WRITING A GOOD BUSINESS PLAN

Part 1

Most start up businesses need a good business plan;
and most new venture entrepreneurs resort to having
an expert on board to help them write a realistic and
exciting business plan.
We have done a little bit of research on this subject
matter and can offer a little bit of advise on how you,
the new venture entrepreneur can write a good
business plan or improve on the one you have. It is a
wide subject and most graduate and undergraduate
schools in Kenya and indeed in the world devote
entire courses to the subject; we shall only highlight
key research areas.
What’s wrong with most business plans? The answer is
relatively straightforward. Most waste too much ink on
numbers and devote too little to the information that
really matters to intelligent investors. As every
seasoned investor knows, financial projections for a
new company—especially detailed, month-by-month
projections that stretch out for more than a year—are
an act of imagination. An entrepreneurial venture
faces far too many unknowns to predict revenues, let
alone profits. Moreover, few if any entrepreneurs
correctly anticipate how much capital and time will be
required to accomplish their objectives. Typically, they
are wildly optimistic, padding their projections.
Investors know about the padding effect and
therefore discount the figures in business plans. These
maneuvers create a vicious circle of inaccuracy that
benefits no one.
Don’t misunderstand: business plans should include
some numbers. But those numbers should appear
mainly in the form of a business model that shows the
entrepreneurial team has thought through the key
drivers of the venture’s success or failure. In
manufacturing, such a driver might be the yield on a
production process; in magazine publishing, the
anticipated renewal rate; or in software, the impact
of using various distribution channels. The model
should also address the break-even issue: At what
level of sales does the business begin to make a profit?
And even more important, When does cash flow turn
positive? Without a doubt, these questions deserve a
few pages in any business plan. Near the back.
If you want to speak the language of investors—and
also make sure you have asked yourself the right
questions before setting out on the most daunting
journey of a businessperson’s career, we have
researched a few recommendations that discuss the
the framework that systematically assesses the four
interdependent factors critical to every new venture
and shall continue this discussion with Part 2.
Until then, we are open for business and we are here
to partner with you on your journey to create a
successful business.

Part2:
This part of  exciting
and workable business plan and, we would like
to continue on to discuss the framework which will
systematically assesses the four interdependent
factors critical to every new venture:
1. The People. The men and women starting and
running the venture, as well as the outside parties
providing key services or important resources for it,
such as its lawyers, accountants, and suppliers.
2. The Opportunity. A profile of the business itself—
what it will sell and to whom, whether the business can
grow and how fast, what its economics are, who and
what stand in the way of success.
3. The Context. The big picture—the regulatory
environment, interest rates, demographic trends,
inflation, and the like—basically, factors that
inevitably change but cannot be controlled by the
entrepreneur.
4. Risk and Reward. An assessment of everything that
can go wrong and right, and a discussion of how the
entrepreneurial team can respond.
The assumption behind the framework is that great
businesses have attributes that are easy to identify but
hard to assemble.
They have an experienced, energetic managerial team
from the top to the bottom. The team’s members have
skills and experiences directly relevant to the
opportunity they are pursuing. Ideally, but not
necessarily, they will have worked successfully together
in the past.
The opportunity has an attractive, sustainable business
model; it is possible to create a competitive edge and
defend it. Many options exist for expanding the scale
and scope of the business, and these options are
unique to the enterprise and its team. Value can be
extracted from the business in a number of ways
either through a positive harvest event—a sale—or by
scaling down or liquidating.
The context is favorable with respect to both the
regulatory and the macro-economic environments.
Risk is understood, and the team has considered ways
to mitigate the impact of difficult events. In short,
great businesses have the four parts of the framework
completely covered.
If only reality were so neat...!
We shall continue on to break down the four
components further to help you, the budding
entrepreneur, think through each and ensure that you
have adequately covered them.
Leonard Otieno Foundation

HOW TO REDUCE UTIs

If you have burning or pain with urination, it could be
a number of things. One possibility is a urinary tract
infection (UTI), but other possibilities include a
sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as chlamydia,
or just chemical irritation from a spermicide. It is
difficult to tell the difference without seeing a doctor
or nurse practitioner.
Urinary tract infections tend to be more common in
girls who have sex. Often, UTIs are the result of
bacteria entering the urethra.
Following these steps will help you to decrease the
chance of developing UTIs:
• Don't touch your vagina with anything that has been
in contact with your anus (this includes condoms, toilet
paper, fingers, etc.). Do not go from anal to vaginal
sex.
• Wipe front to back after going to the bathroom.
• Pee immediately before and after sex.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
STDs can have symptoms similar to those of a UTI.
Depending on the organism causing it (and how your
body reacts), you could have burning, vaginal
discharge, abdominal pain, irregular bleeding, or
other signs.
Many times, though, STDs have few symptoms, which is
why it is important for anyone who has had sex to be
tested. And always use condoms with any type of sex
to help prevent STDs.
In any case, the best thing to do is get checked out
ASAP by a doctor or nurse practitioner who can look
for the reason you're having symptoms. It's really
important to get the right diagnosis and treatment

