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INFORMATION NEWS EVENTS FEATURES INSPIRATION
ISSUE 7 | MARCH 2014
IN THIS ISSUE...News round-up [2]Events [3]Case study: Olive Branch Kitchen CIC [4]Resources: Perfecting your Elevator Pitch [6]Inspiration: Dave Dixon [8]Coming up [10]Contacts [12]
Community Enterprise for Success is a programme to help voluntary organisations and community groups in Solihull who are looking to grow and develop. Part funded
by ERDF and Solihull Council | http://communityenterprise-solihull.org
Solihull Council’s Employed for Success team can offer organisations across the borough free recuitment and selection services to help fill vacancies and access wage subsidies where they are available.
All kinds of appointments, including internships and apprenticeships, can be supported in the following ways:
• Help to identity recruitment needs
• Promoting vacancies with a wide range of partners
• Access to a pool of appropriately skilled local people ready to fill vacancies
• Supporting with shortlisting for interviews
• Help to find suitable pre-employment training
• Support to access available funding, such as grants to take on an apprentice or young person
• Linking employers to appropriate jobs fairs, recruitment events.
The Solihull Jobs Fund can help businesses to create new jobs and apprenticeships for young people living in Solihull.
The scheme enhances the financial incentives that are currently already offered to businesses to employ young people including the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers, and the Youth Contract Wage Incentive Scheme. This will give 16 – 24 year olds living in Solihull the very best chance to gain valuable skills and succeed in the world of work.
i For more information about support and subsidies available, contact the Employment & Skills team on 0121 704 8732 or email [email protected].
Find the right people: recruitment support
MARCH 2014 | ISSUE 72
NEWS ROUND-UP
A new initiative announced by the BIG
Lottery Fund ‘Power to Change’ will
invest up to £150 million to support the
development of sustainable community-
led enterprises across England.
The fund will support
community-led enterprises
that directly engage with and service local communities. It will be
delivered by an independent Trust to be established later this year.
This is an exciting development and one that we will be keeping a
close eye on for the benefit of community enterprises in Solihull.
i For more information about Power to Change visit http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/powertochange
£150m Community Enterprise fund
If your community enterprise is looking for free PR, national and regional, BIG want to hear from you?
In the run up to the launch of Power for Change, BIG is working with media partner, Trinity Mirror Group, to raise awareness of the many community enterprises across the country, connect people with enterprising projects in their local area, and inspire many more people to get involved.
They are looking for community enterprises who are willing to talk about their great work to regional and national media.
To be considered for this campaign, all you have to do is email a 250 word summary covering the following:
• The name of your project and the location
• The purpose of the project and describe the ‘enterprising’ element
• Details of when and how the project started.
• Why there was a need for this project in the local community
• Who is involved in the project/which local groups
• How the project has been funded
• How the project has benefited the community (stories, feedback and any facts or figures you might have)
• Contact details for the person leading the project and the best time to contact them.
Send your summary to:[email protected]
i For more information about the PR campaign: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/england/power-to-change/ptc-we-want-to-hear-about-your-community-enterprise
ISSUE 7 | MARCH 2014 3
EVENTS
Events 2014Marketing BasicsCovering what is marketing and how it can benefit your organisation19.03.2014 | 2pm-4pmFCT Training, Marston Green
Show and Tell Visit: St Paul’s CDTThe ins and outs of community asset transfer. Includes lunch and transport from Solihull if required. 30.04.2014 | 10.30am-2pmBalsall Heath, Birmingham
Shares, bonds and tax benefits (with Heidi Harris, H&H Accountancy CIC)A look at alternative models to raising finance and their benefits. 21.05.2014 | 1.30pm-4.30pm FCT Training, Marston Green
Introduction to Social Enterprise
Ideal for VCOs and charities
thinking about trading activity
21.05.14 | 10am-12pm
FCT Training, Marston Green
CEFS Networking Event:
Quality Tendering
Popular informal networking event
with guest speaker and lunch
25.06.14 | 12.30pm-2.30pm
Smith’s Wood Centre
Book your place...i All our events are free to Solihull VCOs and social enterprises and available to book online at: http://disecic.eventbrite.co.uk
Connections being made at a recent CEFS Networking event. If you would like to host an event or be a guest speaker please get in touch: [email protected]
MARCH 2014 | ISSUE 74
CASE STUDY
Olive Branch Kitchen CICCommunity café bringing people together
Husband and wife team Richard
and Janine Dutton were looking to
create a soft play area at their local
church when the idea of a cafe came
along. As both were trained chefs, it
was an offer they couldn’t refuse.
