Philosophy

Objective

Participants who complete the M50 Enterprise Programme will have established the most successful businesses possible in a period of 12 months; founded on substantial research, comprehensive business planning and well structured funding.

Methodology

The M50 Enterprise Programme began in 2001 as a conventional business start-up support programme. The emphasis was on training programmes and workshops, supported by access to individual mentors. The programme rapidly evolved, the emphasis shifting from training to individualised coaching. In 2003, a clinic-based approach was formally adopted. Recognising that participants start businesses at different times of the year, have different skill sets, learning speeds and objectives, the clinic approach offers individualised support in the business planning, skills and knowledge acquisition processes. It is driven by the needs of each participant and makes knowledge transfer their responsibility (it is, after all, their business!) whilst pushing them to proceed at a rapid pace.

Essentially participants:

• Submit "deliverables" on an agreed timetable - exercises selected for their insight into the participant's state of progress. These include market research findings, results of market testing through pilots or initial sales attempts, development of a sales pipeline, development of viable financial plans, marketing and sales plans, business plans, monthly progress reports, etc.
• Attend regular skills based training sessions to learn and develop the skills essential to developing a successful business. Typical sessions include Sales Techniques, Project Management, Intellectual Property, Corporate Governance, Performance Monitoring, Raising Finance, Corporate Image, HR and Legal Issues.
• Meet with expert advisors at "clinics" on an agreed timetable to discuss the deliverables and their progress to date. This allows intervention to be made in a timely fashion to "push" sluggish or to "coach" confused individuals, resulting in businesses making maximum progress whilst participating on the Programme. It also offers a regular and scheduled opportunity for participants to raise issues of concern to them on a timely basis, to talk through alternative strategies/tactics, to share successes and to receive encouragement for their achievements to date.
• Are formally reviewed quarterly by the Programme Management Group and others knowledgeable in business to cast a fresh and unfamiliar eye over the project proposition, progress, and proposed path forward, ensuring independent assessment and feedback.