Olivier KAHNCoordinator
Centre for Enterprises in Difficulty (Ced)BECI- Brussels
The Centre for Enterprises in Difficulty was created in 2005 following an initiative of Beci (Brussels Chamber of Commerce).
This project is funded by BECI and the Brussels Government.
Subvention is optional and renewed annually. It currently amounts to EUR 300,000
Regional framework
Objectives of the Centre for enterprises in Difficulty
Build awareness of a 'prevention' culture for self-employed people and entrepreneurs.
Build awareness of their the environment to initiate synergies in terms of information or work
Practical support for entrepreneurs in difficulty- Developments of tools
Implementation of practical information
The Centre for enterprises in difficulty brings support to self-employed people and SMEs fearing or experiencing
difficulties:
• lack of understanding between partners• trade disputes• cash-flow problems• tax problems, social problems...• staff concerns• difficulties to grow the business• loss of major clients• professional fatigue
Main Objective
POSITIVE COMMUNICATION - AWARENESS - REVITALIZATION
HOME
Telephone assistance WEB site + internet Partners
LISTENING - CUSTOMIZED SUPPORT
Customized guidance Reorientation / guidance Provisionof information / tools
1st appointment
2nd appointment
3rd appointment
Guidance
Liberal professions
Public structures
Training providers
Economic and social bodies
Technical information sheets
Address book
Self-diagnostic test
Micro-credit RECOVERY
EVALUATION - OBSERVATION
Statistics Good practices Operational methodologies Cross-sector tools
7 senior consultants
11 law firms
13 accounting firms
1 team of psychologists / psychiatrists
2 commercial / marketing consultants
3 members of staff
Our team
• Individual guidance or telephone advice (long), whose object was to formulate strategic advice, management advice or general information: 730 cases
• Legal consultations (including legal and social pro deo) : 514 cases
• Financial consultations (including pro deo accounting): 435 cases
• Marketing Diagnostic: 135 cases
• Remote guidance (case opening): 199 calls - 147 treated cases
= TOTAL: 2000 CASES/ 2013
Details of interventions-2013
Indirect communication aimed at indirect targets
Direct communication aimed at a direct target: 'Strong' messages aiming to free the person from guilt
Relaxed environment
•'Technical' Information sheets .
•Press articles
•Address books...
•Environment stakeholders
•Private stakeholders (insurances, social groups)
•…
Communication
Communication
• Participation to several shows for entrepreneurs, starters, accountants,...• Organisation of trainings, conferences• Editorial presence in periodicals (weekly, monthly,...)• Television & Radio news reports - documentaries• Printing of pamphlets & documentation (address books,
magazines...) available at partner locationBullet point text line one
Entrepreneur:
• Often sees problems in others
• is alone and poorly or not surrounded to manage efficiently;
• has no strategy, objective or financial projection;
• takes his decisions in an intuitive way and on the basis of
opportunities;
• does not, or rarely, have tools to help him manage his activity;
• lacks skills in administrative and financial management;
• complains of getting no feedback from his accountant;
Observations
Summary
Crisis management
Differentiatecauses / consequences
Crisis management
- -Differentiate causes from consequences
-Ensure that causes can have a solution
-Confirm the entrepreneur's motivation
-Ensure a private environment
-Check strategy is valid (notion of given value)
-Confirm margins (notion of profitability)
Crisis Management: conclusions
Summary
Crisis Management: conclusions
• Remove all filing systems (except the ones linked to fraudulent behaviours)
• Implement a support centre for the transitionary period, after filing for bankruptcy and before restarting
• Organize peer discussion groups
• Develop alternative funding networks (cooperative banks)
• Create a special public fund for re-starters
• Strengthen psychological support
• Provide administrative support to re-starters during the first 24 months
Measures to help bankrupt entrepreneurs
Develop the ‘prevention’ culture for self-employed people and entrepreneurs.
Develop the concept of second chance Develop tests collaborations with entrepreneurial
hubs from other regions Development of the micro-credit / recovery solution Development of work documents / tools (cashflow tool,
buying costs,...) Mediation service (avoid long procedures)
Objectives- 2014/2015
Organisation of training sessions for local stakeholders and professional accountants
Implementation of a study platform / taskforce
Peer sponsoring solutions
WEB orientation matrix (support)
Objectives- 2014/2015
Looking forward to new collaborations!
www.ced-com.be0032 2 643 78 48
Olivier Kahn, Coordinator
Centre for enterprises in difficulty