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ADVICE FROM GREEN-WORKS FOUNDER ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE A SUCCESS
Green-Works, one of the major social enterprise success stories, recycles office furniture for re-use in charities and has seen its turnover rise from £2,000 in 2000 when it was founded, to £2 million last year.
“As a new and rapidly expanding social enterprise we have needed to use a variety of professional and business services to enable us to achieve our ambitious targets in a relatively short time-frame. These have included accountancy, marketing, operational and business planning and management training” explained Colin Crooks, Green-Works founder and Chief Executive.
“Every one of our consultants has come from PrimeTimers with whom we have formed an excellent working relationship – they completely understand our organisational and cultural needs and the skills and competencies we require. Its hit rate has been so good that I would almost employ the people it recommends sight unseen” he continued.
A diverse range of projects have been undertaken by PrimeTimers' members for Green-Works including devising an export feasibility plan; a business viability review of existing depot provision; change management; the role of company secretary and the introduction of management practices, procedures and training.
“We strive to ensure that any external expertise and talent not only assists us with a specific project but also helps to build our organisational capacity by enabling us to capture the learning skills within the business. For example, when setting up new systems and processes we always ensure there is a training element included” Colin said.
Some advice for other social enterprises and charities who are thinking about taking advantage of the excellent service that PrimeTimers provides: “If you are going to bring someone into your organisation with a high level of skills, experience and expertise, be prepared to listen to what they have to say and to change, as without doubt these people will bring change.
“Think through what you want them to do and clearly define the project and your expectations. The better defined the brief is the better results you will get, if you are vague it will not work as well and you will have wasted a great opportunity. Use them well and these consultants will help you transform your business. It is a fantastic resource, one that I would recommend to everyone” he concluded.
