Urban cycles identify the barriers to cycling and then demolish them

On April 29th 2013 Birmingham city Council submitted a bid for £22m of central government support to build a cycling infrastructure and transform Birmingham into a European Cycling City. The bid recognises the importance of those working within the third sector who are often capable of encouraging the kind of social change wholly absent from either the private sector or traditional council provision. Urban cycles is a small but ambitious social enterprise aiming to aid the city in pursuit of this goal. They work on one very simple basis, identify the barriers to cycling and then demolish them one by one. It is this commitment to their customers agenda which has led them to formulate a short survey. the survey can be viewed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/cyclerevolution

If you have couple of minute to spare, we know they would be delighted to receive your wisdom.

Big Assist is a programme for infrastructure organisations in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector; delivered under contract to the Big Lottery Fund by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

The programme works to support infrastructure organisations based in England, to be more efficient, effective, sustainable and better able to adapt to the current and future operating environment.

Suppliers from both the voluntary and private sector are approved as Big Assist suppliers if they can demonstrate they have experience of delivering quality support

Infrastructure organisations can apply for an award to exchange through an online market place for support of their choice delivered through consultancy, training, coaching and e-learning across a range of topics.

The BIG Assist online market place provides access to suppliers of support. Suppliers are from both the voluntary and private sector and are approved as Big Assist suppliers if they can demonstrate they have experience of delivering quality support to the sector in one or more of the topic areas.

Big Assist provides a whole range of wider opportunities for infrastructure organisations: peer to peer support through sponsored visits and mentoring, a large events programme and online learning events, forums and resources.

For more information on the BIG Assist programme visit the BIG Assist website: www.bigassist.org.uk

iSE have been approved as a BIG Assist Supplier to offer support to infrastructure organisations. We can be found in the BIG Assist ‘marketplace’ http://www.bigassist.org.uk/marketplace/

Quite a task for a 15 year old to join the ranks of a lively bunch of peeps here at iSE (there’s not many shrinking violets!) – but he held his own, and was tasked with understanding what Social Enterprise is all about, what we do, why we do it, how and why it makes a difference, and all the serious stuff we do about how we function within a wider economic and societal context.

Through his research George identified that there was a lack of videos explaining and clarifying the essence of Social Enterprise (in an interesting and dynamic way) so he set to work on creating one himself!

With a minimal amount of help from our Trainee Social Evaluation & Researcher Tim Ashwell, 22, (who also began life here as an intern!),  he began concocting a “stop motion” animation that would take people on a Journey through Social Enterprise, and guess what, here it is – check it out for yourself, we’d love to hear what you think of it (we really love it!).

We feel that this video conveys the resourcefulness and humanity of Social Enterprise and we hope you agree. If you like this video why not share it.

PS George – thanks a million for all the hard work and effort you put into this – we’ve shown it to some other peeps who are really impressed by it.  You’ve got a bright future ahead of you!

If you have any further questions about Social Enterprise Contact us on:

0121 771 1411

info@i-se.co.uk

www.i-se.co.uk 

@iSE_CIC

#socent

The project aims to develop the skills of unemployed people living in Digbeth and parts of Highgate by linking them up with voluntary work experience placements within local social enterprises, community groups, charities, small businesses and not-for profit organisations operating in the area.

It is hoped that this project will not only help remove barriers to employment and assist local people to move closer to the labour market but also encourage residents t0 become more involved in their community.

The area of Digbeth and Highgate has been singled out as one of Birmingham’s priority neighbourhoods, with high levels of unemployment and economic in-activity. As one of the many social enterprises in Digbeth, iSE are keen to take action to support the regeneration of the area and support local residents to take a more active role in their local economy.

As a third sector support organisation iSE already have well established links with fellow social enterprises in the area and are keen to expand these connections and encourage partnership working as a means to support regeneration and improve employment provision in the community.

Participants on the ‘Enterprise Match’ project will attend six two-hour workshops with an experienced iSE advisor to prepare them for their placements with local businesses, building the soft skills needed for employment.

Participants will leave the project with less preventative barriers to work, and more skills!

After the workshops individuals will receive a 1-2-1 advice session before being matched with a local social enterprise, community organisation or small business best suited to their specific needs. iSE will continue to support participants even after their voluntary work placements are over, offering advice on how to best utilise the skills they have gained and how to present them to employers.

Individuals on the project will gain soft skills, confidence and communication/presentation skills whilst employers will gain a willing and motivated voluntary worker, and a chance to give back to the local community.

Participants should leave the scheme with less preventative barriers between them and work; they will have developed vital skills – such as confidence, communication and punctuality – as well as having solid working experience.

If you are a local organisation that would like to provide a voluntary work placement opportunity, or if you are an unemployed resident in Digbeth or Highgate keen to get involved, then please contact us on 0121 771 1411 or email marla.nelson@i-se.co.uk

1. The belief that speaking at conferences, blogging and tweeting are entrepreneurial activities.

Liam suggests that although these activities, which arguably I am doing now, are important they do not make a dent in the social problem you are trying to solve.  ACTION is what is important and we agree – see how you can get started in social enterprise here.

2. Insufficient ruthlessness about purpose

In Black’s own words, “If I hear another word about empowerment, sustainability, paradigms, crowd-sourcing, or user-led activities I’m going to punch someone.” Abandon jargon is his cry and keep to the purpose of what you are trying to achieve.

3. Unwillingness or inability to prove impact

You need to prove your worth, demonstrate what you are doing actually serves its purpose. This has been high on the iSE agenda in recent months and something we cannot stress enough! Not only will doing this let you measure the impact you are making it will also support your business in the commissioning process as you will be able to demonstrate your social enterprises ‘added value’.

