BuddhiMoney

The Mobile BuddhiMoney app has been developed by ACCESS Development Services (ACCESS) to help entrepreneurs access knowledge and skills on financial literacy and business education. ACCESS is a national livelihoods support organization, with focus on incubating innovations for sustainable livelihoods of the poor. With support from DFID (Govt. of UK), ACCESS was established in March 2006 as a professional new generation agency to contribute to and support poverty reduction in India. ACCESS is uniquely structured to work at all levels of the development sector value chain, from implementing programmes on the ground, working with the Civil Society Organizations, Government Departments, Corporate Sector and Multilateral / Bilateral Agencies, and also supporting policy at the national level. ACCESS has gained recognition for incubating innovations in livelihoods that has helped to move the economic lot of the poor from subsistence to sustainable levels. ACCESS works in rural as well as in urban areas. Livelihoods promotion and financial inclusion are two key thematic areas of importance to ACCESS. Through a series of tailor-made interventions that support financial literacy and education, ACCESS seeks to bridge the gap between supply and demand and bring a large population of poor households within the fold of formal financial systems. As a part of training and capacity building initiatives undertaken by ACCESS, various training content and modules have been developed for low-income communities. Through this app, ACCESS intends to provide a one-stop solution to the need for good quality information and training resources on financial literacy and business education. BuddhiMoney, the protagonist is a dynamic and affable young woman who helps her community to learn about issues relating to financial and business matters. On the app, BuddhiMoney will be a guide who will take the entrepreneur on a learning journey. The app contains resources on a wide array of topics that will equip any entrepreneur with the knowhow and skills to operate and grow his or her business steadily. The themes covered include general business and financial management, retail management, customer acquisition and relationship strategies, digital payments, accessing financial services and entitlements, and accessing and managing business credit. In addition to these technical topics, sensitization modules for addressing gender barriers and promoting entrepreneurship among women are also included. The app uses innovative animation videos and quizzes to make learning engaging and fun. On this app, you will be able to learn at your own pace. Mobile BuddhiMoney will be your window to a world of learning on the best ways to help you grow your business. You can watch, listen, and read your way to establishing a successful business. The training modules included in the Mobile BuddhiMoney app are described below. Going Digital • Importance and advantages of digital financial transactions– myths vs. facts • Introduction to other digital modes of transactions – cards, mobile wallets, AEPS etc. Financial Management • Basics of book-keeping • Cash flow management and financial planning • Managing customer credit; balancing cash-credit gap Inventory Management • Importance of systematic inventory management vs. ad hoc methods • Manual methods to manage inventory • Introduction to digital tools for inventory management Accessing Credit • What is credit and why and when a business needs credit; cost and benefit analysis • How to choose appropriate credit instruments; difference between terms of formal credit for working capital vs. investment capital • Introduction to business credit card as a working capital loan product • What is KYC and why it is mandatory; who needs KYC and how to complete KYC; how KYC helps banks to assess risk, benefits for customers • Importance of formalizing a business