Business First: Using Technology to Advance Microenterprise Development

Distance learning, Web site design, Web hosting, connectivity, e-commerce, video conferencing … and the list goes on – the list, that is, of ever-evolving features and opportunities that define the technological revolution. It is exciting, fast paced and mind boggling, opening new horizons in communication and information of every sort for everyone. Yet, amidst the whirlwind, practitioners of microenterprise development ask if there is a slice of this huge and diverse arena of opportunity that is ‘micro’? What does this revolution in technology have to offer, realistically, to the home-based, part-time crafter or the car mechanic or the immigrant day-care provider? To ultimately answer this question, practitioners must address two others. How do microentrepreneurs learn about and eventually select the technological options that can help them improve and expand their business? And, what is the appropriate, viable role for microenterprise programs in helping their clients make such decisions?

Both persist as complex questions, even for the innovators who embraced new technologies early on to increase the scale, effectiveness and efficiency of their business services. They soon confronted the reality that their significant investments in technology upfront required ongoing expenditures on related inputs like staff training, maintenance and upgrades. In the absence of enduring financial support for technology, integrating information technology (IT) into program services for entrepreneurs began to feel more like a burden than like a golden opportunity.

Furthermore, the dizzying pace of technological change challenges the ability to make wise choices or to advise others on such choices, particularly when the ‘others’ are low-income, vulnerable entrepreneurs with limited resources. Yesterday’s revolutions in high-speed Internet connections are today’s white elephants, for example. And despite the allure of technology, old-fashioned manual methods and tools may still, in some cases, be the best way to meet an entrepreneur’s needs. While the choice between a manual typewriter and word processing in the year 2003 may be obsolete, this was not the case just 10 years ago. A home-based entrepreneur who does not travel may find a manual Rolodex more practical than a palm pilot – at least for now.

Fortunately, the lessons learned to date can help microenterprise development organizations interested in technology integration to navigate through these challenging issues. Technology assistance is also available from not-for-profit intermediaries that see their mission to assist other nonprofits in keeping their electronic systems up to date.

Volume 5: Business First: Using Technology to Advance Microenterprise Development (PDF)

Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Jackie Orwick @ 202-736-1073 c/o The Aspen Institute, One Dupont Circle, NW - Suite 700 - Washington, DC 20036