Since opening in May, Olive Branch
Kitchen has established itself as a firm
favourite among regular groups and
visitors to Three Trees (the Baptist
Church Centre in Chelmsley Wood),
where it now opens for breakfast
and lunch four days a week.
BackgroundJanine left cheffing in 2005 to work in sales and Richard works as a chef lecturer at University College Birmingham. “It was daunting to begin with as although we have lots of experience in the kitchen, neither of us had run a business before,” say Richard and Janine.
Making it happenWe were introduced to the Community Enterprise for Success programme for advice on our business plan and registering Olive Branch Kitchen as a community interest company. “Our
Time for a brew: Janine Dutton and Michelle Gilks, Olive Branch Kitchen CIC
ISSUE 7 | MARCH 2014 5
CASE STUDY
Mission: To provide good honest home cooking and
a welcoming place for the community
Services:
• Community cafe open 8am-3pm Mon-Wed and Fri at Three Trees
• External catering service for business and social events
Established: 2013
Legal structure: Community Interest Company
Business challenge: To develop and launch a viable community enterprise
i email Janine Dutton: [email protected]
Key facts
adviser made the whole experience less scary and helped us do all the paperwork, pointing us in the right direction every step of the way.”
Promising startInitially, the cafe opened two days per week, but quickly jumped to four days thanks to the quality of the food and support of local residents. “We’ve had a lot of business from construction workers for the new Chelmund’s Cross Village Centre which is due to complete next year. The development should bring in more customers and enable us to expand and take on staff from the local area.”
Kitting out the kitchenThe launch of Kick Start business grants by North Solihull Partnership and Solihull Council was the ideal opportunity for Richard and Janine to upgrade their kitchen facilities which they couldn’t afford to replace. As a start-up accessing support from a CEFS business adviser, they were eligible
for a Kick Start grant of up to £2,000 which they secured in November. The money was used to purchase a new dishwasher, fridge, freezer, fryer, mixer and other kitchen essentials.
“It’s like having a brand new kitchen! Having this equipment makes life so much easier and means we can now concentrate on other aspects of the business like increasing our catering bookings, changing menus and introducing more vegetarian and vegan options.
“It’s a great feeling to be running a business in the community where we live and to be so well supported by the church, local people and the specialist business initiatives.”
Our adviser made the whole experience less scary and helped us do all the paperwork, pointing us in the right direction every step of the way.” Richard and Janine, The Olive Branch Kitchen CIC
MARCH 2014 | ISSUE 76
RESOURCES
Perfecting your Elevator PitchLearning how to speak about your
business in a way that excites others is a
fundamental skill that everyone needs.
‘The elevator pitch’ is a quick and
succinct summary of what you do,
who you do it for, how it might be
of benefit to the listener. The idea
is that you should be able to get
across your key messages within 60
seconds, or as the name suggests,
the time it takes for an elevator ride.
The objective is to grab the listener’s
interest and start a conversation.
Although not always possible, the idea
is to tailor the message to the listener
and what they will find of value.
If you’re a fan of Dragon’s Den you will
have seen many entrepreneurs struggle
with their elevator pitch when seeking
investment. It’s amazing how many of
us don’t spend enough time honing
this very important communication.
Elevator pitches are used in everyday situations:• Meeting new people
• Pitching for business
• Asking for finance
• Networking events
• Telephone calls
• Event presentations
• On a train journey
• Waiting in a queue
• In an elevator!
• Step 1: Introduce yourself
• Step 2: Explain what you do
and who you do it for – include
details of your customer
base / ideal customer
• Step 3: Explain the benefits you
deliver e.g. how you improve
things for your customers
• Step 4: Explain what’s different
about your business. What sets
you apart from your competition?
