Offering support for entrepreneurs and new enterprisesMay 15th, 2012 4 comments

How will you help your local entreneurs and new enterprises to be as successful as possible? Here we provide an overview of the kind of support that’s generally needed, and links to some providers where we have them.

 

We think some support services are best delivered at national level, some at local level, and some between the two (regional, county level etc.) Here on the REconomy website we are focusing on support and partners that are relevant nationally or for a large region e.g. London. We hope that this gives you ideas what what you might offer, and then each Transition Initiative can research what is available where they are, and make sure this information is available through their own websites and possibly, offered out of their local incubator.

Our research tells us that different people have around 7 different types of needs, and we have organised things around these categories:

 

“I want to do something new with my life, maybe start up a new enterprise, but I don’t know what – can you help me with some ideas?”

Locally, you can provide your own set of case studies and inspiring stories such as those in Inspiration for Budding Entrepreneurs.

 

“I have an idea for a new enterprise and I just want to talk to someone about it ” or “I’m working on an idea or have started something already, and I need some specific help with marketing or legal for example, but I can’t pay for this”.

Locally, you can see what services might be on offer such as in Help for entrepreneurs from other organisations and also think about Setting up a mentoring scheme, which can be volunteer-based.

 

“I’ve got a really good idea or early stage enterprise that I’m keen to grow or make better, and I’d like some tailored and flexible individual support that can be done to fit with my life. I might be able to pay something“.

Locally, you can think about setting up or engaging with Coaching and other professional services.

 

 ”I’ve got a really good idea or early stage enterprise that I’m keen to grow or make better, and I’d like a comprehensive and structured programme of support that I can do alongside others like me. I might be able to pay something“.

Locally, you might find demand for a formal programme such as the School for Transition Entrepreneurs or you might set up your own version of this.

 

“I’ve got a credible well thought through business idea with a seemingly viable financial model and I need to access some money to help me make it happen.”

Locally, you can explore different funding/investment sources and also consider (once it’s up and running) the TN Investment Readiness programme, both in Show me the money.

 

 

“Actually I’m fine on my own, don’t need anything more but would be nice to connect with others doing this kind of thing.”

Locally, you might want to set up something like a Business and livelihoods group.

 

 

Credits : Image Sources : main by www.tonybuckingham.com, small images by graur razvan ionut

 

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4 Comments

1. 

   Matthew Slater

   May 24, 2012 at 2:20 pm · Reply

   I’m not sure how this blog post moves things forward. I’ve been writing software to support transition for the last 4 years. There are thousands of users across hundreds of (non transition) groups already using it. I need partners to help bring it to every transition town. I will be in Totnes next week.

2. 

   admin

   May 24, 2012 at 8:58 pm · Reply

   Hi Matt, i picked up on you comment over at http://transitionculture.org/2012/04/27/a-report-on-peak-money-and-economic-resilience-a-transition-network-one-day-conversation/#comments

   and have seen Community Forge previously but know far too little about it and would like to know more. What’s needed of a partner? I’ll send you a message to see if we can’t follow on the conversation.

   Thanks
   Shane

   • 

     Matthew Slater

     May 24, 2012 at 9:46 pm · Reply

     Hi Shane [you can unpublish this
     I didn’t get a message from you.
     If you are in Totnes I would love to meet next week.
     Matthew

3. 

   admin

   May 24, 2012 at 9:59 pm · Reply

   Hi Matt have PM’d you… i hope that others read the thread on transitionculture (link above) and that something comes out of these discussions.