Business management extension program

For an in-depth summary of the evaluation, see the abstract of PD-ABK-084. The evaluation, which aimed at determining if and how BMEP can sustain itself, is divided into three sections covering institutional, market, and financial sustainability. Major findings and conclusions are noted below. BMEP should develop a strategic plan to provide staff and board members a thematic road map of the organization"s goals and purposes. The plan should describe the market in which BMEP operates, assess the organization"s strengths and weaknesses, and provide a vision statement of where it wishes to be in 5 years along with practical steps for getting there. Serious revision of the plan every 3 years is urged. BMEP should develop a marketing plan which should address public relations, fundraising, and restructuring needed to improve its income base. The marketing plan should also prioritize among alternative income sources; establish revenue targets by donor source; indicate steps for more attractive packaging of the BMEP story; assign responsibility for client cultivation, contact, and follow-up; delineate the responsibilities of board members; describe BMEP research, monitoring, and administrative systems; and codify BMEP practice in such areas as letters of appreciation, inclusion of overhead costs, and collection of donor profile information. BMEP should also engage in a systematic process of board strengthening and development (beginning with a 2-day retreat focusing on the strategic plan and related areas) and strengthen its overall marketing effort, including the reformatting of training materials and training delivery into program models and the provision of short courses for the Director and one or two senior staff. It is also recommended that BMEP phase out its loan program due to a lack of clients in this area; BMEP is perceived as primarily a training institution. The principal lesson learned is the importance of a strongly motivated Board of Directors.