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The Burning Desire Podcast: Corporate to International Development

  • Donna Rosa
  • Aug 13, 2023
  • 2 min read

Updated: May 11

What’s it like to transition from the corporate world into international development?


The two fields are night-and-day different.


I talk about this and share some real-world stories in this podcast episode of The Burning Desire Show. I had a great time chatting with Charles Burns (who's an excellent interviewer) and we got into some interesting discussions around aid and how to best support entrepreneurs in developing countries.




Episode overview


  • How I decided to make this career move

  • Decision-making differences in both arenas

  • The tracking and paperwork required in development vs. the private sector

  • How I made my way into aid work via volunteering

  • What I learned and taught in my first assignment in South Africa

  • The huge need for business development services that doesn't get much attention

  • Why business support is different from technical support and needs long-term follow-up

  • How I got the idea for my EFour remote coaching business and how the pandemic accelerated it

  • What aidtrepreneurship is

  • Making financial recordkeeping simple and easy for microenterprises

  • The importance of cash flow for small businesses

  • Successes and failures of international aid

  • The effects of colonization and outsiders calling the shots vs. increased use of local talent

  • Difficulties developing-country business owners face vs. resources available in the developed world


If you’ve ever wondered about impact work this episode might feel both encouraging and grounding. Your corporate business skills are highly transferable, but they must be boiled down to simple execution to meet these entrepreneurs where they're at.


The swiftness of corporate decisions and implementation pretty much evaporate when working in international development, which by design favors intricate processes, thoroughness, and attention to detail over speed and "80% is good enough" thinking.


Enjoy the episode!





 
 
 

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