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| BDS & Entrepreneurship: The Missing Link, Swisscontact Kenya, 2004 |
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| Country(ies) | Kenya |
| Implementing agency(ies) | Swisscontact (SC) |
| Funding agency(ies) | SEEP, USAID |
| Date completed | February 2004 |
| Target Group(s) | Micro, Small |
| Issues/challenges | microenterprise, weak markets |
| Contact person(s) | Mr. Ralph Engelmann |
| Web site | http://www.seepnetwork.org |
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Description
Many entrepreneurs know instinctively that they have problems in their enterprises, but they often do not have the capacity and confidence to diagnose and overcome these problems on their own. In 2002, Swisscontact received support from the SEEP Practitioner Learning Program to develop and test an action learning instrument to assess and stimulate MSE demand for business services and help entrepreneurs stablize and grow their businesses.
The tool, named JIGUNDULIE - a Swahili word meaning "discover for yourself" - helps SMEs identify both their problems and possible solutions. The project was conducted in two phases: in the first materials were developed and facilitators trained; and during the second the tool was applied and its impact monitored.
The backbone of the JIGUNDULIE Action Learning process is defined by six elements and three modules and each group member has three opportunities to discuss business problems with others. While the first two modules take place on consecutive days to gain discussion momentum, the third session occurs about ten days after the second to give participants a chance to verify and even test some of the discussion points and ideas. To test the JIGUNDULIE instrument, SC organised a BDS fair where entrepreneurs could meet selected service providers. Swisscontact then held follow up meetings with entrepreneurs and providers to discuss the fair.
Summary of results
While traditional assessments often take small entrepreneurs's views on problems & constraints at face value, SC found this to be misleading - most entrepreneurs were not at all clear on what was actually holding them back. During the JIGUNDULIE process, entrepreneurs' focus generally shifts from external to internal problems.
JIGUNDULIE, like other action learning instruments, has a strong motivational impact; many small entrepreneurs want to act as result of JIGUNDULIE. Most prefer to solve internal problem themselves, but some become aware that they cannot solve problems themselves and need outside help in the form of a BDS.
The response of BDS providers to the trade fair was dissapointing. Although SC had briefed participating providers before the BDS fair, they were unprepared to meet small entrepreneurs who were very clear about the services they needed.
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