We joined the rest for ICT4D learning and Business Development workshops

The four days work shop that took place at Pope Paul memorial hotel in Kampala attracted participants from the Education and health nodes of the ICT4D partners. RWECO/RICNET, Computers for schools, Jinja Diocese, UNHCO, UCMB, among others.

The first two days 3^rd and 4^th March were meant for ICT4D learning and the major issues tackled were reviewing social innovation process; What was working well, What we found difficult in moving forward with the projects and What surprised us a session that was led by Bernadette Anneke. 

We discussed all these issues as a group.

We also discussed the organizational capacities and capabilities looking at Strengths and weaknesses in relation to the 5 capabilities and ICT integration. We teamed up as organizations and discussed our strengths and weaknesses in relation to;

1.  Capability to Adapt and self renewal

2.  Capability to relate and to attract resources and support

3.  Capability to commit and engage

4.  Capability to carry out tasks

5.  Capability to balance diversity and to achieve coherence

We also discussed the gender implications of ICT4D; how it influences what we do and how we do it with some experiences that were given by some participants.

We also discussed the progress of each organization, action research presentations that were given by the respective organizations where RWECO had done one and shared results with the members.

The workshop was characterized by several discussions and presentations by the participants that made it more interactive and beneficial.

Day two was winded up by discussing the way forward and upcoming events which emerged to be the Techies club and CCLE.

The second workshop Business Development started on 5^th to 6^th March at the same venue with objectives being highlighted.

This training led us to business models two days work that were facilitated by Ken Kumbuga from Ghana and Kaija Patrick Ugandan. We discussed the business plan vs a business model and understanding the difference between the two. We also realized that you need both of them to be able to succeed in the endeavors for a business. The difference between the two was given to be;

That where as a business plan is many pages, business model is one page, operational in thought is a business plan while a business model is strategic in thought and many other differences.

Emphasis was on a business model canvas (BMC) and the 9 building blocks of a BMC i.e problem, solution, resources, cost structure, unique value, customer relationships, channels, customer segments (target customers) and revenue streams.

We went further and designed draft business models for our organizations using the canvas model. RWECO/RICNET designed one for set up of a youth, school dropouts training center in I.C.T skills, entrepreneur skills, tailoring among others.

We also analyzed and documented our BMs looking at where our revenues will come from, what value is delivered to which market, the costs involved in delivering the value.

We also discussed in day two the sustainability of our organizations by looking at what kind of revenue generation activities our organizations will be involved in a year from now using the SWOT analysis of the business models we had developed.

We also discussed a cash flow analysis in relation to the business models, developed a sample business plan and put it together with the cash flow.

It was a good learning period to us all.