accelerate 2012 programme launch

Accelerate2012 programme launch

Contents Welcome 01

Accelerate: How it works 02

Overview 03

Workshop outlines 05

London dates 20

01Accelerate 2012 programme launch

Entrepreneurs make a difference. Not only do they have great ideas, but also the drive to make them a reality; using fresh thinking and hard work to create positive change.

Ernst & Young’s commitment to entrepreneurship is recognised globally and sees us working with some of the world’s most successful and creative entrepreneurs both directly as our clients and through our prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® award programme. It is this same commitment which, through our community programme, drives us to support a next generation of young business leaders and social entrepreneurs.

As part of our ongoing support for innovation and entrepreneurship, I’m delighted to share Ernst & Young’s latest initiative: Accelerate. Accelerate is a series of free workshops that provide entrepreneurs with learning, insight and knowledge on a variety of business-related topics. Through Accelerate, we aim to provide a breadth of support to many entrepreneurs from grassroots upwards.

The workshops have been designed by our people, in consultation with entrepreneurs, and are tailored to help meet and address the various business challenges of the social or business entrepreneur. We are very excited to be able to use the world class talents of our people to create this forum for entrepreneurs to learn, develop, make connections and network.

I look forward to welcoming you at one or more of our events.

Iain Wilkie

Partner, UK & Ireland Leadership Team

Welcome

“ I passionately believe in Ernst & Young making the difference for society, for our people, and for our clients. Accelerate will do exactly that, which is why I’m personally delighted to be the Partner Sponsor for this exciting programme.”

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02 Accelerate 2012 programme launch

Accelerate: How it works

Accelerate is an ongoing programme of learning for young business leaders and social entrepreneurs. It will initially run over a five month period, starting in February 2012, and will comprise 14 workshops aimed at different levels of business experience; from start ups through to established enterprises.

The workshops fall across the following three phases of growth:

► Business planning

► Growing

► Scaling

Places on Accelerate will be offered via a number of the organisations we have existing relationships with and which support either young business leaders or social entrepreneurs. They include UnLtd, The Prince’s Trust, Bright Ideas Trust, Social Business Trust, Teach First and the top 10 winners of Striding Out’s 2011 Future 100 awards.

For further information, please refer to your usual contact within these organisations.

Business planning Growing Scaling

Turning your idea into a viable business Workshop code: AC01

Setting up your business Workshop code: AC02

Financial accounting Workshop code: AC03

Introduction to tax for your business Workshop code: AC04

Planning, budgeting and forecasting Workshop code: AC05

Governance Workshop code: AC06

Scaling up your business Workshop code: AC11

Sales effectiveness Workshop code: AC12

Customer service Workshop code: AC13

Social return on investment Workshop code: AC07

The transition of leadership Workshop code: AC08

Change management Workshop code: AC14


Overview

Preparing for growth Workshop code: AC09

Developing winning proposals Workshop code: AC10


Who should take part?This workshop will be of interest to entrepreneurs who:

► Have recently implemented a business idea

► Are intending to implement an idea as a business

► Are keen to share, learn and network with people in similar situations

Learning outcomesOn completion of this workshop, it is expected that participants will:

► Have a clearer picture of how to turn an idea into a viable business proposition

► Be able to articulate a compelling value proposition (i.e., how to add value) and elevator pitch

► Be able to identify stakeholders’ interests and their relevance

► Be able to identify challenges and goals to consider when growing a business

Outline of contentExploring the differences between an idea and a viable business proposition:

► Developing a compelling value proposition and elevator pitch

► Stakeholder management: identifying your business’ key stakeholders and developing a holistic approach to satisfying their needs

► Growing your business: interactive session concerning the challenges of raising the finance necessary to grow your business

Learning methodsThe workshop will have a strong practical focus and participants should be willing to come prepared to share their business ideas and start up experiences.

Time commitment3.5 hours including networking with peers.

Turning your idea into a viable business

About this workshop“ The difference between success and failure lies in knowing that a great idea, a great product and a great business are three completely different things.” (Payne, 2011).

This workshop provides guidance to help you think through the processes, challenges and important considerations when turning your idea into a viable business.

Workshop code: AC01


About this workshopDeciding on a legal structure is a crucial step on your journey as a business.

Which legal form is most relevant to the needs of your business? What does the process involve? What are the main pitfalls to watch out for?

