Learn and apply concepts of entrepreneurship and business planning in the context of microenterprises in rural communities in Honduras. Learn about how to apply the business model canvas to assess microenterprises .
Students are guided by our local economic development professionals and mentors from leading consulting firms to build business plans (Canvas Model) for aspiring entrepreneurs in rural resource-limited communities in Honduras.
Through client interviews, concepts of microfinance, industry research, cultural sharing, and utilization of our deliverable templates, students create and present business plans with our selected clients.
In addition to our skill-based learning objectives, building cultural competence is integrated into the course to increase the quality of services and improve outcomes with community partners.
Business Entrepreneurship Learning Objectives
Students that successfully complete the Business Entrepreneurship Program will be able to:
- Analyze economic and social issues impacting rural communities in a developing country.
- Discuss concepts of microfinance utilized in community banking in Central America.
- Consult with clients from rural communities in a developing country.
- Analyze a business’s strengths and weaknesses to develop appropriate solutions.
- Collaborate with student colleagues and a rural-based business client to develop a business plan to successfully bring a product to market in a developing country.
Resources provided in support of the virtual sessions and Modules
- Bilingual, on-the-ground session facilitators and client liaisons with business backgrounds who will coordinate each virtual session with students.
- A translator is provided in each virtual session in which students engage with business clients.
- Corporate consultant mentors drawn from major consulting firms.
- Full-time local teams that work year-round to support business clients.
- Electronic support materials in Canvas (LMS) are provided to all students.
- Session scheduling that coordinates all class meetings and meetings with business clients.
- Students in each program will work with two business clients in small working groups.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
There are nine Modules in the Business Entrepreneurship Program that can be variously assembled to build programs of the appropriate length and focus.
Module 1: Introduction to Kambia/Global Brigades, Economic Context in Honduras, Social Determinants Impacting the Economic Situation and What Does It Mean to be a Consultant in an International Context? (Contact time: 2 hours est.)
Discuss the mission and vision of Kambia/Global Brigades, the economic context in Honduras, the social determinants affecting the economic situation of rural communities in this country, and key principles of international business consulting.
Module 2: How to Consult in Rural Communities in Honduras (Contact time: 2 hours est.)
Understand the key communication skills used in consulting with a rural-based business in Honduras: active listening, empathy, curiosity, being respectful, and being open to feedback; understanding the challenges that rural business owners face; and understanding the challenges that prevent these business owners from being successful. Deploy the Business Model Canvas to assess business operations during a business consultation session, identify current key business outcomes, and identify potential improvements based on the client’s profile
Module 3: Meeting the Client session 1 and Working Session 1 (Contact time: 2 hours est.)
Introductory meeting between the client (entrepreneur) and each student group. Students will obtain qualitative information from a rural entrepreneur, while using communication skills such as active listening and rapport-building during the business consultation.( 1hour and 30 mins)
During the working session, students will work in their groups to identify possible areas of growth for the rural entrepreneur and start working on proposed solutions to present to the mentor in the following session (30 mins)
MODULE 4: Working with the Client, Session 2 (Contact time: 2 hours est.)
Live virtual session with business clients to present the results of the business analysis, guide the client how to self analyze its business and gather more information for final business deliverables.
Module 5: Meeting with the Corporate consultant and Working Session 2 (Contact time: 2 hours est.)
Students will present their business analysis to the Corporate consultant , GB’s coordinator, Client Liaison will give feedback about their initial brainstorming ideas for client solutions. Each group will have 20 mins to present and 20 minutes to get feedback. They will help them to ask the most strategic questions during the next consultation day.
During their working session students add the ideas, more questions if needed and they will finish their presentation on the findings and some solutions to be shared with their business client.
Module 6: Working Session 3 (Contact time: 2 hours est.)
Students work in small groups to work on the solutions to the Business Model Canvas bloques that need to be improved. The preliminary draft of these solutions will be presented to their coordinator and client for feedback and /or ask questions in the following session.
Module 7: working with the Client , session 3 and Working Session 4 (Contact time: 2 hours est.)
Last consulting meeting with the client to present their proposed solutions to get feedback from the client . During the working session students worked with the gathered information to submit their final work in english and spanish to the coordinator and Client liaisons in the next session.
Module 8: Executive Summary Presentation Rehearsal and Feedback (Contact time: 2 hours est.)
Group submits and presents their Executive Summary (presentation rehearsal to explain the client’s business analysis and the deliverables to improve its business. The presentation will be done using advanced business language and will be done in English and Spanish) to the Global Brigades team and Professor to receive the last feedback . Group adds the recommendations and prepares for the final presentation to the client.
Module 9: Final Small Group Presentations to the Client. Group Discussion on Consultation Experience and Final Reflection (Contact time: 2 hours est.)
Group presents the final deliverables to the client(s) and receives feedback (1 hour). GB coordinator debriefs the group on feedback from the client and reflects on personal and professional development. Students complete the evaluation survey (1 hour).