Details of the pilot project 
This pilot provided Development Trusts with business support on two levels:
Level 1:
- (BIG) business ideas generation exercise
- piloting 1:1 enterprise diagnostic exercise with beneficiary organisations
- 1:1 ½ day expert business advice shaped by outcome diagnostic session
Level 2: (shaped by outcomes of Level 1)
- enterprise skills workshops with specific focus on aspects of organisational development i.e financial management, managing risk, impact measurement
- specialist/sectoral workshops – i.e asset management, managed workspace, retail, franchising, plus business themes such as childcare, tourism, recycling
- experienced practitioners/consultants placed on attachment to beneficiary organisations
- signposting to financial resources to enable further growth
Partner information
Development Trust Association Scotland www.dtascot.org.uk
Business support
A range of specialised business support was given to six organisations as follows:
|
Ekopia |
Affordable Housing Initiative |
· Advice on undertaking a share issue
· Specialist advice on ethical investment and eco-property development
· Legal assistance with changing governing rules to comply with FSA
· Accountancy advice in relation to land purchase |
|
Mull & Iona Community Trust |
Business Centre |
· Study visits to other community run office space developments
· Assistance with market survey analysis |
|
Mull & Iona Community Trust |
Growth and development of MESS charity shops |
· Specialist retail consultancy
· Retail skills/merchandising training
· Study visits to charity and non-charity retail outlets
· Attendance at charity shop conference
· Assistance with building the business case around employment support |
|
Upper Nithsdale |
Arts & Craft Centre |
· Assistance with developing job descriptions and person specifications a marketing manager, financial manager and project coordinator
· Assistance with planning the recruitment process
· Assistance with recruitment costs |
|
Here we Are |
Woodchip business |
· Advice on the business plan from woodchip/biomass specialists
· Assistance with funding application |
|
Kilmadock Development Trust |
Business units and heritage centre |
· Assistance with funding strategy, funding applications and strategic planning |
Events
In addition to the business support programme a series of events and seminars, open to all members as well as other community based organisations, was run throughout the pilot testing period at venues across the country. These events were aimed at stimulating interest and ideas, building capacity and skills and creating networks for the exchange of knowledge and experience between members and other interested community organisations.
· A launch event for the programme ‘Enterprising Communities’ was held in Oban in November 2005
· Making the Pitch! A one day workshop on how to generate ideas and turn them into social enterprises
· Risk Assessment
· Project Management
· Business Planning
· Financial Management
· How to run a successful community café
Links
Development Trust Association
Includes a list of its members and links to other sites
www.dta.org.uk
