Activity Report 2005
January 1 – December 31

1.  Introduction

This activity report gives a concise view about the activities and events implemented by SEDECK between January 1 and December 31, 2005. We experienced quite a delay to receive the contribution of the Central Government, which has caused serious cash flow problems to carry out the activities of the first four months as planned. The D.O.W. project we started in 2003 for a period of one year did not finish because the contractors needed more training and support than we originally expected. A petition to finance a one-year extension of the project to the Government of the Island Territory of Curacao was positively accepted by commissioner of infrastructure, but no funds were readily available. That means SEDECK had lost ANG 54,168 that we have counted on to finish the project. In addition to that, due to an administrative error, we have received ANG 23,870 less than previous years, which further complicated matters for us. As a consequence of that we shifted our attention in the first 4 months towards preparing special projects as a possible means to generate additional income to cover our deficit. However, none of the special projects prepared materialized in 2005, which has led to serious cash flow problems throughout the year.

2.  One-to-one counseling 

2.1.          Counseling at SEDECK

Although we got off to a late start with our core business activities, we still managed to provide more than expected one-to-one counseling services to our clients. For all off 2005 we counseled 245 clients totaling 790 counseling hours and from the start of our operation in 2002 up to 2005 we counseled 742 clients over 2297 counseling hours. Since 2003 we have exceeded the target of 200 clients per year as can be seen in the following table:

Quite a few clients still face obstacles to start their business after their preparation at SEDECK due to financing problems. These obstacles usually are a combination of those listed below:

s         Lack of collateral

s         Lack of sufficient own contribution

s         Lenders offer only partial financing

s         Lender conditions are too rigid

s         Lenders don’t believe in the business

When our clients do not receive the necessary financing, they will not be able to launch their business and as a consequence SEDECK will not be able to continue to guide and monitor their progress as planned.

2.2.          Counseling in the field

Counseling at the client’s workplace is something that SEDECK has increasing begun to exercise in 2005. The clients that visit SEDECK are being coached at both SEDECK and at their business on a regular basis or according to their particular need. With the assistance of the Junior Small Business Analysts, SEDECK is going to further increase its presence in the field throughout 2006.

3.  Training 

3.1.            Business Orientation Course

In 2005, SEDECK has offered 3 business orientation courses where a total of 126 people participated, of which 68 completed all the requirements to obtain their certificate. The table below provide a history of this course:

3.2.            Business Plan Writing Course

During 2005 we offered 1 business plan writing course where 39 people participated. Most clients that were in need of a business plan in 2005 has written it through direct coaching by the consultants and did not need to follow the course. The table below shows the history of this course being offered so far.

3.3.            Other courses

In 2005 we have also offered 6 courses through the SESNA program where a total of 46 people participated. The table below show the number of courses and course participants through the SESNA program up to the end of 2005.

3.4.            Junior Small Business Junior Analyst Training

A total of 20 Junior Small Business Analysts have completed all the requirements to obtain their certificates, which were presented to them by Commissioner Ivar Asjes on June 30, 2005. Ten of these Junior Consultants are working on a part-time basis at SEDECK under the supervision of the director. Up to the end of 2005 SEDECK has trained 33 Junior Analyst of which 28 obtained their certificates.

3.5.          In-company training

Last year SEDECK has also started offering companies in-house training. We have provided 3 such courses to Prodetech N.V. in 2005. It’s the intention to continue offering small businesses this service in 2006. 

3.6.          Lectures and workshops

During the week of the entrepreneurs held in November every year, SEDECK has offered 2 workshops on how to grow your business. For this occasion ADECK has invited 2 special guest lecturers from the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, Mr. Al Polfer and Carry Duval, to conduct 2 workshops. The table below exhibits all lectures and workshops offered so far.

4.      Special projects

During 2006 SEDECK has prepared a few projects as possible means to generate more income to cover the budget deficit. However due to developing circumstances beyond our control, none of the projects have started as planned. The paragraphs below describe the projects and their status. 

4.1.            Micro-lending project “Tene Lanta”

As funding for micro businesses seem to be a bottleneck for the majority of starters, we have drafted a micro-lending program named “Tene Lanta” to be funded by the government of the island territory of Curacao. Those who want to apply for a micro loan will have to enroll on the program at SEDECK where they will receive handsome training in the required business skills, and after they receive the loan, SEDECK will continue to monitor their business operations and provide guidance and support to guarantee they will be kept on the right track. The well-know micro-lending organization “Accion” would be part of the implementation phase of this program. “Tene Lanta” has been submitted to the government for approval.

