Get Connected: Collaborative Learning
7th October - 4th March: Beating Business Plan Paralysis!
If you have the job of preparing or updating a business plan that is robust and realistic it can be a daunting task. You need a document that will satisfy not only your directors, investors, funders and community but you too!
Help is at Hand...
In response to feedback from participants on other events, Survive & Thrive is offering a supported learning programme for rural community organisations engaging in enterprise activity and who need to put together a robust business plan.
How does it work?
You will meet regularly with a small group of other senior managers and leaders of rural community organisations to explore solutions to real life challenges, share experience and reflect on your progress. Enterprise experts facilitate the process, and through working together you will prepare a robust business plan and develop the key skills and knowledge needed to implement it.
The course takes place over a 4 month period, allowing you time to reflect, review and work on your business plan in your own time by responding to prompts and themes set by facilitators. It is delivered through a mixture of face to face and online sessions using key speakers, case studies, workshops and visits.
Comments from past participants:
Huge Thank you for last week - what a whirl wind!
Thanks again for a really good learning experience - it was a fantastic couple of days and somehow combined hard work with a relaxing feel so that I felt like I'd had a break but learnt loads
Great training event. It is all still going around in my head, particularly all the things I could/should be doing.
What is the commitment?
1) Business Planning Workshop:7th & 8th October, Devon.
A residential workshop to introduce business planning best practice, action learning, your fellow participants and identify the opportunities and challenges facing you. Accomodation and meals are provided and travel bursaries are available to cover the cost of travel.
2) 5 x Live Online Sessions: 15th October, 5th November, 3rd December, 14th January, 4th February
These sessions will further explore themes or challenges identified by participants as they complete their business plans. The sessions include a mix of case studies, real-life stories of community innovation and experts for in-depth Q&A sessions and the opportunity to gain detailed feedback on your business plan enabling you to hone and develop it within a supportive environment.
Topics covered include Business Planning, Organisational Development, Financial Management and Measuring Social Impact
Sessions are facilitated using 'Elluminate' online conferencing technology - a genuinely easy to use online resource that requires no special software and allows you to talk to one another and share images and visuals.
3) Seeing it Happen: Final presentation workshop and networking lunch: 4th March 2011
The programme concludes with a visit to a successful community enterprise to explore how best to turn you business plan into action! Participants will present their plans and reflect on their experiences and lessons learned and enjoy an informal networking lunch to build on the network of support developed over the programme.
How do I book a place?
Places on the programme are strictly limited to ensure small group sizes. To participate, please book online and complete the expression of interest questions.Selection is made on the basis of the quality of your responses so do take the time to make your case!
The deadline for submission is Thursday 9th September at 5pm Places are allotted following selection and applicants will be informed on 17th September.
Click here to complete registration details and apply for a place!
Please note this programme is free, funded by Capacity Builders and delivered by the Development Trusts Association. However, a returnable deposit of £120 is required and will be refunded provided participation on at least 70% of the programme.