Information to Action - Tips for Using Market Information When Piloting BDS Market Development Interventions

Publication Date: Jun 2005
Published by: Small Enterprise Education and Promotion (SEEP) Network
Document Type: Toolkit

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What is the role of market information in initiating market interventions?

This technical note attempts to help microfinance practitioners bridge the gap between information and action by providing practical tips on using market information to design and initiate market development interventions in programs targeting microenterprises.

The note is based on the experiences of the participants of the Practitioner Learning Program (PLP) in Business Development Services (BDS) MA and it:

• Offers five main tips for using market assessment (MA) information to initiate pilot interventions;
• Describes each tip and includes several suggestions that are illustrated by actual examples from the experiences of PLP participants.

The note lists the five tips as follows:

• Keep the project design in mind throughout the MA;
• Use the MA as the first tool to stimulate the market;
• Do not be afraid to start a pilot;
• Have a vision of how the pilot will lead to the main program;
• Be a pro-active facilitator during the pilot phase.

The note concludes that:

• The practical tips that it offers help market facilitators move faster and more effectively from information gathering to program implementation;
• Translating information into effective action is the basis of market development.