The following Growth Oriented Entreprenuers who enrolled for the EYB programme have a story to tell on how they have been assisted to run their businesses.

1. Ms. Velma Ndlovu is the owner of Crystal Clear Cleaners. Her business does contract cleaning work. The business does office cleaning, and has contracts with airports, bigger corporations, etc. Since her business is about cleaning, it is very labour intensive. Her business had approximately 80 employees in 2003 most of whom are cleaners. Her business was formed 7 years ago and Ms. Ndhlovu has been running this business since its inception. Ms. Ndlovu enrolled for the EYB programme as she wanted to expand her business further.

This is what she says about the business before the EYB programme:

‘Before the EYB programme, I think I was growing but I didn’t actually know whether I was. My business was growing in terms of work at hand, but I didn’t see that reflected in cash as we always seemed to be short of money. The business wasn’t organised efficiently, and I didn’t have clear growth aspirations or marketing approaches. I found myself doing everything in the business, from finance to planning to all kinds of daily problem solving. It was very hectic, and I didn’t have holidays for a long time’

What the business is like today:

"Now, after the EYB programme, I have been able to strategise, and adopt clear marketing approaches. I have delegated a lot of my work to supervisors in my business, developed job descriptions, and everyone knows what to do and when to do it. We have clear plans. I can now focus on the business growth and on maintaining contacts with important clients. These contacts assist me in maintaining satisfied clients, which in turn, leads to our further business growth. I am leaving for a six weeks well-deserved holiday shortly to the US to visit my daughter and I know my business will run smoothly in my absence."

What is her message to other GOEs?

"‘I am very grateful for the EYB programme. It has main a major eye-opener for me. I recommend every entrepreneur who is growing and wants to grow further to enrol for this programme. The time and money investment is earned back quickly."

2. Mr. Eddie Mukarakate, a Growth Oriented Entrepreneur, owns and runs a scenic motel situated in the Midlands region of Zimbabwe. He attended the EYB programme and was trained in all the 4 modules; Strategic Management, Marketing Management, Human Resources Management and Financial Management.

This is what he says about the impact afterwards:

‘Before the EYB programme, I did not have a proper focus on who really were my customers. I would just take whatever comes and I had not defined my core customers to whom most of the marketing efforts were to be directed'

What the business is like today

‘"There was a mini revolution after the EYB programme. The restructuring, which followed from the process of defining our core customers, core competencies and strategic competitive advantages led to a complete change in how we are running the business. After the EYB, our growth plans are now clearer. In addition, we know how we intend to achieve them."

What is his message to other GOEs?

‘The EYB marked a turnaround in my business. Of all the courses I attended, the EYB is the most practical and useful. I encourage all the GOEs to enrol for the EYB programme for them to realise business growth'.

3. Mr Michael Machakanja owns a relatively young but dynamic electrical and electronic business in Bulawayo, the second capital of Zimbabwe. He also attended the EYB programme, and was provided with individual business counselling at site following training. This is his short story on the EYB programme

‘Before the EYB programme, I did not have adequate systems in place for the function areas such as Marketing, Human Resources and Finance. For instance, I always thought that as the owner, I knew everything in the business and I knew all that had to be done by my staff. I did not quite trust my staff to deliver without my constant supervision. Staff would just be assigned on any job. Marketing in the business was basically advertising' .

What is the business like today?

Now I have given more responsibilities to my staff. They all now have proper job descriptions. There is now a dynamic organization structure which has improved communication and grievance handling. My own performance as GOE has greatly improve as I concentrate now on strategy formulation and steering the business in the growth path. The Marketing and Sales Department has been set up and they are doing a wonderful job.

What is the message to other GOEs

I have attended many entrepreneurship training seminars but EYB has greatly assisted me. I am now looking forward to opening the second branch shop for my business. I strongly recommend entrepreneurs to go for EYB!