2.0 BUSINESS DESCRIPTION.........................................................................................................................4 3.0 COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS.........................................................................................................................6
1|Page 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Mankind Internet Cafe and Computer Training Centre will be legally registered as a Community Based Organization in Fullah Town-Yeli Sanda Road and will be the leading provider of hands-on computer training in Makeni Northern Sierra Leone. The Facility will be started in 2026 after realizing the need to provide internet services, secretarial solutions, ICT solutions and also the need to improve access to ICT equipment especially in Northern Sierra Leone which was greatly affected by the National Power Authority insurgency for the last generation, consequently, delaying development. And since some schools still lack basic necessities inclusive of computers and internet Services which is becoming the main spearhead to development. The Centre has bridged that gap and there has been improved technology and access to Internet which has transformed lives of many through empowering individuals especially the youth and communities in Fullah Town to create solutions to their own challenges through access to and knowledge of internet technology.
The Centre will be located at the junction at Fullah Town-Yeli Sanda Road, and we offer services which include Internet services, Computer repair, Networking, consultancy, secretarial services, software installation and computer training both hardware and software skills and we are going to start training 10 youths on computer application. The training is based on the fact that investment made in human beings is seen as the largest investment, brings new understanding and inspiration to the place of life, advocates that every human being deserves a quality education and brings together education and modern technology. The Centre will begin with 10 computers all connected to the internet and 3 dedicated staff with an ICT background who hold diploma and certificates in Information technology respectively.
Mankind Internet Café and Computer Training Centre have selected the sole proprietorship as its formal legal entity. This structure was chosen because of its operational simplicity. Although this structure exposes the owner to unlimited liability, risk management and insurance protection will be established to offset this risk. Mankind Internet Café and Computer Training Centre will be an independent, start-up venture. The proposed starting date for the venture will be 07/04/2026.
To attract the intended customers the internet-café can use different types of advertising to reach each target group. For the adolescents for example some posters could be made. These posters could be placed around places where the adolescents would mainly be present. Places like game-halls and sports clubs would be perfect for advertising. Another way of attracting the customer is to advertise in the local newspaper. By advertising in the local newspaper the households would get notice of the new internet-café. This would result in attracting the parents of the adolescents and the middle-aged inhabitants of
2|Page Makeni. These ways of advertising will be stopped after two years. This is because over such a period of time most inhabitants will have noticed the internet- café and/or heard about it.
Mankind Internet Café and Computer Training Centre purpose of this business plan is to obtain debt-based capital and to secure private equity funding. The total amount of capital needed is Le30, 000. The rent is Le500 a month, with a five-year lease available. The site consists of a 20 x 20 square-foot dining room, a 15 x 15 square-foot kitchen, two bathrooms, and a storage room in back. To be used as a restaurant, this storefront needs to be plumbed and wired appropriately. Painting, new floors, and countertops are also needed. With materials bought on sale and volunteer labour, the cost to renovate will be Le500.
The kitchen will be equipped with a commercial stove, refrigerator, freezer, walk-in- cooler, oven, microwave, and small commercial dishwasher. With bargain (but quality) equipment, the cost will be Le7, 000. The walk-in cooler will be custom-built. Other start- up expenses will be dishes, furniture, food inventory, rent deposit, and marketing.
The Mankind Internet Café and Computer Training Centre will serve a basic Sierra Leonean-style breakfast and lunch, with an emphasis on healthy, tasty food. Low-fat recipes will be used whenever possible in such a way as not to sacrifice taste or appeal. Menu items for breakfast will range from Le5 –Le10. Lunch items will range from Le15 – Le25. Daily soups and specials will be offered. See the attached menu for details. Hours of operation will be 6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., 6 days a week, and 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Sundays.
Management Team
Resumes - Attached are resumes for the staff of the Mankind Internet Café and Computer Training Centre. Kadiatu Kargbo has over fifteen years’ experience in the restaurant business. Five of those years were spent as manager of the Top Restaurant at Freetown.
Accounting and Cash Management Systems - An electronic cash register has already been purchased. This register is capable of tracking sales of various items, recording the different operators, and displaying the correct amount of change due for cash transactions. Numbered sales slips will be used, and each book signed for in a log book. All slips will be accounted for. The Café will accept credit cards and a credit card machine will be purchased.
Alhaji Koroma will prepare deposits and take them to the bank daily. All checks will be written and signed by Manager, and she will keep the restaurant books on the Quick Books software program. Ms Hannah Counter, will prepare tax returns and quarterly payroll and tax reports.
3|Page Kadiatu Kargbo will be head cook, and additional staff will consist of a part-time back-up cook and two waitresses. During slow times, only one waitress will be used. Experienced staff members have already been located.
Our Vision
‘’A dignified life for vulnerable persons.’’
Our Mission
‘’To reach out to the lives of vulnerable youth and women providing care and support, restoring hope, enabling sustainable growth and development through empowerment and mentoring, creating youth and women friendly environment for socio-economic transformation.’’
Core Values
Youth are the best change agent
Empowerment Participation Equality Transparent and accountable Good governance
2.0 BUSINESS DESCRIPTION
Mankind Internet Café and Computer Training Centre have selected the sole proprietorship as its formal legal entity. This structure was chosen because of its operational simplicity. Although this structure exposes the owner to unlimited liability, risk management and insurance protection will be established to offset this risk. Mankind Internet Café and Computer Training Centre will be an independent, start-up venture. The proposed starting date for the venture will be 07/04/2026.