This workshop introduces you to the different legal structures available to entrepreneurs and the key requirements for each, providing a practical example that demonstrates the benefits and complications.

You will gain an understanding of the main legal and administrative requirements as well as your responsibilities when setting up your legal entity.

Setting up your business

Who should take part?This workshop will be of particular interest to entrepreneurs who:

► Are starting up a business and are unsure of which structure they should use

► Are unsure of the legal requirements and responsibilities associated with their structure


► Be able to identify the different legal structures associated with setting up a business

► Be able to apply the legal and administrative requirements for their chosen structure

Outline of content ► Legal structures including; unincorporated

association, trust, limited company, community interest company (CIC), industrial and provident Society (IPS), charitable incorporated organisation

► Dealing with Companies House and other legal considerations

► Your personal legal responsibilities

► Case study

Learning methodsThe workshop will be classroom based with interactive elements including working in small groups and the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained to your own circumstances.

Time commitment3 hours including networking with peers.

Workshop code: AC02


Financial accounting: Get to grips with your finances


► Have little or no prior knowledge of financial accounting

► Need to undertake bookkeeping or prepare accounts

► Want to better understand the key financial performance indicators


► Have a good understanding of the primary financial accounts and statutory requirements

► Have a basic understanding of double entry bookkeeping

► Understand budgeting and forecasting

Outline of content ► Primary financial accounts

► Introduction to double entry bookkeeping

► Budgeting and forecasting

► Financial accounting question and answer session

Learning methods The workshop will be classroom based with interactive elements.


PrerequisitesAhead of the workshop, participants will be asked to come prepared with several financial accounting challenges specific to their business.

About this workshopFinancial accounting is the backbone of any business venture; it is the first step towards better management of your finances, which is crucial for the short term stability and the future prospect of your business.

The core of financial accounting is recording and categorising all transactions concerning the business into meaningful blocks, from which management can get a clear picture of the resources available to business and its financial performance. The purpose of this workshop is to introduce the basics of financial accounting.

Workshop code: AC03



► Know nothing about tax

► Have little tax knowledge but would like clarity on how it can affect their business


► Have a good understanding of the different types of tax e.g., income tax, corporation tax, VAT, etc.

► Understand the legal distinctions between different trading entities (e.g., sole trader, company, partnership) and which taxes apply to which entities

► Get an overview of how taxation can affect business start ups and ongoing taxation issues that affect businesses

► Be familiar with the tax authorities in the UK: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), how they operate and how they can help

► Understand how tax advisers can assist you with your business at set up, and throughout the life cycle of the business

Outline of content ► Starting a new business —

business structures

► Overview of different types of tax

► Taxpayers’ relationship with the tax authorities and tax advisers

► Taxation of a business during its life

► Familiarisation with online content provided by HMRC

Learning methods The workshop will be classroom based with interactive elements including breakout sessions and group work.


Introduction to tax for your business

About this workshopThe majority of us are taxpayers and our tax deductions are generally taken care of for us. When you are in business however, the responsibility rests with you and so it is very important to get your tax affairs in order, right from the start.

This workshop introduces the different areas of tax. It will include how different taxes can apply depending on your business structure e.g., whether you are a sole trader, a company, a not for profit organisation or a partnership.

Together we will go through each area and discuss how these taxes could apply to your business.

Workshop code: AC04


Planning, budgeting and forecasting: Ensure your business activities are aligned to deliver your organisation’s strategic plans

Who should take part? This workshop will be of interest to entrepreneurs who:

► Are already involved in their business’ process for setting plans, budgets and forecasts

► Are looking to improve their business’ process for setting plans, budgets and forecasts

► Want to ensure that business activities meet key strategic goals


► Understand the different types of planning activity including: strategic/business planning, annual budgeting, forecasting and functional planning

► Understand the characteristics of leading organisations in planning, budgeting and forecasting

► Be able to assess their business against a budgeting and forecasting process maturity profile

► Have the tools for identifying improvement opportunities in their business activities

Outline of content ► Introduction to planning, budgeting

and forecasting and leading practice in these areas

► Group discussion: leading practice examples

► Group exercise: self assessment against good practice

► Group exercise: process improvement

Learning methodsThe workshop will be classroom based with interactive elements including breakout sessions and group work.


About this workshopAn optimised planning cycle links long-term strategic plans with monthly operations forecasting, and challenges your business to align what is possible with what is probable.

