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A planned approach to getting

support from the Business Sector

Produced by Catherine Palmer

West Wales Co-ordinator

Business in the Community

March 2013

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This booklet has been produced for members of community and voluntary

groups who wish to engage with their local business community.

Information about this guide

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Business in the Community has a growing membership of companies

in Wales from SMEs to large corporate organisations. We work closely

with more than 120 companies in Wales, and engage hundreds of others

through our programmes and campaigns.

We do two things:

We ask our members to work together to transform communities by

tackling issues where business can make a real difference.

We offer our members practical support and advice to help structure,

manage and measure responsible business practices

Who are Business in the Community?

www.bitc.org.uk

What is Responsible Business Practice about?

Responsible business is achieving commercial

success in ways that honour ethical values and respect

people, communities and the natural environment.

Responsible businesses

minimise any negative environmental

and social impacts and maximise the positive ones

Workplace Marketplace Environment Community

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o Getting ready to engage with business

& looking at your organisation

o Business benefits and researching

businesses in your area

o Working towards a partnership o Pro-bono Support Schemes

Overview of booklet

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Getting ready to engage with business &

looking at your organisation

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Why get involved with business?

• Harness skills, knowledge and expertise from business

• You may have a big project that might not get developed

• Access free or subsidised resources

• New source of volunteers – energy and new ideas

• Opportunity for group members to experience different viewpoints

• Learn how to share your expertise / knowledge

• Improve awareness & profile of organisation / cause

Community benefits...

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o What do we look like from the outside?

o Is it clear what our organisation is doing and why?

o What is the most amazing thing your group has done?

o Do have a named contact, a clear and informative website, an organisational email? o Take your time over this – first impressions count

Looking at your organisation.....

Best foot forward...

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• “ I just need help!” – this is too vague

• Define each area of help / support you require

• Define the order in which you need help

• Create a realistic timetable that fits your organisational

structure and the way you work?

• Illustrate the change/improvement of the ‘ask’

This will allows us to……

Defining your ‘ask’.....

Be clear and concise...

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Business Benefits and researching

your local businesses

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What do businesses want?

• Business does not operate in isolation

• Local community – staff, customers, environmental impact

• Staff – development / improve morale / motivation

• Strengthen team spirit and loyalty

• Opportunity to experience different viewpoints

• Way to dispose of good items / less waste

• Raise profile and build reputation esp small businesses

Business benefits...

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Researching and approaching business

• Know your plan (see earlier)

• Identify the right businesses

• Find the right person to contact

• Call first to let them know if you are sending them a proposal or request

• Have at the forefront of your mind the Business Benefits

• Illustrate the difference their involvement will make

• What can you offer that no-one else can? To give back.

Starting a relationship...

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A word about Sponsorship

• For Arts Groups or Venues – Sponsorship Package may a good way forward

• “Payment to an arts organisation by a business in exchange for agreed benefits, Part of the businesses general promotional expenditure.”

• Larger package / larger sums of money / definite benefits to business eg use of venue / free attendance to high profile events and much more!

• Reasons for business – Brand Identity / RBP / Employee Development

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Sponsorship

• For Arts Groups or Venues recommend:-

• Arts & Business Cymru – Arts Sponsorship Seminar

• 1 day session plus business insight

• Looks in detail at developing a package and matching

closely with the right business

• Resources / Guidance

•www.aandbcymru.org.uk

www.bitc.org.uk

www.bitc.org.uk

Working towards a partnership

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After the YES.......

• Show appreciation – say THANK YOU!

• Arrange a visit to your organisation for the business

• Keep the business regularly informed of activities

• Give credit for their support – eg Annual Report

• Think how to recognise and celebrate you partnership

• Any opening / event – give them invitations!

After all your hard work it is useful to try and work

towards a partnership

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The most important

ingredient in a

partnership is

mutual respect

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Pro bono Support Schemes

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Pro-bono (free) support.....

Why do professional give pro-bono support:

• Continuous Professional Development (CPD) ...

CPD is about capturing useful experiences and

assessing the practical benefits of what is learnt

• Less formal Staff Development than above

• They genuinely want to help their local communities

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Pro-bono Schemes

o LawWorks for Community Groups (Law Society)

www.lawworks.org.uk

o Free Legal Assistance

o LawWorks Initial Electronic Advice

o Legal Fact sheets

o Ethical Property Foundation

www.ethicalproperty.org.uk

o rent, buy, let or manage property

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Pro-bono Schemes

o Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RCIS)

o http://www.rics.org

o Charity Property Help

o 1 hour free help

o Register on-line

o iT4Communities / Communities 2.0 (Wales only

project)

o www.communities2point0.org.uk

www.bitc.org.uk

Ensure your organisation has defined its purpose and values clearly and

that these are communicated on your website and other promotional

material

Nominate a single contact name and number to give to perspective

partners / volunteers

Be clear about what support you are asking for and have a clear timetable

that you know you can adhere to

Research any business before you approach them to match their values

with yours

If you are successful in getting support say Thank You and keep them

updated on your progress

Summary

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