PROJECTS

The Kaizen Company, as a subcontractor to Chemonics International, established Sector Support Networks (SSNs), a variation on Kaizen’s Professional Communities program. Sector Support Networks supported private sector professionals working in selected sectors to enhance the regional and global competitiveness of Pakistani companies. SSNs consist of both live and virtual events. Live events, such as forums and breakout groups, provide an opportunity for private sector professionals to convene in person to learn about valuable tools, discuss emerging best practices, hear from top local and international experts, highlight local experiences and fortify personal relationships. The virtual component of Sector Support Networks was the Kaizen-tailored KaizenConnect, an interactive web 2.0 portal, which was designed to enhance knowledge capture, information sharing, and communication among private sector professionals. Kaizen also developed solutions to build the capacity of associations, chambers, and higher educational institutions to increase women’s economic participation by aligning services with needs, strengthening organizational structures, and creating financial sustainability. The goal of Kaizen’s assistance was to develop baseline data on professional women and entrepreneurs in Pakistan and to develop mechanisms to allow women to gain access to higher level resources that would open doors to new economic opportunities.