1. Introduction to The Small Business Advice Programme smallbusinessadvice.ie March 2011
2. Background to the programme Initiated by key business and political figures in the Cork area during Q3 2009 A voluntary response by the business community to the challenges of the recession Programme launched as a pilot programme in Cork in October 2009 with broad support from business community including; Bord Gáis - CEO John Mullins on the board Plato Cork - Director JJ O’Connell on the board Cork Chamber Cork Business Association and cross party political support including Simon Coveney TD ( FG) - on the board Billy Kelleher TD (FF) Batt O’Keeffe TD (FF)
6. Board membersJohn Mullins, Eddie Hobbs, Simon Coveney, JJ O'Connell & Denis Kirby Programme Project Manager John McSweeney attends meetings also
7. Participation in the Programme Participation On a strictly voluntary basis by Small Business Owners, Advisers, Sponsors and Supporters. Costs and Resources All participants bear their own costs, Small Businesses, Advisers, BGE as Project Manager, Sponsors and Supporters BGE providing resources to implement the pilot programme Project management Administration and IT support Budget to advertise programme Plato providing resources to train and support Advisers
18. Advisers complete a short profile which is used to match the small business requirement with the particular expertise of the Adviser.
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20. Application Process ( contd…) The Project Manager makes contact with the small Business Owner, gets further information and; requests the small Business Owner to complete and submit a short questionnaire. as part of this process the applicant will confirm acceptance of the Terms of Engagement The Project Manager then matches the requirements of the Small Business Owner with one or more of the Advisers.
21. Application Process ( contd…) The contact between the small Business Owner and the Adviser consists of 1 to 3 meetings. The typical duration for each meeting is 2 -3 hours. The Adviser keeps a log or some brief notes of; the discussions at the meetings the nature of the advice given. The Project Manager follows up with the small Business Owner after the Adviser meetings Gets feedback on the process Ensures the requirement of the Small Business Owner has been met Determines requirement for meetings with further Adviser(s)
22. Typical Issues for applicants Managing fixed costs Rental/lease costs Debtor management Collecting payment Bad debt issues Credit terms – small business being squeezed by their clients and suppliers any of whom are much larger. This is a particular problem for small service companies Raising finance Working capital / overdraft facilities Capital to grow the business Management accounts Many small companies particularly sole traders have quite informal accounting processes. While this is not a bad thing in busy times, it is a disadvantage in a downturn. A small business needs to know how profitable the business is and indeed how profitable the specific products and services provided are
37. Feedback from small businesses (contd...) Small businesses were also asked their views on how the Programme could be improved Questionnaire – suggested making more user friendly This has been addressed Follow up opportunities for networking with other business people Have introduced the businesses who requested this to programme sponsors and supporters Plato Local Chamber of Commerce Local / Regional Business Association
38. Programme Status Update As of 21st March 2011 there have been 196 applications for assistance Most applications via website c. 85% the rest by phone and post c.15% Geographic profile of applicants 106 No. from the Cork Region: 69No. from the SE Region: and 21No. from the MW Region. Typical size of company Most are small owner managed business with less than 5 employees
39. Typical Applicants A wide range of businesses have applied from various sectors including: Retail Fashion Maternity/children clothing suppliers Decorating supplies Manufacturing Kitchen manufacturers Engineering companies Wholesale Construction supplies Services Equipment Maintenance Childcare Facilities Catering and Hospitality Hair and beauty services Web design /software
41. Expansion Phase 1 - The SE Region The programme was expanded to the South-East Region in May 2010 Waterford, Wexford, and Kilkenny Again broad support from the business and political community for this expansion All local chambers were very supportive Expansion launched by Minister Batt O’Keefe on 10th May 2010 Launch was chaired by Waterford Chamber - Mr Tom Murran, President.
42. Expansion Phase 2 - Mid West Region Board asked to look at expanding to the remaining counties in Munster (Tipperary, Limerick & Clare) keen to ensure that all expansion phases are done successfully in a controlled fashion This was done with the support of the local business and political community Programme Launched by Minister Peter Power, TD. Hosted by Limerick Chamber in Thomond Park in October 2010.
