Operation Entrepreneurism (OE)

Introduction

Not too long after the new Executive of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce (MCOC) was duly elected in November 2006, there was consensus that despite the various areas and issues of concern for which the Chamber would need to address, there was consensus for a main theme, a main drive, a single powerful focused effort for the Chamber in this administrative year.

The MCOC has recognized the overwhelming concern of crime in our Parish. The organization has therefore sought to craft a response strategy in an effort to tame this monster by agreeing on a main theme, a main drive, a single powerful focused effort to fight crime and poverty of which theme is referred to as “Reviving the Spirit of Entreprenuerism in Manchester”. This effort is the main crime fighting tool of the Chamber in the unconventional sense of crime fighting.

It is our firm belief that a successful drive to promote Entreprenuerism in our Parish will afford a necessary reduction in the levels of hopelessness, joblessness, idleness and criminal activities.

The MCOC will pursue this initiative of Reviving the Spirit of Entreprenuerism under the brand “Operation Entreprenuerism” and through its Entreprenuerism and Business Advocacy Division as well as the Workforce Development Division.

The Plan

“Operation Entreprenuerism” intends to pull from the Manchester Community some 500 budding entrepreneurs who are in need of the necessary training and honing of Entrepreneurial skills and disciplines. The pool will, in the minority, also include existing entrepreneurs who have this special need to take their businesses to the next level.

The MCOC will create a scholarship fund under the “Operation Entreprenuerism” initiative, which it will raise through sponsorship from the private sector. The fund will be utilized to finance the cost of tuition for the training so outlined. Based on an estimated average cost of $3000 per person, the MCOC is seeking to raise a total of $1.5mil for the fund. The $3000 represents a subsidized cost of which the training facilities will bear the balance of approximately $1500 to $2000 per person, being partners to the project.

The training will be carried out by experts at established institutions namely, The Morris Entreprenuerial Centre (MEC), a Centre operated by the Northern Caribbean University, as well as The Entreprenuerial Skills Development Unit (ESDU) a unit run by

HEART Trust. Both facilities will operate in the Parish to serve the people of Manchester and having the expertise to train from the semiliterate to the university graduate in the skills and disciplines of entrepreneurship.  

Stages

“Operation Entreprenuerism” first stage commenced with a two day Entreprenuerial Conference successfully held on 2007 February 7 and 8 at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester.

The purpose of sensitizing and informing at least 500 budding and existing entrepreneurs in the Parish of the benefits of Entreprenuership was attained.

The conference brought to bear the realism of Entreprenuership being a vital tool of self sustainance and valid option to any criminal activity.

The attendees were exposed to revered entreprenuers such as Mr Wayne Chen and their experiences, several agencies who are prepared to fund viable ventures and agencies who are prepared to train and assist with critical areas including business plans, etc.

“Operation Entreprenuerism” second stage will seek to raise the necessary funding to facilitate the training of 500 budding entrepreneurs and existing ones in need. This will be facilitated by this project document as well as direct soliciting efforts of the MCOC.

“Operation Entreprenuerism” third stage will be to pull on the appropriate target market through community leaders, church groups, etc and place them with the relevant training facilities.

It is these training facilities that will hone the skills of entreprenuerism for the participants and educate the them on the various aspects of successful entrepreneurship.

It would also inform of the various funding agencies and those also prepared to assist with the business plans and other tools for entreprenuerism.

“Operation Entreprenuerism” fourth and final stage involves review. That is to say a monitoring system to inform of the new businesses created from the initiative and possible the numbers rescued from criminal activity.

This will be carried out through the logging of participants details which allows for continued communication via the MCOC and updates/progress reports.