From Mission to Result: Mini-MBA “Action in Hope” Participants in Odesa Learned to Build Personal Projects

During the third day of training, volunteers, leaders of charitable organizations, business representatives, lawyers, doctors, educators, and community leaders worked alongside business consultant Svitlana Buhai on developing entrepreneurial thinking and personal effectiveness.

Unlike previous sessions, this time the main focus was placed not only on developing leadership qualities, but also on practical tools that help turn an idea into a viable project. Participants explored how to formulate an organization’s mission, vision, and values, define its target audience, outline a unique value proposition, and build the development logic for their own initiative.

A dedicated block of the training was devoted to strategic planning. Participants worked with SWOT analysis, the SMART goal-setting model, a stakeholder matrix, Alexander Osterwalder’s Business Model Canvas, and the Balanced Scorecard, which enables a comprehensive evaluation of an organization’s performance across finances, customers, internal processes, and team development.

Practical exercises helped future project authors gain a deeper understanding of who their client or beneficiary is, what needs they are called to address, and how to create a sustainable development model capable of delivering long-lasting social impact.

An equally important topic was the manager’s personal effectiveness. Svitlana Buhai encouraged participants to view leadership as a combination of four competencies: the ability to manage oneself, understand oneself, understand others, and manage a team. She also introduced time-management tools, including Benjamin Franklin’s planning system, the Eisenhower Matrix, the SMART method, the 6 Ws model, and other practices that assist in organizing workflows and making managerial decisions effectively.

During the training, participants also reflected on how personal effectiveness begins with inner balance. Using the “Wheel of Life” tool, they analyzed various areas of life—family, work, finances, health, leisure, social activity, and personal growth—recognizing that only a balanced leader can effectively develop their team and implement change in their community.

Training in Odesa continues with the upcoming modules of the Mini MBA program “Action in Hope.” Ahead, participants face modules dedicated to marketing, grant and financial management, communications, operations management, leadership, negotiation, and sales. The program will conclude with the defense of their personal projects and subsequent expert support.

Press Service of the Patriarchal Foundation “Mudra Sprava”