Fw: Social Enterprise Business Support Update: Issue 7: July 2011

my buzz & my blog "When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world." George Washington Carver What is Social Entrepreneurship? Statement of Faith You can find other "Market with Meaning" but you definitely want to see "Profit with Purpose". I personally "Believe in Kingdom Transformation" because I know there is only ONE "Life for Significant". my facebook  &  my twitter  &  my linkedin --- 2011年7月8日 星期五，Social Enterprise Coalition <newsletter@socialenterprise.org.uk> 寫道﹕ 寄件人: Social Enterprise Coalition <newsletter@socialenterprise.org.uk> 主題: Social Enterprise Business Support Update: Issue 7: July 2011 收件人: "Social Enterprise Coalition" <newsletter@socialenterprise.org.uk> 日期: 2011年7月8日,星期五,上午12:11     The Social Enterprise Business Support Update   Issue 7: July 2011 Inside this issue Welcome Latest Developments: The Business Support Landscape Investing in Social Enterprise Expansion (I-SEE) - Project updates Leadership Development - Interview with Michelle Livingston, Real Partners SEC latest publications DfE Programme   BuySE - Social Enterprise Directory Resources Welcome  Welcome to the seventh issue of the Social Enterprise Business Support newsletter. This month’s edition contains updates from our partners under the Big Lottery funded Investing in Social Enterprise Expansion (I-SEE) programme, and news of work to come from SEC under two Department for Education programmes. We’re also continuing to highlight the importance of Leadership Deverlopment in the sector in the run up to the launch of our Social Enterprise Senior Leaders course, with a 60 second interview with Michelle Livingston, Real Partners CIC, on the challenges and benefits of social enterprise leadership development. There are also links to new publications from SEC, and our response to some of the latest business support news and policy. We hope you find these updates practical and informative, and we welcome any feedback on business support ideas or themes you would like to see in future issues. Best wishes, The Business Support team. Latest Developments: The Business Support Landscape       Social Enterprise Coalition backs call for social finance framework Investing in Civil Society, a report recently published by the law firm Bates Wells and Braithwaite, and commissioned by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), has set out a social finance framework, which would create new legal categories of 'social investment' and 'social investor'. The new framework would make it easy for charities and social enterprises to create a financial prospectus for a bond or share offer, without the need to offer the tight protections for investors that are currently required.  Responding to Investing in Civil Society, the Social Enterprise Coalition’s Chief Executive, Peter Holbrook, said: “We wholly back the report’s call for a regulatory framework for social finance. We don’t want a situation where we’ve got investors ready, but a gap in the law that would barricade finance from flowing through. Civil society can’t afford that delay – capital from private investors is urgently needed. “This is an opportunity for Government to demonstrate their commitment to civil society and show they’re serious about creating a Big Society.  Swift action is needed to lever this capital in otherwise civil society will be starved of the finance it needs. “It would be very disappointing if the Government did not action some of the recommendations in this report which have been endorsed and recommended by the Red Tape Task Force.  “The doors need to be opened to allow the general public to put their money into social enterprises and charities. Here’s an opening to grow the number of ethical investors in the UK - people who want to see more from their investment than just a financial return - and lever much needed capital in to finance the Big Society Bank.”   Big Lottery Fund launches £5m social investment fund While the Big Society Bank is being set up, the Big Lottery Fund will be distributing up to £5 million, raised from dormant bank accounts, to invest in social finance intermediaries. The Big Lottery Fund will aim to develop the diversity and resilience of the social investment market by investing in established social investment intermediaries, meaning that social enterprises and charities are better able to access capital that will enable them to work more effectively. Social investment intermediary organisations based in the UK, that provide social investment products or services for social sector organisations that primarily benefit people in England, are able to apply. The fund is not available to frontline social sector organisations or individual projects. The Big Society Bank is expected to start with about £300m, will act as a long-term wholesale lender to the sector. The Bank is likely to start operating at the end of next year, but is waiting for approval from the European Commission. More about the Big Lottery Fund social investment fund can be found at: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_big_society_investment_fund?tab=1%C2%AEioncode=-uk&   Investing in Social Enterprise Expansion (I-SEE) Programme: Project Updates SOCIAL FRANCHISING SUPPORT - delivered by the Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) Thematic project area: Scaling-up With the high level of interest in the Social Franchising Manual, SEC are now developing a manual for franchisees, which will be published in September. Comments or feedback from those who have uploaded the Franchising Manual so far are welcome. Further training in this area is also being developed and will be held in the Autumn and Spring 2012. SEC are currently looking at different options for one-one support to assess franchisor readiness, help organisations to develop their franchise operations manual, and to transition to the franchise model. Working with different partners across the sector will help to create a more collaborative approach to franchising in the sector, tackling common obstacles and barriers to successful social replication.  