re: Entrepreneurs Manifesto: If you are silent, you are part of the problem

Being silent and part of the problem is not as big a problem as having someone pontificate and not have the facts right in the first place.

There are several anomalies with Mr Richards proposals, notably "the 3000 programmes presented over the last decade with no measure of effectiveness". The fact is that the 3000 initiatives that have been much quoted over the last few years is a myth.

To clarify, there were around 3000 initiatives, local, regional and national in existence in 2004 when my organisation provided the exact data to what was then the DTI/Small Business Service . But the numbers related to less than 100 publically funded initiatives being delivered in multiple local areas around the UK, with the remainder of the thousands of initiatives being delivered either privately in specific locations by non- profit orgs and the private sector or in partnerships with local public sector. The civil servants, as ever did not understand or want to believe the figures in front of them, because as usual they had there own political agendas, none more so that at present.

Second anomaly relates to the initiatives not being measured. The facts are that the vast majority of initiatives have always been evaluated, many with commendable local success, but the real problem is the sharing of the data and the sharing of lessons learned.

The plethora of initiatives that have always existed and will continue to exist are a true reflection of the market demand and supply available for business support. That which is currently provided by Business Link only scratches the surface and the considerable other support was there long before Business Link came into being and will continue to be there long after it ever ceases to make provision.

The arguments are there to be made and the debate needs to take place, but not without the right facts and the right people taking part in the discussion

re: Entrepreneurs Manifesto: If you are silent, you are part of the problem

@colin - is your report available in the public domain anywhere?, and do you know if there is a more recent and similar report available?Would be interested to know your thoughts on non-profits and for profit companies that receive public funding to seed their initiative (eg first 1-3 years) but then are expected to, and do become self-sustaining with no further funding - and if you have any examples of these?

re: Entrepreneurs Manifesto: If you are silent, you are part of the problem

We built and maintained a national business support directory which we started in 1996/97 and supplied this under contract to the DTI/SBS in 2004/05, but have had nothing to do with it since. The directory included 3000 schemes, the vast majority of which were local independently operating schemes, which were not government funded. However at some point after then a government minister latched onto the 3000 figure saying they were government funded initiatives, which was a complete error, and that figure has been erroneously quoted ever since.

We dont maintain any specific report or directory as such now but still gather that type of data for other purposes and say that there are several thousand independent local schemes throughout the UK, usually run by non profits and funded through mix of local council, EU, private sector sponsorship etc. Many of these do eventually fall by the wayside when funding/sponsorship ends, but many are also adept at maintaining their funding, meeting local needs.

For examples of independent local schemes go to:

www.sesc.info
www.liverpoolvision.co.uk
www.manchester-business.co.uk
www.ruraladvice.co.uk
www.socialenterpiseworks.org

Proper evaluation and sharing of lessons is the key, and its worth looking at the International Association for Enterpise Promotion (based in Harrogate) who had 400+ attendees at their recent inaugural event. Their website is at:

www.enterprisepromotion.org

re: Entrepreneurs Manifesto: If you are silent, you are part of the problem

Many thanks for the links @colin, always fascinating to know where a "meme" such as 3000 initiatives starts!

re: Entrepreneurs Manifesto: If you are silent, you are part of the problem

Colin
Your comments are noted and well thought through. It was not my intention to perpetuate a bad fact. What is more interesting is your actual point: that however much there may have been measurement it was not only not shared, it was jealously guarded.When I ran the task force on small business I spent the first year in vain, sending letters, making phone, over50 FOI request, questions tabled in parliament, private letters and more all in an unsuccessful attempt to get all of the major providers of programmes to provide any evidence of their outcomes. To no avail. In my then report, in frustration, I publicly stated that one could only assume that, if they could not provide evidence of measurement, then the measurement for all effects and purposes, did not exist.
I completely agree that, if a programme, however funded shows success and, we as the public can know that, then it should be supported and amplified.
Doug Richard

re: Entrepreneurs Manifesto: If you are silent, you are part of the problem

Manifesto response requires a fact check from twitter.com/s4startups over at: www.schoolforstartups.co.uk/2010/01/25/manifesto-response-requires-a-fact-check/

re: Entrepreneurs Manifesto: If you are silent, you are part of the problem

Doug

It was specific points in this original blog post that I had issue with, not your Manifesto, which we broadly support.

We recently surveyed a reasonable number of business support practitioners and programme managers to gauge the level of project evaluation and sharing. 80% claimed they evaluated and 20% reported that they did not. Further to this 75% either dont share the evaluation results unless requested or dont share at all (30% in that particular case) So it's a significant problem.

Colin Weatherspoon
Managing Director, Cobweb Information.