Nevin Ford in Haiti
1. Please describe what the organization/company you work with does, how it is set up and where it is located?
Hopital Albert Schweitzer, Deschapelles Haiti
2. What is the organization/company doing well?
Providing health care in the Abortinate valley, able to perform operations.
3. Where could the organization/company improve?
Overall management and systems control.
4. What are some aspects of the local cultural that should be understood when foreigners consider doing business in this country?
Learning the language is important, it goes a long way to being accepted by locals. Understanding their perspective of life is important.
5. What are some aspects of the local business environment (e.g. registration of company, government’s role in business, business items unique to this country) that should be understood when foreigners and locals consider doing business in this country?
There is lots of opportunity for investment in Haiti. Although with an unstable political environment in the past, the future holds promise for the country. Another peaceful election will go a long way in giving comfort for companies to invest in Haiti.
6. What were the direct and indirect results/deliverables as a result of your placement? Please be as specific as possible. Please provide both soft and hard examples. Hard examples include number of clients/people trained, dollars raised, people impacted, etc)
Main deliverables were systems review, producing ½ year financial expenses, budget/grant update, employee payroll review. Due to the unexpected departure of the finance director, my focus was shifted to ensure financial operations were continued until a replaced could be found.
7. Are there opportunities in this field (e.g… health, agriculture or finance) for local and international entrepreneurs?
As it is a hospital institution, not really applicable for entrepreneurs. In Deschapelles it would be difficult to do business, as the current road to the hospital is in horrible condition. But multiple opportunity working with the hospital on partner projects as their strength is in the infrastructure. A partnership would be more favourable.
Questions about Personal Experience:
1. Why are you interested in international development and private sector development?
It’s not as evil as working for an oil company. The chance to do something good for people makes me feel good too.
2. Originally, why did you want to participate in this program?
I was looking for an experience, something different before I started my career/after finishing school.
3. What were your main challenges, both personally and professionally?
Professionally was adapting with the work team’s culture. I spent much time speaking and interacting with my coworkers. Personally was the new feeling of working in a foreign country in a foreign language.
4. Was the monthly stipend of $1,000US/month sufficient and how, if needed, would you change the way and what MBAs Without Borders financially covers?
Housing can be expensive, I stayed in the guest housing, at $350/month, a third of the stipend. But money was not the reason for going to Haiti or joining the MWB program. I think it is sufficient.
5. What would have made this experience even better for you?
Tough question, maybe a detailed work outline. Overall a great experience.
6. What advice would you like to offer future MBAs who work abroad for MBAs Without Borders?
Keep an open mind and engage with the local people. Listening to the people is the best learning experience for me.
7. Why would you recommend others to participate on MWB programs?
If you want to have an international experience using your business education, and make a difference in an organization, this is the way to go. It’s not for everyone, but personally the reward is great.
8. What are some of your goals and aspirations (i.e. job, personal, etc), that you are planning for once this placement has concluded,
I am planning to return to HAS and continue where I left off. In the future I would like this experience to lead into other international opportunities. I will always take from this the value of helping organizations.