Ruta Sirdeshmukh
My Business Consultant Training
Collaborated With A Business In The Developing World
Our team reviewed the economic, social, political, and environmental factors that impact our partner business to design a launch plan and identify how to bridge the gap between our business partner’s current and desired conditions.
Earned a Development Grant to Enact Solutions
In order to fund the proposed business, our team composed a detailed plan and pitched our proposal to request seed funding from the Leadership Initiatives Grant Committee.
Collaborated With Business Development Experts
After researching the socio-economic conditions facing our business partners, our team worked with the Nigerian development staff to create effective solutions to the challenges our business partner was facing.
Musa Adamu Ningi
About Musa
Musa embarked on his journey in aluminum fabrication by undertaking apprenticeship training, an experience that saw him refining his skills under the guidance of three distinct aluminum fabrication companies. Through these immersive learning opportunities, he gained invaluable expertise and insights, gradually earning the certification that would pave the way for him to establish his own aluminum fabricator business. Residing in a community marked by a surge in infrastructural development, Musa keenly observed the increasing demand for Aluminum fabrication services. This burgeoning market presented not just a business opportunity but a calling he felt compelled to answer.
Motivated by a passion for the trade and driven by a vision to serve his community, Musa embraced aluminum fabrication as more than just a trade but as a means to contribute meaningfully to local development. He envisioned his venture not only meeting the people's needs for quality aluminum products but also serving as a catalyst for economic empowerment, providing job opportunities, and fostering prosperity within the community.
Musa Adamu Ningi
Business Goals
Musa Adamu Ningi wants to become one of the foremost Aluminum fabrication business owners in Bauchi. His vision extends beyond mere success; he envisions carving a niche for himself through the provision of unparalleled service and top-notch products that set him apart as a formidable presence in the industry. Furthermore, Musa is deeply committed to empowering the members of his community.
He plans to achieve this through the implementation of training and skill acquisition programs aimed at fostering self-growth and development among the locals. By equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge, Musa hopes to catalyze positive change and uplift the socio-economic well-being of his community. Ultimately, he envisions a future where the people of his community are not only content but thriving, thanks to his contributions and dedication to their collective advancement.
Musa Adamu Ningi
Obstacles
Operating an aluminum and fabrication shop in Bauchi State, Nigeria presents several significant challenges for a small business owner. Firstly, acquiring reliable access to raw materials such as aluminum sheets and bars can be unpredictable due to fluctuating market prices and limited local suppliers. Secondly, navigating bureaucratic hurdles and obtaining necessary licenses and permits can be a lengthy and cumbersome process, often requiring frequent visits to government offices. Thirdly, maintaining a steady workforce poses challenges as skilled labor may be scarce or expensive, leading to difficulties in fulfilling orders on time.
Moreover, erratic electricity supply in the region adds to production costs and operational inefficiencies, necessitating investment in alternative power sources like generators. Additionally, competition from larger, established firms with greater financial resources and brand recognition can make attracting and retaining a loyal customer base difficult. Furthermore, inadequate transportation infrastructure may hinder the timely delivery of finished products to clients, impacting customer satisfaction and repeat business. Lastly, economic instability and currency fluctuations can affect pricing strategies and profitability, making financial planning and forecasting particularly challenging.
Musa Adamu Ningi
Home & Family
Musa, a 22-year-old young man, is married to Maryam and is the proud father of two children, Hafsat and Asiya, aged 6 years and 2 years, respectively. Coming from a low-income family, Adamu's father, a retired railway worker, relies on Musa’s support for medical expenses to maintain good health. This responsibility drives Adamu to work tirelessly, striving to increase his income to ensure his parents' well-being.
Additionally, Musa is committed to supporting his siblings in their educational pursuits, recognizing the importance of education in securing their future. Despite the challenges posed by his family's financial situation, Musa remains steadfast in his determination to provide for his loved ones and create a brighter future for them all.
Musa Adamu Ningi
Our Partnership
Musa’s journey to entrepreneurship was not without its challenges, as financial constraints prevented him from pursuing further education beyond secondary school. However, he found opportunity and purpose in the Aluminum fabrication apprenticeship program, which ultimately paved the way for him to become a successful business owner. Now, Musa is thrilled to have been chosen to partner with Leadership Initiatives and the International Leadership & Business Internship teams. This collaboration promises to not only enhance his skills but also provide access to modern equipment, propelling his business towards transformation and greater success. Musa is eager to seize this opportunity for growth and development, confident that it will lead to new heights of achievement in his entrepreneurial journey.
