CIC Workshop on "SME Business Basics: Start-up & Survival Skills"
October 8-12, 2007
HOSTS: St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry & Commerce &
St. Kitts Tourism Authority
CORE
FACILITATOR: Mrs Marcella Monish, Accounting Executive & Entrepreneur
(Lanns-Monish & Associates)
INTRODUCTION
~~Adz:Left~~Cognizant of the fact that the majority of businesses operating in the Federation are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the Chamber of Industry and Commerce has, for the past five years been engaged in a programme of support and development for the SME sector. What is even more apparent is that a considerable percentage of these SMEs are engaged in the services sector, particularly engaged in tourism and the allied services sector. Equally evident is the fact that many of these SMEs are short-lived, transient, and narrow in focus - a reflection that could be interpreted as (a) insufficient market study before a business opening; (b) improper financial planning for the business; (c) the inability to make sound financial decisions through the first five (5) years of a business; (d) lack of a sound business plan; (e) lack of discipline and commitment; and (f) difficulty in accessing finance.
The training content and methodology of this seminar has been designed to respond to these realities and challenges to our growing SME sector. The course, which consists of five (5) half day sessions, is intended to zero in on opportunities, threats, weaknesses and strengths of the SME sector operators while exploring positive responses to these realities with a view to charting a course for business survival and growth. While it is true that a participant cannot be expected to become a major business guru within a week, both the Chamber and the Tourism Authority expect that the materials, skills, and strategies discussed in the course will be instruments to sharpen participants’ interest in business while giving them good advice for the way forward.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Methodology: Short Lectures, Individual Exercises, Handouts, Interactive Sessions, Guest speaker presentations, and Evaluations.
Monday, October 8, 2007 (Mrs Marcella Monish)
– (Brief Opening Remarks)
PART 1 - WHAT MAKES ME THINK I AM A BUSINESS PERSON?
- Ice-breaker
- House Rules
- Training Agreement
- Introductions
- What are the Traits that Make me a Business Person?
- What does Being a Business Person Mean to Me?
- Essentials for Starting a Business
- What is Your Passion?
- What are the First Steps to Business Start-up?
- The Importance of the Business Plan
- Hiring Employees
- How do I start a Business in St. Kitts and Nevis: Where do I go, to whom, and for what?
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
- The Elements of a Business Plan
- Learning about Your Market
- Who is my competition?
- What do I offer/what will I offer to my Customers that is Different from Anyone else?
- Who are my Customers?
- Where will my (new?) Customers Come From?
- Business Management Planning
- What do I Bring to the Business that will be viewed as an Investment: Time? Expertise? Money? Experience? Knowledge?
- Importance of Technology in your Business
- Financial Basics
- Book-keeping
- Record-keeping
- Financial Planning
- Importance of Discipline, Separating Wants from Needs & Sacrifice
- Budgeting
- Managing Cash Flow
- Applying for a Business Loan & Servicing the Loan
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
PART 2 - COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- Listening Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Ten Commandments of Communicating with Your Market(s)
- The Communication Model
- Barriers to Communication
- Telephone Skills
- Motivation, Attitude, Adjustment, Self Esteem, Appearance (Smelling Good, Looking Good, Feeling Good)
- Business Communication Tools (General Business Letters, Marketing Materials: Flyers, Brochures, Advertising, etc.)
Thursday, October 11, 2007
PART 3 - SERVICE EXCELLENCE
- What Services Do You Provide to Customers?
- Anticipating the Needs of Customers
- Handling Customer Feedback: Complaints, Criticisms, Satisfaction, etc.
- Reasons Why Customers are Difficult
- Learning Customers’ Likes & Dislikes
- Building a History on Your Customer Base
PART 4 - OBLIGATIONS TO GOVERNMENT
- Understanding Business Taxes
- What do I owe Government?
- Legal Issues: Licences, Various Forms of Business Registration & Regulations, Taxes, etc.
- Protecting Business Ideas & Products: Copyright, patents, etc.
- Understanding Social Security: Self-Employed Coverage; Staff Coverage & Benefits
Friday, October 12, 2007
PART 5 - REVIEW & CLOSING CEREMONY
- Seminar Review
- Closing Ceremony & Presentation of Certificates
