in Suva in June 2018, co-hosted by the University of the South Pacific; the Creative Arts Dialogue was held in Apia in July 2018; and the Education Dialogue took place in Honiara in November 2018. Future regional Network Dialogues are planned for Vanuatu and Tonga in 2019.