We believe that a small band of people (a team), united for a specific cause, can be a very powerful thing. We ask that individuals who want to get involved with a business overseas get together with at least three other people of similar interest. We find that groups of four to twelve work best. Such a group provides continuity and resources that an individual could not.
We have no specific requirement for the organization of a Business Development Group. Most business people have a strong propensity for organization and order, so we leave it up to you. However, it should be structured enough to have a chairman and someone who keeps records. This is not a casual commitment, and should not be treated lightly. No matter how you organize, the BPN needs a contact person and an alternate. Formally incorporating your groups would not be considered excessive, but it certainly is not necessary.
Anyone with business experience can be part of a BDG. We recommend that each group have members who bring diverse business skills, such as entrepreneurship, finance, and accounting. We also recommend that the members have some specific experience that may be helpful to the specific entrepreneur overseas. For example, if one of your BDG members has experience with the printing business, you might look for an entrepreneur who is developing a printing business. The BDG needs both specific and general business experience.
The Business Professional Network has, in its database, many individuals who want to help as a consultant or an ad-hoc member of a BDG in their area of skill and experience. Even if the BPN does not have someone who meets the requirement of your BDG, we will help you find someone who does.
The BDG's responsibility is to help the entrepreneur in every way possible. This includes assisting with access to capital. The first source is the members of the BDG. The needs of your entrepreneur may be such that you can deal with them entirely with your own resources; that is the preferred way. If that cannot be done, the BPN can offer suggestions for other sources and, at times, provide assistance from our revolving loan fund.
The Trust Fund is really a two-purpose account. First, it is a vehicle for assisting the Business Development Groups with finances for their entrepreneur. A BDG can donate funds to the BPN and then direct them to qualified needs overseas. These are called "donor directed funds." Second, the revolving loan fund is money which has been specifically donated for helping developing world entrepreneurs with business loans. As these funds are repaid, they are again available for re-lending for other needy opportunities. The BPN holds all of these funds in a special account (in trust) for these needs.
We strongly advise that all financial assistance be in the form of a loan, not an investment nor a "gift." Many developing world entrepreneurs do not understand the concept of equity capital. So if they receive funds that they do not have to repay, it is theirs.period. They need the business experience of repayment of debt. We recommend that your funds be donated to the BPN and placed in the Trust Account to become donor-directed funds which can be loaned to your entrepreneur. When repaid, these funds can be loaned out again for other needy situations
Emphatically, yes! We encourage as much personal involvement as possible. We would recommend a preliminary visit to meet the entrepreneur and see his business opportunity before you "adopt" the project. There is no substitute for good due-diligence. It is our hope that the members of your BDG will develop both a personal and business relationship with your entrepreneur. Your Christian witness can be more significant than your business advice.
That is entirely up to you. As your experience and capacity grows, there is no reason not to look for other opportunities to be of assistance. The need is great!
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