Mann Deshi Mahila Bank (MDMB) 1997 • A regulated co-op bank run BY and FOR women; recognized by the Reserve Bank of India • Microfinance: microcredit and savings leading to women’s empowerment • Obj.: Asset creation, social security, women’s rights and more Mann Vikas Samajik Sanstha (now MDF) • State registered NGO since 1994 • Started by Chetna Gala-Sinha • Main focus on upliftment of women through vocational training, healthcare and scholarships for girls. Mann Deshi Mahila Group Self Help Group (SHG) Federation Currently has 2462 SHGs
Transcript
Mann Deshi Mahila Bank (MDMB) 1997
• A regulated co-op bank run BY and FOR women; recognized by the Reserve Bank of India
• Microfinance: microcredit and savings leading to women’s empowerment
• Obj.: Asset creation, social security, women’s rights and more
Mann Vikas Samajik Sanstha (now MDF)
• State registered NGO since 1994• Started by Chetna Gala-Sinha• Main focus on upliftment of women through vocational training, healthcare and scholarships for girls.
Mann Deshi Mahila Group
Self Help Group (SHG) FederationCurrently has 2462 SHGs
Mann Deshi Mahila Bank (MDMB) 1997
• A regulated co-op bank run BY and FOR women; recognized by the Reserve Bank of India
• Microfinance: microcredit and savings leading to women’s empowerment
• Obj.: Asset creation, social security, women’s rights and more
Mann Vikas Samajik Sanstha (now MDF)
• State registered NGO since 1994• Started by Chetna Gala-Sinha• Main focus on upliftment of women through vocational training, healthcare and scholarships for girls.
Mann Deshi Mahila Group
Self Help Group (SHG) FederationCurrently has 2462 SHGs
SITE VISITS
Pam Sporborg (2006); interned with MVSS/MDMBVivek Thirtha (2007)Aparna (2008)
All three site visit reports have been very positive
MissionThe Deshi Entrepreneurs initiative will work to create business role models of promising rural women entrepreneurs by providing them with the guidance and training needed to aim and achieve significant business growth. ObjectivesThe Deshi Entrepreneurs initiative will in 5 years:
- Indentify rural women pioneers who have developed a business with growth potential
- Substantially scale up 1,000 chosen microenterprises through a formalized mentorship
- Build 1,000 business role models to inspire and motivate other entrepreneurs to grow their microenterprises by utilizing the financial services and business management training provided by the Bank and Business School.
Focus AreaEducation and Livelihoods
Project Goals
SHORT-TERM GOALS (PILOT YEAR)• Provide promising entrepreneurs with management training and support to grow their
businesses.• Foster a positive relationship between business mentor and Deshi enterpreneur.• Through business schools, develop innovative business basic training curriculum for the
unque needs of rural enterpreneur.
Intermediate goals (first 2 years)• Partner with prominent members of Indian business development communities to make
business curriculum a perfect fit for Deshi enterpreneur.• Rapidly expand• Increase the quality and scale of micro-enterprise.
LONG-TERM GOALS• Improve economic status and empower them to grow their businesses and
contribute to the overall economic development of the local communities.• Foster 1000 role models who will inspire future clients • Build an extensive network with prominent members of business community
and rural entrepreneur.
Current Problems/Challenges Faced By Rural Women
1. Lack of capital - more capital for maintenance & growth
2. Market constraints - limited demand due to the nature of business, competition, population size, or market economy
3. Supply chain - inability to manage the supply of raw materials; lack of access to or knowledge of cheaper, better wholesalers for raw material
4. Labor & Production - inability to manage the supply of raw materials; lack of access to or knowledge of cheaper, better wholesalers for raw material
5. Cash Flow Management - difficulty managing working capital
6. Marketing - need for marketing strategy training
First Phase: Pilot Year Program (2009-10)
• The first phase was implemented only in one district.• MDF visited 230 women at home and interviewed them
out of which 25 were selected for pilot program.• Workshop on advanced finance literacy was held as 90% of
participants had limited financial literacy.• This workshop trained them mainly in tracking and
documenting their finances.• SP Jain institute of management has designed a Deshi
MBA program which targets the challenges faced. • Mentors were identified for each woman. Mentors have
been of great help and is one of the important aspect of this program.
