I don't mean to undermine this great initiative, my contention is on the thread framing or the notion of "internet for the poor." Statically speaking, going by "below 1 dollar a day" then majority of Kenyans are poor. Statistics further show 5% haves - 95% have-nots. The irony is all of us "poor" people have been spending multiples of what rich people in develop countries pay for their internet. I've heard (from the grapevine) that "since Kenyans are already used to very high Internet prices, it would be 'ok' to significantly (but in reality only marginally) lower internet prices after fibre cables connect." ( won't reveal my sources...) If Kenya truly intends to become like India, what is needed is <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=363&Itemid=5810> Lakini ilipingwa na telcoms "big boys" who claimed "unfair competition!!" (again..won't reveal my sources...) Only India can lay claim to have addressed "internet for the poor" by creating an enabling environment for SME internet providers models. India opened up their internet for any ISP to buy their bandwidth from anyone, anywhere, any satellite, cable etc. Till 2003, ISPs were never charged any license fee and only in 2003 their government decided to start charging 1 Rupee for "Contractual Consideration" to make their licenses have legal enforcability. Then all Indian users started enjoing trully affordable internet and their internet-bsed industries growth, BPO,KPO etc continue to prosper. Will that ever happen here? This remains the question... It is possible but we need, for a start, a public policy position declaration on ISM band (transparent) allocation and on community networks. Then affordable internet would naturally grow, everywhere in the country, including urban under-served segments. Anyhow, good luck with your initiative. Alex 2009/4/21 matere lusitche <kenyabizideas@gmail.com>:
hallo skunkers i am launching Leo network of noticeboards soon . thanks for the tips and contacts .money has been hard to come but guys have told me this idea is priceless .i am looking for partners and malaika investors coz this baby has potential for you all.
the service is about to be patented yet our goal is that it become a foss like product any one can take it out and change it bora we are informed and paid a small fee.
this is a ground version of the up web site so tell your clients about creating their own leo boards and hget hits
n.b i have a very simple idea that can enable quick delivery of music and it involves sendind a please call me
but thats for later
zack matere 254724599111
Leo Network of Notice Boards
Business Opportunity
My product is a new innovation that adds value to the common notice board. I intend to put up simple wooden notice boards in market centres in rural Sub locations all over Lugari District. A single board will have its own mobile phone number and web address painted onto it along with the name of the Market centre. A Leo network consists of sixteen to twenty four Leo notice boards which are sufficient to cover a rural Administrative Division.
Every day the Leo board in every market is updated with printed out information in print and pictures just like a daily one page newspaper. The paper will contain S.M.S message Printed out in large readable font, photos and articles.
Leo Network of Notice boards is to start it operations in Lugari District Western Province.
Lumakanda is to be the location of our central office. This is the District Headquarters of Lugari and the location of most of our Major potential clients. It is well serviced with amenities and is centrally located enabling the Leo team to reach all areas of Lugari.
Leo when fully running is a wonderful device for public communication at a very convenient cost. The Leo board can be used by the ministry of Agriculture to give daily lessons, link farmers groups to each other, to potential markets and to experts who are in far off Research Institutions. Small traders can put up advertisements and receive a response quickly through S.M.S. Other includes the Leo board as an interschool learning tool. Finally agro based companies that want to reach the interior and self help groups that target to expand beyond their sub location can use this service.
Our target markets are the two hundred thousand residents of Lugari.
Major customers are individual wanainchi, self help groups, small and medium sized entrepreneurs, churches, schools, Government agencies and N.G.O’s.
Potential users include residents of Lugari living abroad or in other parts of Kenya farmers groups from other Districts, Researchers, vegetable farmers, primary school children and mama mboga’s.
C. Competitive Environment
As a new invention our venture combines the simple notice board with email and Text messaging in a unique way. Leo has no direct competitor in rural information and advertising display.
Significant potential entrants are copy cat entrepreneurs who will set up the own look alike notice boards.
Challenges and barriers to entering this market are that the venture is new and untried. As pioneers we will make some mistakes as we test new products and services.
Barriers to this new enterprise include Local Government By laws and the expense of registering as a media outlet.
What makes Leo Different?
Leo is a new invention never tried before in Kenya and the World
d. Viability of the business
Leo will create its own niche market and can control its own prices and its product Information is relatively easy to move on paper and digitally.
We intend to be franchises and therefore transfer all the daily operations to our franchisees. Employee projections are ads follows;
Year 1; 10 employees, year 2; 14 employee’s year 3; 20 employee’s.
Leo will earn its income from advertisements, market research, community training, web design and management and S.M.S marketing.
Sales revenue projections for the first year are 1,100,000 and for the second year 8,747,000 and the third year 19,000,000
Investment needed is to launch Leo is Kshs 1,500,000. We will start up the enterprise as a private limited company to raise capital from shareholders, take up a loan, set up a franchise format, build business alliances and appeal for Grants.
Entrepreneurs experience and commitment
I am a long term resident of Lugari District hailing from seregea village. A graduate of Eldoret Polytechnic majoring in Business Administration, I have a good knowledge of the needs and aspirations of my fellow farmers. My work experience include being a Sales and marketing Agent for an Online based Company kenyaad.com
2: Business Description
a. The Nature of the Business and Industry Trends
Description of Business concept
This is a public information display service that is different from Advertisement Notice boards in urban settings. The Leo board is a smaller movable wooden structure that will be put up in rural market centers all over Lugari District.
Leo is unique because the enterprise is not operating a standalone notice board but intends to connect the over fifty Leo notice boards to each other by making use of mobile phones and the Internet.
Trends in Print, Training & Internet
Leo is a new enterprise that is in the media, information and marketing sector. It is also in the I.T mobile phones and internet sector as well as the training sector.
Print classified Advertising
Newspapers- National newspaper has expanded to online classified advertisements.
Adverts can now be sent by S.M.S to a prime number at an added charge above mobile phone charges (e.g. Nairobi star Daily metro).
Combination of news papers, mobile and radio is the latest trend.
Free newspapers are available in most supermarkets.
Mobile phone/ online classified advertising.
Club discount an initiative of kiss Fm radio station that allows an interaction through text messaging in order to get discount prices for consumer and fashion items.
Google Kenya is the leading online classified advertising outlet for urban Kenyans.
Kenyan have a choice of classified advertising websites set up by major media outlets specific individuals or groups.
Marketing Advertising & Promotion
Marketing is still the most important means of introducing and reminding people of a product or service. New media outlets that are regional have ensured a wider rich.
Management of customer Data has become important for marketers who are able to contact their clients on phone, S.M.S or e-mail.
Community Development/Mentoring Services.
This service is almost exclusively done by N.G.O’S with very few private enterprises engaged in this enterprise.
The world recession has started affecting these on Governmental agencies that are now downsizing and closing down some of their activities.
The trend is now towards participating directly with their target with less money on office work vehicles and consultants.
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Skunkworks announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general