The Centre will be located at the junction at Fullah Town-Yeli Sanda Road, and we offer services which include Internet services, Computer repair, Networking, consultancy, secretarial services, software installation and computer training both hardware and software skills and we are going to start training 10 youths on computer application. The training is based on the fact that investment made in human beings is seen as the largest investment, brings new understanding and inspiration to the place of life, advocates that every human being deserves a quality education and brings together education and modern technology. The Centre will begin with 10 computers all connected to the internet and 3 dedicated staff with an ICT background who hold diploma and certificates in Information technology respectively.
4|Page Our target Market: Business Owners & Workers - During the week, 24,000 people work in Makeni. Most of them work early in the morning, so the Café will open at 6:30. This group includes managers, factory employees, retail clerks, professionals, tradesmen, labourers, and other food service workers. This group will form the base clientele, as many will be repeat customers. A number of tradesmen have promised to patronize the café every day. Fast, accurate service will be provided, as these customers often have limited time to eat.
Local Residents & Workers - Small ads will be placed weekly in the dining section of the local newspaper. Specials will be promoted with an A-frame sign and, during slow periods, coupons and “2-for-1” deals will be offered. Menus will be distributed to local businesses and faxing in orders will be encouraged. Take-out will be attractively boxed and given equal priority to sit-down services.
Tourists - Menus will be distributed to the local lodging establishments to encourage their guests to come to the Café. Advertisements and listings will be placed in state wide and regional tourist guides and publications. Menus will also be placed at information booths and other spots likely to have tourist traffic.
Other – Makeni Community Colleges and Universities is not a far distance. Students there are likely to visit our Café on the weekends, on very nice days and during their holiday periods. Flyers will be distributed on campus during those times, offering the students a percentage discount on certain meals and during certain times.
Business Objectives and Goals
Mankind Internet Café and Computer Training Centre will offer a fresh point of view on Main Street. The menu will change frequently, the service will be good, and the food will be the best. The restrooms will be clean. There are three influential key success factors and activities that will contribute to the accomplishment of Mankind Internet Cafe's goals. These factors include: our ability to select the best location(s), keeping variable and overhead expenses as low as possible, and building high market visibility through brand building and advertising.
The objectives for which the company is established are
1. To promote economic empowerment and enhance a sustainable livelihood and poverty
reduction at household levels for socio-economic empowerment.
2. To increase youth and women access to information.
3. To inspire youth to be self-reliant
4. To create opportunities for youth and other vulnerable
5|Page With respect to the business transaction, the Cafe will deliberately choose to be distinctive and unique in its customer experience. The Café will present an image of wholesome, healthy food in an attractive and clean atmosphere. The floors will be black and white tile, the curtains and tablecloths will be red and white check, and work by local artists will hang on the walls. The sign will be large enough to be read from the street, and will be designed to promote the Café’s image. Comment cards will be at each table and will be collected at the register. Suggestions for new or improved meals will be sought, as well as feedback on service and the dining experience.
3.0 COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
The Competition - The Competitor Matrix below shows the Moose Mountain Café in comparison to its competitors: Seats Meals Pricing Hours Other
Mankind Internet 20 Breakfast/ Le5 – 6:30a.m.-
Café and Computer Lunch Le10 2:30p.m Training Centre Dunkin Donuts 20 Donuts/Soups Le6- 24 hours no full meals Le10 Local 10 Donuts/ Le6- 7:00a.m.- no full breakfast Donuts Sandwich Le20 3:00p.m. Auntie Emma’s 30 3 meals/day Le10- 7:00a.m.- Outdated 25 9:00p.m menu/high priced/ other end of Main Street The Pinecone 50 3 meals/day Le10- 7:00a.m.- owners ready to Le30 9:00p.m retire/old building/ no parking/slow service Jiffy Stop, Sesay none pastries/coffee Le25 24 hours no seating or Street, Shell full meals
SWOT analysis
This section will focus on the SWOT analysis. The SWOT analysis is a strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business venture. SWOT is an abbreviation for: Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats.
Strength
6|Page The strength that the internet-café will have is its dominant position in the local internet availability. In Makeni the access to internet is very limited however there are some internet-cafés which surely will make competing favourably. This condition should have a positive effect on the success of the school's internet-café.
Secondly, the internet-café should have strength in staying up-to-date with the latest computer software. By keeping the hardware updated with the needed software the customers will enjoy working with the computers present. Staying updated with the newest software is also a cheap 'investment' which again would benefit to the success of the internet-café
Weakness
Besides the strengths each company/business has its weaknesses. Weakness can lead to a decrease of a company's success and development. The weakness of an internet-café in general and also the school's internet-café is keeping up with the latest hard-ware technology. Staying updated with the latest hardware is not only an expensive investment it is an investment which does not sincerely pays off its prices immediately. Over a period of years such an investment should be needed however it remains expensive.
Opportunities
As any other organisation an internet-café has its opportunities. Having certain
opportunities offers an organisation a possibility to expand their turnover. An opportunity of an internet-café is that the global population which is requiring access to the World Wide Web is slowly increasing. This increase of internet users should offer the internet-café a chance to expand the business.
Another opportunity from which the internet-café might benefit is the possibility of a rising demand in the market. This raise would be the outcome of the growing popularity under the inhabitants. Once one is familiar with the World Wide Web one may introduce his or her social environment to the internet. Thereby the popularity of the internet will keep on growing and finally this will reflect in an increasing number of customers for the internet- café.
Threats
The internet-café will be one of a few located in the city of Makeni. However the internet- café will face certain threats which can cause a slight decrease in its popularity in the market. One of the threats the café will face is the continuous reducing price of the availability of internet itself. Because of the lowering price the internet will become available to a greater population. When this situation occurs more and more people will have an internet connection at their own house. This will make the existence of an internet-
7|Page café redundant. Another threat which may threaten the internet-café is the increase of internet-cafés at a local scale. When the consumers get the opportunity to choose from a variety of offers the amount of customers will probably decrease.
