Ict@innovation: Free your IT Business in Africa/3

= Module 3: Communicating FOSS =

= Introduction = Communicating FOSS is one of the most important components of a viable FOSS Business model since it relies on innovative and cost effective techniques and methodologies one should employ to grasp public attention and potential customers.

In business, the link between demand and awareness is a well recognized and established relationship. With regard to FOSS, lack of awareness, absence of a favorable policy environment, and inability to create and retain new markets accounts for some of the key barriers for those wishing to engage in FOSS business.

A key strategy therefore, is for both the new and old FOSS businesses to engage policy makers in efforts intended to create an enabling business environment for FOSS related business. This could be achieved through a number of concerted and coordinated actions such as advocating for appropriate policies and regulations. Equally important is the need to continuously undertake activities to raise public awareness through use of cost effective media campaigns.

This module therefore aims to assist SME gain the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully undertake these important business tasks. However, in order to achieve this aim, its important that the reader grasp some basic FOSS concepts (for example; how FOSS projects and communities work) discussed in Module 1, and gain some insights into how FOSS businesses work in the Africa context as demonstrated by the case studies in Module 2. Participants can combine the FOSS communication skills and techniques in this module with their business skills [Module 4] and specific FOSS business knowledge in Module 5 to better conduct FOSS training [Module 6] or setup their own FOSS business.

= Learning Objectives =
 * 1) Understand the core benefits of FOSS migration for existing businesses and government
 * 2) Understand the importance of a coordinated FOSS marketing plan
 * 3) Appreciate the significance of PR in raising public awareness
 * 4) Learn how to use cost effective media campaigns

= Authors and Trainers =

Pool of African ict@innovation expert trainers

Main Contributors

Additional material for Module 3: COMMUNICATING FOSS (presentations, tests, evaluation forms, pool of trainers, derived material) is available online at:

http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/node/4252

= Sessions and Timetable = The entire content in this module is estimated to be delivered in 1 day, with some variations within the modules. For instructional purpose, the content of this module can be delivered as proposed in the summarized table below.

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