Positioning Your Microenterprise Program for Sustainability and Growth

1. Positioning Your Microenterprise Program for Sustainability and Growth Jason Friedman, Principal

2. Context • The Microenterprise Development field is facing numerous challenges: • Demonstrating success & impact • Generating new income streams • Business retention and helping new business owners increase profitability and grow.

3. Microenterprise and the Economic Recovery • However, you have a tremendous opportunity to position your microenterprise program as part of the solution to the economic crisis. • Legislators, policymakers, community leaders and the media are looking for solutions – and you are one! • This is the perfect time to step back and assess your program - both from a program and organizational development perspective.

4. Sustainable Organizations & Sustainable Businesses Key Questions to Consider

5. Sustainable Organizations • Does your community embrace your mission as critical to solving the economic crisis? • What does long-term success look like?  • How do you talk to your community? • How strong is your case for support? • Do you have an active Board of Directors that contributes to your growth?

6. Sustainable Businesses • Building strong businesses – that is the bottom line for your microenterprise development program. • It’s what your stakeholders demand and must see in order to champion your mission and support your organization. • To be seen as leaders in the economic recovery, we must commit ourselves to serving entrepreneurs with services that support their sustainability and growth.

7. Building Strong Businesses • Post-training support • Structured coaching & consulting • Peer networks • Specialized workshops • Membership programs • Access to markets • Procurement • Access to Capital: special considerations for microlenders

8. Questions?

9. Contact Friedman Associates Jason Friedman, Principal 319-341-3556 jason@friedmanassociates.net www.friedmanassociates.net