Starter Kit. Idea 361 of 500. Cluster 18
A directory of Sri Lankans abroad: who does what, where, and what they will help with, verified
The mechanism, from the book
1.5 million people abroad who know how rich countries work, and who send home money and little else.
The first step
Build a spreadsheet of 30 Sri Lankan professionals in one city abroad, starting with the committee of one Sri Lankan association, and ask each three questions: what they do, what help they would give a business at home, and whether they may be listed. Show the verified list to five business owners at home and ask whether they would pay a small fee for an introduction. One paid introduction proves the model.
- Who pays first
- A small exporter at home who needs one introduction to a buyer or an adviser abroad and will pay for a verified contact over a cold email.
- What leaves today
- The knowledge Sri Lankans abroad have of how rich countries work stays abroad, unused; a verified directory turns it into introductions a business at home can act on.
Ask first
- Data Protection Authority. Ask what consent is needed to publish people's names and contact details.
Check before you spend
Written consent from every person listed, how listings are verified and kept current, and how anyone can be removed when they ask.
Find out these three numbers
- What would a business at home pay for one introduction?
- How many professionals in one city agree to be listed?
- How many introductions lead to real help?
A comparison from the book
The people. Chapter Two
"a network of professionals in every major city in the developed world, most of whom would help if anybody asked them properly."
Most would help if asked properly; a verified list tells a business exactly whom to ask.
The test
Does it keep value that now leaves the island, or build the proof that lets somebody else do so?
From the appendix of Why Not Sri Lanka? by Dr Maheshika Halbeisen. The idea and the mechanism are the book's; this kit was written for the site.