On February 19 and 20 at the Barbados Yacht Club, the Barbados Entrepreneurs' Venture Capital Fund held its first Shepherding Training Programme designed to nurture a new crop of potential "shepherds," business mentors to tend a flock of local entrepreneurs. The course gave them a comprehensive introduction to the CBET Shepherding Model™ - intended to pull the wool off entrepreneurs' eyes.

Designed to educate new shepherds on the processes, skills and characteristics necessary for shepherding entrepreneurs to success, the programme featured a dynamic line-up of presenters that included current business advisors, shepherds, entrepreneurs and leadership expert Toney Olton of The Potter Centre in Barbados.

Drawing on presenters who were already a part of the process, participants heard real case studies and examples from those who had already lived through it. The interactive sessions allowed them to clarify misconceptions as well as offer insights on how they thought they could enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

"The Shepherding Training Programme exceeded my expectations," said Gregory Hinkson, founder of consulting firm SAMDOR Services Ltd. and one of the keen potential new shepherds. "It was an excellent programme that was varied, lively, interesting and beneficial and a must for anyone seeking to become an entrepreneur's shepherd."

Dr. Basil Springer, Project Manager for Barbados Business Enterprise Corp. (BBEC), the company that manages the Fund, noted that shepherding was an essential component of The CBET Shepherding Model™ and it was therefore imperative that new mentors should learn about the process.

The CBET Shepherding model is based on three principles which work in tandem for successful entrepreneurship: a business concept that has the "DNA of an elephant" i.e. an idea with the potential for global expansion; timely cash advancements and quick response to investment requests; and a shepherd, supported by a team of business advisors, to help the entrepreneur nurture the business idea into a successful reality.

The model has been well-received by Prime Minister of Barbados, David Thompson, who announced in November 2009 that the Barbados Government would guarantee the principal amount invested in the Venture Capital Fund.

"It was a truly invigorating experience participating with the existing and potential resources of the BBEC team in interactive dialogue over two days," said Dr. Springer.

"The spiritual energy of the smart partnership philosophy is a primary ingredient in the foundation of the Model: this energy pervades the space to create one win-win outcome after another," he added.

About Barbados Business Enterprise Corp.

Barbados Business Enterprise Corp. (BBEC) is a public/private sector partnership with the Caribbean Business Enterprise Trust (CBET) Inc. BBEC manages the Barbados Revolving Seed Capital Fund and the Barbados Entrepreneurs' Venture Capital Fund. BBEC is a virtual organisation that focuses on promoting economic development in Barbados. The trustees of BBEC are respected Barbadian business and development experts, Sir Neville Nicholls (Chairman), Sir Stephen Emtage, Peter Boos and Hazel Highland.

For further information, visit www.bimventures.com.

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In any endeavor, the starting of a task is a good thing. However, the continuation and completion of that task is even more important. Cycles of Action can be best described as a complex system of starts and endings-decision making and execution. In everything we do, the process is what we learn from the most. If you start something and never finish, you have created a cycle which is incomplete. Can you imagine having years of cycles that were never completed? I would imagine you may start to feel unsuccessful or unaccomplished.

The completing of each cycle you start enhances your self esteem, self worth, and success. If you start something, complete it. If you do not complete it, and you really wanted to get it done, it will weight on you for a long time.

Create small successful-completed cycles of action and inevitable you will create large-completed cycles of action.

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Are you an online Caribbean business? Would you consider your ideas and execution of those concepts viable to your online growth? In the current climate, having less can actually mean having more. This insight can produce rewards and develop relationships that can propel your online Caribbean business into being a well known brand.

With little capital to invest like the major online brands, I use a strategy which is based on a simple but proven technique. This is not something I developed, I only observed the process and then applied it to my situation. People naturally group themselves into categories, I will assign these as : On Lookers, Users, and Supporters.

On Lookers

They are aware that you are there. They see your brand online, they have used your services, However, they are not engaged with you or your business. I like to think of these people as followers in a sense. They need to hear what others have to say before they step in and engage with your online company or become a active member. I do not think that this is a bad thing and we can all be in this group at one point or another.

Users

I was once told, if you cannot be used, you are useless. This is a concept which sounds harsh, however, if you peel back the layers, it is easy to see why you would want people to use your online services, read articles, and interact with your content. Why? Because those interested see a way that your business is useful to them. Users in this sense, clearly point to a customer base whom may just get what they want from you and then move on or may return when they would like something else.

Supporters

The most important of the three to any online Caribbean medium. Supporters are engaged with your growth and process. They truly believe in what you are doing. This group always retweet, send your link to others, they talk about your product to others. This group deserves the most attention because they are your base. These are the people you respond to on twitter, Facebook. They deserve your time and energy. These people will account for 80% of the viewership, and referrals.


Slow and steady win the marathon, who ever you pay attention will be where all your energy is spent. If you choose to spend a great deal of energy on Users or Onlookers, I believe you are wasting your valuable time. When most of your energy is spent with your supporters, then you encourage deep meaningful connections that will enhance their experience and bring in more supporters.

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