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Business First: Using Technology to Advance Microenterprise Development
Distance learning, Web site design, Web hosting, connectivity,
e-commerce, video conferencing … and the list goes on –
the list, that is, of ever-evolving features and opportunities that
define the technological revolution. It is exciting, fast paced
and mind boggling, opening new horizons in communication and information
of every sort for everyone. Yet, amidst the whirlwind, practitioners
of microenterprise development ask if there is a slice of this huge
and diverse arena of opportunity that is ‘micro’? What
does this revolution in technology have to offer, realistically,
to the home-based, part-time crafter or the car mechanic or the
immigrant day-care provider? To ultimately answer this question,
practitioners must address two others. How do microentrepreneurs
learn about and eventually select the technological options that
can help them improve and expand their business? And, what is the
appropriate, viable role for microenterprise programs in helping
their clients make such decisions?
Both persist as complex questions, even for the innovators who embraced
new technologies early on to increase the scale, effectiveness and
efficiency of their business services. They soon confronted the
reality that their significant investments in technology upfront
required ongoing expenditures on related inputs like staff training,
maintenance and upgrades. In the absence of enduring financial support
for technology, integrating information technology (IT) into program
services for entrepreneurs began to feel more like a burden than
like a golden opportunity.
Furthermore, the dizzying pace of technological change challenges
the ability to make wise choices or to advise others on such choices,
particularly when the ‘others’ are low-income, vulnerable
entrepreneurs with limited resources. Yesterday’s revolutions
in high-speed Internet connections are today’s white elephants,
for example. And despite the allure of technology, old-fashioned
manual methods and tools may still, in some cases, be the best way
to meet an entrepreneur’s needs. While the choice between a
manual typewriter and word processing in the year 2003 may be obsolete,
this was not the case just 10 years ago. A home-based entrepreneur
who does not travel may find a manual Rolodex more practical than
a palm pilot – at least for now.
Fortunately, the lessons learned to date can help microenterprise
development organizations interested in technology integration to
navigate through these challenging issues. Technology assistance
is also available from not-for-profit intermediaries that see their
mission to assist other nonprofits in keeping their electronic systems
up to date.
Volume 5: Business First:
Using Technology to Advance
Microenterprise Development (PDF)
Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Jackie Orwick @ 202-736-1073 c/o The Aspen Institute, One Dupont Circle, NW - Suite 700 - Washington, DC 20036
