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Entrepreneurship training; benefits you cannot overlook
25th June 2007, (Published by The Business Post, Nairobi)

One of the major causes of under-development of entrepreneurship in our country is our inability to identify and seize opportunities. We wait for the government to provide infrastructure facilities like roads, hospital and schools. We at the same time, still expect formal employment from the same government.

Perhaps that is why the government has gone a step further and introduced the Youth Entrepreneurship fund which is in line with new employment creation and poverty eradication strategies. But how many of the youths are ready to take advantage of this fund? I believe the government suspended deadlines for application for Youth Fund because the applicants fell short of the required numbers.

Regrettably, the government appears to have put the cart before the horse on this matter. Why do I say this? Without doubt, money is just one of the factors necessary in doing business. There are many other resources such as the market, products, equipment and above all knowledge. It is unlikely that one can get far in business without knowledge on how to blend the said resources even if crudely, for successful business undertakings.

Is it not surprising then, that the government never considered business training as one of the pre-conditions of the youth fund applicants (unless as an afterthought)? And it does not matter whether it is disbursements from either the constituency youth fund management committee or the micro finance banks, which are involved in the youth fund project. I find this to be a contradiction, which may eventually be costly to the government despite the noble efforts. But, maybe this misstep could be an eye opener to some as witnessed recently.

While on routine call of duty, I came across this CEO of a medium enterprise company in town. After discussions on matters of mutual interest, the CEO veered into what she termed as family matters requiring the attention of a consultant. In brief the family had united into one big group comprising about 5 generations of blood relatives. Their objective is to develop themselves spiritually, financially and in as many spheres of life as possible. The group extends beyond the common nuclear family comprising of sisters, their children and grandchildren. They had earlier been trained in family values, ethical behavior, relationships and other modern life challenges.

The next agenda was training of the whole group on entrepreneurship and business development process which eventually took place. I found this to be a brilliant move, which is worth being, emulated by all. The trainees who participated now appear to be focused in business more than before.

Apparently, Two thirds of the 30 delegates who participated in the training have been in business. By coincidence, the majority are in their 30’s therefore qualifying applicants of the Youth Fund. This training need, for the entire family could have occurred by chance as I gathered. They had decided to sponsor one of the unemployed sons for a business of his choice. Unfortunately, the youngster never appeared in a meeting meant to scrutinize his idea of setting up a computer games oriented business, which would have been followed by instant funding. I belief he shied away after realizing that he needed much more than money could provide.

This reminds me of a question I was asked while being interviewed on business issues live on air in a local FM radio station. The question came from a distressed old man who had been pleading with his son to join the family business, so that he could take over in due cause. The youngster never co-operated leading to the father’s frustrations. Apparently, one of the main causes of business failure is doing business developed through other people’s ideas. You may never understand their vision. You may further not be sharing same skills or even interests.

The two attributes to mention a few are major sources of business ideas. I wonder how many beneficiaries of the youth fund can proudly relate their intended business ventures with the above attributes. Most Kenyans do not bother using needed resources   to come up with unique business ideas. They take the shortest route possible to be in business. After all, their only objective of venturing into business is “TO MAKE MONEY”, as is the common perception by majority.

Certainly, it is difficult to disprove this money perception unless one gets the right business training. Most Kenyans follow what is often referred to as the trodden path in their bid to make money. They copy other peoples’ ideas the consequences of which, they are eventually unable to handle, over time. This trend can however be corrected through instilling the right approach to business training. It does not matter whether it is new or existing business.

It is advisable particularly to the youth who may be interested in running successful businesses, to acquire necessary business skills and not just acquire cheap funds from the government. Let them know how to match their interests among others, with suitable business ideas.

Without doubts, the family of the CEO mentioned, who were later trained, is on the right path. Other families and groups with common interests should follow suit. People should not wait until the government brings business skills, to their doorsteps. Even though it is done eventually, it may take a long while. The passage of time may lead to loss of suitable business opportunities worth being exploited. It must be realized that these opportunities do not last long. They are affected by continuing change, which comes from competition and technological developments amongst other factors.

Identification of business ideas, opportunities, threats and many more are the core areas addressed by entrepreneurship training. Once they are addressed the entrepreneurship spirit will glow in us. It is only then that we shall be able to put the cart in the rightful place. That way we shall all be relevant to vision 2030, the bulk of which will be achieved through entrepreneurship.

The writer is a Management and Entrepreneurship Consultant in Newtimes Business Solutions.  

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