Training prepares small business owners
Make decisions, be prepared to take some risks, be organised with time, be able to get information and learn from mistakes.
This is what Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises divisional manager co-operative North, Melania Talau, said to the participants of the ‘Start and Improve Your Business’
training in Labasa.
At the close of the three day training on Thursday, Ms Talau encouraged the trainees to be hard working, be determined to make their business a success and to be careful with money. “The success or failure of your business will depend mostly on you, the owner of the business,” Ms Talau said.
One of the 22 participants, Diana Tinarakadi said that learning to keep records of expenses,
revenue and credit was important to her.
“There is difference between what I own and what the business owns, hence, people should not ask for credit,” she said.
The 69-year-old tailor of Nakama, Labasa said families should be trained to see the business as a separate entity distinct from her. Another participant, Bisun Deo, a sweet seller said stock recording could help improve many businesses. “Stock records will help me find out if I am losing stock; how much I need to re-order and which goods to stock,” Mr Deo said.
“When we physically count our stock, we will find out how much there really is.”
The 68-year-old of Vunivau, Labasa said overall he was happy to learn new ideas of how to improve his business.