For more information please contact Craig Carey, Programme Manager, Social Enterprise Coalition  EXPANSION OF THE SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS - delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) Thematic project area: Scaling-up Over the past quarter 7 SSE England Schools operated within the network, running 11 programmes concurrently, supporting approximately 200 social entrepreneurs nationwide. SSE London successfully delivered two new short programmes, as well as the year-long course. The knowledge, information, policy and general practice guidelines of the short programmes will be cascaded across the network via meetings and newsletters to empower existing schools to commence these specialist programmes. SSE are ensuring they financially support & maintain existing schools within the austere financial environment and political context, and as the project continues, SSE will look to support potential partners in Milton Keynes and the North East to assess the feasibility of opening new schools in these areas. For more information please contact Ian Baker, School for Social Entrepreneurs. STRENGTHENING SOCIAL ENTERPRISE RETAIL SKILLS IN RURAL AREAS - delivered by the Plunkett Foundation Thematic project area: Business Development Plunkett have now launched the Plunkett Community Shop Network, a membership scheme designed to give community-owned shops the opportunity to formally join together - allowing shops to collaborate in the market place and reduce running costs. The Network will also enable the shops to achieve greater recognition and voice, as well as providing strategic input into the services which Plunkett provides. Membership of the network offers community-owned shops an estimated savings in the region of £2,000 in the first year alone, providing goods an services to help with electricity, insurance, card processing services, fixtures and fittings, and advisory support.  For more information please contact James Alcock, Community Retail Manager, Plunkett Foundation or visit the Plunkett Community Shop Network. THIRD SECTOR CONSORTIA DEVELOPMENT - delivered by REalliance CIC Thematic project area: Scaling-up & Procurement     Under the I-SEE programme, REalliance CIC has achieved success through the creation of the Surrey Reuse Network as well as building consortia in Cheshire. Work in Cheshire is ongoing to broker the contract between the consortium and the two selected bidders for the integrated waste contract.  The contract is not due to start until April 2012 but early intervention has been useful. In Surrey, the reuse network agreed a memorandum of understanding, however, work on the potential contracts with Surrey County Council is still ongoing.  As part of the I-SEE programme, REalliance CIC are compiling learning on consortia, both from this project as well as material from the wider sector, which will prove to be a very useful resource to social enterprises and potential consortia partners once it is published later in the programme. For more information please contact Emma Hallett, Programme Manager, REalliance CIC. REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE TRAINING AND SUPPORT (SETAS) WEBSITE - delivered by Coin Street Community Builders Thematic project area: Knowledge Management    The Social Enterprise Training and Support (SETAS) website continues to develop, with 534 registered users, 4000 visits over the last quarter, and high numbers of referrals from other websites and marketing activities. The I-SEE programme has been supporting the development of the site, and the next phase will see more work done to ensure sustainability and provide a better idea of the future direction of SETAS. For further information please contact Harjinder Nijjar, Training & Business Advisor, Coin Street Community Builders or visit the SETAS site. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR NHS RIGHT TO REQUESTERS - delivered by the Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) Thematic project area: Business Development Following on from the successful Social Enterprise Emerging Leaders Course held earlier this year, the Social Enterprise Coalition and Real Partners CIC are delivering a programme for Social Enterprise Senior Leaders, starting this September. The course is designed for chief executives, directors, and senior managers of social enterprises, and will be held in award winning social enterprise venues Highpoints Conference Centre, Leicester, and The Buzsy, Milton Keynes. With two development days, a social enterprise visit, leadership roundtable, individual coaching sessions, and a peer networking event, the programme promises to be dynamic, practical, and inspirational. The Social Enterprise Coalition and Real Partners CIC are now looking to develop a leadership programme for leaders of public service organisations on the journey towards becoming social enterprises, and expressions of interest in this course can be sent to leadership@socialenterprise.org.uk. More on leadership at www.socialenterprise.org.uk/pages/leadership.html.   For more information please contact Craig Carey, Programme Manager, Social Enterprise Coalition, or email leadership@socialenterprise.org.uk Roll-out of the Micro Coaches Programme - delivered by Social Enterprise East of England (SEEE) Thematic project area: Peer Support Social Enterprise East of England have developed the MicroCoaches programme, and under the I-SEE project, MicroCoaches is expanding to cover all regions of the UK. MicroCoaches is a peer-to-peer support programme that unlocks skills and expertise in small and medium social enterprises or private businesses. It enables those being coached to learn essential skills directly from others, by tapping into the business expertise of peers.  The programme has now been licensed to all the regional social enterprise support organisations, and SEEE is looking to support them as they recruit coaches and get their cohorts established in each area.  For more information please contact Michele Rigby, CEO, Social Enterprise East of England, or visit www.microcoaches.co.uk. Leadership Development - Interview with Michelle Livingston, Real Partners CIC Michelle Livingston founded Real Partners CIC in April 2010; an East Midlands social enterprise providing innovative solutions in leadership and organisational development, change programme design, high performance teams, innovation and creative thinking.  Real Partners deliver the ‘Social Enterprise Leadership Development programme’ in partnership with the Social Enterprise Coalition, one of the first UK-wide programme delivering key leadership skills into the sector http://www.realorganisation.co.uk/.   