Small businesses in Kenya are often run by people
with huge drive but few formally acquired skills. Your experience
can help them to unlock their talent, even in a short time.
We believe in mentoring, not doing - think chats over coffee,
not squinting at a computer screen.
Entrepreneurs in developing countries usually
face three barriers to growth: stifling red tape, lack of
access to capital and lack of business experience or skills.
Kenya is a progressive African nation, with light-touch regulation
and readily available capital. The one remaining barrier to
business success is the lack of business experience and skills.
Being an entrepreneur is a lonely business, and very often
all that business people want is someone to sit and listen
as they sound out their ideas.
At Skills Venture we believe in providing
business skills and experience, but not through complex data
analysis and lengthy recommendations. Kenyan entrepreneurs
simply want an experienced ear, and this exactly suits our
clients as they know that they can make a real difference
in as little as an afternoon. For clients with more time available,
they can make a lasting impact on a significant number of
entrepreneurs over time.
Unlike a school-leaver on a gap year, you
have a set of skills that, properly utilised, can make a real
difference. As long as you have at least five years of experience
in business, we will organise an assignment that makes the
most of what you have to offer. You could be an accountant,
consultant, advertiser, lawyer, project manager or HR specialist.
Whatever your background, your business skills will be in
demand, and we know how to help you to turn those skills to
the advantage of clients in Kenya, and to give you an inspiring
and unforgettable experience in the process.
The need for skills
support
How helping entrepreneurs in Kenya to overcome obstacles to
business growth can have a real impact on poverty.
Who needs help?
A description of the kinds of businesses that we work with
in Kenya, and of the people who run them.
What kind of help? An explanation of the type of support that you could be
giving to help Kenyan businesses to grow and to create wealth.
How much help?
A look at the timeframe for the mentoring assignment, the
'rhythm' of mentoring sessions, and where they take place.
Skilled
volunteering
The advantages of a volunteering programme that seeks to build
on existing professional skills rather than giving volunteers
unskilled work.
Building up your
resume
How a skills mentoring assignment can enhance your resume/CV
and boost your future employment prospects.
Our philosophy
The five founding principles that underpin our mentoring programmes.
