THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has continued with its efforts to mentor more entrepreneurs toward success amid the current health crisis.
Since the launch of the Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) program in October 2016, it has already mentored hundreds of micro-entrepreneurs from all over the region. As of December 2019, DTI 11 has already recorded a total of 473 graduates, who are engaged in food processing, manufacturing, among others. For 2020, the program aims to have a total of 84 graduates.
The KMME program has been the agency’s platform in helping micro-entrepreneurs improve its operation. Thus, 10 modules are being introduced, from developing the entrepreneurial mindset to human resource management and learning more about taxation and business law.
The program was designed to include one-on-one coaching between the mentor (a successful entrepreneur or an expert) and the mentee (entrepreneur).
The KMME run in 2020 is also unique as it becomes a “program for the new normal”. Highlighting it is the integration of the Money and Market Encounter initiative of DTI, making it adopt the tag KMME-MME Online. This will be done through the presentation of Business Improvement Plan (BIP) to an expanded panel of evaluators composed of representatives from banks, online market platforms, and other business support organizations.
Apart from KMME-MME Online, there will be three other derivatives of mentorship. First is the Balik Kabuhayan which adopts specific relevant topics for each session and targets any number of interested micro small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs). Second is the KMME 10 or the face-to-face learning sessions for those who do not have internet access. The third is the Aptitude.xyz, a platform for a customizable learning management system.
DTI-Davao Director Maria Belenda Ambi said the KMME Online Project has four major objectives. These include the provision of: a venue for existing and aspiring entrepreneurs to learn and be inspired; a channel to capacitate MSMEs, an avenue for business mentorship; and the opportunity to re-strategize and adapt to the new normal of doing business.
“Times could have been difficult since March for a lot of us, especially among the MSMEs. However, there are still opportunities for them to take advantage of. Among them is the KMME Online Project. This is a chance for them to continuously improve their skills and find the most feasible strategies that can help them grow despite the pandemic,” she said, adding that several experts in different fields will be around to mentor them.
The 2020 version of KMME will start on July 28 and end in September. (PR)