BACOLOD CITY -- Some 20 participant-entrepreneurs in Negros Occidental were chosen to be part of the second batch of the “Kapatid Mentor Me” program launched by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at the Sugarland Hotel here Thursday.
DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lea Gonzales and Provincial Consultant on Investment Promotions, Trade and Export Development Coordination Rafael Coscolluela were among the officials who attended the program kick-off.
Romel Amihan, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said the group of 20 mentees will avail of the program that aims to scale up their respective businesses.
This will be done through weekly coaching and mentoring by successful business owners and practitioners on different functional areas of entrepreneurship.
“Seeing the positive impact of the program on the first batch of recipients, the agency is pushing for covering more MSMEs in Negros Occidental,” Amihan said, adding that boosting local entrepreneurs remains a priority of the DTI, especially amid the constant challenges brought by Asean economic integration.
The DTI has partnered with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship for the conceptualization of the “Mentor Me” program.
It is one of the three components of its Project Kapatid, along with adopt-an-SSF (shared service facilities) and inclusive business.
In July 2017, the DTI launched the program in Negros Occidental, covering an initial batch of 21 mentees. Of the number, 18 completed the 10-module mentoring sessions for 10 weeks and graduated in October.
Mentees should have registered businesses that have been operating for at least one year, must attend 10 weekly sessions on specific schedules, and should be willing to enter into a contract of commitment.
The modules include entrepreneurial mind-setting and values formation; marketing mind setting; marke- driven product development; market growth and expansion; business model canvas and key partners; operations management; supply and value chain; human resource and organization management; entrepreneurial accounting and financial management; taxation; and business law.
After completing the modules, the mentees will present a business improvement plan to the panel composed of representatives of the banking, government, and private sector for improvement and possible financing. (PNA)
Photo courtesy of DTI Negros Occidental
