The Ask
WYLDE International, a leading strategy and entrepreneurship firm, understands the crucial role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Africa’s economic growth and innovation. However, many SMEs struggle to access the personalized guidance they need to navigate business complexities. To address this, WYLDE International conceptualized Digicoach, an online platform connecting entrepreneurs with certified business coaches.
WYLDE International contracted Made by People to design, develop, and deploy the Digicoach platform. This initiative aims to democratize access to high-quality coaching for SMEs, enabling informed decision-making, sustainable growth, and fostering innovation. Digicoach will empower entrepreneurs across Africa to maximize their potential and thrive in the competitive business landscape of today.
The Observation
The Digicoach project has revealed several key observations. There is a high demand among entrepreneurs for accessible coaching, which underscores the need for platforms like Digicoach. Additionally, users demonstrate a range of digital literacy levels, making a user-friendly and straightforward interface essential to accommodate diverse backgrounds. Given the widespread use of mobile devices in Africa, having a mobile-responsive platform is critical for broad accessibility. Feedback has shown that the human-centered design approach resonates well with users, improving both usability and satisfaction. Moreover, there is a growing need for localized support, with entrepreneurs likely benefiting from features or resources tailored to specific industries or regions within Africa. Lastly, there is potential for Digicoach to expand beyond coaching by incorporating additional resources, such as networking opportunities, funding options, or a knowledge hub for continuous learning. These observations provide valuable insights for future platform improvements, making Digicoach an even more impactful tool for SMEs across Africa.The Process
- Conducted thorough research to understand the challenges faced by SMEs and business coaches in Africa.
- Analyzed survey and interview data to identify essential features such as personalized coaching and strategic planning tools.
- Collaborated with WYLDE International to design detailed user journeys, mapping the entire platform experience for both entrepreneurs and coaches.
- Developed low-fidelity prototypes to outline the platform’s structure and functionality, ensuring a clear concept.
- Gathered feedback from key stakeholders, including entrepreneurs and coaches, to refine and improve the prototypes.
- Created high-fidelity prototypes, incorporating design elements and interactive features for a polished user experience.
- Performed rigorous Quality Assurance (QA) testing to resolve technical issues and ensure smooth functionality.
- Launched the Digicoach platform, providing a user-friendly and accessible solution for SMEs to access coaching and business support.
The Outcome
The outcome of the Digicoach project is a website designed to connect certified business coaches with entrepreneurs, providing SMEs across Africa with accessible, high-quality coaching to support sustainable growth and innovation.