The business, which will change the world

We have already written in the previous issue of the newspaper that EFCA announced the launch of social entrepreneurship development program "Zharkyra", which will be implemented in the city of Atyrau and Zhylyoi district in 2016-2017 with financial support for social investment projects of "Tengizchevroil" LLP.

In Atyrau, everyone could take part in the three-day workshop, which was organized in the daytime and in the evening. There are already many of those wishing to submit projects for the competition in the city. What will the situation in Zhylyoi area be like, where the fund has contributed to the development, we can even say to the establishment of non-governmental sector? A similar seminar was planned in Kulsary in the framework of the program. More than 170 listeners applied to become participants in the seminar. Such population activity had not been present in any project earlier. By the beginning of the workshop, which was conducted by a famous in Kazakhstan business coach Galym Zhukupbaev, who has more than 20 years of coaching experience, the hall of District Cultural House was full. Before the start of the workshop, I was able to interview local residents, whom I asked about the expectations from the workshop.

Director of "Pende" LP Murat Moldagaliev: "I already have business experience. We used to have an IE, we traded primordial commodities. Then it was a direction of current interest. Now every second entrepreneur is engaged in trade, competition has increased. I understand that it is necessary to replenish the stock of knowledge. I have heard a lot about the start-up projects, which are supported by the state. At the same time, I do not know what criteria are used to evaluate a business idea. In general, the times of spontaneous market are gone, the training is necessary. In fact, I would like to receive a grant or to work in partnership."

Alpamys Kaldybaev is also an entrepreneur with experience. He is director of the private "Akbota" kindergarten, which opened recently: "Our kindergarten is attended by children from families with different wealth. We decided to help talented children from poor families, that is, to teach them how to sing and dance, because parents are unable to pay for classes, so that is why we are interested in the issue of social entrepreneurship."

In Australia - kangaroos, Kazakhstan - kun kuru ...

Before the start of the seminar Aigul Tagatova had a speech, who is the head of the "EFCA" program, to tell about the contest and the schedule of events. Then the coach started his work by asking the audience a question: "What is needed in the first place to start a business?" The audience responded in unison: "The money and therefore credits". According to the coach, this is the main mistake of the population. This is facilitated by the stereotypes that are mostly formed by the media.

"We see every day on businessmen on TV, people believe that to start a business an office, staff, and credit are needed, so they produce or build something. As you can see on the present day example, many trading areas, including markets, and restaurants are empty. It turns out to be as in the saying (which we have set in the subtitle). In fact, it all starts with a thought. Most often, there are several types of starting a business based on negative emotions. A neighbor or a friend opens a store. The question appears: "Why do not I open a business?" Most often, this is a wrong path. Business should be opened with a good heart, so that there is a benefit for people and for yourself,"- says the coach Galym Zhukupbaev. By the way, he went through all the stages and had his "bumps". The second way is most often the lack of work, or, as they say, "amal zhok". At the same time, business is like a child. It has to be nursed. An adaptation period is needed, in business it is necessary to live for its interests.

One does not come into business on heels

Yes, because it is just uncomfortable. You must always be prepared, so to speak, to run hundred meters, if necessary.

The coach advises everyone to decide on priorities or the idea and cultivate the entrepreneurial mentality in yourself. Be ready for change, a long and hard work, because your whole life will be a business. Besides, one should always be in a good mood.

Money is not the goal, but a means to achieve goals

So what is the social enterprise? According to Galym Zhukupbaev, it is a pioneering work, which is originally aimed at the solution or alleviation of social problems in the conditions of self-sufficiency and sustainability. It is a balance of social objectives and commercial component, where money is not the goal, but a means to achieve these social goals, allowing the entrepreneur to remain sustainable and independent from permanent donor infusions.

Until May 1, participants of the training will present their projects, in which they should talk about the social mission, entrepreneurial approach, demonstrate innovations, or innovation in solving the social problems, replicability, sustainability, and financial stability. What distinguishes a business plan for the social enterprise from a usual business plan? It is a double bottom line: social and financial.

The workshop trainer advised to the participants on the second day: "Go crazy!" in order to work out in minds your vision in search for the ideas for an enterprise. To help listeners the coach offered 7 methods for selection of business ideas and 7 types of resources to start and develop a business. Students learned about the basics of marketing, market segmentation, sales strategies, legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the development of social entrepreneurship, how to register an IE, LLP, special tax regimes and much more.

The wind of change blew in Kulsary

At the end of the seminar, participants were more willing to share their impressions. Shyngys Idrisov - businessman with 10 years of experience. He is quite successful in developing his business on the production of plastic windows and doors: "Before, I did not know anything about the social entrepreneurship, I learned a lot today. I thought that people need my products, and it brought peace to me. Now I saw new spheres in my development as an entrepreneur, and in business. "

Gulnur Demegenova brought clothes from Turkey, now she does not have this business any more: "We opened an advertising agency. Everything said is so new to me that I find it difficult to say anything."

Kuandyk Talasbayev is currently unemployed, he worked at Tengiz, but was laid off: "I am very interested in the idea of ​​gardening and opening of yard clubs, more exactly - opening sport clubs. Our children have nothing to do in the yard, they play on the asphalt. This is very dangerous for their lives. My father and I are engaged in agriculture. We are interested in the healthy diet, but let him better tell you."

Sakyp Talasbaev is 68 years old, he believes that times have changed: "There used to be a policy of the CPSU, now we moved to capitalism, what remains? It is necessary to change mentality and we can not live with fear, it is necessary to learn something new. It is good that someone came from the Fund and teaches us in Kazakh language, I understood everything, after all, I have two degrees in agricultural production and even wrote a scientific work."

This is a start. We remind you that this project is planned for two years, there is competition of concepts of the SE ahead, trainings, and search for mentors (teachers).

 Gulzhan ELESHEVA, "Caspian commune"

 Zhylyoi district