GROWING WATERMELON IN AN ACRE OF LAND

With Sh.41,000 Total Cost of Production You Can Earn Up To Sh.600,000 From One Acre of Watermelon

Water melon sales have risen by up to 30 per cent over the last three years, driven by a growing middle class that has become health conscious. But getting the highest returns from watermelons requires the right preparation and the best choice of seeds. We offer a farm to market guide.

Today the watermelon is a common fruit at breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is an excellent snack between meals and especially for weight watchers. It is used for quenching thirst while providing good nutrition. Often the fruit flesh is eaten with the seeds. Seedless varieties have been developed, but the price of the seed is currently high.

However, a series of hybrids have been developed that deliver a higher quality of water melon and far higher yields. Traditionally watermelon varieties like Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet and Charleston Gray produce at most 1700 plants in an acre, each producing a maximum of 3-4 fruits. An acre therefore averages 8,000 to 9,000 fruits. The new hybrids guarantee at least 2,500 plants per acre, each producing 6 -8 fruits.

One acre therefore produces 15,000 fruits. Some of the recently developed hybrid varieties in Kenya include: Sweet Rose F1 A vigorous medium to early hybrid (90-100 days) with good adaptability. The fruits are oval to oblong in shape, each weighing 10 -12 Kg. Its flesh is deep crimson red with good texture and sweetness with the sweetness standing at TSS 12-13 per cent. TSS, which stands for Total Soluble solids, is the measure of sweetness and internal quality of watermelons and other fruits. Most fruits have 8-10 per cent TSS, which scientists consider barely enjoyable.

Traditional watermelon varieties fall in the 8-10 per cent TSS category. This variety also has good transport and keeping qualities. Julie F1 A vigorous hybrid producing oval shaped fruits maturing at between 80- 85 days depending on the season. Weighs 8 -10kg with excellent bright red flesh having good juicy granular texture and sweetness of 12-13 per cent TSS. It has small seed size and good shipping quality.

Sugar Belle F1 Medium early vigorous hybrid with a fast maturity of 80 days. It has attractive dark bluish green rind (skin) with visible green stripes. Fruits are round to oval in shape each weighing 8-10 kg. Flesh is deep red in color with firm texture and sweetness of 12 per cent TSS.

Honey Bee F1 This is a new ice box hybrid with fruit weighing 4 to 5 kg maturing at between 60-65 days with 12-13 per cent TSS. The rind is tough, making it excellent for long distance transport. Watermelons can grow in a very wide variety of environments.

The only area they may not perform well are the cold highlands. They grow well form mid hot coastal areas, to dry eastern plains and hilly midlands. In Kenya, watermelons do well in areas like Machakos, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Meru, Isiollo, Kerio valley, Loitoktok,Siaya,Coast Province and also around Garrissa.

Ploughing of land should be done four weeks before planting. This allows for decomposition of plants remaining from the previous crop. Good ploughing kills all the weeds and buries weed seeds and thus delays their germination. Watermelons are often directly planted without the use of nursery. 2 to 3 seeds are required per hole. But the use of germination trays can reduce the amount of seed required. Water melons predominantly require nitrogen, phosphorus and pottasium nutrients for optimum growth. The most common fertilizer used is the DAP.

At the onset of flowering additional fertilizer will be required as a top dressing. Watermelons do not require wet soil for growth. They have an efficient root system. Watering should be guided by the area grown and the stage of crop growth. Often, irrigation is required every five days in the early stages.

Excessive irrigation may encourage vegetative growth and disease incidence. One acre approximate cost of production and returns Cost of hybrid seeds: 400g is Sh27,000. Ploughing and weeding depending on the type of tools costs around Sh.3,000. Planting fertilizer: DAP 50kgs Sh2,250 Citishooter hormone, also known as rooting hormone to allow fast and uniform growth, costs Sh400 for 200mililitres.