Status: Due to a change of government, the funds that were available to support this project has been used to establish another social program for micro and small businesses on the island. As a consequence of that the “Tene Lanta” program could not have been launched as planned.

4.2.          Project Sigui Padilanti

We are aware that quite a few stand alone young mothers are struggling to be a good mother while they have to find some way to earn some income to care for themselves and their children. In view of that we have prepared a project called “Sigui Padilanti” specifically to fulfill the needs of those that want to start their own home based business. Once enrolled, the prospective home-based business owner will receive specialized training in all relevant matters pertaining to doing business. The home-based business allows the young mother to be at home with her child while she is producing a descent income to care for her family. The program is designed as such that even those who are not ready to start their home-based after the training, would be better prepared for the work force and able to earn a higher paying job. This project has been submitted to AMFO for co-financing for approval.

Status: During 2005 the AMFO co-financing program has been put on hold until further notice. As a consequence of that the project “Sigui Padilanti” is still pending financing to be able to start.

4.3.          Project Financial Administration Service using “ADA”

Offering financial administration for small businesses for a fee was another project that we prepared to generate additional income. The idea is that most small businesses will apply for the “ADA” incentive (administrative help) offered by the Island Government through the department of Economic Affairs. In view of that we have trained a group of 10 Junior Consultants to do financial administration with QuickBooks. The launch of the program depended upon approval from the authorizing committee to be able to use this incentive for our prospective clients.

Status: While waiting on the final approval of the authorized committee, we have decided to launch the program offering financial administrative services for the most needy micro and small businesses for a short period of time. However, some small business owners providing similar services that were either clients of SEDECK or members of ADECK complained about unfair competition to them. As a result of that, SEDECK has decided to discontinue this service.

4.4.            Project Ban Bario Bek

The government institution “Ban Bario Bek” has approached SEDECK to provide some training in the required business skills for a group of people they were preparing to provide pedicure in the form of a self-supporting micro business. SEDECK has put a training program together, which has been submitted to the island government. This program has been approved and is pending release of the necessary funds to be implemented.

Status: Shortly after the approval of this project a government change came about. The head of the government institution “Ban Bario Bek” has elected to wait and see whether the new government will continue the project and release the funds that were reserved for it. Nevertheless that did not happen and no updates about possible financing of this project is available.

5.  Entrepreneurial week

The government of the Island Territory of Curacao, upon the initiative of ADECK in 2004, has proclaimed the 3rd week of October every year as the “Entrepreneurial Week”. In 2005 SEDECK has organized 2 workshops with international guest speakers for Florida Small Business Development Center Network about essentials to grow a business. We have also organized a workshop in collaboration with STIMUL-IT about growing your business utilizing information technology. It is the intention that SEDECK will continue to provide these type of workshops during the entrepreneurial week every year.

6.  Success Indicators

6.1.           Success Stories

The following paragraphs describe some of the success stories from clients that received guidance and support from SEDECK in 2005:

Marina Modas

Maria Latorre Jimenez is a seamstress and she needed a loan to improve her home-based business and to improve the equipment so she can make her work more efficient. The loan would help her increase her actual production and offer new products to the market. With the help of SEDECK, she was able to write her own business plan. In 2005 she received a bank loan of ANG. 2000, -- in order to buy a new sewing machine. Even though this will not provide for all her needs in the company, it will help her increase her actual production with the aim to use the new income for further investments.

Tactical Creative Advertising

Easytell is a service that the organization Tactical Creative Advertising is offering. The business is young and dynamic, which also characterizes the young director, Sharlon Biliosa of the company.

Recently the company established a joint venture with another company residing in Aruba. SEDECK assisted TCA’s management with proper guidance during the process and gave marketing advice on promotion activities. The launch of the new service was successful in Aruba and in Curaçao the service is becoming known among the society. The service the company is offering is very actual and, the main focus of the company is to keep growing and offering businesses in the Caribbean new and modern ways of doing effective advertising.

Kwido pa Pia

Druxella Daal is a professional in giving medical pedicure. She has been doing this for quite some years and two years ago she decided to explore the idea on how to focus only on this service and how to grow her business properly. Her main service was ambulant. December 2005 she decided to open her own business at home and give her service in a very nice and warm ambiance. Even though there are many people offering pedicure services on the island, she has a large group of regular clients requesting and referring her business.

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