ADVERT ON WORKSHOP BY BUSINESS DIAGNOSTICS & SOLUTIONS
The Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) has noticed with regret an advert which appeared in one of the local newspapers, The Midweek Sun on August 17th, 2011 on page F of the vibe section. This advert invites members of the public to an Innovation and Entrepreneurship workshop/training.
As part of the workshop content, it suggests that CEDA supports Business Diagnostics & Solutions in their attempt to train, prepare and write business plans to CEDA requirements. Furthermore, the advert states that there would be a presentation from a CEDA representative and that the cost of the attending the workshop is P750.
CEDA would like members of the public to note the following:
a. CEDA does not have any type of agreement with Business Diagnostics & Solutions.
b. CEDA has not given the organisers any authority to use its name.
c. In fact, CEDA has not dealt with “Mike” at any point regarding presentation on its products and services or partnership of any kind for a fee of P750 per person.
d. Whilst CEDA does not discourage potential entrepreneurs to seek assistance elsewhere in putting together business plans, at the same time it does not prescribe any one particular company to train or assist potential entrepreneurs to do their business plans. Therefore, CEDA does not have a database of “companies” that do business plans for preferred prospective applicants.
e. There are several institutions that have been mandated to assist potential entrepreneurs with their business plans such as Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and the Business Place. If for whatever reason one prefers private consultants, then one is free to approach any company or individual that they feel can assist them.
f. CEDA has since requested the organiser to retrieve the advert from all the newspapers.
It is regrettable that someone would actually invite and charge members of the public P750 to attend a workshop using the CEDA name without prior consultation and authority. CEDA would therefore like to distance itself from the advert and the above-mentioned company. In fact, there will be no CEDA representative nor would there be any presentation by CEDA at the said workshop. Anyone who attends the scheduled workshop/training should do so at their own accord.
