Would you be a mentor? a prayer partner?

by Jason Benedict
RCE Strategist

I began the day in a government office trying to come into agreement with a government official on the details of our upcoming graduation. After some debate we got it ironed out, and I believe we are on track now. It is amazing to me that we will be graduating the second batch of entrepreneurs at the beginning of May.

Speaking of graduates, I was encouraged by a conversation with one of our graduates last night. He has been working steadily to launch his business, a web portal/information service. There is very little in this regard specifically for Rwanda. He told me, “The site is up, can I meet with you and discuss my monetization strategy.” I know a little about this subject, but what he really needs in a mentor with some specific expertise in this area. It is our task to help connect him with such a mentor: someone who can answer a few emails – schedule a few skype calls, or even come here for a week, roll up their sleeves and help this entrepreneur make it. I hope that person is reading this blog. Another thing that most of our entrepreneurs have requested - even those who are not Christians – is a prayer partner.

Stay tuned for something a little different... on “Theological Pathologies Regarding Business”

It begins this way:

Today, I heard yet another story of a business person who came to the Lord in a dramatic way and has begun to think that they "need to leave business and go into ministry." When I hear it put that way it really disturbs me...

Finance and Operations.

"I wonder how many business people back home could come here for a week as a visiting executive or even as a teacher and make something simple for a Rwandan entrepreneur."

by Jason Benedict
RCE Strategist
 
This week our entrepreneurs here in Rwanda are studying Finance and Operations. Tonight we were giving them the skills they need to calculate their startup capital needs. As I was preparing for tonight’s session, I decided I would need a white board for some of the things I was going to teach. I called the building manager in our building to see if they had one we could use this evening, but “We have some but they are all being used – I might be able to find you a flip chart easel – I will get back with you.” In the meantime I decided that it wouldn’t be a bad thing to just have one in our center, so I went into town to see if I could buy a white board (dry erase board).


I looked in a couple of places and finally found a store that had one in the back; it was about 3’ x 4’. The price? $200 USD. Well, I decided to keep looking, so before long I found one in another store. This one was about 20 x 30 inches and they wanted $115.00 for it. Needless to say I returned home empty-handed save for a business idea – one of our students should look into importing whiteboards.

Class went well tonight – they did find a flip chart easel for me. A few of the students groaned a bit: finance does that to some people. Overall, though, they were very engaged and excited to learn the subject so they can apply it to their own business. One of our graduates came to class tonight, and asked, “Hey did we study this? – I don’t remember this exercise.” I told him, “We were learning what to do with your class; this is [an example of] continuous improvement.” He went on to tell me that he overheard one of the current students say, “Hey this is some of the best stuff we have learned so far.”

Last night another student told me, “This is so helpful. I have always been intimidated by this, but you are helping me see that it is simple.”

I wonder how many business people back home could come here for a week as a visiting executive or even as a teacher and make something simple for a Rwandan entrepreneur.

Visitors

Our Cluster Map is about to receive its annual spring cleaning, so I thought I'd post the current maps showing where our visitors are from.

It's a little easier to identify the country of origin on the second map.

Progress

by Jason Benedict
RCE Strategist

I spent some time this morning orienting our visiting executive, and it made me remember some of the reasons that Rwanda is so strategic. I see in Rwanda the potential for it to become a template for what can be in Africa. Their anti-corruption measures are working, they are business friendly, crime is low, streets are clean, the people relatively united and highly motivated. As a country the momentum is moving in the right direction.

We typically include a visit to the Genocide memorial as part of our orientation for visiting executives. The memorial is a tremendously sobering place, and it is an effective way of telling the story of the genocide. However, the story of the genocide is only part of the story of Rwanda. The rest of the story – the story of change, positive momentum, and potential – is just as powerful.

Tonight in class I was encouraged by the progress that our entrepreneurs are making. We have a lot of work to do over the next couple of weeks, but progress has definitely been made. For example, we put one of the students in the hot seat and pummeled him with questions about operationalizing his business – to my delight I found that he was doing what it takes – he has been pre-selling to potential clients, he has been negotiating with potential employees, he is doing the kind of leg work necessary, moving from talking about the business to doing the business. He still has a ways to go, but he is teachable.

everything but the suitcase handle

by Jason Benedict, RCE Strategist
27 March 2011

I made it to Kigali, Rwanda safe and sound – I am so thankful that Ethiopian Air now has a 777:  we no longer need to stop in Rome and refuel, so the flight is direct from Washington DC to Addis Ababa – this makes the trip over much less arduous. At baggage claim I discovered that the handle had been ripped off my large suitcase, but everything else was intact. It was great to be greeted at the Airport by familiar and smiling faces, and cool weather (in the mid 60’s). It is much too cool for Rwandan taste, but suits me just fine.

I had dinner tonight with Gary Dutlow an ICCC member and visiting executive from South Africa. Gary has been running an engineering firm near Durban for the last 23 years. I am looking forward to a good week with our entrepreneurs. The BDC creates so many great opportunities for us to leverage the impact of Kingdom business professionals like Gary. I wonder how many Christian business people are longing for opportunities to use their skills and knowledge to make a significant impact in places like Rwanda – each BDC we start will create opportunities galore.

One of the greatest opportunities we have here is to forge long term relationships. We know that transformation is happening through our programs: training, seminars, peer groups, mentoring sessions, etc., but a lot of transformation happens organically through relationships. For example, I remember spending a couple of hours last fall with Olivier – he poured out his heart and vision – I shared mine. He had deep questions about doing business in a way that pleased God – we spent time in the Word together. Next weekend I will be attending Olivier’s wedding here in Kigali.

Busy comings and goings

About a week ago, Dr Mulford got back from Rwanda after a little delay which left him in Kigali an extra day.

Between jet lag, meetings, catching up on work and home life here in Virginia, and a conference in Atlanta, it has been quite busy around here!

Today, Dr Mulford and Jason have been busy discussing Jason's upcoming trip to Rwanda--he leaves at the end of this week (and we'll be hearing more from him soon!). They are working on the curriculum and other items on a long to-do list.

I have been pulling out receipts and going through files so we can provide data and receipts related to 2010 expenses for our office in Kigali.



The current prayer request is for one of Jason's cars, which suddenly has been giving them trouble--of course, immediately preceding his departure for Africa. At least he has a little time to try and take care of it before leaving!

Lots going on here but not necessarily blog-worthy. ;) I do hope to have a wrap-up post from Dr Mulford on his recent trip soon.

Back at the ranch...

...it sure is a beautiful day here in Virginia Beach! The trees are full of flowers, the cloudless azure sky is bright and the sun is shining. Have a great week!

All photos on this page taken by Andrey Kovalev at Regent University.

Looking for prayer partners

Some of our recent graduates from the Rwanda Business Development Center are looking for partners to support them through prayer as they move forward with starting their businesses.

Some of the graduates from the first cohort of the BDC,
after receiving their certificates (December 2010)

Please contact the Center (send a note to Skye:  sganbaatar [at] regent [dot] edu) if you would like to be matched with a BDC grad who will greatly appreciate your prayer support and encouragement!

This picture shows about half of the students from the first cohort,
after a seminar taught by Regent alum Andrew Root (on far left).

Pray for Japan













Help Japan by James White
http://signalnoise.bigcartel.com/product/help-japan

Operation Blessing is already on the ground and providing relief.  Read more on their blog or give.
You can find a NY Times list of some other organizations helping in Japan here, and can search for aid organizations here.

A live blog with news from AlertNet, Reuters and aid agencies can be found here.