In Burundi, most of the shops display the same articles at the same time and period. So, it is difficult for customers to get what they need because of the lack of variety.
<doc7382|right>"I was in need of a shoe polish and searched for it in several shops but I couldn’t get it at all. Now I don’t know where I can buy one", says L. N.
Josiane shares the same view and says that Burundians like to imitate. They do not create, innovate or come up with new ideas."One day, I went downtown, «Avenue de la Mission", looking for a product and I realized that in all shops they had almost a similar product. What you find here is what you find there", she says.
According to Jimmy, Burundians do not have that culture of innovation. They don’t have that spirit of searching, being curious and be opened to something new. This seems to be a common characteristic feature for Burundians.
"Another fact is that Burundians are not daring and are afraid of taking risk. In terms of business, they fear to lose and fail. They are easily discouraged by other people. So they always fear to start something new, and prefer to copy what other people have already done. However, in business, people should innovate, diversify their offer and do their best to keep strongly and jealously their own objectives and choices", he points out.
Christella Kwizera indicates that Burundians don’t have the culture of working together or joining their forces together. If they could work together, they would learn more, share ideas and experiences, compete more appropriately and finally, at the end of the day, they would increase their customers.
A seller’s opinion
"In business, someone often sells what is bought quickly and what people need most. A seller takes into account the needs and the expectations of the community ", says Alain Rukundo a shoe shop’s owner.
He goes on saying that another factor is the budget a seller is ready to spend to import goods into the country. Does his budget allow him to have various products to remain with or increase his customers?
According to him, importers are afraid because they are not sure if their goods will be bought at home due to high price.
Example of Rwanda
Rwanda has adopted a system of training beginners and small businessmen in trade. Trade experts provide them with best tools and methodology for doing business and for innovating. The government has put up a system of training students in innovation and designing their new jobs. Indeed, there is no need for the youth to be offered jobs by the government.
Burundi Government called upon
Nicole Delya Kaze, a University student, says that Burundi Government should also organize such training in order to teach students and businessmen how to launch and manage an enterprise and how to be creative and innovative.
"Burundians should read much more because it is through books and magazines that one learns what is going on around the world and find new ideas to improve and stimulate imagination and innovation. They should know that more hands make a light work ", concludes Jimmy.