Top dressing fertilizer: CAN of 50kgs at Sh2,200 Fungicide for control of common fungi diseases. Most recommended include Portiva, Antracol Sh1,500 for 200mililitres. Pesticides for control of common pests like aphids, commonly Actara, Karate or Agrinate going for Sh2,500 Total cost Sh41,000 Returns from hybrid watermelons One acre produces around 15,000 fruits, each selling for an average Sh100. Total sales income for 15,000 fruits is Sh1,500,000

TEACH YOUR CHILD THESE AT EARLY AGE

******* PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE ********
Here is a list of things you need to teach your Child
(ren) at early age:
1: Warn your Girl Child Never to sit on anyone's laps
no matter the situation including uncles.
2: Avoid Getting Dressed in front of your child once
he/she is 2 years old. Learn to excuse them or
yourself.
3. Never allow any adult refer to your child as 'my
wife' or 'my husband'
4. Whenever your child goes out to play with friends
make sure you look for a way to find out what kind of
play they do, because young people now sexually abuse
themselves.
5. Never force your child to visit any adult he or she is
not comfortable with and also be observant if your
child becomes too fond of a particular adult.
6. Once a very lively child suddenly becomes withdrawn
you may need to patiently ask lots of questions from
your child.
7. Carefully educate your grown ups about the right
values of sex . If you don't, the society will teach them
the wrong values.
8: It is always advisable you go through any new
Material like cartoons you just bought for them before
they start seeing it themselves.
9. Ensure you activate parental controls on your cable
networks and advice your friends especially those your
child(ren) visit(s) often.
10. Teach your 3 year olds how to wash their private
parts properly and warn them never to allow anyone
touch those areas and that
includes you (remember, charity begins from home
and with you).
11: Blacklist some materials/associates you think could
threaten the sanity of your child (this includes music,
movies and even friends and families).
12. Let your child(ren) understand the value of
standing out of the
crowd.
13: Once your child complains about a particular
person, don't keep quiet about it.
Take up the case and show them you can defend them.
Remember, we are either parents or parents-to-be.
and remember "THE PAIN LASTS A LIFETIME"

WHY WOMEN ARE AT MUCH GREATER RISK OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS-UTIs

- Urinary tract infections are most common in women.
This is due to two different aspects of basic human
anatomy:
- First, the urethra is close to the rectum in women.
As a result, it is extremely easy for bacteria from the
rectum to reach the urethra—particularly if you wipe
back to front instead of front to back.
- This is why young girls often get UTIs—they haven’t
mastered the art of wiping just yet.
- Second, in women, the urethra is shorter than men.
- So bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to get
to the bladder, where they can multiply and more
readily cause infection.
There are other lifestyle factors that can put you at
extra risk of developing a chronic UTI.
- For example, using a diaphragm during sex can
cause problems.
- Diaphragms push up against the urethra, making it
harder to fully empty the bladder.
- The urine that is not fully emptied is more likely to
grow bacteria.
- Another example is constantly changing the bacterial
makeup of the vagina.
- If you regularly use antibacterial vaginal douches,
spermicides, and certain oral antibiotics, you basically
are changing your vaginal bacteria regularly.
- This can increase your risk of developing a chronic
UTI.
- Menopause can cause similar problems in some
women. Menopause causes hormone changes that in
turn can cause changes in the vaginal bacteria.
- This can increase the risk for chronic UTIs.

TIPS THAT CAN HELP YOU TO GET RID OF ABNORMAL VAGINAL ODOR

1. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush
out toxins and harmful bacteria from the body.
2. It will also help ward off a variety of health issues.
8 glasses each day is recommended.
3. Avoid refined carbohydrates, caffeine and sugary
drinks; sugar stimulates yeast production.
4. Check for possible signs of infection that could be
causing this problem.
5. Maintain proper personal hygiene.
6. Wear 100 percent cotton panties that allow air
circulation and help keep the vulva ventilated, thus
avoiding excessive perspiration.
7. Change pads, tampons, and panty-liners
frequently.
8. Avoid using scented products down there as they
may contribute to unbalanced vaginal pH.
9. If the problem mostly occurs after intercourse then
simply wash the vagina with water after sex.
10. Practice safe sex.
11. At times, women simply do not like the normal
vaginal odor caused by vaginal secretions.
However, there is nothing bad about it, you just need
to respect your body and embrace your natural odor.
If the problem is severe or does not get better with the
home remedies then it is suggested to consult a doctor

AT WHAT AGE SHOULD GIRLS BE TOLD ABOUT MENSTRUATION? ?

Girls (and boys!) should have information about
menstruation by about age 8. This is an area of intense
interest to girls. Information about periods might be
provided in school — and instructional books
can be very helpful.
Many moms share their own personal experiences with
their daughters, including when their periods first
started and what it felt like, and how, as with many
things, it wasn't such a big deal after a while.