Lao Voices

In the light of education most people focus on schools and educational programs. After all, schooling programs provide the power of knowledge to many. Learning to read and write are essential skills for the citizens of a country and will build the country as a whole. Without sufficient education, little or no economic growth is possible in post industrial times.

But after learning to read and write, additional knowledge is needed to further develop critical industries. Unfortunately, critical knowledge for important industries is not always widely available in a country such as Laos. In such cases, schooling is not always the answer for transfering critical knowledge and competences.

Then, how can knowledge be obtained outside schooling programs? A very good source of knowledge are international business alliances. Through business alliances, much knowledge is transfered both ways but traditionally more knowledge is transfered to the partner with least knowledge.

A great model that could be applied to Laos and its region is Franchising. Franchising is a method of doing business wherein a franchisor licenses trademarks and tried and proven methods of doing business to a franchisee in exchange for a recurring payment, and usually a percentage piece of gross sales or gross profits as well as the annual fees.

Franchising offers franchisees the advantage of starting up a new business quickly based on a proven trademark and formula of doing business, as opposed to having to build a new business and brand from scratch. A well run franchise would offer a turnkey business: from site selection to lease negotiation, training, mentoring and ongoing support as well as statutory requirements and troubleshooting.

While maintaining local ownership in Laos, knowledge could be easily transfered through international franchises by

* mentoring
* guided experience
* simulation
* guided experimentation
* work shadowing
* paired work
* communities of practice
* narrative transfer

True Coffee already initiated such a franchise and more will come. A very welcome initiative that will teach local Lao the tricks of the trade which they can then also use in other areas of expertise. Another step in building the essential knowledge and competences for an economic healthy future.