Business Link Social Enterprise Update

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Business Link Social Enterprise Update

• Presented by Andy Reeve 2.9.08

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• Business Support Simplification
• Business Link Core Service
• Business adviser network training
• The future delivery model and funded
  resources-Development Vouchers
• The tendering process for the BL Branded I.D.B
  service

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Business Support Simplification

• The government agenda positions the BL Brand as
  the channel for funded business support
• Aims are to reduce duplication of services
• Provide simple and straight forward access to
  support
• Provide a consistent approach across the UK and
  reduce the number of products

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Business Support Simplification

• 18 high level offers
• Leading to 30 - 35 products.
• Only intervene where there is market failure
• Portfolio loosely aimed at either disadvantaged
  communities/areas or high growth

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Business Support Simplification

• The agenda is being championed by SWRDA and the
  Business Link operators are tasked to deliver in
  the region
• The Business Link operators are adopting a
  pragmatic and agile approach during this period
  of evolution and change
• The Business Link I.D.B operating model defines
  the service- a voucher system is considered to
  be an effective flexible way to deliver brokerage

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The Business Link Service Social Enterprise-IDB

• Access to the Business Link service
• Phone [phone]
• Website www.businesslinksw.co.uk
• Email enquiry_at_businesslinksw.co.uk
• and
• socialenterprise_at_businesslinksw.co.uk

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The Business Link Core Service

• Provides a service for all clients be they
  Pre-start client or High Growth potential SME
  Business
• The Start - Up Service
• Business Awareness Sessions
• One 2 One Business Advice
• 3 day Comprehensive Start -Up Course

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The Business Link Core Service

• The Business Review service ( available to
  trading businesses large or small SMEs)
• One 2 One business review
• Dedicated Business Adviser
• Impartial Access to wider support via brokerage
• Business I publication
• Comprehensive website- www.businesslinksw.co.uk

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The Business Link Service Social Enterprise-IDB

• Business Reviews and support
• Provided by specialist advisers via a mix of
  clinics, events and electronic/telephone support
  
• Access to consultants and specialist providers
  via the Supplier Matching Service
  (SMS)-www.suppliermatching.co.uk
• The service is the subject of an invitation to
  tender and the results will be known shortly

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Support for Social Enterprises IDB

• The Invitation to tender for the Business Link
  Branded service has distinct areas-
• Market Making
• A Core I.D.B. advice service (with client access
  to vouchers subject to eligibility criteria to
  deliver against business objectives
• Specialist Events

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The Business Link Service Social Enterprise-IDB

• Demand/volumes are increasing anticipating
  working with up to 900 customers
• Pilot service maturing good fit with Core offer
• Lessons learnt and pilot now has robust systems
  and processes in place
• Use of a single CRM in the Region
• A consistent base level of service and customer
  experience

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Support for Social Enterprise Brokerage

• Rationale- Vouchers have been used in a modest
  way in the past and have provided flexibility
  against a climate of variable and unknown funding
  streams
• They provide clients with flexibility to engage
  with suppliers of their choice
• Suppliers compete for trade/business- therefore a
  value for money option

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Support for Social Enterprise Brokerage

• Development Vouchers-Pilot Phase
• Client driven - to focus resources to deliver
  against agreed objectives
• Client choice in terms of suppliers
• Pilot launched
• Opportunity to road test processes
• Prospect of future vouchers beyond October 2008

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Voucher Scheme Case Study

• Large charitable company limited by guarantee,
  based Avon.
• Income approx 700,000. 12 employees plus
  volunteers. Approx 390 members.
• Eligibility existing social enterprise,
  diversifying
• Project need To establish a trading subsidiary
  in order to improve long term sustainability.

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Voucher Scheme Case Study

• Clients desired outcomes
• To reduce reliance on income from government
  funding and large charitable trusts. Currently at
  90. Aim year 1 for 10 growth in own income
  generation.
• To increase business acumen as organisation moves
  from grants culture
• to trading culture.
• To utilise existing assets better.

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Voucher Scheme Case Study

• Supplier Matching Service Social Enterprise
  experience and legal structure knowledge
  required. Three potential suppliers suggested.
• Client to select, return application form with
  quote.
• Once approved, offer letter to be sent to client
  and work can start.

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Voucher Scheme Case Study

• Supplier Work
• Advice on appropriate legal structure given aims
  of organisation (Governance and Legal Structures)
• Supporting process of setting up new structure
  communication / explanation to trustees

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Support for Social Enterprise Brokerage

• Can you help ?
• Do- promote the Business Link Regional service to
  provide a base line of support
• Do- promote the service as the logical starting
  point to flesh out client issues and establish a
  defined way forward . This will include reference
  to sources of ongoing support on project/by
  project basis.
• Dont- promote the service as a provider of free
  money!- as not every Enterprise may be able to
  access a Development Voucher

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Support for Social Enterprise Brokerage

• Progress so far
• Dedicated resource recruited to kick start the
  Development Vouchers
• Follow up create opportunities
• Assist client to complete paper work
• Identify process issues in the Pilot phase
• 20 applications in various stages of
  completion

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Support for Social Enterprises Training Day

• Introduction
• to the tailored Social Enterprise packages

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Support for Social Enterprises Packages of
Support

• The packages were created for a number of
  reasons-
• To set a benchmark in terms of knowledge for
  business advisers
• Provide resources for advisers to develop CPD
• Provide a consistent delivery across the Region
  by business advisers-
• Business Link IDB advisers
• Supply chain via brokerage

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Support for Social Enterprises Packages of
Support

• The packages evolved as a result of adviser
  feedback and focus on six specific areas where
  Social Enterprises have different and additional
  needs -
• Governance
• Performance improvement
• Employing people
• Access to Finance
• Managing assets
• Bespoke

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Support for Social Enterprises Training Day

• Content included-
• Business Link Update
• Explanation of Development Voucher process
• Introduction of SE packages as Business adviser
  aids and reference materials to support advisory
  process

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Support for Social Enterprises Training Day

• Finally Any Questions?