Technologies such as the internet of things, cloud computing, 5G networks and artificial intelligence are already changing the way we live. These advances, known as the fourth industrial revolution, enable the automation of entire business processes. This transformation impacts everyone, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
About the course
Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) represent about 90% of businesses worldwide, according to the World Bank. Yet they are also the most vulnerable to a rapidly changing world. To make them more resilient, sustainability needs to become an integral part of how they work.
This training series equips you with all the essential skills and tools to make your company more sustainable and boost your business.
Originally created for MicroPitch Caribbean in collaboration with Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, the training is applicable for companies around the world. It covers six themes and is available in English.
Enjoy!
Module 1
Digitalisation and e-commerce
This module provides useful tools and tips on the following areas:
- What is digitalisation and how can it benefit your business?
- What can you digitalise?
- What is e-commerce and what does it imply for your activity?
- How can you transform your business to make the most of online sales?
- Quinn Weekes, Strategic Analytics Consultant and Trainer
- Ariel Rochwerger, Founder and Co-CEO of Fygaro
Module 2
Green and sustainable business practices
The climate crisis is a reality, and it is impacting everyone. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises need to adapt to the new circumstances and become more resilient.
This module covers the following areas:
- What are considered sustainable business practices?
- Why should you use environmentally sustainable approaches to boost your business?
- How can small businesses save energy and invest in renewable energy projects?
- How should you evaluate your projects?
- Which are the key elements for small businesses to consider?
- Maria Jesus Baez, Senior Project Manager and Senior Finance Expert at the Frankfurt School – UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance
- Diana Kollanyi, Senior Project Manager at the Frankfurt School – UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance
Module 3
Business management and financial planning
Business planning, financial management and accounting can be a hurdle for small companies. Fear no more!
This module will give you insight on how to:
- Develop clear and specific business goals and objectives
- Demonstrate an understanding of key business concepts
- Improve your financial performance through business finance
- Implement digital solutions to adapt to changes in the business
This module provides useful information on support for small and medium-sized businesses from the Caribbean Development Bank. It also provides information on how companies active in the tourism sector can be supported by UNDP’s Future Tourism programme.
Trainer:
- Nicole Doctor, Senior Manager of Internal Audit
Special guests:
- Krystal Yearwood, Future Tourism Project, UNDP Barbados and Eastern Caribbean
- Lisa M. Harding, Coordinator – MSME Development, Private Sector Division, Caribbean Development Bank
Module 4
Sustainability with a gender perspective for entrepreneurs
Sustainable development passes through economic, environmental and social balance. It becomes critical for businesses to mainstream gender equality and diversity in their development. This module provides the basics on how to implement sustainability through a gender lens in your company.
You will learn about:
- General concepts of sustainability and gender
- Intersectionality with an emphasis on disability
- General statistics to provide context
- Tools to analyse business ventures through gender lens
Trainer:
- Catalina Gutierrez, President of PROLIDER
Special guest:
- Ricardo Campaul, Chief Operating Officer at the National Center for Persons with Disabilities, Trinidad and Tobago
Module 5
How can shifting towards the circular economy add value to your business?
The circular economy is a model of production and consumption that involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. It’s good for all, including society and the environment!
This module will answer questions such as:
- What is the circular economy?
- What are the basics of the circular economy?
- How do you integrate circularity into your business?
- Eddy Frank Vásquez, Director Parley for the Oceans, Dominican Republic
Module 6
Green talk – sustainable entrepreneurship and business model
Now that you have learned about the social, environmental and economic importance of sustainability, it is time to put everything together and compile your business model!
During this module, you will learn:
- What is sustainability?
- How is sustainability connected to our carbon footprint and how can we reduce it?
- What is a sustainable business model canvas?
Trainer:
- Saiurys Bonnet, Manager and Founder of “Una Vaina Verde”
Special guest:
- Ryan Bowen, Co-founder of Chocolate Mountain
Our technical support for the Caribbean financial sector
To date, the EIB has provided technical assistance to financial intermediaries in Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Saint Lucia. This comes in addition to the capacity building support that we offer directly to micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the Caribbean.