Questions and answers

When a Nucleus has constantly more than 20 members – more than 20 entrepreneurs participate in Nucleus meetings and other activities – the counsellor has to consider dividing the group in two Nuclei in order to maintain the optimal group size (see What is the minimal and maximal number of participants per Nucleus?)

The division of the Nucleus helps to increase the homogeneity of the groups and / or to ease the access to a Nucleus.

There are the following criteria for dividing a Nucleus in two:

Per size of the enterprises: the bigger ones in one Nucleus, the smaller ones in another one. To determine the size one can use the number of employees. Such a division often corresponds with a division of the Nucleus in technically more advanced enterprises and technically less advanced enterprises. Result: increased homogeneity.
Example: a Nucleus of carpenters is divided into two groups, one comprising enterprises with up to eight employees and another with more than eight employees.
Per product range: at the start of a Nucleus the range of the products of the participating entrepreneurs is sometimes very wide. Therefore, the Nucleus is divided in to groups with more similar products and technologies. Result: increased homogeneity.
Examples: a Nucleus of bakers is divided in bakers and confectioners; carpenters in carpenters and saw millers; leather processors in shoe makers and other leather products; auto mechanics in auto electricians / auto electronics, panel beating, motorcycles, engines, lorries, etc.
Per location of the enterprises: the Nucleus is divided per location of the participating entrepreneurs: north / south of a town, per village / suburb of a district, etc. Result: the participants have shorter ways to the meeting location.

Observation: if the meetings continue to happen in the association’s office then such a division does not cause advantages for the respective entrepreneurs. The division makes only sense if it is possible to identify (and eventually finance) appropriate meeting locations close to the enterprises.
Example: the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Badulla, Sri Lanka, maintained temporarily five Nuclei of Cut Foliage in different locations in the district. The Protected Agriculture Entrepreneurs Association clustered their Nucleus groups according to geographical locations
Per personality: the Nucleus is divided around specific participants. This can make sense when two or more persons start to compete or even dispute with another in the Nucleus. Result: decreased tensions, increased homogeneity.
Although a division of a Nucleus has not happened in this way yet one should have this possibility in mind.

The introduction of the division of a Nucleus should be done with care:

Explain the reasons and the (negative) effects of a Nucleus with too many members;
Present the first three of above possibilities for a division of the Nucleus;
Let the entrepreneurs decide in which way they want to divide the Nucleus (consider a secret vote);
Let the entrepreneurs decide in which Nucleus they want to participate;
Intervene only if the split results in two Nuclei with totally different participation (example: one with 15 entrepreneurs, one with five).

14/12/2008 - MueGlo / Jairo / Simone / Amina