Business Catalyst workshops equip Shillong youth with career skills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 2, 2025

As part of the Chief Minister’s Business Catalyst Initiative, a series of Business Communication and Presentation Skills workshops were conducted across three major institutions in Shillong—MIT University, Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), and William Carey University—between May 19 and May 30, 2025.

The workshops were led by Dr. Cassie DeFilippo, International English Language Fellow under the U.S. Department of State, and organized in collaboration with the North East Centre for Community Impact and Engagement (NE-CCIE) at IIM Shillong, PRIME Meghalaya, and the Government of Meghalaya.

Aimed at students from diverse academic backgrounds—including business, tourism, finance, and marketing—the sessions focused on strengthening core communication and workplace-ready skills.

Key focus areas included professional project writing, formal vs. informal English usage, the use of active and passive voice, responsible use of AI tools, and strategies for conflict resolution and effective team communication.

One of the workshop highlights was a case study on Zomato Gold, where students developed strategic recommendations on customer loyalty models to reduce financial losses, engage restaurant partners, and grow the customer base.

Each workshop concluded with a business pitch presentation, allowing students to apply their learning, demonstrate effective communication, and showcase teamwork and problem-solving skills.

The initiative highlights a collaborative effort between academic institutions and government-backed programs like PRIME Meghalaya, working together to empower youth across the state with essential business and communication skills.