Congratulations to the 2008 Believe Begin Become finalists

BPC Support Officer, TechnoServe

The most frequent question I have been receiving from the public is why focus on tourism. It is worth noting that this is the first time in the history of the business plan competition run by TechnoServe internationally to focus on a specific industry. This is our third year running the competition in Swaziland and for the past two years it has been open to all industries.

The overriding purpose of Believe Begin Become is to identify and assist entrepreneurs manage and grow sustainable businesses with the potential to create jobs. This is a way in which we can alleviate poverty. Tourism is a growing industry and creates a lot of job opportunities globally.

Given its impact in the employment of local people, coupled with the fact that South Africa will be hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup, tourism became a great choice to achieve these goals.

Here are some of the highlights of events that took place in the 2008 programme:

The competition launched in February, marked the application period. TechnoServe also embarked on a countrywide outreach programme that included visits to existing establishments. This outreach programme was highlighted by a one-day seminar that focused on what’s happening in the tourism industry.

In partnership with the Swaziland Tourism Authority (STA), TechnoServe sponsored 30 applicants to the annual Tourism Indaba held in Durban in May. This was an eye-opening experience for the participants as they had an opportunity to see what was happening in other countries and to make business contacts. A significant outcome of the experience was that all the entrepreneurs began to realise that they would have to work together in order to achieve their mutual goal of growing Swazi tourism.

This is the core element of this programme. Participants had to undergo a rigorous 13 days of training on business fundamentals. TechnoServe partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which offered a specific training on tourism through their SMART (SME Access to Regional Tourism) programme.

This is the most interesting part of the programme, which requires a lot out of the participants. During this period, the participants had to work closely with their mentors in developing a business plan.

Judging from the participants’ feedback, the training programme played a significant role in creating a sense of self-belief and confidence to go forward with their businesses. "I feel prepared to do business and received good support material; this has improved my presentation skills and understanding of finance," commented one of the participants.

Upon completion of the training programme, each participant has to submit a complete business plan. The judging process was in two fold; oral presentations and written business plans. All 36 participants who managed to submit a complete business plan had to deliver an oral presentation; a nerve-wrecking experience for even the most seasoned business people.

Local judges sat through the oral presentations and this was an opportunity for the entrepreneur to show his passion and understanding of the business idea, in the same fashion as one has to present an idea to the banker or investor. The entrepreneur needed to be able to sell his business concept to the judges.

The other element of the judging process was the evaluation of the written business plan. South African based judges had to assess the business plan and mainly looked at the viability of the business concept and how realistic it is. The judges were experts in the banking, business and tourism sectors.

Last Friday was the day to announce the results and celebrate with all the participants who had been through this programme. Once again, we would like to congratulate al the finalists. The next step is to ensure all these dreams are turned into reality. Through the Aftercare office, TechnoServe will continue working with each participant to realise his/her dream. In the end, it should be the Swaziland tourism industry that is the final beneficiary.