Sustainable Microfinance - Balanced Scorecard's added value for ...

RL You can test it, by launching for example three different sites, a red, blue or yellow one. Than you can
statistically analyze which one is most often used.
RL ask questions like did you find what you where looking for, was it useful, did it go fast enough, do you
have suggestions?
RL by platforms and forums, through those tool, to create interaction. People are very empowered in that
and especially when you listen to them, they are willing to help you.
RL we want as much interaction as possible with our users.
RL the first step is to see where the demand is. Without demand, you do not even need to start.
RL When you have something, work it out, go to peer groups, talk to people, stalk people, mail people
through whatever website,
RL go and ask people on the street, visit companies if you think they will be your target company.
RL Ask people what they do not like about the product, or what could be better,
RL people like it when somebody listens to them. They really like it when they can talk about it.
RL From the growth figures we can determine whether people are using our services.
RL The growth figures covers a lot, if it does not grow than people probably do not like it or do not think it
is good.
OE That he focuses on his customers. That is already important.
OE 'I will make a table and the whole world wants that table. I know a trick and I will make it'.
OE they often need to adjust
OE Do not go for the quick fix
OE how can you adjust that in such a way that you are making / providing something that the people
demand?
OE They need to start with market research and making choices.
OE to whom are you going to sell? They’ll say: ‘to everybody’. Than I say: ‘that would be very nice, but that
is not going to work’.
OE They do not think about it enough.
OE Try to make the majority of the costumers, regular costumers. Really try to establish a relationship with
their costumers.
OE people should reflect what they are doing with the world they are living in.
OE People do not look at other things they could offer, and you see a lot of copying behaviour.
OE The neighbour lowers the price of the tomatoes by 2 cents. I need to lower them by 3. That is how it
goes. And now they default, because you cannot keep on doing that
OE continuing market research would improve the survival rate of the small entrepreneurs. Especially the
niche is where the small entrepreneurs can jump in.
OE Build into the model an evaluation moment for entrepreneurs to review whether they still offer what the
customers demand. If you would manage this, that would already be a big step
OE when there are no customers, it is end of story'.
OE Make sure you can answer to the demand of the costumer
OE That is something we focus on, building relations and networks.
OE The problem there is that they do not have time to watch, what is happening in the world around them,
or read magazines related to their business.
MB A lot of people seem to be worried about the competition,
MB that is what it is about. Do you provide something that fulfils a need?
MB it is difficult to do proper market research and determine the demand of you product.
MB advice people to do market research in their area, not with friends and family who are not objective.
But, indeed, in the street and neighbourhood,
MB do not only ask people that already buy such a product
MB preferably with a prototype and do it seriously. It is quite difficult.
MB avoid all the pit holes of copying the business of the neighbour
MB Developing the right questions is very difficult. That is something they could get help with
MB That could be something very nice to include into this model. If you see that somebody has already the
first three customers
Elmar Hoogendoorn 118
Sustainable Microfinance