Methodology

BFA has 3 levels, with logical (business) best practice progression, examples and exercises; this culminates in the “completion” of a business plan (after each level).

1. Introductory - 10 Questions of Good Business

Stall in market / street vendor - typical loan up to US  $500

2. Intermediate –10 Steps to Grow Your Business

Business in village / small scale farmers - typical loan US $500 - $1000

3. Advanced - 10 Steps to Develop your Business

Village grocery / small retail outlet in town – typical loan US $1000 +

Through each of the levels, the course follows the principles of the learning circle.

The Learning Circle

Central to BFA is the Learning Circle - a continuous method for you to keep developing you business! There are four stages which should continuously evolve, as you have greater understanding of your business. That you should continuously learn is implicit.  It is important to understand the need to constantly ANALYSE your business.  From the analysis, you can THINK what needs to be done, for the business to develop. Once you have givbfa-logo-with-wordsen thought to your options, you should make appropriate PLANS, and once all the planning is done, you should then follow the ACTION of that plan. Once you have done the action, you should ANALYSE that ACTION and THINK how successful that ACTION has been, and then make new PLANS and ACTIONS accordingly; this should be continued
throughout the life of the business.

Other benefits of BFA

  • All materials can be translated and are currently in English and Chichewa.
  • Accompanying training manual for the trainers (TOT) / field officers, on the principles of business, with a step by step guide on how to train the beneficiaries through the 3 levels.
  • Self taught version, for entrepreneurs or field officers, who would like to go through the course in their own time.
  • There are a variety of other BFA training courses and products which augment the core BFA 3 level business training course.
  • A certificate of attendance is awarded at the completion of each “level” and also for attending the  “Training the Trainers” course.

Download BFA course outline

Chris | datetime January 17, 2009 2:24 pm