4. Not nailing the business basics

As a manager or CEO it important to remember business basics, Liam quotes a time when he did an interview about how he was going to change the world through social enterprise and received a letter on his desk the next morning from Stan, the trade union convener at one of his factories saying, “Liam, I read in the paper that you want to transform Liverpool. You can’t even get my wages right – good luck with Liverpool.”

A good example of remembering the important basics of running a business – paying your staff! iSE frequently hold FREE training courses run by HMRC on becoming an employer and being a Company Director. These courses are designed to make sure you get the basics right! (keep an eye open on our training page for future sessions)

Abandon jargon and stick to what you are trying to achieve!

5. Ego

Black fears that for too many social entrepreneurs it is all about ego and creating a personal brand. According to Black there are 3 styles of leadership that are common (even to him) and need to be avoided at all costs:

1. The Messiah – ‘do it because you believe in me.’ He argues the problem with this is that you end up with devoted unquestioning followers who are not good for business.

2. The Superhero – the leader who can do it all on their own. Not good, as as soon as they fall the business crumbles.

3. Stalin – ‘do it or else.’ Little needs to be said as to why this is a bad model!

Being a leader is a difficult task and it is important you have the support of a good board to help you. Finding a supportive board who understand your business is a difficult task but can ultimately make a huge difference to the success of your business. iSE have delivered training courses to support organisations to work with their board more effectively, for more information about how we could support your organisation call us on 0121 771 1411.

6. Not enough time spent understanding the customer

Black believes that, ‘confidence in service quality is inversely proportional to distance from the customer.’ As a manager or CEO, as you become further removed from your customer so your confidence in your service delivery increases, because you need it to be great. His advice is stay close to the customer and when branding and marketing your product always think about who you are targeting.

ISE are holding a training course to support organisations to market their products and services more effectively.  Find out more about this course.

7. The sector mindset social enterprise VS. private sector

Social enterprise = good people with big hearts, changing the world and helping the poor.

Private sector = profit sucking people who destroy the earth for their own greed.

Black argues this attitude hinders progress and that having a network that encompasses not-for profits, corporate, public sector, government then you will have more success in saving the world and solving social problems.

As part of TLI (transforming local infrastructure) iSE have been working to develop the networks of social enterprises and community organisations. We have recently established a new women in enterprise network as well as a Digbeth, Highgate and Cheapside local social enterprise network. Working with others WILL improve your business; see what opportunities you may be able to attend this month.

Click here to see the full article for Liam Black’s seven deadly sins.

Would your group or a group you know benefit from our help to set up a social enterprise?

iSE have funding to help groups of two or more individuals explore and get their social enterprise idea off to a flying start. Groups will receive 12 hours worth of FREE support including but not limited to; social enterprise awareness, business planning, marketing, funding and finance, legal structures and governance. The above are delivered via training workshops and one to one sessions.

The eligibility criteria states that individuals/groups must be residents of Birmingham and Solihull only and have a right to work in the UK.

Please contact Emma Nugent (Business Consultant) by calling 0121 771 1411 or email

emma.nugent@i-se.co.uk

ERDF project logo

The RBS Data Report for 2012 has been released charting the growth and impact of the UK’s top social businesses.

The top 100 have achieved 60% growth and these top growers have achieved a staggering 85% increase in turnover since last year, which ultimately means an increase in social impact and sustainability. This is good news for the sector, particularly in these times of austerity.

Aidem Digital CIC, who did an excellent job of creating iSE’s website, have appeared at number 6 in the top ten fastest growing new comers. This is fantastic news for a Aidem Digital and we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them.

Click here to see the full report.

“By commissioning iSE to help us ‘Prove our Worth’ we can make it clear to our clients that we understand their needs and the issues and challenges they face”.

The Social Value Act became law in March 2012 and will take force in January 2013, it introduces a statutory requirement for local authorities, alongside other public bodies, to consider economic, social and environmental well-being in public procurement. There has been considerable ministerial support for public authorities to apply the legislation as widely as possible. ‘Added Social Value’ is intrinsic to the Social Enterprise model and recognition of this in commissioning and procurement will serve to better position social businesses in the competitive market place. The introduction of the Social Value Act to the commissioning process will hopefully empower organisations across the sector to use their ‘added value’ to ‘added advantage’ when competing for contracts.

The Social Value Act became law in March 2012 and will take force in January 2013.

The shift toward a commissioning system that factors in Social Value brings with it the necessity for measuring tools and techniques that calculate this value. This is where iSE enter the picture; we have developed a service to help demonstrate the difference you make. We have already delivered Social Value technical assistance to consortia across the UK as a part of a contract for the National Offender Management Service Co Financing Organisation (NOMS CO). The content of this support was tailored to suit consortia needs and ranged from providing frameworks for social value measurements to running workshops on the different methodologies for measurement and the impact of the Social Value Act. Heidi Harris, Director, Harris and Harris Accountancy services CIC says, “By commissioning iSE to help us ‘Prove our Worth’ we can make it clear to our clients that we understand their needs and the issues and challenges they face”.

Once the Social Value Act comes into action more and more organisations will have to prove their social value on a regular basis and will need training to do so. Hopefully, with our growing experience in the area we will be able to help facilitate the transformational effects that are so clearly latent within the bill.

The event was attended by 18 women either leading social enterprises or intending to start them. The Big Lottery’s Transforming Local infrastructure initiative provided the impetus for this new group as part of some research being undertaken by ISE to develop new models of Peer to Peer support. The network will be meeting bi-monthly to explore and discuss themes that will help them to manage their business but also to promote inter-trading and partnership working.