Going into business no joke

BUSINESS TRENDS

Art Tibaldo

“Going into business is not just a passion and more so, it is not a joke”. This summarizes the opening statement of Crispina B. Almonte, a seasoned business consultant and resource speaker of the Small Business Counselors Course of the UP Institute of Small Scale Industries attended by 33 participants from Cordillera at the Golden Pine Hotel in Baguio City.

Said training was conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry-Cordillera Administrative Region to inform business counselors on Negosyo Centers in the region including those from local government units who were designated by their local chief executives.

The 5-day training provided orientation on ASEAN Integration, state of the MSME sector in the country and role and responsibilities of business counselors. Participants were also briefed on client-entrepreneur critical thinking process which involves problem-solving and decision-making. The participants were made to diagnose a firm through interview assessment exercises conducted in three sites.

The speakers taught participants on how to conduct diagnosis and analysis on the operations of an enterprise. Management system expert and resource speaker Henry O. Palaca discussed production operations, human resource and organizational management of an enterprise. On the third day, Prof. John Carlo B. De Leon discussed “Diagnosing the Financial Functions of an Enterprise” which is believed to be one of the most important learnings that the participants needed as business counselors.

Participants visited three business sites which included the Tuba, Benguet Coffee Growers Association Inc. (TUBECOGA) and the Le Jar Food processing Center and BSU Food Processing Center both located in La Trinidad Benguet.

As a result of their field visit and evaluation following business model canvass matrix, participants who were grouped into three presented their findings and observation to DTI-Ifugao provincial director Valentin Baguidudol and Dr. Rhodora Ngolob of the University of the Cordilleras.

They looked at records and bookkeeping methods, entrepreneur’s capacity to balance production cost and outputs, human resources and entrepreneurial leadership including continuity plans during lean seasons and times of calamities and disasters.

The participants during their field visit also inquired about the establishment’s registration, accreditation and other required permits including organizational strengthening plans that enable businesses to grow.

Based on the participant’s evaluation and analysis on the three sites visited, it became apparent there were constructive learnings in every site which gave them a realistic mindset on the typical mode of operation by SMEs hereabouts.

As a result of their evaluation and as graduates of the Small Business Counselors Course, the participants are now expected to educate, mentor and assist SMEs, Negosyo Center clients and add up to the region’s pool of capacitated resource speakers on small businesses as mentioned by DTI-CAR regional director Myrna Pablo during her opening message at the start of the five-day course.