Enterprise education in an Olympic year: sprint or decathlon?

1. Enterprise education in an Olympic year: sprint or decathlon? 31st Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship Conference – Belfast, 2008 Andrew Corcoran 7th November 2008

2. ‘Our’ Entrepreneurial Olympian

3. Context • Six years of business start-up activity • HEIF3 SPEED pilot • Uncertain M/L term success • Diverse audience of student entrepreneurs

4. Objectives • Looking beyond start-up support (1-3 years) • Who needs help? • When do they need it? • What needs? • Role for enterprise education?

5. About our audience

6. About our audience

7. Our plan • 750 SPEEDies (T=50) • Via local project managers at 10 HEIs • Online survey • £10 Amazon voucher • n=165, 22% response • Choice of response options

8. Findings - evolution • Significant skills development needs beyond start-up phase (e.g. cash flow, employment law) • Dynamic (c. 1 year) portfolio career • Multiple tools for busy learners (core of workshops supported by other tools)

9. Findings - value • Need for entrepreneurial skills even if not intending to start a venture • Focus on specific and relevant skills (case studies) • Invest 16 days and £678 p.a. on CPE/D

10. Findings - model

11. Marketing Administration Leadership Service HR ICT Finance Strategy Management

12. What are the implications? • Improved success of the venture beyond 3 years • Move to sustainable portfolio careers • Integrating the roles of e-, m-, distance learning and coaching/mentoring

13. Next steps • Clear link with Lifelong Learning agenda targeting non-traditional learners • Longitudinal study • Continuing Professional Education/Development for SME owner-managers

14. Enterprise education but not as we know it . . . • NOT an MBA • Chartered entrepreneur? • Additional dividend of entrepreneurial faculty • Principally unaccredited • Huge ongoing positive social and economic impact