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Lessons from Business: How to Run a Successful Club or Society. Introductions. Dave Jarman: Head of Enterprise Education Ex Careers Service & UBU Ex Sabbatical Officer Ex Society & JCR President Principles: You’re all running a business that provides a service to a customer (your members)
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Lessons from Business: How to Run a Successful Club or Society
Introductions • Dave Jarman: • Head of Enterprise Education • Ex Careers Service & UBU • Ex Sabbatical Officer • Ex Society & JCR President • Principles: • You’re all running a business that provides a service to a customer (your members) • You’re trying to create value (profit) for your organisation • You’re trying to create a valued experience for your customers
The Lessons Understanding your Market ‘Product vs. Price’ USPs Goals, Culture, and Strategy Talent Management
Lesson #1 • Understand your market • Market = Audience • Customers = Members • You’re trying to encourage Customers to ‘buy’ a product or service from you – a membership and then regular engagement • Customers buy things that solve problems or fill gaps in their lives • Markets have segments of customers who buy different things in different ways and for different reasons • What problem are you solving for your members? • Could you describe your ‘average’ customer? • Why do they buy your product or service?
Lesson #2 • ‘Product’ vs. ‘Price’ • People buy a product or service because it makes them happy • It also has to do this better than an alternative product or service • Every product or service also has a cost – financial, time & effort, reputational, etc… • Is your product worth your price? • Can you define the value of your product or service in 3 bullet-points? • How could you improve your product or reduce the ‘cost’ of membership?
Lesson #3 • USPs – Unique Sales Proposition • What is UNIQUE about what your group offers? • What is better about your product or service than other competitors or alternatives? • Is your group distinctive in any way? Are you easily recognised and does your activity and image send the right messages? • Can you define 1-3 USPs for your group? • How could you improve your ‘brand’ with students – what kinds of values do you want students to associate with your brand? • Exciting, Professional, Friendly, Reliable, Caring, Convenient…
Lesson #4 • Goals, Strategy, and Culture • Do you have a vision for how your group will look and operate in 1-2 year’s time? • Do you have goals and strategies for achieving those goals that your membership understands? • Does your group’s strategy survive the handover process? • What kind of culture do you need to create to run the group you want to have? • Sketch out some goals and think about how you’d share these • What kinds of characteristics would you want to be part of a group culture?
Lesson #5 • Talent Management: • How do people find their way into power in your group? • Do the right people find their way into power in your group? • How do you spot, support, and manage talented members into power (without rigging elections)? • What characteristics do you think your group leadership should have? • How are new members likely to develop and improve those skills required?
What is the RBS ESSA? A recognised national accreditation for student societies to reward and recognise these skills • Why apply? • Give your CV a boost • Enter the awards to win a share of £61,000 prize money • Be invited to the RBS ESSA Awards attended by top UK employers & sponsors • National press coverage for your society
How to apply: • Visit www.rbsessa.com • See if your society meets the entry criteria • Apply for accreditation and enter the awards online
Societies www.bristolinc.org.uk www.facebook.com/enactusbristol www.inhouse-media.com
New Enterprise Competition www.bristol.ac.uk/red/nec Open to students, staff, and recent graduates 4-page Business Plan submission by May 2014 Shortlist through to presentation panel in Autumn 2014 £35,000 prize fund Advice & workshops available Concepts, Plans and Trading start-ups all welcome and judged separately
Business start-up support www.businessbasecamp.co.uk Twitter @BristolBasecamp Facebook search ‘Bristol Basecamp’ • Advice & guidance • Seed funding (£30k) • Desk space • Education & Networking events – ‘Monday Means Business’ • Mentoring match-making • Summer Enternships (£1500 + desk) • Surgeries: • Book-keeping • Branding • IP & Legal Matters
Basecamp Master-classes www.businessbasecamp.co.uk Twitter @BristolBasecamp Facebook search ‘Bristol Basecamp’ • Weekly short talks on start-up: • Generating ideas • Good Ideas vs. Good Business ideas • Understanding the market • Company Formation • Resources for start-ups • IP for start-ups • Finance • Elevator Pitches • Business plans