31 Dec Sharing the YBTT experience
JUST ONE minute into my conversation with performance management consultant, training facilitator and Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago YBTT mentor, Pearl Yatali Gonzales, was sufficient evidence of her passion to empower and support young people, particularly entrepreneurs.
Briefly describing her personality, she stated: “I believe that success is continuous learning; I am a fun-loving, caring and helpful person with a pinch of sarcasm.” Interestingly, the sarcasm has to do with Gonzales’ dislike for poor service behaviour which she believes is detrimental to the progress of any society.
Gonzales’ love for developing both young wantrepreneurs and existing entrepreneurs, was the greatest influence in her association with YBTT for the past five years.
She is YBTT ’s facilitator of the life skills’ component of the entrepreneurial training which is the foundation requirement for starting the entrepreneurial journey.
She is also one of its longest serving mentors.
As she puts it, “YBTT mentorship programme offers entrepreneurs their first step in networking, improves their ‘cold-calling’ skills, as well as an introduction to potential financiers and investors.” YBTT entrepreneur Keigan Lewis who has been one of Gonzales’ mentees for the past two years was happy to share his experience: “Gonzales was the best mentor that I have crossed paths with, as she was able to assist me in realising my greatest entrepreneurial potential.” Since facilitating this component of the training, approximately 60 young entrepreneurs have reaped the benefits from her tutelage, as they were able to discover their true being and effectively link that knowledge to their entrepreneurial pursuits.
Gonzales has been described by many, as a taskmaster who is determined to successfully measure outcomes aligned to the training.
“Through my involvement with YBTT , I am able to fulfill my personal mission, which is to add value to every interaction with every human being,” she added.
In commending YBTT on its efforts in transforming young lives, she affirmed: “YBTT ’s training programmes are designed to change mindsets, as upon successful completion, trainees are able to contribute towards building their communities, as well as start and/or enhance their entrepreneurial endeavours.” A major element that is demonstrated from early in the training, is that true entrepreneurial spirit relates to continuously thinking of new ways to solve problems and generate revenue, and not about creating a job for oneself.
Gonzales’ advice to young wantrepreneurs is to explore all opportunities presented to them both within and outside of their communities; to existing entrepreneurs, she throws out the challenge to attempt as far as possible, to meet the needs of their communities, with whatever products and/or services that they can offer, and in so doing, demonstrate the highest level of quality customer service.
By: Sandrine Rattan
Project Co-ordinator – Stakeholder & Media Relations (YBTT)
Published in the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday on Thursday, December 31st, 2015
See link here: http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,221951.html