A total of 33 budding entrepreneurs have enrolled in a rigid 12-week Kapatid Mentor Me (KMM) program created by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) and designed to spread awareness on the entrepreneurship spirit among the local populace.
These 33 enrollees will undergo the finer points of entrepreneurship for 12 consecutive Fridays studying 12 different modules to school them on various business concepts and develop the acumen needed in scaling up and sustaining an enterprise.
The program
According to Virgilio “Nonoy” Espeleta, vice president of the Business Development and Management Services Division of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, these 12 separate modules will focus on the entrepreneur (mindsets and values of a successful entrepreneur) product development, marketing, operations management, accounting, taxation, finance, obligations and contracts, HR management, supply and value chain, succession planning, and business plan development.
“These specific modules will be handled by experienced local businessmen who have proven their worth in their field. Known as mentors, they will discuss various business pointers and guide the enrollees until their graduation on June 3 where they will showcase their products and services in an expo held at the Ayala Center Cebu,” Espeleta revealed in a presser held at the Golden Prince Hotel and Suites.
All free
Interestingly, the entire duration of the KMM is free for the enrollees, as they do not pay for any food, consultation, and hotel venue to be used in the program. The mentors also do not receive any payment for their services and spend precious time away from their businesses just to coach the enrollees.
Some of these mentors with their own fields of specialization are Rey Calo-oy of RNC Trading, Engr. Leonora Salvane of GT Cosmetics, Ramir Bonghanoy of Non-Ace Fashion Tools, Mario Panganiban of Cebu Advent Development Corp., and Bunny Pages of Thirsty? Juices, Mooon Café, and Lantaw Restaurant.
Espeleta also added that there would be a separate module on dealing with government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), DTI, and other partner institutions.
“Its sad that many don’t know about certain government programs which can be of great help. These are actually very supportive. Those in Manila have it better due to the presence of big players and better linkages,” he pointed out.
Elena Arbon, DTI Cebu provincial director, added that the module on government agencies would go a long way to teach new entrepreneurs to traverse the maze and basics of government operations and programs.
“We also need to identify and accredit mentors who will undergo certification by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE). We will export mentors to Bohol and Dumaguete for more KMM programs this July and go nationwide soon after that,” she stated.
Espeleta added that the DTI and PCE have communicated with Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to upgrade the modules and train the mentors to polish the program further.
 
By RICHARD RAMOS