Srijan by Intellecap, is an annual competition for entrepreneurs that have an innovative plan to address the resource and infrastructure challenges faced by the microfinance sector. Srijan aims to foster entrepreneurship, invigorate the microfinance sector, uncover new approaches to development issues, and build an enabling environment for future entrepreneurs, as well as to create an inclusive financial sector.
MTA is pleased to announce the launch of operations in Madhya Pradesh. M.P. is seeing a rapid increase in new microfinance institutions launching operations. Other than national players expanding their operations, there is also many new MFIs that are starting up in the state.
MTA is now positioned to source, train and deploy resources in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Contact MTA – email info at microfinancetraining.com
Sylvia Ann Hewlett in her blog at HBR, has an interesting post on what companies can do to rescue morale. She talks about 2 interesting partnerships between corporate America and organizations in the social sector.
This table ranks 104 countries, according to their overall abilities to foster the nine drivers of prosperity. It also provides the breakdown of the sub-index performances that lead to the overall rank.
A concept that Microfinance Training Academy has pioneered in the microfinance space – Organizations should hire trained employees, rather than untrained ones. While seemingly obvious, the sector could not pursue this track as there were no providers available offering this service.
The responses we had from most of the stakeholders we met at the Microfinance India Summit were on the lines of – We needed something like this !
The MTA team has been overwhelmed and very encouraged by the responses, new engagements and the overall level of support at the summit. We are excited about the future and look forward to meeting the expectations of the sector.
Social business advisory firm Intellecap, in association with microfinance equity fund Aavishkaar Goodwell, will hold SRIJAN, a microfinance and financial inclusion event in Mumbai on Dec. 8, 2009.
The forum will have debates on some of the most challenging issues facing microfinance and financial inclusion.
SRIJAN 2009 Forum will bring forth new issues such as comparison between microfinance and subprime, the conflict between social and financial returns, and whether those responsible to make financial inclusion happen, are working hard enough.
The speakers include among others, Samit Ghosh (Ujjivan), Elizabeth Littlefield (CGAP), Nick O’ Donohoe (JP Morgan), Suresh Gurumani (SKS Microfinance), Graham Wrigley (Aureous Venture Fund), Harinder Sawhney (JM Financial), PN Vasudevan (Equitas), Philip Vassiliou (Legatum Ventures), Vineet Rai (Aavishkaar/Intellecap) and Wim van der Beek (Aavishkaar Goodwell).
A key aspect of the event will be the fourth annual SRIJAN Awards, that recognize innovation, social impact, transparency and client focus in financial inclusion at this forum, will be given. Nominations for the awards will be open from Sept. 25, 2009.
For details on registrations, nominations, and partnership opportunities please contact: Ms. Rashmi Pillai Email: srijan2009@intellecap.com Phone: +91-22-4035 9222
Self defence training - one of the last things that crossed our minds when building the curriculum for training Loan officers to work in microfinance. Seems like we will have to revisit this thought pretty soon.
Loan officer safety – a low key topic so far – seems to becoming more imporant as incidents of attacks on Field Officers increase.
While there is no industry wide tracking of such data, Live Mint today carried a report with some stats and data -
In the last three months, two loan officials were murdered in Karnataka in separate incidents. The officials, employees of Hyderabad-based SKS Microfinance Pvt. Ltd, were on their way to disburse cash when they were attacked, chief executive Suresh Gurumani said.
Bangalore-based Grameen Koota has faced three instances of armed robbery in the past year.
In the same period, Kolkata-based Bandhan’s branch office in the city was looted.
Another Kolkata institution, Ujjivan Financial Services Pvt. Ltd, has faced five robberies in the last four months.
In the same article, Samit Ghosh of Ujjivan summed it up best, when he said – “The entire transaction in microfinance business—disbursement, collection of instalments—is in cash. So much cash in hand is a big issue, and it puts our staff at huge risk,” said Samit Ghosh, founder and chief executive, Ujjivan.
Some practices that are being used (and could be adopted by other MFIs) to prevent such incidents -
SKS’ loan officials are starting to carry chilli spray with them and are training in self- defence.
The firm is also ensuring that its officials do not go into deep, secluded, forest areas and is giving them bags without its logo.
Bandhan ensures that whatever money its loan officials collect is disbursed immediately, so they do not have to travel with much cash.
Tamil Nadu’s Grama Vidiyal Micro Finance Pvt. Ltd (GVM) has collection rounds between 6am and 9am, so its officials can reach the branch office and banks in daylight.
It is almost Friday. Good idea to watch a movie or 2 – especially one around social performance management. Titled Fulfilling the Promise: Managing Social Performance. A good watch especially around the time there is a lot of debate in the community about the true impact of microfinance.
