From the Director: Igniting the Small Business Sector
The economic problems in developing countries are obvious—unemployment is high, incomes are low, people’s creativity, gifts, and energy are underutilized. While the causes are many, one key missing ingredient in virtually all economically lagging countries is a robust small business sector.
Many have seen the need and have responded. Governments have developed programs, but they are often tied up with politics and bureaucracy. Moreover, they do not provide a Christian worldview of business.
Individuals and small NGO’s have started programs, many of which have dramatic impact on individuals and communities both economically and spiritually. But these programs are often under-resourced and limited in reach. They do a great job with a few people, but they are a drop in the ocean of the problem. How can these efforts be scaled up to a size where they have a significant impact?
That is where Regent’s Center for Entrepreneurship comes in. Most of our recent efforts have centered on determining best practices for starting small-to-medium sized businesses (SME’s) and on developing scalable, “franchisable” business models that can be used by NGO’s to start thousands of SME’s.
The articles in this issue of the newsletter highlight recent activities on these fronts. The Symposium in May brought together practitioners, who are training entrepreneurs around the world, for a discussion of best practices. The Roundtable in April focused on the concept of franchising as a way to grow many businesses rapidly while lowering the risk of failure.
In order to test the ideas we are gathering from research and meetings, we have targeted Ukraine for a demonstration project. We chose Ukraine because we have experience, contacts and partners there. We have ambitious plans for starting, growing and networking together kingdom businesses in Ukraine.
Will you join us? We invite participation from everyone interested in expanding the kingdom of God through business in Ukraine.
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Roundtable Activates Executives and RCE Initiatives
 Nearly thrity executives from across the country convened at RCE on April 18 for an Executive Roundtable focused on "Franchising as a Tool for Kingdom Business". Input and participation from these executives resulted in substantial actions and momentum in two key projects: Transformation Ukraine and Mission Hotel.
The Roundtable helped to solidify plans for a Kingdom Business Symposium in Ukraine later this year. Franchising was also determined to be a key development tool as plans move forward for Ukraine. Leveraging another strategic project, Mission Hotel, there are also plans to launch a hotel in Ukraine from an existing franchise. Building on the entrepreneurial initiative of Pastor Eric Bahme and the Eastside Foursquare Church of Portland, OR (mentioned in Global News), RCE plans to work with Pastor Bahme to expand the business/church plant concept internationally.
A key springboard for this initiative will be the "Entrepreneurial Church in the Marketplace" conference, hosted by RCE at the Founders Inn & Spa in April 2008. At this summit, approximately 500 leaders will learn about bringing together business and ministry. Sessions will cover how an entrepreneurial church can own and run a for-profit business for ministry, mobilize businesspeople for missions, and develop business leaders to grow the church and advance the kingdom. To learn more, contact Russ Wendell at RCE.
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RCE Launching First Demonstration Project, Ukraine: You're Invited!
At the invitation of Dr. John Mulford, Ukrainian Christian businessman Ivan Papish (right) visited RCE and was an honored speaker for RCE's April Executive Roundtable and May Kingdom Business Symposium, held on the Regent campus. Through much prayer and a groundswell of support, Dr. John Mulford, Ivan Papish, Tom Stansbury (Regent MBA, 1999) and other strategic partners are joining together to launch RCE’s Kingdom Business efforts in Ukraine. Our passion is to see the people and nation of Ukraine transformed through training in business ethics, small business launch, and development of a business network.
Join an RCE Expedition Team to Ukraine and experience the Kingdom Business adventure of your life! Travel to Ternopil August 31 - September 2 for this Kingdom Business Symposium. You will be a Business Coach to help emerging entrepreneurs do a feasibility study and prepare a business plan. You will have the opportunity to work with them as they launch their business and make a lasting economic and spiritual impact for the Kingdom of God in Ukraine! Read more...
Contact RCE for information on how YOU can be involved!
