Jasmine news

How did Jasmine become one of the most prominent and relevant organization in the economy during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis?

The Coronavirus crisis has knocked out the small businesses sector, and specifically women business owners: “Jasmine” has identified the new-found wants and provided them with an immediate advisory and guidance bundle. At the same time, the organization is working on a needs survey, designating operational programs tailored for overcoming the crisis and harnessing our economy’s leading companies to provide joint assistance to the women business owners.

 

The global outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in December 2019 and the subsequent March – April closure of 2020 in Israel financially affected millions of people, first and foremost, the economically and socially weakened populations. Jasmine, which specializes in the economic growth of independent business owners from all sectors of Israeli society (Jewish, Arab, ultra-Orthodox, special needs, etc.), has raised to the occasion and help them, adapting the services rendered to the changing needs of business owners in Israel – aiming to provide them with professional tools for dealing with the crisis and the overcome it.

More than 58% of small and tiny businesses have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus crisis!

According to the data, there are approximately 590,000 small and tiny businesses in Israel, owned by diverse populations, approximately 163,000 of which are owned by women, and 56,000 of those are owned by Arab women. Since most women-owned businesses, both in the Jewish and the Arab community, were set up to meet financial difficulties, they are also the first to take the hit during the crisis.

“The significance of the crisis and the danger of closing-shop for these businesses are many layoffs and loss of employment. It is crucial to keep in mind that the impact is not only economic or financial but also mental and social and, and it hit the disadvantaged populations first,” says Kiram Baloum, CEO and founder of Jasmine. These businesses constitute the growth engine of the Israeli economy, and harming them is a direct hit to the economy and the Israeli society, crippling their stability and development. ”

How did the Jasmine Association succeed in enrolling the Jasmine women’s leadership avenue to help these businesses?
“Following inquiries from women from all over the country and conversations we initiated with our target audiences, we identified the existing adversity and developed a support bundle that was based entirely on the power of Jasmine women,” for that end, the organization enrolled the best mentors and graduates of Jasmine programs, who form part of Israel’s economic leadership avenue – and they were immediately inspired to joined the association’s activities.
The joint assistance bundle included digital and telephone support, which focused on providing consultation to business owners. Among other things, Jasmine delivered a series of virtual lectures by Jasmine women and other professionals, which included applicable tools for managing the business during times of crisis, duties and rights, legal guidance, marketing, use of “zoom” as a sales tool, and more.

Developing a plan for identifying needs during a crisis, overcoming it, and continued planning, in collaboration with the economy’s leading companies

Concurrently, a plan is underway to develop a needs survey for the community of small and diverse business owners affected by the Coronavirus crisis, with a view to mapping the most important needs arising from the field and helping to create a relevant, profitable and well-adapted business for the current market. The programs and models will focus on the nature and behavior of consumers, the relevance of the existing businesses, future planning for crisis and rainy days, and preparation of contingency plans, government assistance during the crisis and more.

“At this point, Jasmine, in cooperation with Zionism 2000, approached the largest companies and corporations in the local economy determined to enroll senior and organizational managers to assist the process and contribute their knowledge to struggling businesses. Furthermore, executives will help integrate diverse vendors into companies, as part of the Jasmine and Zionist 2000 venture “WESOURCE – Diversified Procurement Revolution”, to encourage large companies and corporations to purchase from small and tiny businesses.

“In tandem with the return to routine and planned activities, the Jasmine professional team is working diligently on developing future crisis assistance programs such as the Octopus program, for training business management consultants that will help struggling businesses facing closure. The programs also include education and enrichment through virtual individual mentorship, roundtables participation, and the prowess to influence government decisions pertaining to the integration of women into the decision-making process due to the Coronavirus crisis, assistance to small businesses owned by women, minorities and the geographical and social periphery, and more,” concludes Baloum, who succeeded to turn Jasmine into one of the most prominent and relevant organizations, especially during the economic crisis in the local economy,  much in lieu to its initiative to identify the actual needs in the field and providing tools and immediate solutions to business.