The health of a community is deeply connected to the health of local businesses. When businesses are not running smoothly it can be hard on workers. Concerns include too many or too few work hours and workplace safety. A larger problem for the wider community is when businesses grow large but are not stable. These businesses risk going bankrupt leaving many families without work.

Though many local businesses are established and growing these businesses are often run by people with minimal business training. Many business owners were previously rice farmers and now are running businesses based on what they learned in a few years of high school and their own experience.

YWAM Mercy Vietnam has partnered with Swiss Create, a business consulting firm providing professional business development programs in several developing countries.

Businesses are grouped into classes of around 50 businesses. They go through the training listed below in about 12 months.

Onsite mentorship and industry specific technical help are provided as part of the program. Many classes also form partnerships and peer mentorship groups that continue after the training sessions have ended.  Business Associations have begun in several locations to provide mutual ongoing support.

Each year businesses compete to earn the Swiss Create Award for Business Excellence.