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Kingdom Business Training Symposium Held at RCE
Christians in Kingdom Business glorify God in their businesses while at the same time creating true wealth. To extend the influence of these ventures, training and equipping is becoming a need of utmost urgency. Many Christian businesspeople are putting significant effort into helping disadvantaged populations start businesses, but providing solid, effective training can be a major challenge at times.
 The vision of the Regent Center for Entrepreneurship (RCE) is transforming people and nations through business. With the understanding that business is a key leading institution with a great opportunity to fundamentally improve the social, economic and spiritual demise of the disadvantaged populations, RCE conducted a symposium on Kingdom Business Training (May 9 - 11, 2007) that brought together Christian businesspeople who are passionate about training entrepreneurs in developing countries.
More...
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Regent SIFE Places in Nationals After Winning Regionals
 The Regent University SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) Team won 1st Runner–up in their league at the SIFE National Exposition & Competition held recently in Dallas, Texas. RCE's own graduate assistant, Johncy Rajan, was one of the presenters. This year marks the fifth consecutive year Regent has competed in the national competition. After winning the regional competition in Charlotte, NC in March, Regent SIFE, along with 160 other regional winners from across the US, converged on Dallas to compete in the 2007 SIFE National Exposition & Competition May 6-8.
 Dr. Bruce Winston (at left) was recognized as this year's "Most Supportive Dean of the Year" at the national competition (view story). Dr. Winston is the Dean of the School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship (SGLE).  Chaunta Foster (right), a 2007 MBA graduate from SGLE and 2005-2006 president of Regent SIFE, received the Outstanding Service Award from Regent SIFE and the national Outstanding Service Leadership award from national SIFE Headquarters for her commitment and service.
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Alumni Focus: "Chicken Is the Future" in Zambia
 On May 25, 1994, while he was sleeping, Abel Mbewe (at left) heard a loud voice say “Chicken, chicken, that is the future”. Two years later, Abel started a small scale poultry project at the backyard of his home in Zambia. After extensive reading and consultations with poultry extension officers, he bought equipment and 100 day-old chicks. Since then, his vision has continued to expand.
 Dominion Poultry Limited, registered in December 2006, is a manifestation of what God started in Abel Mbewe in 1994. RCE and Regent University's MBA program helped prepare him to return to Zambia, build up his business, and provide jobs and hope in his nation. Dominion Poultry, a growing chicken business operating using Kingdom Business principles, is commited to meeting spiritual, social and economic needs of the poor through establishing micro-enterprises and reinvesting resources into the community.
Full story...
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International Conference on Integrating Spirituality and Organizational Leadership
 Regent University's School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneursip (SGLE) partnered with the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi to organize this conference on spirituality and leadership, where many SGLE faculty presented papers (including RCE Research Fellow Jeremiah Koshal). The conference gathered scholars from Asia, Africa, Europe and the US to systematically explore and map the field of spirituality in leadership and business from different perspectives, disciplines and spiritual traditions. The focus was on the role of spirituality in renewing the contemporary management praxis towards a more inclusive, holistic and peaceful approach.
Full article and list of papers with SGLE/Regent authors
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Doing Business in China
Invited by RCE and Regent SIFE, and sponsored by the School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Bob Gaylord, President of Agio International, spoke to students and the larger Regent community about his 20 years of experience doing business in China.
Following his presentation, Gaylord entertained questions from students and faculty, and has met with some students to advise them on their own business ideas and challenges relating to China. We are grateful to Bob and other visiting executives for generously sharing their time and for investing in RCE and Regent students who are already impacting the world in a positive way.
See Gaylord's presentation
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SBA Workshop Examines Biblical Foundations of Business
For the second year in a row, RCE collaborated with Regent's Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to present a symposium entitled “Starting, Funding, and Expanding Your Business.” The half-day seminar, held on April 21 at Regent University, was a response to President George W. Bush’s Faith-Based and Community Organization Initiative tailored to the faith community.
