Business Development Training: A Student Lead Approach   For many small business owners who only have a sixth grade education, business training classes are frustrating.  Returning to a classroom brings back memories of their school days, the pain of leaving their studies early for family economic reasons and insecurities about verbal and written language skills.  Business terms and concepts are also frustrating as they often imply that the business owners have been poorly managing their business for years. Taking these challenges into consideration, Honduras Partnership Manager David De Young along with the North American team from Pella, Iowa, is trying a new approach to business training.  High school students in the business administration track are being taught how to implement these concepts in their community.  The approach takes advantage of the high-school student’s enthusiasm, gives them practical application to what they are learning and benefits local business owners. In the past, training sessions were facilitated by one or two Honduran professionals. This made it difficult to address the specific needs of each business.  This new approach focuses on providing one-on-one attention and involving the students with a business for an extended time. Many students will follow-up after the training to help implement the concepts that are taught, assuring that what is covered in the classroom is applicable in day to day business. In the first of three accounting workshops the business owners learned a simple method of tracking revenue and expenses.  They will use this information and the knowledge of their business to work with the high school students to post the transactions in a basic accounting system. Hopes are high for this training to continue long-term, brining mutual benefit to both the students, local businesses and the greater community. To support business mentoring, training and access to capital in Honduras, please click here and write "Honduras" in the special instructions line. Back to www.partnersworldwide.org