• Step 5: What next? What are
you asking of the listener?
e.g. follow-up call, email,
visit, connect on LinkedIn?
How to write your pitch
... with Ranjit Bansal, DYNAMIC Marketing
ISSUE 7 | MARCH 2014 7
RESOURCES
For more business marketing tips and advice sign up to our free Introduction to Marketing seminar series
http://disecic.eventbrite.co.uk
Marketing Basics | 19.03.2014 Marketing Planning | 25.06.2014Marketing Mix | 24.09.2014 Brand Management | 19.11.2014
Top tips1. Tailor your pitchThink about your audience and what will push their buttons. Do your homework and adjust the pitch to who you’re talking to.
2. Keep it currentIn the same way you would update marketing materials and your website, you have to keep your elevator pitch current too. What you say as a start-up will be different to what you say once you’ve been trading for a couple of years.
3. StructureStructure your pitch into three or four key points to help you recall the important messages.
4. Practice. Practice. PracticePut the time in to rehearse your pitch so that you’re always prepared. You never know when and where you’ll make valuable connections.
When presenting your pitch:• Keep it concise
• Avoid repetition
• Keep eye contact
• Pace yourself, read the other person’s body language
• Keep it natural
• Use humour where appropriate Don’t worry if you are interrupted before you’ve finished talking. Remember, you’re trying to spark a conversation and initiate an exchange. The elevator pitch is one of the most important ways to get your brand across and is often the first verbal communication you will have with new contacts. You’ll need to use it frequently whether you’re a start-up or established business.
MARCH 2014 | ISSUE 78
North Solihull is to home to many people who give their time freely to improve the area for future generations. Dave Dixon is one such resident who for 18 years has been at the heart of many community improvement projects and inititaives. We thought it was time to get to know Dave a little better...
Where did you grow up?I was born and spent the first part of my life in ‘God’s Country’, Swansea, South Wales. At that time I only spoke Welsh. When I was five my family moved, because of my father’s work, to Aston and then on to Ward End Birmingham.
What was your first job?My first job (if you ignore being a paper boy) was as a warehouse boy for a company who supplied portable traffic lights for use on road repairs and improvements. On my 16th birthday I was ‘invited’ to leave the company as I was about to commit the heinous crime of having a birthday and that would trigger a pay rise! My next job was as an apprentice Mechanical Engineer for B.S.A. Tools Ltd in Kitts Green. I served
a five year indentured apprenticeship and ended up as a programmer for computer controlled machine tools. Eventually I became a tutor in Information Technology for Solihull College.
What drives you to make a difference?A desire to make things better for all. To make the environment and streets safer.I suppose to improve as much as I can for the next generation.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt so far?Don’t ask others to do anything you are not prepared to do yourself.
What’s been your biggest achievement?I consider my biggest achievement,
Dave Dixon Community activist
INSPIRATION
A moment with...
I strive to make things better at the end than they were at the start.”
Local champion: Dave Dixon
ISSUE 7 | MARCH 2014 9
More about Dave’s community work
• I’ve been a local resident since 1972
• My involvement with SMBC/Solihull Community Housing began in 1996. I was a member of the shadow board and then became a non-executive director of the board on its formation in 2004.
• I’ve chaired a residents group, Safe and Sound in area 13, since it formed ten years ago. WM Police, SMBC, SCH and various agencies attend.
• I sit as vice-chair on the Solihull Independent Advisory Group which meet with West Midlands Police on a monthly basis.
• I have recently joined the Safer Solihull Executive Board.
• I chair the Big Local steering group which is charged with deciding on and spending a £1m lottery award in the Cars area where I live.
• I was fortunate enough to have been nominated and winning an award for community involvement which was presented by the then mayor Councillor Ken Hawkins.
A huge well done and thank you Dave and all the other residents who are making North Solihull a better place to live and work.
INSPIRATION
along with my wife, was to bring up two girls and be rewarded with four wonderful grandchildren.
What are your goals for the year ahead?My goal this and every year is to get through it. I would like to see my grandchildren start to make their first faltering steps into life. And to pass on to them any knowledge and help I can. I strive to make things better at the end than they were at the start. I would like to get to know my neighbours and friends better. I would also like to score the winning try at a six nations match (for Wales of course).
