This year's BBCCH Expo, held in the new mawaid last weekend was different from last year's with the addition of expert panels - experienced entrepreneurs and C-level executives discussing issues surrounding entrepreneurship; from starting a business, to scaling upwards, to marketing successfully using new media.
"I like this [panels] for the business advice, plus it keeps me up to date on the current trends. I am an old guy, not of this internet age and these events are important to me - I have a better understanding of what's happening currently, plus trends in our community too."
- Shk. Zoher bhai Tyebjee.
For those who were listening, there was plenty of advice being shared, and lots of opportunity to talk to people with expertise about business challenges.
Tasneem ben Raja, a medical professional with a location in Katy, said her business page on Facebook meant she wasted time responding to people from other parts of the world who would never be clients. The panelists recommended that she filter her Facebook account to limit her fans and followers, use networks on Facebook to narrow her presence and focus on google search optimization which would probably be more appropriate for her business.
Most of the attendees felt like they had learned something valuable from listening to the panel discussions.
"This is a really good thing, I commend all of you at BBCCH. Listening to all the speakers since yesterday has made me realize that I have not adopted change, in terms of new technology, new marketing tools. I have run my business very successfully for over 15 years, but the last couple of years we have been struggling, but thanks to this weekend I think I have realized what I need to change, and I really appreciate it."
- Shk. Taiyeb bhai Kalolwala.
And of course there were the exhibitors, and the chance to present your service or product and network with potential customers.
"I do feel like coming here and having a booth was a worthwhile expense; I spoke to many people at my booth who said they will be in touch. Let's see. I am now going to go from booth to booth and give out my cards to people who may need websites."
- Khadija ben Doctor, Graphic Designer, KDesign, San Francisco.
"The panelists advice about continually updating your website really helped me! I'm always saying this to people who ask me why they should touch their website after it's finished the first time. But it's so important to update at least bits of it with what's new in your business, new products, new services; you don't have to change your logo every two years!"
Zahra ben Rangwala, Business Development Manager, K Business Solutions, Houston.
Even the panelists did business!
"I really came to Houston because I was asked to be on the panel, and I came for the sake of the community, but I know that I always get back more than I am able to give. It is a blessing. I made friends, and I did business - Zen Jivanjee and I have figured out how we can make more money by doing business together. And I am just in the process of talking business with Murtaza Ziauddin."
- Nadeem bhai Sutarwala, President, NSI, Los Angeles.