The Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) is taking its outreach programme into the religious community. Billed as a “Team Approach” to entrepreneurial development, officials from BIDC’s Entrepreneurial Development Division, Incubation, Innovation, Crafts, Business Development and the National Insurance Department gave tips to more than 50 parishioners of the Hawthorn Methodist Church and other residents from the surrounding districts about how to turn their hobbies into a viable venture. The programme was delivered in the form of a multi-media presentation, entitled: ‘From Hobby to Enterprise’. It was held recently at Hawthorn Methodist’s Worthing, Christ Church, headquarters, as part of its 50th Anniversary celebrations. Manager of the Entrepreneurial Development Division, Michael Bynoe, said the forum was in keeping with Government’s plans to strengthen the small business sector, by fostering a culture of innovation. He also explored the ‘pros and cons’ of setting up a business during the economic downturn. “Most people say that this is a climate in which nothing happens, but I believe that this recessionary period is where everything happens for small business development. When people are fearful of loosing their jobs, they often seek out alternative sources of employment,” Mr. Bynoe said. The BIDC official further pointed out that: “I am not advocating that this is a time when people should set up a business because they want to replace lost earnings. But, rather, our experience has shown that during periods of economic recovery, the entrepreneur usually re-enters the workforce and the business suffers as a result.” Mr. Bynoe also stated that the BIDC would continue its outreach programmes in other communities across Barbados and urged other religious organisations, community groups and other parties interested in setting up a business, to contact the BIDC’s Entrepreneurial Development Division at telephone number 427-5350, or at e-mail address, mbynoe@bidc.org.

 

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