FOCUS AREA 1 -- IBC Group Internet Division:Internet Business Project History:The project started from an idea generated by Karachaganak Petroleum Operating b.v. Vendor Development and Qualification, US Peace Corps Volunteer, Bob Bassak and IBC staff. Today the idea has developed into a new, thriving division of IBC.
In October of 2003, KPO and the IBC Group launched the West Kazakhstan Internet Business Project. KPO supported the project by providing $45,000 in funding. The Internet Business Project was an educational initiative aimed at developing information technology in the Western Kazakhstan Oblast. The project had the following three goals.
1.Generate Internet and technology jobs and businesses in West Kazakhstan by building a skilled labor supply to meet the emerging local demand for web services
2.Launch a sustainable internet business, under the IBC Group, in order to generate funds to be allocated to help small and medium enterprises in the West Kazakhstan Oblast
3.To position West Kazakhstan as a location for web labor outsourcing
28 people were selected to study web development and technology during a ten-month (October 2003 – July 2004) course that was taught at the IBC facility. Trainers were selected from experts across Kazakhstan and the US.
Beyond the Initial Training and Grant:In July 2004, the 28 students completed their training, and at that time, I helped IBC focus on developing a sustainable, long term business division, continuing to educate students and providing job opportunities for them.
In August 2004, we officially launched a new division called the IBC Group Internet Division. Today, the Internet division consists of local designers, technology experts, project managers, translators, interpreters and marketing and expat specialists. Each project that the IBC Internet Division completes helps support the division, other IBC Group divisions and fund new social and economic development projects in the WKO.
•We deliver the following services to our clients:•Internet and e-business consulting: provide strategic consulting to guide online efforts.
•Internet, extranet and intranet services: provide site design, user interface development, prototype development, application development, coding, and testing.
•E-mail marketing: help client establish permission based e-mail communications
•Hosting and maintenance: provide content update support for website(s) and work with partners to provide hosting facility.
•Internet training: provide training in computer and internet technology.
•Translation (English and Russian): provide translation of sites, e-mail programs and advertising material into English, Russian and Kazakh.
•Our local Clients: Landed 15 local clients since the launch of the internet division. BKKS, TV Karachaganak, Sparta, Gradient, Ural Water Project, KPO Intranet Phase I and Phase II, Kazakhstan Cinema, Pushkin Hotel, Astana Trans, Masters, Panorama Travel, ZhaikDent, Ped College and Zhas Dauren. Currently in negotiations for a 21 month contract with KPO to manage their intranet site.
•Our International Clients: First international site was for Dance World Academy. We are also currently in discussions with Panasonic to develop a content management system and update existing sites.
•Social Impact: Remodeled two offices in incubator, support all three IBC Group divisions with high speed internet, provide technology training for Zhas Dauren Orphanage, provided two internships for students from Zhas Dauren, provide special design trainings for Uralsk entrepreneurs and IBC Group staff. Currently helping to support initial launch of the Kazakstani-American Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (KACEBI).
•Business infrastructure and process establishment:•Established project management system: standard contracts, statement of work (SOW), creative input document (CID), estimating tool, international accounting standards, pricing model, timesheets, client status reports and Microsoft project timelines
•Established sales strategy and process: prospect qualification system, new business strategy and capabilities presentation
•Implemented internal/external communication procedures: weekly status meetings, client communication tools and monthly/quarterly reports
•Implemented billing and invoicing system: system for tracking revenue (projected and actual)
•Established Internet access at facility: high speed internet access
•Hired full-time driver: driver is utilized across all three divisons at IBC
•Created advertising and marketing material: corporate identity, brochure, billboards and IBC Group website (www.ibcgroup.kz). These materials were built for the entire IBC Group division.
Corporate Social Responsibility: IBC believes that this project is an excellent example of where a donor provides social funding to a local non profit organization and that organization is able to use that money to develop a business that can provide unique value back to the donor. This has been an amazing example of corporate social responsibility working effectively in the West Kazakstan Oblast.
FOCUS AREA 2 -- IBC Group Social Projects:Orphanage Computer and Language Training:In the summer of 2004, I worked with BG Kazakhstan to sponsor a program that provides computer and language training to students from the Zhas Dauren Orphanage. Each student that completes the program receives a special certificate signed by BG Group, IBC and Eurasia Institute. Based on performance in the program, some students also receive university scholarships and internship opportunities in local corporations. The second year of the program will be complete in April 2006. The program will be funded for a third year and continue through Dec 2007. Total social funding for the three year program was approximately $175,000.
Orphanage Technical Training Project:Based on the success of the computer training program, BG Kazakhstan decided to sponsor a new program in 2005-2006, which is called Business Incubator Orphanage project. This training program provides 10 Zhas Dauren Orphanage graduates with technical, business and life skills. These are students that have decided not to attend university and need technical skills in order to find jobs. The program began in October 2005 and will finish in October 2006. After the completion of the program, we will work with the students to identify job opportunities and support them with job placement. Each student that completes the program will receive a special certificate signed by BG Group and IBC Group. Total social funding for the program was approximately $40,000.
Posted by youngterry
at 1:49 AM CST
Updated: Sunday, 2 April 2006 1:57 AM CST