CARIBBEAN CONSULTING GROUP:: ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN DURING THE QUARTER

7- Series of seminar on Best Management Practices for artisans/basketery in La Vallée

7.1- Seminar on Entrepreneurship and Management for artisans – September 1st -2nd , 2009, Dade, La Vallée

A seminar on Entrepreneurship and Management was held in Dade, La Vallée on September 1st and 2nd, 2009, at Grangoule Bar.

Twenty seven (27) artisans including one (1) woman the first day and another one the second day have participated to this seminar.

Participants were all members of Gwoupman Atizan La Vallée (Artisans group of La Vallée) producing vetiver roots and vine baskets.

This association comprises thirty six (36) members.

This group has been selected by MarChE Jacmel regional team because it has received technical assistance from ATA consultant/designer Frederic Alcantara.

He has assisted them in products and designs innovation and has facilitated the development of a new collection of vetiver roots products.

This seminar has been conducted by Nonais Dérisier Saincelair, an economist with a degree in Social Sciences. Its main objective was to develop participants’ entrepreneurial and managerial skills and also build up their capacity to analyze their own situation and improve their managerial knowledge and attitudes.

At the end of this seminar, participants were able to:
• To analyze their actual business situation.
• To develop a business idea.
• To identify the characteristics and qualities of an effective Manager.
• To assess their strengths and weaknesses as entrepreneurs
• To understand how businesses operate within the law and define different legal forms, categories and size of enterprises.

Pursuant to this seminar, the MarChE regional office has decided to adapt a specific module on organizational development for this group in order to reinforce their association. During the next quarter, participants to the seminar and other members of the association will receive on-site guidance from a Consultant in management and business development. This technical assistance will also allow CBC to assess their application of their new business skills.

A report of this seminar including photos, agenda, participants list, trainer profile, evaluation form, training materials has been submitted to CNFA.

 

7.2- Seminar on Financial Management for artisans – September 8-9, 2009, Dade, La Vallée

This two-day seminar was held in Dade, La Vallée, at Grangoule Bar, on September 8-9, 2009.

It was conducted by Nonais Dérisier Saincelair, an economist with a degree in Social Sciences.

Thirty two (32) vetiver growers including four (4) women have participated to this seminar.

They are all members of Gwoupman Atizan La Vallée producing vetiver roots and vine baskets.

The main objective of this seminar was to develop participants’ financial management skills and provide them with financial management tools adapted to their craft business.

At the end of this seminar, most participants will be able to:

• Set up a simple record system for their business
• Use receipts, invoices and purchase orders
• Make an inventory of their assets
• Use efficiently a cash book
• Receive and distribute an order among association’s members
• Prepare a budget

Members of Gwoupman Atizan La Vallée are individual artisans.

They join forces to meet orders from important clients.

They all use the same production process and share funds received from the client without evaluating level and quality of efforts invested in this production.

During the seminar, they have decided to organize their production and employ workers and apprentices to increase their production capacity.

These workers and apprentices will be trained and will undertake specific tasks and be paid for their work.

All seminar contents were not covered.

Costing and pricing will be covered during next seminar on Marketing and Sales.

A report of this seminar including photos, agenda, participants list, trainer profile, evaluation form, training materials has been submitted to CNFA.

 

7.3- Seminar on Marketing and Sales for artisans – September 15-16, Dade, La Vallée

This seminar was held in Dade, La Vallée, at Grangoule Bar, on September 15-16, 2009.

It was conducted by Nonais Dérisier Saincelair, an economist with a degree in Social Sciences.

Thirty two (32) artisans producing baskets including four (4) women have participated to this seminar.

They are all members of Gwoupman Atizan La Vallée producing vetiver roots and vine baskets.

The main objective of this seminar was to enable participants to describe the four important components of marketing, the 4 “P”: product, price, place and promotion and to discuss ways of improving marketing and sales strategies for their craft business.

This seminar enabled participants to focus on:

• Identifying different markets and products to be sold on each market (local, national and international markets);
• Understanding the needs of current and potential customers;
• Innovating in new products and designs meeting markets trends;
• Identifying specific seasons for sale such as Christmas;
• Costing and setting the right price customers will be willing to pay;
• Developing strategies to promote their products;
• Identifying the most appropriate distribution channels for their products

With a new line of products developed by ATA consultant/designer Frederic Alcantara and new marketing and sales skills acquired during this seminar, Gwoupman Atizan La Vallée will be able to have a productive participation to Artisanat en Fête and Femmes, Creation & Production 2009.

Technical assistance in branding should be provided by ATA for a better participation to these upcoming events.

A report of this seminar including photos, agenda, participants list, trainer profile, evaluation form, training materials has been submitted to CNFA.

 

7.4- Seminar on Organizational Development for artisans – September 22-23, 2009, Dade, La Vallée

This two-day seminar was held in Dade, La Vallée at Grangoule Bar, on September 22 – 23, 2009. It was conducted by Nonais Dérisier Saincelair, an economist with a degree in Social Sciences. Twenty eight (28) artisans including four (4) women have participated to this seminar. They are all members of Gwoupman Atizan La Vallée producing vetiver roots and vine baskets. A specific training module was developed for this seminar focusing on structure and legal framework of an organization, by laws, organizing meetings, general assemblies and elections, members rights and obligations.

The main objective of this seminar was to strengthen Gwoupman Atizan La Vallée associative and managerial capacities in order to develop its ability to interact with other value chain players and to access market.

At the end of this seminar, participants should be able to:

• Describe the different steps to create and establish a non profit organization
• Describe key principles for the development of a democratic organization
• Structure an organization by putting in place its key bodies (general assembly, board of directors, committees and staff)
• Organize efficiently meetings, general assembly and elections
• Elaborate organization by laws
• Describe rights and obligations of organizations members

Template of by laws has been provided to the participants by the trainer.

At the end of the seminar, a four (4) members committee has been put together to work on the association by laws.

A meeting is programmed first weekend of October 2009 to submit a draft of the by laws to association’s members.

During the next quarter, MarChE Jacmel office will assist Gwoupman Atizan La Vallée in its organizational development.

It will facilitate association legal recognition by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

A simple record keeping system and a marketing plan will be developed for the association.

A report of this seminar including photos, agenda, participants list, trainer profile, evaluation form, training materials has been submitted to CNFA.

 

GROUPE CROISSANCE CBC CALENDAR MARCHE RESOURCE

 

@2009 MarChE