This workshop will expose you to examples of leading practice and help you think through the improvement opportunities available to optimise your organisation’s planning, budgeting and forecasting processes.

Workshop code: AC05



► Are in the business planning or early growth phase

► Want to understand enterprise governance, and any legal requirements facing their enterprise in this regard

► Want to produce a long term governance strategy for their enterprise

► Want to know how to involve mentors, advisors and board members in their enterprise


► Be able to structure the governance of their enterprise

► Have identified weaknesses in their current governance structure

► Understand laws applicable to their situation

► Learn how to identify appropriate mentors and board members

► Have ideas about how to find mentors and board members

Outline of contentThe workshop will be split into the following sections:

► What is good governance?

► Roles and skills of mentors and the board

► How to choose and find the right mentors and board

Learning methodsThe workshop will have a strong practical focus. Participants will create an action plan to take forward; mapping out their enterprise, its governance weaknesses and a long term governance strategy.

Time commitment 4 hours including networking time with peers.

Governance: Creating a winning structure for your business

About this workshopThis workshop aims to give participants an understanding of good governance for an enterprise. Putting in place the right advisors, mentors and board is integral to the long term strategy, success and continued growth of an enterprise.

The workshop will cover all the relevant roles and responsibilities and help participants consider the appropriate skills and expertise that their mentors and board should have. Participants will work with the facilitators to consider their governance, forming practical steps to achieve a better governance structure.

Workshop code: AC06


Who should take part? This workshop will be of interest to those social entrepreneurs who:

► Are at the start up or early growing stage of their business

► Are unclear as to how or even if they can measure SROI for their business

► Want to quantify investment as a social return to satisfy investor requirements

► Want to understand more about cost/benefits analysis


► Understand the definition and concept of SROI and explore if it is applicable to their business

► Have a framework to understand and calculate SROI

► Be given links to further sources for investigation and research

Outline of content ► Definition and concept: SROI

► Approach: framework and application methodology

► Case study

► Question and answer/discussion: reinforce learning outcomes

Learning methodsThe workshop will be classroom based with interactive elements including breakout sessions and group work.


PrerequisitesSimple financial concepts will be sent to participants in advance as preparation for the model case study. Participants will also be asked to share some of their business plans and SROI measurement concerns to the workshop facilitators ahead of the session.

Social return on investment: Measuring the immeasurable?

About this workshopMeasuring financial return is easy but how do you measure social return — especially when accessing relevant data can often be tricky? This workshop will help you discover what’s possible and what’s not when it comes to measuring your social return on investment (SROI).

Workshop code: AC07


About this workshopAs new organisations start to evolve, the leadership skills required to move from an idea to an initial reality will not work in the next stages of growth and expansion.

This workshop, exploring innovator, founder, manager or leader concepts, is designed to enable participants to examine the leadership and managerial needs of their developing organisation. Within this process, participants will be challenged to assess their own leadership development and to define whether the baton should be passed on to the next generation.

The transition of leadership: Addressing the leadership needs of your evolving organisation


► Are currently in leadership positions within organisations

► Are currently leading within an organisation

► Are questioning whether their current leadership capability is suitable for the future development of their organisation


► Have defined their own leadership potential and position and used it as a basis for open discussions across the group

► Have examined, against a background of knowledge and challenge from the presenters, the emerging leadership needs of their organisation

► Have examined the evidence around the broad characteristics of adaptive leaders

► Have critically examined how to enhance leadership capability and capacity across their organisation

Outline of content ► Self assessment of leadership potential

vs. current leadership reality

► Differing leadership demands as organisations evolve

► Leadership at all levels

► Leadership vs. Management

► How to develop leadership capability

Learning methods The workshop will have a strong practical focus and participants should be willing to come prepared to share their leadership challenges and to expose their personal leadership strengths and development needs.


Workshop code: AC08


Preparing for growth

Who should take part? This workshop will be of interest to entrepreneurs who:

► Are planning to substantially grow their business over the next one to five years

► Are planning to raise capital or refinance their businesses


► Be able to describe the components necessary to achieve successful growth

► Understand how growth can be funded

► Be able to differentiate between sustainable and unsustainable growth

► Be able to apply simple metrics to their own business development plans to assist in measuring growth

Outline of content ► The four key drivers of competitive

success as identified through leading entrepreneurs

► Typical growth strategies and discussion of when each identified strategy works best

► Raising and optimising capital

► How to find a strategy that works for your business and competitive environment

Learning methods The workshop will have a practical focus, and participants should be willing to come prepared to share some of the challenges they have faced in growing their businesses.


