#BridgingTheGap Volume VIII: Digital Literacy and Life Skills Workshop for Female Microentrepreneurs

Continuing its long-standing partnership with Kaarvan Crafts Foundation, CBS-LUMS organized the eighth volume of its flagship #BridgingTheGap: Digital Literacy and Life Skills Workshop for Female Microentrepreneurs. The programme was held on January 25-26, 2025, in SDSB-LUMS. Dr. Misbah Tanveer (Director, CBS) served as the Faculty Lead while the student society partner for the workshop was Women in Business-LUMS. 

Over two transformative days, 45 female microentrepreneurs from across Punjab came together to enhance their business acumen and digital presence through an immersive workshop on Digital Marketing and Life Skills. Designed to equip participants with practical tools to grow their businesses, the sessions focused on leveraging WhatsApp Business, Instagram, and Facebook for marketing while fostering essential entrepreneurial mindsets. To create a holistic framework, sessions on Self Realisation, Customer Negotiation Skills, Product Photography and Stress Management were also included. 

9 students were onboarded from the graduate progammes of SDSB-LUMS in the capacity of Volunteer Presenters and Coaches:
i.    Jannat Amjad (MBA 2025)
ii.    Laiba Manzoor (MS TME 2023) 
iii.    Esha Amir (MBA 2026) 
iv.    Asad Ullah Tahir (MBA 2025) 
v.    Talha Rehman (MBA 2026) 
vi.    Muhammed Ali Abbasi (MBA 2025) 
vii.    Neeha Khan (MBA 2025) 
viii.    Bushra Iftikhar (MBA 2025)
ix.    Fareeha Iqbal (MBA 2025)

The workshop kicked off with a session on Self Realisation led by Dr. Misbah Tanveer which included an ice breaking activity in which the female microentrepreneurs shared one personal achievement that they are proud of. The sessions progressed into presentations led by the student volunteers on WhatsApp Business, Facebook, Instagram and Product Photography. 

The digital marketing component provided hands-on training in creating engaging content, building brand visibility, and effectively reaching customers through social media. Participants explored strategies for leveraging platform-specific features to maximize outreach. The reciprocal learning structure of the programme also includes interactive sessions between the microentrepreneurs and the volunteers, for one-on-one discussions to upscale their businesses. 

Complementing these technical skills are the life skills session centered on confidence-building, customer negotiations skills, and stress management. Through interactive discussions led by Dr. Misbah and facilitated by the CBS team, participants gained insights into overcoming challenges and creating a professional and personal work life balance. This workshop serves as a platform for knowledge-sharing, peer learning, and community-building, reinforcing the critical role of digital skills in empowering women-led small businesses. As participants leave with actionable strategies and newfound confidence, they take a step forward in expanding their entrepreneurial journey.