Pilot Program - Success Stories
Mrs Sujata Mane - a graduate of the pilot program• Her small business is varied and includes making masalas, making noodles,
sewing and a small store.• After the workshop, she added a coconut barfi making business and the store was
expanded to include sales of candy and soap!• Sujata has used bank loans from Mann Deshi for buying buffaloes, sewing
machines etc. Her earnings doubled after taking the pilot program. And hires help in the summer for making the noodles (shevai).
Ms. Shobha Raut- a graduate of the pilot program• used to have a small "sundries" shop before; after the program she has
expanded her store to include women’s clothing and accessories. • What she liked about the program was the exposure to other women
small business owners and her increased number of contacts as sources for inventory.
• She also looks after her parents and is serving as mentor to other women now.
Second Phase: (2011)
• This program is now ran in two states Maharshtra and Karnatake in Satara, Hubli and Dharwad districts which covers a total of 196 villages.
• Started accepting application in Jan. Total 362 application received, 273 women selected for this program. Application process lasted for 1.5 months.
• Mentors are included from major cities like Pune and Mumbai as well.
• Implementation of financial diary and montly status checks.
• Not a single loan defaulter.
Second Phase: Challenges and Solutions
Challenge Solution Ensuring a positive working relationship between Mentor and Mentee
By closely monitoring the program at its start to indentify any problems in the working relationship between Mentor and Mentee early on, and maintaining close contact with participants over the year, will ensure that their business consulting needs are being met
Hiring and retaining staff to manage operation of Mann Deshi Udyogini and the implementation of there programs, including Deshi Entrepreneurs.
Given Mann Deshi Mahila Group’s strong presence and network in the community they will be able to locate qualified individuals to fill CEO, Program Developer, M+E Coordinator and Administrative Assistant positions. Salary resources allocated in the budget as well as Mann Deshi’s reputation of maintaining a positive working environment will help to retain skilled labor.
To monitor whether participants’ businesses are achieving significant growth as a result of the program
By hiring an M+E Coordinator to implement and record results from the Baseline and Follow-Up surveys, Mann Deshi Mahila Group will be able to understand impact and business growth on different levels: (i) tracking revenue and loan size of participants will monitor their gradual business growth overtime while (ii) socio-economic questions built into in the surveys will evaluate impact on the entrepreneur’s quality of life as well as her social status within her family and community
As Bank Branches and Business School Centers continue to expand together, it will be a challenge to ensure that the Bank continues to support and promote the Deshi Entrepreneur initiative to Mann Deshi clients
By appointing branch coordinators at all bank branches, Mann Deshi Mahila Group is building in a link between the bank’s operation and the business school programs. This will ensure that the bank is involved in marketing, promoting and referring Mann Deshi clients to Business School Programs, increasing student enrollment and the success of the microloans impact on building the businesses of rural entrepreneurs.
Budget
Mann Deshi Foundation
Business School for Rural Women (2011-12)
Discription Amount
Salary Coordinator 60,000
Trainer (3) 90,000
Administrator (2) 72,000
Office
Office Material 5,000
Utilities 18,000
Courses & Trainings Training of Master Trainers for Deshi MBA 240,000
• Total cost incurred to train one Deshi entrepreneur is Rs 3500.
• AID-PDX can sponsor 50 Deshi enterpreneurs in the first 6 months and then based on their performance sponsor 50 more.
