We are overjoyed to announce that 12 of our 29 students who sat for the Malawi School Certificate of Examinations have been selected to various universities! As we celebrate this milestone, we would like to share biographies of some of the students.
Introducing the Umodzi Village Business Manual
Orant’s Primer on Business for our FEM for Women Program
Author: Molly Horn-Smith
Orant’s Business Development Program is Founded
Formerly known as the Agriculture and Business program, we have seen our work grow so much over the past 5 years that we have now branched them off into two separate programs. Business Development, casually known as FEM for Women, is now its own program, with staff and funding to support it.
Introducing the Umodzi Village Business Manual
Orant Business Development program staff came together over the past year and a half to research and write the contents of the manual. It contains two “books” of information on how to run a business, starting from very basic knowledge including what goods and services are, constitutes a business, how to manage finances, how to work with your spouse, and how to keep records. It goes into more detail about marketing, advertising, and business planning.
How the Business Manual is Being Used
The Business Manual is being used for our Business Development program participants as educational material when they join the program and move through the months of work. They are encouraged to study the manual and share it with their spouse, to treat it as homework for the program and study the contents. Participants are required to learn the various steps of starting their own business, so that when they are given a microloan, they have the best chance of being successful.
An Excerpt from the Umodzi Village Business Manual
Vision
A business vision is a goal for what a business will be in the future. It must align with one’s business goals and aspirations. Defining the business vision guides in planning to start a business and provide a sense of purpose and direction to the business.
A well crafted vision statement must be unique, concise, and most importantly, one that captures the company’s aspirations, values, and desired impact on customers, employees, stakeholders, and society as a whole.
Exercise
Develop a vision statement for your business. Start by asking yourself what you want your business to be. How do you want it to impact the world around you?
Reference: https://opentextbc.ca/strategicmanagement/chapter/vision-mission-and-goals/
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