In his words, "I am delighted and honor for this privileges opportunity to be part of this program, this is the first ever opportunity I have had throughout my life and it will definitely have a rewarding outcome.
My Grant
Proposal
SIRI Aluminum Fabrications prioritizes integrity, trustworthiness, and high-quality service with the aim to provide remarkable aluminum products and services to ensure long-lasting client and business relationships. SIRI Aluminum Fabrication’s mission is to diligently craft reliable hardware with both quality and affordability. Musa’s vision for his business is to create a fabrication business that prioritizes integrity and quality while also empowering the community. SIRI Aluminum Fabrications aims to address labor needs by offering job opportunities for youth and contributing positively to local struggling economies.
The majority of Musa’s competitors in Bauchi State are also small businesses. They offer similar services but fall short on affordability, quality, and personalization. SIRI offers lower-priced, high-quality products made from modern equipment and preceded by personalized customer service; both of which are desirable and essential to the impoverished communities of Bauchi State, increasing and sustaining Musa’s customer base. A critical problem that Musa faces is lack of a proper bookkeeping system to supervise the progress of his business and make informed, effective business and finance decisions. Lastly, lack of advanced fabrication equipment and supplies limits Musa’s production capabilities and hinders profit returns.
The cost-effective nature and superiority of Musa’s products and services through advanced machinery will make SIRI shine amongst other aluminum fabrication establishments. Mass marketing and a location with high demand for fabrication services will improve visibility beyond word-of-mouth, features that other businesses lack. Lastly, financial literacy education and tracking plans will improve Musa’s understanding of business finance and aid in the growth of his business.
My Grant Proposal
Presentation
In the International Leadership and Business Internship, I worked directly with some of the world’s leading developmental experts in order to build my partners business and brand.
At the conclusion of this internship, our team pitched the final proposal to a panel of esteemed judges from the Leadership Initiatives Nigerian Development Team and the Leadership Initiatives Grant Committee. This formal pitch allowed our team to practice our skills and utilize our entrepreneurial toolkit, all while showcasing our efforts to transform the business we partnered with.
At the end of the pitch, we were able to receive feedback on our proposal for our business partner. Over the next year, our business partner’s venture will be made into reality and monitored for sustained success and growth.
Internship Highlights
- Business Meeting
- Portugese Embassy
- Embassy of Argentina
- Expert Assistance
Our team began the business development process by having a one-on-one Zoom call directly with our business partner,Musa Adamu Ningi, and our Nigerian project coordinator to ensure productive collaboration.
We learned more about their life, family, and desires for the proposed business venture, as well as the challenges they were facing. By discussing first-hand the challenges our partner faced, our team successfully and efficiently began to brainstorm solutions to launch their business.
Each morning we held constructive discussions about our ideas, the advice we received the day before, and the timeline necessary to begin implementing our ideas in real-time.
The on-staff project coordinators and business development experts helped facilitate the ideation process and ensured our team asked the right questions to produce tangible results.
I had the unique opportunity to visit the Portugese Embassy, where I learned about diplomatic relations between Portugal and the United States.
The embassy serves as a hub for collaboration with partner countries and international organizations, which facilitates the creation of solutions to address global issues, such as poverty, gender inequality, and climate change.
Portugese diplomats and officials work closely with local communities to identify needs and design programs that empower individuals and enhance overall societal well-being. This community-centered problem-solving is something my team and I aspired towards while crafting our business proposal.
I also visited the Embassy of Lebanon to learn about the role that Lebanon plays in domestic and international development work. We discussed critical topics including investments, international trade, and human rights.
While touring the embassy, I learned about the wide range of policy issues and gained a better understanding of the embassy’s role in international development through sustainable and inclusive initiatives.
My visit to the Embassy of Lebanon was not only educational, but inspiring. It allowed me to see Lebanon’s pivotal role in advancing international development and how I can implement their ideals into my own work.
Our team met with leading experts in the fields of business and economic development from Johns Hopkins University, the State Department, and GlobalGiving.
One such expert was Carla Brooks, Business and Development Officer at Johns Hopkins Center for Communications Program. She provided us with a crash course in advertising and marketing, in which we learned essential components of an effective marketing campaign.
Our work with Ms. Brooks was essential in preparing us for our culminating pitch deck presentation. With her and other expert guidance, we streamlined our initial ideas to further our efforts in launching the venture our business partner envisioned.
By the end of the week, we had incorporated the advice of leading experts from across the globe for our business proposal to empower and transform the life of our business partner.