PrerequisitesParticipants will be asked to complete a short survey ahead of the workshop where they will be asked to share:

► One or two of their key growth challenges

► The options they have previously considered to grow their business; and

► Methods they have previously utilised to grow their businesses to date and the level of success they can attribute to each

The results of this survey will be used to help us to tailor the workshop to the participants’ particular needs.

About this workshopAchieving growth has rarely been more challenging than in the current economic environment. To thrive as a business it is crucial to understand the lessons learned by some of the world’s leading entrepreneurs so that you can learn from their successes.

Workshop code: AC09



► Are involved in persuading people and organisations to adopt their proposals

► Feel they want to improve their impact and credibility


► Be able to describe the drivers and structure of a successful pursuit

► Be able to identify real needs and develop a value proposition

► Be able to structure a presentation

► Build confidence in presenting themselves in a competitive pursuit

Outline of content ► Structured selling and value propositions

► Group discussion on real examples

► Developing a presentation

► Building rapport and relationships

Learning methodsThe workshop has a strong practical focus, helping you to see and feel what works and understand why. If you have a recent proposal you have worked on, win or lose, then come prepared to share your experience with the group. You will also benefit if you have a live proposal you are working on, but neither are prerequisites to joining the workshop.


PrerequisitesParticipants will be asked to complete a short survey ahead of the workshop where they will be asked to share one to two of their key proposal challenges to help us to tailor the workshop to participants’ particular needs.

Developing winning proposals

About this workshopIt’s a competitive world and organisations and people need to know how to articulate their ideas in written documents and oral presentations, often as part of a formal pursuit process. This workshop will look at the structure, value propositions (i.e., how to add value) and personal preparation necessary to win.

Workshop code: AC10



► Are planning to substantially grow their business over the next 1 to 5 years

► Businesses that are experiencing rapid growth or opportunities to grow at present

Learning outcomesOn completion of this workshop, it is expected that participants will be able to:

► Identify which parts of their organisation are geared for growth

► Identify the areas that require attention

► Identify the key risks to the existing business from scaling up

► Identify the essential risk management measures to drive growth and protect the core business

Outline of content ► Case studies from businesses that have

successfully scaled up their operations

► Lessons learned from business that failed to scale up successfully

► Self diagnostic techniques — are you ready?

► Discussion of other strategies that can supplement your growth story

Learning methods The workshop will have a practical focus and participants should be willing to share their challenges with respect to scaling up their operations.


Prerequisites Participants will be asked to complete a short survey ahead of the workshop where they will be asked to share one to two of their key expansion challenges and related concerns to help us to tailor the workshop to participants’ particular needs.

Scaling up your business: Essential elements

About this workshopSuccessful scaling up of your business will only succeed if the proper foundations are established from the outset. This workshop will help you identify the areas of an organisation that need to be enhanced or the new areas that need to be formed to enable the achievement of a sustainable growth.

Workshop code: AC11



► Are in the growth phase of their business and are trying to identify key areas to propose value to customers and simultaneously boost sales in an increasingly competitive environment or;

► Are starting to enter the mature phase of their business and are keen to ensure their strategy is still relevant to the rapidly changing market place


► Have a good understanding of the different segments in the market and how to maximise revenue

► Be able to articulate and create value propositions for both the business and the customer

► Have the tools for identifying, mapping and prioritsing key sales stakeholders

Outline of content ► Understanding the customer and

chosen market: segmentation, targeting and positioning

► Understanding customer needs: how to develop compelling value propositions

► Interactive session: develop your own value proposition

Learning methods The workshop will have a strong practical focus and participants should be willing to come prepared to share their market and business challenges.


Prerequisites Participants will be asked to complete a short survey ahead of the workshop where they will be asked to share one to two of their key sales challenges to help us to tailor the workshop to participants’ particular needs.

Sales effectiveness: Understanding your customer

About this workshopEvery business seeks growth through sales and expanding distribution networks, but how do you know where to focus your strategy, and more importantly how to keep your customers satisfied? This workshop focuses on themes that will enable you to understand your customers’ needs and generate value for both yourself and the customer.

