ellen o'hara for ii creative economy forum
DESCRIPTION
Ellen O’Hara - Head of Bussiness development, Cockpit ArtsEllen O’Hara holds a degree in Economics and Econometrics from the University of Birmingham and a postgraduate diploma in administrative management. She joined Cockpit Arts in 2006 where she is responsible for the design of the business development strand of the incubation offer. She leads Cockpit Arts' research projects which have a focus on craft business models and the impact of incubation on growth. Ellen previously worked for The Princes Trust, Arts Council England and Andersen management consultancy. She sits on the Board of Directors for CreativePeop!e, a national network of professional development providers, This is Not a Gateway, an organisation that facilitates the production and exchange of current thinking and research in urbanism, and You Make It a social enterprise supporting young people into employment.Cockpit ArtsCockpit Arts is a social enterprise and the UK’s only creative-business incubator for designer-makers. They work with both new and established businesses aiming to increase profitability without compromising on creativity, nurturing 165 designer-makers across two incubator sites in London. The incubation package is proven to support growth, and supported by robust research and impact measurement, making Cockpit a leader in its field. Their mission is to support and promote talented designer-makers from all backgrounds through all stages of their career. They strive to raise standards in the contemporary craft and design sectors, making an important contribution to the UK cultural landscape and economy.TRANSCRIPT
Making It Happen:Incubation, Clustering & Business
Development
2nd Russian-British Creative Economy ForumEllen O’Hara, Head of Business Development
Award winning creative business incubator for designer-makers
About us
Our clients
We support and promote talented designer-makers from all backgrounds through all stages of their
career. We strive to raise standards in the contemporary craft and design sectors, making
an importantcontribution to the UK cultural landscape and
economy.
Our mission
Offer - space
• An ‘easy in, easy out’ • Below market rate fees• 24 hour access• Wifi, IT suite• Office services, meeting rooms• Storage space, project space• Resource library
Offer - space
Offer – incubation process
Diagnostic & development plan
Business review
Selection process
Onsite one to one coaching
Offer – incubation process
One to one diagnostic, coaching & review =
most effective way to identify needs and provide a tailored solution with a focus on the development
of the entrepreneur
Offer – business development
• Toolkit• Skills workshops • Seminars• Blog• Low interest loans• Network of associates
Offer – marketing & sales
• Open studios• Online directory• Press and pr liaison• Brokerage with press and
buyers• Showcasing projects
Offer – wellbeing
• Discounted onsite sessions – yoga, massage, acupuncture
• Social calendar
Offer - community
• Shared values and vision• Shared studios and communal spaces• Facilitated peer support• Sharing of equipment, suppliers and customers• Reducing isolation & support network• Collaboration• Collective problem solving, peer critique• Knowledge/skills exchange
Impact – key facts
Impact - Thornback & Peel
2006
2011
Completed start up course
Growth Loan 1
Mentoring from Deutsche Bank
Growth Loan 2
One to one coaching
One to one coaching
Growth Loan 3
Doubled turnover and profit year on year, 3 employees
5 year exit plan
How – business model
• Social enterprise• Invested public funds and grants• Generated 93% of budget through earned
income• Private sector partners• Good relationship with local authority and
national development agencies
Mini case study – Village Underground
http://www.villageunderground.co.uk/
Mini case study – THECUBE
http://thecubelondon.com/
Mini case study – Stour Space
http://portal.stourspace.co.uk/
The needs of creative entrepreneurs
• Access to affordable space and finance• Access to networks and community• Lack of business vision, ambition and acumen • Lack of efficient business systems • Lack of managerial competencies• Lack of market knowledge
The needs of creative entrepreneurs
One size does not fit all!
• Motivations• Learning
styles
Challenges and limitations
• Tailored vs homogenous• Measuring value and returns• Developing an active community• Achieving economies of scale• Developing a sustainable model• Nurturing a culture of enterprise
The role of the state
• Investing in organisational development / capacity building
• Funding for pilot project development • Supporting the use of (post industrial) spaces • Support with impact measurement• Consultation and intelligence on the sector • Advocacy • Infrastructure development
Cockpit Arts HolbornCockpit YardNorthington StreetLondon WC1N 2NP
T 020 7419 1959F 020 7916 2455E [email protected]
Cockpit Arts Deptford18-22 CreeksideDeptfordLondon SE8 3DZ
T 020 8692 4463F 020 8692 3735E [email protected]
www.cockpitarts.com
http://cockpitarts.wordpress.com/