This document summarizes a workshop on microfinance practices. The workshop outline includes an introduction to microfinance processes, supporting small businesses, and hard skills like finance and monitoring and evaluation. It also shares the presenter's background working in microfinance in Burkina Faso and Canada. Lessons learned are discussed, such as the importance of group work and technical skills. Areas for improvement from the presenter's past work are also reviewed.

1. Microfinance in Practice Workshop Welcome =) Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

6. Introduction Why microfinance? Is it for me? Framework : Community Economic Development Q & A - -- μ f μ f μ f -- Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

11. 3. Detailed analysis of application Huge diversity in institutional cultures and how people think about this Think in terms of risk; is it increased or decreased by what you find, and how can you help? Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

12. Intro to Risk Assessment When making decisions, always evaluate if it raises or lowers the risk to the MFI/NGO and what are the ways to mitigate that risk. Refer to financing needs hand-out. Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

13. 4. Make Decision Explain clearly, always give feed-back Sometimes credit is not what is needed and you can be able to provide other types of support (see next section) Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com 5. Monitoring and Reimbursement Different arrangements Q & A : -- μ f μ f μ f --

15. Exploitation of IGA, starting & working capital Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

26. Basic Financial Ratios Forthcoming online. Sorry =( Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com .

35. Lessons Learnt Importance of group work, but also challenges e.g. people don’t speak when the leader is not there, etc. Need to ensure people understand their role (very CLEAR) and how the group is supposed to function Group projects versus individual projects Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

36. Lessons Learnt Credit TEAM – need to do capacity building Listening and Empathy the most important skills ever Rethink your role as the “expert” – so much to learn from others Try to have people familiar with the different trades on the IGA committee Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

37. Lessons Learnt Group projects versus individual projects Technical assistance – typology of IGA 3 sectors : agriculture, industry and services Match people with resource people Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

38. Lessons Learnt People have diverse agendas and they may mistake you for someone who has funding (some people are just opportunist) Be really open minded and realistic as to people’s levels and needs Synergize Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

42. Tips Get the people high up in the hierarchy on your side Show commitment and instigate meeting habits with resource person Try to mobilize resources to do on-site follow up and inspections Network right away! Business development centre, other agencies They have training materials, tools and research instruments already designed Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

43. Tips Build partnerships! (sustainability) Do not reinvent the wheel Always test your trainings before hands, especially the examples Follow up on trainings whenever you can – try to get participants to organize local trainings Don’t get too caught up in academic ways Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

44. Tips Match product to need (big investment – longer loan) Know the institutional culture of your NGO Research tips: SPSS, Delicious Don’t freak out – lots of time for self-briefing on placement! Keep a work diary and to-do list, write a lot about life and work Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

45. Tips Be patient! Learn communication styles (who calls who? Setting up meetings?) Remember you’re leaving after 8-12 months Think of what your baseline is and ensure you’ll get all the data – START WITH THAT if there’s no baseline, ensure you create it Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

47. Resources Skills/Training Calmeadow documents : Accounting and Finance QuickMBA: Accounting and Business: www.quickmba.com Accounting Coach: www.accountingcoach.com UNCDF: Accounting applied to microfinance COURSE: www.uncdf.org/mfdl/index.php?_mode=students.home Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

48. Resources General Mohammed Yunus, Banker of the Poor Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest (CGAP): www.cgap.com Check me out on delicious.com (username: onomatopee) Q &A -- μ f μ f μ f -- Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

49. Conclusion Microfinance rocks! It’s okay to be a keener! Hard/Soft Skills – a process All experiences are diverse – no one size fits all solution. Be humble and realistic : You’ll screw up too, don’t worry! Go out and learn about something microfinance/CED-related Contact info: [email_address] , 416 595 0761 What’s next? Workshop Evaluation Thanks =) Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com

50. Workshop Evaluation Thanks =) Microfinance in Practice Workshop – UTSC, 27/03/08 -- μ f μ f μ f -- Facilitated by Emanuele Lapierre-Fortin, onomatopee@gmail.com