Entrepreneurship as an Empowering Option for Disadvantaged Groups

In consulting a number of people, there are a couple of proposed solutions, and one of the purposes of this blog is to solidify some solutions, and to elicit new solutions.  The following solutions are intended to increase the number of Entrepreneurship ready students applying to the program by providing a computer and internet, and build a website pre-courses.

Step 1: Close the Digital Divide

Provide a personal computer and an internet connection for those participants who do not have one.  Having a personal computer with an internet connection will enable participants to research aspects of their own business, communicate with suppliers and customers, and perform administrative tasks such as bookkeeping.  A personal computer will help participants get a leg up both before the Small Business course, and after the course.  There are a number of potential sources for personal computers, e.g. donations of used computers from corporations, or purchasing used computers from organizations that refurbish PCs.  A creative option is to run a “Build your own computer” course that will enable participants to construct a PC from basic components.  The benefit is that this would be a low cost alternative to buying computers, and would enable participants to learn how the internals of their PC works.  There has been a precedent for this type of course in Regent Park, which was completed successfully a number of years ago.

Step 2 : Enable participants to hit the business ground running

A frequent necessity for almost any type of business is a basic website.  In the case of smaller home based businesses, a website may be the primary channel of communication with customers. At the same time, one of the easiest businesses to startup and maintain part time with minimal capital investment, is a home based business creating websites. Therefore a course on  developing and maintaining websites would be extremely beneficial to small business entrepreneurs.  Participants can use their website development skills to develop and maintain their own business website, or provide design and development services to other clients.   Most website designers and developers are self taught, and therefore after receiving an initial instructional boost, participants can choose to develop additional skills at their own pace.  The cost of investment in software can be kept low by using open source software.  There is precedent for existing computer skills courses in Regent Park, but most of them do not teach you how to build a website.

Will the availability of a Personal Computer with an internet connection help more participants benefit from a Small Business Course?

Will a course on building websites provide participants with a boost in skills required during and after  a Small Business Course ?

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