Who do you admire most?I have many and varied people who I admire for many different reasons. Nelson Mandella, Richard Branson and Elvis Presley come to mind.
What is your motto in life?“Others before self”. Life is never as bad as it seems and always look for the positive. A problem is an opportunity in disguise. The family, love and your health are the most important things in life with the possible exception of the Welsh rugby team!
How would you describe yourself in 5 words?Old, overweight (slightly), balding, loveable, a great singer (in the shower) and a great kidder (only joking)! Seriously I always have trouble describing myself. I get embarrassed talking about me!
MARCH 2014 | ISSUE 710
With lots of changes in the sector over the past five years, it is now much harder to get grants and other funding. Organisations now have to think about different options for raising finance to achieve their social purpose.
If you don’t fancy crowdfunding (where you ask people to either lend or donate to your organisation), then you could approach one of the numerous social finance providers. Depending on the finance provider, you can either get investment via loan (debt finance) or shares (equity finance), or more flexible options which are a mix of debt and equity. For example, you could ask for investment which pays a return to the investor if you hit certain income targets.
You might want to raise money through your own share issue. With shares there are tax reliefs for individuals who invest in charities or CICs. This is a great way to minimise the risk for the investor – as they can claim back some
of their personal income tax, and this can gain you real buy-in from the local community too. If your organisation is set up with a limited by guarantee legal structure, then you can also offer investors the same tax relief for loans they make to your charity or CIC.
Unlike grants which don’t have to be repaid, these options require repayment of initial investment, plus offering the investor an annual dividend or interest payment as well, so making sure your organisation is sustainable and generating sufficient income is crucial.
Alternative ways to raise finance
Heidi will be running a free seminar on ‘Shares, Bonds & Tax Benefits’
on 21 May, FCT Training, Marston Green. She’ll be covering a host of
social finance issues and will include how to raise income through:
• Social Investment Bonds (SIBS)
• Community Bonds and Shares
• The social investment market
• Tax incentives
• Relevant legislation
i To book your place visit: http://disecic.eventbrite.co.uk
COMING UP
... with Heidi Harris,Harris & Harris Accountancy CIC
ISSUE 7 | MARCH 2014 11
Personalisation Special:May Newsletter
COMING UP
How is Personalisation affecting your organisation?
The next issue of BULLETiN will take a look at Personalisation and how organisations in Solihull and beyond are responding. Operating in a competitive market, adjusting from ‘service-users’ to ‘customers’, and adapting internally to this new environment are challenges being faced by organisations everywhere.
We would like to hear from service providers who are willing to share their experiences and be featured as a case study or offer an opinion piece to improve practice in the area.
GET IN TOUCH
To contribute to the Personalisation Special, please contact:
Ranjit [email protected]
MARCH 2014 | ISSUE 712
Community Enterprise for Success is a
programme of free support for voluntary
& community organisations in Solihull
who wish to grow their business for
the benefit of the local community.
The programme is commissioned
and supported by Solihull Council
with funding from the European
Regional Development Fund.
One to one and group support
from accredited advisers is
available in areas such as:
• Feasibility and assessment
• Market analysis
• Business planning
• Social impact measurement
• Business modelling
• Leadership
• Sales and marketing
• Contract readiness
• Consortia development
• Entering supply chains
The programme is delivered by a
partnership of the BEST Network,
Development in Social Enterprise
and DYNAMIC Marketing in
association with Solihull SUSTAiN.
Community Enterprise for Success
is provided free of charge to existing
About Community Enterprise for Success
community and voluntary organisations based in Bickenhill, Castle Bromwich, Chelmsley Wood, Elmdon, Kingshurst, Lyndon, Olton, Shirley East, Shirley South, Shirley West, Silhill and Smith’s Wood.
Kick Start business grants of upto £2,000 are also available for organisations trading less than two years that have accessed support from the programme.
If you would like to discuss ways of growing your business or find out more, please get in touch.
CONTACTS
0121 704 8097 | [email protected]
http://communityenterprise-solihull.org | @Solihull_ComEnt
GET IN TOUCH
Community Enterprise for Success is funded by
