Enterprise Case Studies

Client name

Clarxons Studios

Training dates

Country of origin

Botswana

Media sector

Advertising & recording studios

Training conducted

i)

Financial Management (phase 1)

14 - 18 March 2005

ii)

Sales & Marketing (phase 1)

25 - 28 April 2005

iii)

In-House - Sales & Marketing (phase 2)

24 - 29 October 2005

iv)

Mentorship

March - June 2006

Analysis prior to training

The enterprise had weak operational structures and systems to support its business mandate. Its core activity was not well defined.

Key performance indicators post training

Financial and marketing departments have been established and effectively operational, although the enterprise was faced with financial constraints. A business model has been developed during mentorship, it was to assist management to focus the enterprise and to define its market, market position and re-create itself.

Client name

PC FM

Training dates

Country of origin

Lesotho

Media sector

Radio station

Training conducted

i)

Financial Management (phase 1)

14 - 18 March 2005

ii)

Sales & Marketing (phase 2)

25 - 28 April 2005

iii)

In-house – Sales & Marketing (phase 2)

07 - 10 February 2006

iv)

Mentorship

May – July 2006

Analysis prior to training

Informed by a training needs survey done in 2005. The finance and marketing units were not in existence. Financial manual transaction books were used to record information. The marketing strategy that was adopted was not coherent with the functional structure.

Key performance indicators post training

An officer was redeployed to do accounts. Management accounts reports are now produced monthly. There is a dynamic and vibrant team of the marketing unit, which implements the marketing strategy.

Client name

Miles Communications

Training dates

Country of origin

Swaziland

Media sector

Children’s magazine

Training conducted

i)

Financial Management (phase 1)

14 - 18 March 2005

ii)

Sales & Marketing (phase 1)

25 - 28 April 2005

iii)

In-house – Financial Management

28 Nov-01 Dec 2005

iv)

Mentorship

April – June 2006

Analysis prior to training

Informed by recommendations from prior phase 1 and phase 3 training received. A simple bookkeeping method was used to record transactions

Key performance indicators post training

Miles Communications has reasonable operational systems in place. An accounts assistant has been employed and an accounting package is used to capture and produce monthly accounts. The enterprise has advanced in many ways and it shows a lot of consistency in growth.

Client name

QFM

Training dates

Country of origin

Zambia

Media sector

Radio Station

Training conducted

i)

Sales & Marketing (Phase 1)

06 – 10 August 2003

ii)

Financial Management (Phase 1)

14 – 18 March 2004

iii)

In-house – Financial Management

12 - 16 December 2005

iv)

Mentorship

June – August 2006

Analysis prior to training

Informed by recommendations from prior phase 1 training received. A simple bookkeeping method was used to record transactions

Key performance indicators post training

The Office Manager has the skills to record transactions and produce relevant reports. Financial systems that regulates internal controls and improves financial record keeping, are in place

Client name

Business Connect

Training dates

Country of origin

Zimbabwe

Media sector

Advertising newspaper

Training conducted

i)

Business Management

22 – 26 September 2003

ii)

Financial Management

14 – 18 March 2004

iii)

In-house – Financial Management (Phase 2)

07-10 November 2005

iv)

Mentorship

April – July 2006

Analysis prior to training

Training follow up on prior phase 1 training received

Key performance indicators post training

Established a finance department, employed and trained an accounts clerk. The enterprise has recorded an economic growth of 60% increase on profits from breakeven points. From January 2005 the advertising paper prints weekly from fortnightly, therefore maximizing its sales potential. The major recent highlight for the enterprise was its owner being awarded an accolade of “The best female entrepreneur of the year”