Workshop code: AC12



► Are in the growth phase of their business and are looking to differentiate their offering to customers and retain the customers they win or;

► Are starting to enter the mature phase of their business and are keen to ensure that they are building long term relationships with their customers through the strength of the service they provide


► Be able to describe what drives delight and dissatisfaction for their customers

► Understand the value of customer service to their organisation

► Be able to identify the key areas of their offering to customers where they can deliver excellent customer service and how to set themselves up to deliver this consistently

Outline of content ► Understanding customer needs: what is

important to drive delight and satisfaction for your customers

► Understand the keys to customer service: what are the key elements to delivering great, consistent customer service

► Understand how to apply this to your business: interactive session to identify how to apply this to your business

Learning methodsThe workshop will have a practical focus and participants should be willing to come prepared to share their customer service issues and challenges.


PrerequisitesAhead of the workshop, participants will be asked to share the nature of their business and the customer service challenges that they face in order for us to tailor the workshop to participants’ particular needs.

Customer service: How to delight your customers

About this workshopIn the current economic environment, with price competition increasing and customers becoming ever more demanding, delivering excellent customer service can be a crucial differentiator in retaining and attracting your customers. But what drives great customer service and how can you deliver it consistently? This workshop will focus on what you need to do to delight your customers and provide an insight into how top performing organisations are tackling this challenge.

Workshop code: AC13



► Are experiencing or are about to experience any kind of change and;

► Have to manage their workforce through a proposed change


► Have a good understanding of Kotter’s 8 step change framework

► Have the tools and techniques for applying the framework in practice

► Be able to articulate a compelling vision for their business

► Have the tools for identifying, mapping and prioritsing key stakeholders

Outline of content ► Kotter’s 8-step change process

► Group discussion on Kotter’s 8-step change process

► Deep dive 1: compelling vision

► Deep dive 2: stakeholder engagement

Learning methods The workshop will have a strong practical focus and participants should be willing to come prepared to share their change challenges.


PrerequisitesParticipants will be asked to complete a short survey ahead of the workshop where they will be asked to share one to two of their key change challenges to help us to tailor the workshop to participants’ particular needs.

Change management: Get your organisation ready for the challenges ahead

About this workshopEvery business goes through change, but how do you know that you are getting it right and setting your business up for success? This workshop introduces Kotter’s ‘8 step change framework’ to help you think through and manage change successfully. Together we will identify practical examples of how to apply this framework to your business, and look more closely at two aspects of the framework: articulating your compelling vision and engaging your key stakeholders.

Workshop code: AC14


London dates

Developing winning proposals — AC10 9 February 2012, 9:00am-2:00pm

The transition of leadership — AC08 22 February 2012, 4:00pm-7:00pm

Customer service — AC13 7 March 2012, 3:00-7:00pm

Turning your idea into a viable business — AC01 14 March 2012, 3.30pm–7:00pm

Introduction to tax for your business — AC04 21 March 2012, 3:30pm-7:00pm

Social return on investment — AC07 3 April 2012, 9:00am-12:00pm

Setting up your business — AC02 19 April 2012, 4:00pm-7:00pm

Governance — AC06 25 April 2012, 3:00pm-7:00pm

Preparing for growth — AC09 3 May 2012, 3.30pm-7:00pm

Planning, budgeting and forecasting — AC05 10 May 2012, 3.00pm-7:00pm

Scaling up your business — AC11 17 May 2012, 3.30pm-7:00pm

Financial accounting — AC03 24 May 2012, 4:00pm-7:00pm

Change management — AC14 13 June 2012, 9:00am-2:00pm

Sales effectiveness — AC12 21 June 2012, 3:00pm-7:00pm

The Accelerate workshops are intended to provide only a general outline of the subjects covered. They should not be regarded as comprehensive nor sufficient for making decisions, nor should they be used in place of professional advice. Ernst & Young accepts no responsibility for loss arising from any action taken or not taken by you using information provided in, or in connection with, the workshops, including any related slides, notes, handouts or other documents, including this publication.

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© Ernst & Young LLP 2011. Published in the UK. All Rights Reserved.

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Information in this publication is intended to provide only a general outline of the subjects covered. It should neither be regarded as comprehensive nor sufficient for making decisions, nor should it be used in place of professional advice. Ernst & Young LLP accepts no responsibility for any loss arising from any action taken or not taken by anyone using this material.

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