April 2011Events  Beat the price rise!
Don't forget that the price of the TBN National Conference rises at the end of the month. Book soon and don't miss out on the discount. You can book online on our website » Business Mentoring Day
This event is coming up in June. It will be an important day which will leave you well equipped to support transformational businesses and entrepreneurs. Click here › for more details and to book. back to top  News  Awesome story of entrepreneurship
NR Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, says he measures the success of his company not on the figures it generates but on the happiness it creates. “The only way countries, like India, can solve the problem of poverty is by entrepreneurship" Aquaid Cartridge Recycling
Aquaid are currently developing printer cartridge recycling in Kent, Essex, Portsmouth, Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow. Anyone wishing to recycle cartridges should call 01223 508109 and they will deliver a compact and smart recycling bin. Aquaid then collect empty cartridges every two weeks with money raised going to Africa Trust which they established to provide entrepreneurial training in Uganda and Zimbabwe. Some of this comes through TBN to support the buisiness start-up course . Aquaid have already raised over £6 million for Third World water projects and sustainable, entrepreneurial development through their business. If you use cartridges and want to support their work in an easy way call them on 01223 508109. There is also a discount of up to 50% available on their other products if you become a customer for their original, quality toner or ink cartridges. Last minute Easter cards from Just Cards
Just Cards Direct, a TBN member project, have printed cards as well as some handmade cards from South Africa and Rwanda - visit the online store »
If you would like to submit designs for consideration for Christmas 2011 you can do so by email
Summit Development Group in African Banker Magazine
The Summit Development Group (SDG) was recently featured in the African Banker Magazine in an article discussing the Missing Middle Opportunity in Africa. Read more details and view the article here » “Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the economies of developed countries, contributing over 50% of GDP and providing the bulk of jobs. This vital sector is still very underdeveloped in Africa – mainly through lack of finance - yet the potential for banking profits is enormous.” Micro-Insurance
In the last decade, micro-insurance (MI), has become an effective tool in poverty alleviation by giving poor people access to adequate risk-management tools. These articles give a good introduction to the field.
• Micro-insurance in Kenya
• Article from Wharton
• Role of mobile-technology in MI
Jon Holmberg is looking into micro-insurance coupled with telecoms technology to see if such a model could be developed alongside micro-finance offerings. He is looking for anyone with experience in MI and would like to get in touch. If that's you please email him » Is the Bottom of the Pyramid Really for You?
The market for products and services aimed at the bottom of the pyramid—people living in poverty in developing economies—is vast, with 4 billion people representing $5 trillion in purchasing power.
This article in the March issue of Harvard Business Review discusses the challenges typically encountered when entering this market, including managing sales and distribution to customers who largely live in scattered and rural areas, the purchasing limitations of customers with uncertain cash flow, disaggregated and often unreliable local providers, underdeveloped business ecosystems, brand image risks, and entrenched local competition.
Read the article here » back to top Opportunities / Help Needed  PwC Responsible Leadership Programme
Could your organisation, or one that you know of, benefit from a unique opportunity to host senior PwC Partners for a month?
Common Purpose is once again seeking potential projects working with disadvantaged communities and/or difficult societal issues in the UK to form part of an innovative leadership development course. Each chosen project will host two or three Partners in September/October. Fully immersing themselves in every aspect of your organisation, they will work with you and other stakeholders to deliver a project with long-term benefits for the local community and/or your organisation itself.
Be prepared to work very closely with the PwC team, to open your organisation and leadership to close examination and critique, to receive feedback and commit some of your time to the team and the wider leadership course.
Email CommonPurpose to express your interest before 6 May, or see more details on the Common Purpose website » Invest for development in Kosova
TBN Partners Ian MacCorkell, Luca Bosatta, Norman Fraser & Malcolm Johnston have many years of experience in Eastern Europe involved with business, social and evangelistic programmes across many nations. These countries include Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia & Kosovo.
They have now come together with others to form Angello Capital Partners. Angello's vision is that, through combining the work of an investment fund and a development foundation, they can bring transformation in families and communities through creating employment and supporting growing businesses.
One of their key objectives will be that through the investment fund, investment can be made into SMEs in nations of Eastern Europe so that through companies growing and employment being created, transformation will come.
An initial pilot project has just launched in Moldova and investors are being sought for the investment company.
Further information is available from Malcolm Johnston DFID is recruiting for two senior posts
Click on the links below for more information.
• Chief Professional Officer (Economics and Private Sector Development)
• Head of Profession (Private Sector Development)
Don't forget about the DFID funding opportunities for your business or project, summarized here. back to top Resources  Financing Social Enterprises in the UK
The Social Investment Consultancy has published a briefing paper that examines the funding available to social enterprises/social purpose businesses and the funding mechanisms open to philanthropists, investors and foundations interested in engaging with such organisations. Read the forward and download on our website » Transform Work Conference
Transform Work's "Kingdom Values In The Workplace" conference is coming up in May aiming to empower, mobilise, and equip you to have a greater impact on your workplace and the people within it. Read more on their website » back to top Share this email Think someone else might be interested in what you've just read? Want to spread the word about how people can get involved in ending poverty? Why not share or forward this email using the links below.  
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