Community Services Programme Strand 1 & 3 Business Planning

1. Community Services Programme Strand 1 & 3 Business Planning Re-contracting 2015-2017 April 2014

2. Welcome & Introductions

3. Agenda • Overview of CSP • Business Plan Template 2015-17 • Small Group Discussion • Lunch at 1pm! • 1 to 1s (as required)

4. Context The Community Services Programme (CSP) exists to: • Benefit the Community and alleviate disadvantage • Deliver services that meet community needs • Support community businesses that trade in a financially sustainable manner, based upon a Social Enterprise model • Support community businesses where they have an overriding social purpose, setting out to benefit people or the community

5. Context continued… • Promote employment for those target groups most distant from the labour market (70% CSP employees) • Re-contracting - Not about applying for additional money and equally it is not about blanket cuts • Public funds – directed where needed and providing value for money

6. Context continued… Business Plan (BP) - Benefits for the organisation • Periodic planning is essential for the continuing success of the service/enterprise • BP provides a structure for groups to take time out to consider their service/enterprise, and how it can be improved to maximise social benefits • BP also enables groups to examine the business dimension, in order to ensure the financial security of the project • BP is an opportunity to address any financial or other shortcomings & to incorporate any lessons learned

7. Context continued… Why a full business plan? • Department requirements assessment for funding to be based on BP. New 3 year contract period = New BP • CSP supports community businesses and a BP would be an expectation for any well managed business • It gives us a rounded picture on which to base the decision to award continued public funding • Times have moved on since the last BP, different operating environment – new BP required

8. Context continued… Lessons from previous BP processes • Lack of planning and forethought in Business Plan • Lack of detailed needs analysis • Lack of evidence of generating an income • Lack of follow up on audit recommendations and BPA recommendations • Weaknesses at Board level, and lack of detailed oversight • Weaknesses in staff management processes

9. Completing the Business Plan Please open the Business Plan (BP) Template and Guidelines • Section 1 – Executive Summary: complete at the end • Summarise in a clear, concise way each section in the BP

10. Completing the Business Plan • Section 2 – Organisation Details This is to update us on your organisation since your last business plan in 2010

11. Completing the Business Plan • Section 3 – Your Social Enterprise • Vision & Objectives • Actions, outputs and targets • Profile of beneficiaries • Action Plan 2015-2017 • Outcomes

12. Completing the Business Plan • Section 4 – Needs Analysis • Explain the need for the service based on analysis/assessments carried out • Analysis of Need - When, how and methods used. • What Gaps are being filled? • Provide evidence of need!

13. Completing the Business Plan • Section 5 – Sustainability • SWOT Analysis • External Factors • Risks • Growth areas

14. Completing the Business Plan • Section 6 – Demonstration of Value for Money • Added Value • Quality of services • Income Generation • Cost saving measures • Targeting those most in need

15. Completing the Business Plan • Section 7 – Financial Information • Income and Expenditure • Reserves Policy • Cashflow • Income Generation

16. Application Procedure

17. Additional Support • Contact your designated Regional Development Co-ordinator • An Enquiry Mailbox service - CSP@pobal.ie • FAQ posted on website • Guidance notes on website

18. Assessment Criteria • Past performance and future plans taken into consideration • Capacity of Organisation • Strategic Fit • Demonstration of Need • Sustainability • Value for Money

19. Deadline Date Reminder Submission of Business Plan template to CSP@pobal.ie by 5.00 pm on 7th May 2014

20. Questions & Answers

21. Group Discussion Questions • Discuss how your company can find out need for your service. (Needs Analysis) • Discuss how your company can increase traded income and reduce expenditure? (Income Generation)

22. Question 1 - past experience of Pobal Needs Assessment • Surveys and Questionnaires to existing users/clients • Linking with relevant groups/organisations (HSE Department of Social Protection, CIC etc...) • Pobal Maps (establishing areas & categories of need) • Other published reports

23. Question 2 – past experience of Pobal Ways to increase income • Increase charges • Increase customer base • Extend service • Provide new service/product Ways to decrease expenditure • Review service providers • Group deals/rates (networking) • Energy Efficiency • Negotiate charges

24. New Monitoring System for CSP • Reporting twice a year (end Jun/end Dec) • From June 2014 – online (login to portal) • Single form/template combining • Payroll • Expenditure • Worker Profile – some new fields here • Outputs – dep. on type of service (services offered, user numbers, etc.) • Progress – v. short • Training / video tutorials / helpdesk will be provided

25. Thank you all for your attendance!