• Total cost 50 * 3500 + 50 * 3500 = 3,50,000 RS
Backup
Padma - Leads the Mann Deshi Enterpreneur Program
Pilot program success stories – Sujata mane
Pilot program success stories – Shobha Raut
Selection Criteria for Deshi Entrepreneur Participants
• Is a client of Mann Deshi, or is interested in becoming a client
• Is working in a new business sector, or has developed an innovative business model with growth potential
• Growth of her business and building her as a role model will positively impact her community or other women working in a the same business sector
• Has taken steps to grow her business
• Has a developed or innovative vision of expansion
• Has a good understanding of where she needs help in order to improve her business, has sited problem areas
• Is the owner and manager of her business, if it is a family business then she has a substantial role in the management and decision making of the business
• Is willing to work with a Mentor and attend training sessions
Business Sectors of Deshi Entrepreneurs
• Manufacturing– Bakery and food production (pappad, khakara, rotis)– Spice and flour grinding– Paper cup production– Tailoring– Artisan: Frame, basket, bag making
1st Batch of Participants: 35(to be selected from Western, Mahrstraha)
Problem Areas for Deshi Entrepreneurs
• Marketing and branding: how to reach bigger markets, and increase customers
• Where to cut costs: how to find cheaper wholesalers or suppliers
• Networking: how to communicate with bigger businesses or wholesalers in larger villages or cities
• Management skills: how to retain and manage labor
• Cash flow: how to better manage their business capital through savings and loans
• Basic accounting: how to record and keep track of their sales
Project Implementation Outline
The program objectives will be achieved through an intensive 3-day Business Basics Workshop and a
yearlong formalized mentoring relationship.
Local Mentors
To help guide these women on how best to achieve their business growth goals, each woman participant will be matched with a Local Mentor. These individuals will be
established business professionals with great knowledge of the local economy.
Expert Advisers
Expert Advisers will be individuals working in larger scale business sectors in Satara, Pune, Bombay and
neighboring cities. These Advisers will be industry leaders or trade specialists, business professionals from Business
Associations, institutes or consultancies.
Criteria for Selecting Local Mentors
• Live in the Satara district
• Have started and grown their own business; if business is inherited need to have grown the business; or have worked as a educator/trainer for specific business sector
• Have great understanding of the local market economy
• Know how to find suppliers and wholesalers
• Have general experience with marketing, sales, and accounting
• Can effectively manage unpredictable problems that may arise
Local Mentor Responsibilities
• Each Mentor will be assigned 2 to 3 women participants to advise over the course of the year
• Mentors will work with Program Coordinator and their Mentee to design a year-long Business Growth Action Plan
• Mentors will serve as Personal Business Coaches, directing their Mentees on how best to achieve all of her business goals listed in their Action Plan
• Mentors will stay in constant contact with their Mentees during the year through phone and site visits
Program committee will match Mentors to Mentees– Problem areas and expansion vision of Mentee– Business Sector– Location of Mentor and Mentee
Mentor Training – 1 day
• Receive detailed Business Profiles for their Mentees
• Learn about their role and responsibilities within the program
• Sign a program contract
Facilities Provided to Mentors and Mentees
• Coverage of transportation, food and lodging expenses for program trainings and events
• Monthly stipend of INR 500 (phone and transportation)
Business Basics Workshop – 3 days in Gondavale
• A common training for all women participants that will introduce basic business management strategies such as, simple accounting, marketing, quality assurance, product quality and standardization, accessing capital, creating a Business Action Plan.
• Indian Business School partner will create curriculum for this workshop and train business school trainers to teach women participants
• Participants will meet with Mentors and Program Coordinator and write their Business Growth Action Plan
• Women participants will sign a contract, outlining her responsibilities and commitment to the program
Additional Training
• 3 Educational Seminars - 1 day each in Satara • 2 Field Trips – 2 days each
Achievement Award and Certificates
• Three awards for the Deshi Entrepreneurs (and their mentors) who have achieved the greatest success given their individual challenges.
• One award will be given to the most dedicated Mentor
• General Community Service Certificates will be given to all participants and Mentors for their completion of the program.
Areas of Potential Support
• Business school partner or Resource Organization to help design and implement business training curriculum for Business Basics Workshop
• Indian businesses and NGO partners to provide or recommend business professionals for mentorship
• Funding to cover operation costs (for complete break down see budget in full business plan)
• Media partner to promote the initiative and attract dedicated Mentors and potential business partners
• An independent consultant to conduct an Impact Assessment of first and last year
