BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The success of the “Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) program batch 1” last year inspired the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Bataan) to stage batch 2 of the said program this year, according to DTI Assistant Regional Director Zoinea Aldana who gave the opening message at the launching.
ARD Aldana said that the KMME is a DTI program that aims to assist small entrepreneurs in the form of mentoring – big brother, small brother concept wherein big and successful businessmen share their expertise and knowledge to new and budding entrepreneurs.
Ms. Nelin Cabahug, DTI-Bataan Provincial Director added that DTI has partnered with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship with Go Negosyo of Mr. Joey Concepcion to help our
small entrepreneurs, who can’t seek formal education from prominent business schools, to learn directly from successful icons in business which is subsidized by DTI.
ARD Aldana and Ms. Nelin Cabahug proudly said that the Kapatid Mentor Me program has been very successful in the sense that, in the selection process, they were very strict during the first screening of participants. Some of the qualifications they considered were thepotential for growth, willingness to expand, commitment and the passion because not only that we’re spending government’s money but we want to maximize the program for the beneficiaries. They said that the participants of last year’s program have shown great improvements in their respective businesses.
The resource speaker during the Kapatid Mentor Me batch 2 launching were the couple, Jorge and Jenny Wieneke. Mr. Jorge Wieneke talked extensively on entrepreneurial mind setting and values formation, while his wife, Mrs. Jenny Wieneke talked about marketing, of which in a nutshell she said, “Don’t find customers for your products, but find products for your customers.”
Ms. Nora Reclosado, DTI Bataan Division Chief said that after the launching, the 20 selected participants for batch 2 will still have to undergo eight (8) more activities/sessions such as product development, market growth and expansion, business model canvass, operations management, supply and value chain, human resource and organization management, entrepreneurial accounting and financial management, taxation and business law (obligation and contracts) before they can finally graduate by June of this year.
