Our Journey
Experience 1987-2019
32 years of experience has taught us:
- that people who are encouraged to take charge of their own learning experience are significantly more likely to succeed in business than those who are taught by a teacher or trainer;
- that the Trainer (facilitator) is the natural mentor for fledgling businesses;
- that true mentoring is a meeting between equals and not a top-down approach;
- that it is dangerous to ignore the mindset or world-view of learners; (Those that believe that others are responsible for their poverty will not easily choose to take responsibility for their own economic destinies);
- that it is more effective to work with individuals than with groups such as production cooperatives;
- that debt (whether in the form of credit or loans) is not a blessing for poor people.
Trainer-Mentors
More than 6 000 delegates have attended our Trainer-Mentor courses since 1991 in several different countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
- This intensive 4-day course requires potential Trainer-Mentors to complete the 14 workbooks that comprise the 3 versions of Micro-MBA, prior to the first day of the course.
- Only facilitators that have been certificated by Trident Institute are permitted to offer the course.
- Micro-MBA training materials are ordered from Trident Institute.
- The trainers’ course typically takes place in Cape Town, but may be offered anywhere in the world (terms and conditions apply).
- The skills required to be a good Trainer and Mentor are very similar to those that make a good business manager. Management Development programmes are available on request.
The Micro-MBA Course
This learner-driven, outcomes-based course has been successfully completed by nearly 200 000 learners in Africa and Latin America.
- The course covers the basic skills needed to start or improve a micro or small business.
- Micro-MBA is currently available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Chichewa.
- Learners work at their own pace through 8 simple workbooks, for either Traders, Producers or Service Providers.
- Learners with a Grade 6 literacy capability will take about 32 hours to complete the workbooks. Some may finish in less time and some will need more.
- The work is always completed in the presence of a trained facilitator.
- Illiterate people are encouraged to bring a literate friend or relative with them to the course. In this way two can be trained for the price of one!
Who Are We?
Master Trainer & CEO Cedric Buffler
Cedric joined the Triple Trust Organisation in 1987. The One-Up Business Training programme created within TTO was renamed “Micro-MBA” in the year 2000. The course and the training of trainers have been developed and refined by Trident Institute between 1991 and the present.
- Trainers and Mentors have been trained throughout Africa and in Latin America.
- They have provided basic business skills to nearly 200 000 emerging entrepreneurs.
Master Trainer Marinus Bell
CPUT graduate, Marinus lives out his passion for education and development.
- Using neuroscience as the foundation for his interventions, he qualified as a Micro-MBA Master Trainer in 2017. He has empowered new Trainer-Mentors for Ivanplats Mines in Kinshasa and in Limpopo Province (RSA).
- He offers both the basic Micro-MBA, as well as the Trainer-Mentor course.
We'll train your trainers anywhere!
Initially developed in the townships of Cape Town in 1987, the Micro-MBA has emerged as a useful weapon for alleviating poverty. We have been training trainers since 1990.
- NGOs, CBOs, FBOs and training companies utilise community-based Trainer-Mentors offer basic business skills to existing and aspirant entrepreneurs in many countries in Africa and Latin America.
- Follow us on social media (links below).