The workshop highlighted key Biblical principles for success in business, and raised awareness about SBA resources for small businesses. These resources include financial assistance, counseling services, and federal procurement opportunities. More than 100 business owners and aspiring business owners from the local community left equipped with Biblical principles, funding ideas and an understanding of support services available to their businesses.
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Corruption: A Global Challenge!
Corruption is a plague that can infect entire markets and ripple from enterprise to enterprise. The publicizing of corruption on a national scale can be a serious inconvenience to emerging economies seeking foreign investment. However, the issues surrounding corruption must be engaged on a micro level in order to assist and maintain macro level efforts towards reform.
 Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) endure the brunt of corrupt practices in business; unfortunately, competitive pressure often means corrupt practices are considered necessary for the survival of SMEs in developing markets. The necessity for transparency in organizations, good governance, integrity, and formal policy reform is imperative to combating corruption. There are many opportunities to get involved in the global fight against corruption.
More…
“Corruption is recognized as one of the main challenges to the effectiveness and sustainability of development efforts. It distorts the rule of law and weakens the institutional foundations on which economic growth depends”
(El-Sharkawy, Amina, Jarvis, Petkoski, 2006).
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Nation in Focus: Ukraine
 Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917 and a short period of independence, Ukraine fell under Soviet rule. The Ukrainian republic was the second-most important economic contributer to the former Soviet Union because of its rich agriculture and diversified heavy industry. Shortly after independence in 1991, most prices were liberalized and a legal framework for privatization was instituted, but a legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform and civil liberties.
 Changes in the last few years have brought much economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadow economy, but more improvements are needed, including fighting corruption, developing capital markets, structural reform, land privatization and improving the legislative framework for businesses. (Source: www.cia.gov) For more information on doing business in Ukraine, check out this World Bank website.
Read more...
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Did you know...? The Importance of Franchising
Franchising may turn out to be the chief US export to emerging and developing economies, as we advance into the 21st century. Emerging markets are among the fastest growing targets for investment by international franchisors. Several surveys conducted by industry experts showed that more and more franchisors are seeking opportunities in these markets. As a matter of fact, franchises are springing up in the most unlikely and even unheard of places, though the risks are great.
 Statistics show that a large percentage of those who start their own businesses fail after the first year, but the success rate for those who start a franchise is much higher, as it helps minimize risk. A recent across-the-board Gallup Poll of US franchisees found that more than 94 percent consider themselves successful, and more than 75 percent would buy their franchise again. Thus, if choosing between franchising and starting a business from scratch, a franchise may be a better option for many people, especially for those without prior business experience. (For more information, see An Examination of International Retail Franchising in Emerging Markets: Dianne H B Welsh, Ilan Alon, Cecilia M Falbe. Journal of Small Business Management. Milwaukee: Jan 2006. Vol.44, Iss. 1; pg. 130, 20 pgs.)
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On a Personal Note...
 A warm welcome to our new GAs: Wesley Stewart and John C. Rajan have joined staff at the Center as graduate assistants. Johncy is in the MBA program at Regent, and Wes is pursuing a Master's in Organizational Leadership. We are grateful for the talent and passion they bring to RCE!
Read more about our GAs.
(Photo L to R: Wes Stewart, Johncy Rajan)
Congratulations to Dr. and Mrs. Jeremiah and Ruth Koshal! Jeremiah, Research Fellow at RCE, traveled home to Kenya in December and married his beautiful bride in a Christian Masai ceremony.
See more pictures.
Congratulations to Manika Baniya on her graduation from the MBA program here at Regent! Manika, a former graduate assistant at RCE, was previously featured in a Student Spotlight and Regent University's Christian Leader magazine. We congratulate Manika on graduating and wish her well!
 Deepest sympathy to Skye Ganbaatar (RCE's Office and Website Administrator) and her husband Javkhaa, who lost their newborn son, Enkhbeleg Samuel, on March 1.
Read their testimony.
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Pray With Us
 Thank you for joining us in praying for the work of the Center and for others doing work in the area of Kingdom Business.
Read our prayer requests.
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