MEC Project

Enterprise Benchmarking Surveys 

• These surveys are meant for developing benchmark values for a set of identified parameters for tracking the performances of micro enterprises run by the poor. It has come out of the understanding of the need for separate performance standards for benchmarking of micro enterprises of the poor; conventional industry standards are not useful here.

• Data is collected from existing enterprises on their ownership, capital, operations, and costs. MECs collect data for each pilot district and feed into a software application which calculates values for given parameters.

Performance Tracking System 

PTS is a method of systematic collection and analysis of business information, to understand and measure business performance. The system is administered through Micro Enterprise Consultants (MECs), who have the responsibility to ensure maintenance of basic books of accounts by the entrepreneur, collection of data from the enterprise regularly, and generating financial statements from the transaction data thus collected. The financial statements allow comparison of the performance of an enterprise over time, and that of different enterprises of the same type at a given point of time. The PTS is currently being administered on paper as well as in an app based system. It ensures regular monitoring of the micro enterprises set up by poor women. 

Utility of PTS to Stakeholders

PTS helps the entrepreneur in understanding the performance of the enterprise, analysing it, and thereby improving performance. It also helps the entrepreneur in availing finances for the enterprise as it ensures systematic book keeping and timely generation of financial statements. It helps banks and financial institutions in assessing the performance of the enterprise and the credit-worthiness of the entrepreneur. For the State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), the PTS provides useful information on the performance of enterprises covered under their projects, in monitoring the performance of MECs, and in formulating or changing policies on enterprise promotion.

MEC groups and business plans 

• The objectives of MEC group formation includes pooling of multiple skills so that they can support a range of businesses and also ensuring uniform and remunerative territories for MEC groups to operate.
• The steps include assessment and ranking of blocks based on pre-set parameters, grouping of blocks into ‘zones’, and formation of MEC groups for zones. At the end of the exercise, pilot district is divided into different zones and each zone has an MEC group.
• Each MEC group has to come up with a business plan; the business plan preparation has the following objectives.
  • Assessing existing and potential business opportunities for MEC groups and estimating earning potential
  • Assessing the capabilities of MEC groups and figuring out ways to utilise them
  • Estimating capital requirement for MEC groups to start their business
  • Engaging MECs in remunerative business activities as per the plan
  • Finalising business plans for the groups

Training Programs offered to Micro Enterprise Consultants

As the project's primary focus is on creating a community based support by training local persons in business management skills, a great emphasis is laid on providing intensive training and developing the skill set of Micro Enterprise Consultants. This is done by providing them with a comprehensive taining program spanning over 45 days over a period of six months. The objective is to equip them with basic math, soft skills and business managements skills. The sessions are provided by experienced and trained personnel and is done through class room sessions, group work, process oriented activities and even home based assignments.