Cisco, SDG Develop Business Planning Tools to Support Microfinance Lenders and Entrepreneurs in ICT

BEIRUT (June 24, 2010) – A new set of interactive business planning and decision support tools will help microfinance borrowers and loan providers as part of CREDIT, Cisco Rural Enterprise Development for Information Technology, a program it launched in 2008.

As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, Strategic Decisions Group, an international management consulting firm with a focus on strategy, finance, and innovation, worked with Cisco to help replicate the program’s success in other emerging markets. SDG developed custom interactive tools and blueprints to support the analysis of opportunities in each of four information and communications technology (ICT) business categories.

Representatives of Cisco and SDG presented the results of Cisco’s experience in rural Lebanon and demonstrated the tools at a three-day microfinance conference hosted by Sanabel, the Microfinance Network of Arab Countries. Nearly 700 people attended the conference earlier this month.

“SDG is pleased to partner with Cisco to advance this important initiative,” said Mazen Skaf, managing director of SDG’s Europe and Middle East Practice. “Through this program, we hope to help Cisco build on the success of the CREDIT program and advance microfinance and ICT entrepreneurship across emerging markets, create sustainable ICT-related businesses and jobs, and improve standards of living in rural areas in developing markets.”

Initially, the effort has focused on four categories of ICT businesses that have benefitted from the CREDIT program: computer hardware and maintenance stores, digital photography stores; “knowledge cafés” and internet training centers; and local-area network service providers. The decision tools will not only support entrepreneurs and lenders in existing categories, but also will help Cisco in communicating the benefits of the microfinance program and potentially expanding it to other regions and categories.

“The decision tools support business owners in planning their new venture by helping them evaluate how much funding they need and where to invest it, said Rony ElSaouda, who developed the tools as part of SDG’s team. “It supports lenders in making decisions about microfinance loans to entrepreneurs by giving them a method to assess a business’s prospects.”

In June 2008 Cisco launched the CREDIT program, a $1 million microcredit fund for ICT investments in rural Lebanon. Working through two local Lebanese microfinance institutions, CREDIT has disbursed more than 500 loans ranging from $1,500 to $7,500 and offers training in business and entrepreneurship skills.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco, (NASDAQ: CSCO), is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Cisco celebrates 25 years of technological innovation, operating excellence and corporate social responsibility. Information about Cisco can be found at www.cisco.com.

About SDG

Founded in 1981, Strategic Decisions Group is an international management consulting firm renowned for its expertise in strategic decision-making, risk management, and shareholder value creation. Through a collaborative, team-based approach, SDG helps clients find innovative, creative strategies to thrive today, while also helping them build internal competencies and more effective decision-making processes to meet competitive challenges in the future.

Press Contact 

Ms. Barbara Metzler, Director of Public Relations
Strategic Decisions Group
+1 650 475 4497

Ms. Rita Ragavlas, Beirut Office Manager
Strategic Decisions Group
+961 199 13 13

pr@sdg.com