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Collaboration for Success. Mark Ellerby. In difficult economic times businesses often revert to more insular, self contained focus on their products and or services often looking to direct competition as their key action. .
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Collaboration for Success Mark Ellerby
In difficult economic times businesses often revert to more insular, self contained focus on their products and or services often looking to direct competition as their key action.
This session will give insight into one of the key strengths of social enterprise 'working together' and explore how collaboration can provide even greater trading opportunities.
CollaborativeIdeas • Think Venue • Social Enterprise Mentor • Action for Blind People • University
WHO DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH? Informal Formal Inside Sector OutsideSector
Think Venue • Origins for the group were very simple • Concept closed for a refit - found a lack of ethical referral venues • Did Third Sector conference venues work together…did we even know who was out there? • Birmingham City Council reviewing procurement
Formation of the group • Secured small funding to map venues • Formed a Cooperative Consortia • Board established (May 2010) • The idea – a network of conference venues (January 2009) • Shared objectives and potential benefits • Developed a Steering Group
Outcomes • 80+ venues • Interest from outside the Birmingham area • Transfer of spend from Private to Think Venue members by BCC • Secured funding from Be Birmingham Social Enterprise Fund • Launch event at Town Hall • Venue Finding Website
Website Income to Venues (July-mid September) Estimated £50,000 based on £250 per booking
Venue Membership Associate Memberships Faith Groups Arts & Sport Social Enterprise Charities Coop Health Education Communities Elected Board via AGM The Network Benefits Procurers Suppliers Influence Spin offs Partnerships Expertise Marketing Support Profit
What you need • See the potential • Need to have a lead • Need enthusiasm • Need time to invest • Need to be persuasive
Issues and Barriers • Bigger Picture is all • Economy • It can get complex • Funding • Fear • Organization • Board • People drop out
Who do you want in your network? What are you looking for in a network partner? What can you offer a network partner?
SEWM I’SE FSB SEC Establishing Connections
FindingYourNetwork I’SE Market Makers SEWM Membership Co-op Social Enterprise Mentor Linked In I’SE Shop for Change SEWM BuySE Twitter Lists BRAP
Collaboration for Success Mark Ellerby