What are the biggest challenges you see social enterprise leaders facing? ·         To have an effective growth and investment strategy – With funding streams in short supply social enterprise leaders must allow sufficient time and energy to developing a comprehensive approach to this issue. ·         To build more effective business models – Creating self-sustaining organisations require leaders who can tune into and understand the wider commercial environment. ·         Seizing the opportunities – When resources are under increasing pressure organisations are often more involved in dealing with critical day-to-day issues as they arise at the expense of innovating for the future.    What key attributes do social enterprise leaders need? ·         Agility: This is all about the ability to mobilise an organisation quickly and effectively to respond to the changing environment.  The pace of today’s market means that leaders who are effective in change management will create vibrant, sustainable organisations. ·         Curiosity and questioning: Being able to spot opportunities is critical to growth. Leaders who remain open and curious, who are able to challenge the status quo and not get caught in traditional paradigms are the most like to lead innovation in the sector. ·         Commercial acumen: Entrepreneurial leaders who have a breadth of business knowledge and skills are able to create, build and maintain marketable products and viable organisations. ·         Inspiration: Powerful organisations are not built by individuals, therefore the ability to inspire others and provide clear direction is essential. Rousing hearts and minds to step outside of comfort zones and act in extraordinary ways is what sets a great leader apart from the rest.    Why is leadership development worth investing in? ·      Effective leadership can differentiate an organisation because non-financial factors, like reputation, performance management, exceptional strategies and effective change management have become increasingly important in determining value and return on investment. There have been many studies over the last decade show those organisations who invest in leadership development outperform the competition.    What can social enterprise leaders do to help themselves develop in this area? ·         Seek out and visit models of best practice - There are lots of examples of successful social enterprise leaders many of whom are willing to share their successes and failures. Seeing what works in reality is a great way to learn.   ·         Work with others - Having a mentor or a coach is something that most great leaders do because they can objectively challenge their thinking. Bringing in a fresh pair of eyes on a project will also spark new ideas and learning. ·         Ask for feedback - Feedback does not have to formal; test out your business plan and strategies on others and ask people to describe what they see in you as leader. Open yourself and your organisation to evaluation from others.  Ask “what do you think?” people will provide you with valuable insights.  For more on the Social Enterprise Leadership Programme, visit www.socialenterprise.org.uk/pages/leadership.html. Social Enterprise Coalition latest publications Social Enterprise Explained  Lots of people are asking about social enterprise so the Social Enterprise Coalition produced a guide for people who are just getting interested in the sector. It’s aimed at getting all the right info in one place for anyone who might want to start, buy from, invest in, commission from, or support social enterprises. You can download it for free from our publications page. The publication is proving very popular so if you’ve not yet seen it you can download it for free from the Social Enterprise Coalition website. Enjoy what you do: Work in social enterprise This free guide is for people wanting to find out more about working in social enterprise and includes the stories of people who have moved into the world of social enterprise and lists helpful resources. Download your copy here. DfE Programme Over the next two years, the Social Enterprise Coalition will be working with a number of partners to deliver two contracts for the Department of Education which focus on voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations which work with children, young people and families. Catalyst is a consortium of four organisations, the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS), the National Youth Agency (NYA), the Social Enterprise Coalition, and The Young Foundation, working with the DfE as the strategic partner for young people, as part of the Department’s wider transition programme for the sector. Catalyst will work to deliver three key objectives over a two year period. It will strengthen the youth sector market, equip the sector to work in partnership with Government and coordinate a skills development strategy for the youth sector’s workforce. The Overarching Partnership is led by Children England, with the Social Enterprise Coalition, Community Matters, NCVYS, NAVCA, and The Race Equality Foundation, and is funded for two years to support the economy and infrastructure of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector that works with children, young people and families.  The role of the Partnership will share the best practice, expertise, learning and concerns of the sector with the DfE in developing policy. Under these two programmes, SEC will be delivering workshops and surgery sessions, online guidance and a network for organisations in this sector, as well as leadership and franchising training. More information will be available as the programmes are developed. BuySE - Social Enterprise Directory BuySE is the new UK wide online business directory, with the aim of making it easier than ever for social enterprises to promote their products and services, and for customers to find and buy from businesses that exist to make a difference to communities and the environment. As well as the directory itself, BuySE includes customer ratings and reviews, job and tender opportunities, news and events, and a BuySE matching service – a supplier search which will enable organisations to do business with social enterprises. Social enterprises can register now to be listed in the directory, with business listings starting from £99 per year. For more information and to access the directory, visit www.buyse.co.uk. Resources Big Lottery SETAS website Business Link Additional events taking place in your region: London North East South East Yorkshire and Humber North West East Midlands South West West Midlands East of England Social Enterprise Coalition    Unsubscribe from this email newsletter