The purpose of the preliminary assessment was to gather feedback on specific aspects of the EYB programme to answer the question “Is the EYB programme achieving its goals in the initial phase?” In the survey, the main focus was to get feedback from GOEs on the EYB delivery strategy, training, relevance of the materials and the growth strategy development and implementation into their businesses.

The survey also attempted to establish the extent to which the training would have contributed to the growth of business in terms of market share, increase in sales, increase in quantity and quality of the jobs and overall enterprise performance. This was done with a realisation however that the period between training and assessment was not long enough to assess full impact.

Individual interviews with the EYB graduates were conducted, using a semi-structured questionnaire. The variables under study were mainly client- satisfaction, knowledge acquisition and training appreciation.

About the participants
The population of this assessment were all the GOEs trained in the four modules of the EYB programme at the time of the survey. At the time, soon after the launch of the programme, soon after the launch of the programme, only Zambia and Zimbabwe had GOEs who had undergone training in the four modules; 57 in Zimbabwe and 8 in Zambia, making a total population of 65. The interviews were conducted at the GOE’s business premises. Of the 65, 71% were business owners themselves, 24% were senior managers while only 5 % were junior managers. This means that EYB is largely reaching the right target group. Seventy four percent of the respondents were male while the remainder were female.

Almost half of the respondents (47%) were from the service operation sector followed by 30% who run various combinations of businesses and a significant number from the manufacturing sector (15%).

RESULTS

Clients Satisfaction
An overwhelming majority of the respondents expressed satisfaction with the training component of the EYB programme in terms of relevance, content, practical approach, case studies and exercises, with high satisfaction rates ranging from 82% for Financial Management to 95% for Marketing Management.

Cost of Training
EYB is a product for men and women who are already in business and are therefore expected to pay the full cost of training. EYB is therefore a commercial product and clients in all project countries are expected to pay the full cost of the interventions. Overall, about 51% of the GOEs thought what they paid for EYB was fair, while, significantly, 33% indicated they could have paid more!

Completion of and implementation of growth plans
Across all countries, GOEs indicate that they have implemented right from the training room many aspects they learnt well before they had even completed the business growth plans. Overall, only 42% of the respondents had completed their growth plans by the time of this evaluation exercise(Many of them were still under training in the programme) .The challenge that still remains however, is to instil in them the culture of writing down the plans and strategies not only for their benefit but for the benefit of their staff who are principally responsible for implementation. The rate of completion of growth plans was still low as they were undergoing training still, – from 26% for Financial Management, 44% for Marketing and HR Management and 55% for Strategic Management.This also points to the need to immediate follow-up by the trainers to provide assistance in the completion of the growth plans. While this differential in figures clearly arises logically from the flow of training manuals themselves, strategies need to developed to ensure timeous completion of growth plan, including making available adequate time during training for growth plan development. The new delivery strategy of IC after module should definitely help in this cause.

Business growth and expansion
Performance improvements were noted after EYB training in all 4 management areas. For strategy, the major areas were in better focussing and visioning, while in marketing, the main areas were in market penetration and, better services, advertising and improved sales. In human resources, the areas were in improved communications, job descriptions, recruitment and motivation. In finance the areas were in budgeting, computerisation and financial analysis.

Sales Growth
Of the interviewed entrepreneurs interview, 80 percent already reported increased sales during and after EYB training. All the 28 entrepreneurs who could estimate sales growth recorded an increase in sales after training; 62% achieved sales growth of up to 50%, 14% achieved between 51 – 100% growth and 24% sales growth of more than 100%.

Profitability
80% of the entrepreneurs who responded to the question on profitability reported an increase in profits after training; 75% achieved an improved profitability up to 50% and 25% growth in profits of more than 50%.

Managing growth
Fifty seven percent of respondents indicated that they are experiencing limitation to manage growth. The main problems cited were financial resources and human resources related issues and general management problems. Others were related to a partner passing away, increase in staff and increased interests.

What participants say about the EYB programme

• A brilliant enlightening programme
• Relevant to our African setting
• Need for strengthening linkages especially financial, and specialist areas e.g. legal
• Good programme with need for intensive follow ups
• Need for Refresher modules and Business support
• Needs for more support from sponsors to reduce cost of training and facilitation of linkages
• Programme should include IT and Operations Management Module

Motivation to attend training
The main motivating factor (37%) for joining EYB training was the desire to grow or expand businesses. 21% were motivated by an expectation of the impressive training content, 13% by the desire to acquire business knowledge and 22% by the challenges facing the business and desire to network. This again confirms that EYB is reaching the right target group of people who would like to grow their businesses.

Training
None of the participants rated the skills of trainers as low. The rating was at least fair (43%) whilst 57% rated the skills as high. More than half of the respondents (58%) felt that the duration of the seminar was too short for the content that was covered whilst 38% felt it was just right. Only 2% thought it was rather too long.

New Things Learnt
Participants could explain the EYB programme chapters and sections which they learnt. The indicated areas were mentioned by most of the participants.

Overall, only 42% of the respondents had completed their business growth plans by the time of this evaluation exercise (with 50% of participants still participating in the programme). Several reasons for failure to complete the aforesaid were given. Mostly it was the issue of time limitation. It is encouraging though to note that almost all the participants were promising to complete them by midyear 2004.

Opinion on EYB Training Materials
The general opinion from the respondents was that the EYB training materials are satisfactory for all the four modules. About 25% felt that the material was excellent for all modules while about 65% felt they were very satisfactory.

Cost reduction
Sixty two percent of the respondents achieved a reduction on costs in their businesses, and important factor in increasing profitability.

Attribution
More than half (55%) of the participants feel that growth they have realised is a result of attending the EYB programme, whilst 27% attribute growth as a combination of EYB and other factors. In other cases, respondents said it was too early to judge.