We see time and again social enterprises struggling with growth and sustainability because of their remote locations and lack of skilled staff. Thirty-five percent of such businesses face operational setbacks each year due to challenges—but they are fixable.
The challenge
Bhoomgaadi, a social enterprise based in the Dantewada District (also known as Dantewara or Dakshin Bastar District) in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, faced a unique set of challenges. Despite having a highly-qualified core team, the organization struggled to retain talent in this remote area. The difficulty in keeping skilled staff for the long term made the enterprise rely on local tribal communities who, while proficient in traditional organic farming, lacked formal business training.
The need for a sustainable business with efficient processes
They needed to create a sustainable business model where the local community could adopt essential roles without continuous external support. Also, the lack of structured processes and formal training limited Bhoomgaadi’s ability to scale operations, effectively manage finances and leverage its unique selling proposition (USP) of high-quality indigenous produce.
The strategies
We saw these challenges and partnered with Bhoomgaadi to provide these targeted interventions so they could grow:
Comprehensive strategy review
- Women on Wings conducted a detailed analysis of Bhoomgaadi’s existing operations, identifying gap areas and conducting a SWOT analysis to better understand the organization’s standing.
Financial management and sales strategy workshops
- Implemented robust financial planning and management systems tailored to Bhoomgaadi’s context.
- Developed an effective sales strategy to highlight Bhoomgaadi’s USP of high-quality indigenous produce, helping position the products better in the market.
The results
The interventions by Women on Wings led to several positive outcomes from enhanced operations to community engagement:
Improved financial and operational efficiency
- Enhanced financial management practices resulted in better cash flow and timely payments.
- Enhanced the Bhoomgaadi team’s understanding of financial ratios
- Enabled the effective monitoring of the organization’s financial health to make informed decisions and establish actionable strategies for improved accountability and long-term financial management sustainability
Increased sales and market reach
- The refined sales strategy, sales funnel optimization, and client account management, led to a significant increase in sales, tapping new markets and attracting collaboration opportunities.
Impact on Bhoomgaadi, sustainable growth, women and empowerment
- The partnership with WOW has had a profound impact on Bhoomgaadi’s business and the surrounding community.
- Business impact: Bhoomgaadi booked great sales and acquired new accounts with a solid operational foundation and a clear growth strategy. The increase in sales and improved financial management have positioned the enterprise for sustainable growth.
- Impact on women: The engagement of more women in the enterprise has not only provided the women with stable income opportunities but has also built their confidence and skills in business operations.
The establishment of new processing units initiated by the government and managed by Bhoomgaadi has also helped women with additional revenue streams and enhanced their role in the community, promoting greater gender equity and economic empowerment.
Overall, the ongoing collaboration between Women on Wings and Bhoomgaadi has demonstrated that with the right support and strategic planning, even the most remote social enterprises can overcome significant challenges and create lasting impacts for their communities.
Curious how Women on Wings can work with your social enterprise? Contact us.
