Kemo Camara

Hello social entrepreneurs! We impact investors are on your side!   By now I have provided debt financing to around 10 small companies in Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and the Netherlands. What occurs to me that the entrepreneurs often approach us informal investors as controllers rather than coaches or team members. This is my humble request to entrepreneurs to reach out. Also, or especially, when business is not turning out as planned.   Typically the first connection between a social entrepreneur and an investor starts with a pitch deck presentation. A pitch deck naturally shows a rosy and ambitious projection of the business in the future. That is how it should be. A good entrepreneur has a strong drive and believes in the business. If you show hesitations during your presentation, it is likely that investors won’t run with you. To be honest, as an investor I normally divide the projections by two and if it’s still interesting I continue the conversations.   If all goes well, you receive the loan as an entrepreneur and implementation begins. And then real-life kicks in. Fewer clients appear to be interested than you anticipated. Prices of raw materials increase. The delivery of the ordered machine is delayed. An appreciated team member finds another job. Another company starts offering a similar product. Customers pay late, so you can’t buy new stock. Cash flows problems. A Covid pandemic. A new government. The list continues.   Especially in the East African countries (Rwanda less so) I notice a tendency to fall quiet when the business doesn’t grow as planned. With quiet I mean radio silence. No reaction to emails, messages or phone calls. Experience points out: this means something is off.   To my dear East African entrepreneurs, I implore you to remember that we, impact investors, are not just financiers; we're partners in your journey towards positive change. We invested in your vision because we believe in your ability to make a difference. And while return on our investment might be a goal for us as well, our interests are aligned with yours – the success of your business benefits us all. So, when the going gets tough, don't hesitate to reach out. Share your challenges, seek advice, and let's brainstorm solutions together. After all, isn't that what being part of a team is all about? Together, let's navigate the hurdles, overcome the obstacles, and continue striving towards our shared goal of making the world a better place. #growthmarkets #emergingeconomies #impactinvestment #angelinvestors #eastafrica #socialenterprises

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We make washable menstrual pads, OJEApads. Made by women, with love, for menstruators. In a Cameroonian rural municipality. The project dedicated to the production of washable menstrual pads is a beacon of hope and empowerment for rural women. By creating jobs within the community, it not only provides a sustainable source of income but also instills a sense of pride and independence among the women involved. This initiative fuels the local economy, fostering economic growth and stability in rural areas. Women, who are often the backbone of these communities, now have the means to support their families and invest in their future. Through their skilled labor and dedication, they contribute to a healthier and more resilient rural economy, transforming the lives of countless individuals and breaking the cycle of poverty. This project is more than just a source of employment; it is a catalyst for social and economic change, championing the strength and potential of rural women. #womenempowerment #ruraldevelopment #womenempoweringwomen

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The power of sustainable livelihoods and deep collaboration! Short and insightful read.

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Exciting Progress in Partnership with Kenya Children's Fund (KCF) I'm thrilled to share that my collaboration with the #KenyaChildrensFund (KCF) as a consultant to develop their new #strategicplan is nearing completion! Over the past six weeks, we've been working diligently to review KCF's #effectiveness and #impact, providing valuable lessons that informed the development of their corporate strategy. We also assessed their #institutionalcapacity, ensuring that the strategy will provide a roadmap to matching their ambitious mission priorities with a suitable #OrganizationalDevelopmentPlan (Systems and Policies, Fit-for-purpose Structure, Skills and competencies, Human Resource Capacity, Shared Values and Organizational Culture, Financial Sustainability and appropriate Style of governance and management). We're now in the final stages of crafting a robust strategic plan that will guide KCF over the next 10 years in providing hope and empowerment for impoverished children and their families in Dandora, through holistic, Christ-centered education and other supportive programmes in school (health, nutrition, spiritual edification, and psycho-social support), enabling them to break free from the cycle of poverty and actively contribute to the transformation of their communities and the nation The draft strategy is ready for review by the KCF #board and #management, and we anticipate finalization within a week. I'm deeply grateful to KCF for this incredible #partnership opportunity. As an #InternationalDevelopmentConsultant, it is truly fulfilling to support such organizational development processes. Let's connect and explore how we can support your organization's growth and impact! You can find out more about KCF work on the website https://lnkd.in/dyCsH3iA and the schools they support on https://lnkd.in/dS6MSBNv #StrategicPlanning #OrganizationalDevelopment #ProgrammeQuality #OutcomeHarvesting #Impact #SystemsStrengthening #KenyaChildrensFund E-Learning Organizational Development Organizational Structure SPiD Consulting UNESCO Teach For All Louisa Kadzo Andiwo Obondoh Yukabeth Kidenda World Vision Plan International

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Good morning Family 👋 Today l am giving a shout-out to Coolblue staff at #DenHaag branch. l have been checking online on extra camera gears for an upcoming assignment. As a customer, checking through their website when conducting my research, you quickly notice their brand colours #Blue The page is easy to navigate. Luckily the day l was on their landing page , l came across a good offer that would save me a few euros, and even cheaper than purchasing a used item. Eventually, l also physically visited the shop and paid for the item after a professional recommendation with one of their staff. So yesterday evening l went to collect the item. l was warmly welcomed and even offered a cup of coffee as the lady asked for a few minutes to locate my item from their systems. Even before my first sip, my item was presented to me at the table with a smile. Quick take home from this experience on how push marketing approach is taking shape each day within organizations. Brands are taking into consideration the needs of the customer and based their products/service. The professional approach l went through made me trust the brand.Each team member has to understand their organizations brand culture. What is your story on how you were treated by a brand? #branding #culture #colours #customer

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