Hannah's presentation on American money-handling went really well. People seemed impressed with the lengths people go to in order to keep such good records. We really pushed the idea that these policies are to protect the business from theft and the employee from accusation. We also tried to encourage record keeping for market analysis and demographics as well as using employee incentives. The presentation did spark a discussion on interest which Muslims (especially) and many Christians believe is a sin. (Do your own research- Deut. 23:20, Ez. 18:8, Matt. 25:27). Never had THAT discussion in America.
Our printer business has hit a major obstacle. It appears that the "universal" Continuous Ink Supply System we have is not universal. It leaks all over the paper. We are also suspicious that the intense heat makes the ink too fluid. So we're shelving that project until we can do some better research on printers in the US and buy a new one for which parts are available here. Discouraging but we're following God through this too.
I visited the University where I met with Daniel, another businessman from our church who has a "photocopy business". There are about 30 photocopiers set up in the main court of the University where students can photocopy the professor's notes, syllabus, readings, etc. Basically anything we receive as handouts in the US. Most of these ancient photocopiers sit under a simple shelter where they use University electricity from 8-1 and 5-10 and (the better ones) generators for the other hours (resulting in higher prices). Everyone offers the same service for the same price.
Business here is relational, just like everything else. (Having just read "The Shack" I'm reminded that the relational culture here seems pretty close to the heart of Jesus). Your friends come to you for photocopies and then they bring their friends. So making friends is the only way to run a business. Daniel told me today that he lets guys charge their cell phones for free (important in a city with no power). This helps him make friends because they hang around him while the phones charge (evangelism opportunity?).
Similarly, Alphonse, another man from our church, showed me his "phone credit business". (All phones are "pay as you go" and you only pay for outgoing calls. So like most aspects of African life, phone credit lives on the edge of survival with small refills when it can be afforded.) Alphonse buys phone charge cards in bulk directly from the 4 major phone services at a 5% discount and resells the minutes-the most common refill denominations are about 75 cents or $1.45. With a 5% profit margin, Alphonse can't really do promos or sales so he has had to build a loyal client base who moto up to his umbrella. Many of his transactions take place via text. Alphonse will get a text or a paper with a phone number (often from a 5 year old messenger) and 75 cents and he will transfer the money to that account number.
Both these guys are making a good go of their businesses and we are trying to learn from their success as well as try to offer suggestions on how to grow their enterprises.
We are again having to borrow the Kendall's internet since the minutes we paid for are not working-that explains the brief thinning or our blogs and emails. Our water pump also broke this week. Which meant drawing water from the well by hand for laundry (which we did by hand with a washboard since the lady that usually helps was MIA), toilet flushing and baths. As if heating water to wash dishes didn't take long enough!
-Brandon
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