The document summarizes the findings of a project that provided support to minority entrepreneurs and small business owners. It describes the project activities, including skills audits and business development planning. Key findings included skills gaps in areas like strategic planning and marketing across different ethnic groups. Recommendations included the need for more support services tailored to the distinct needs of minority-owned businesses and better data collection.

1. LSC Project Dissemination Event Trendbyte Ltd

2. Event Plan Presentation Introduction Project Findings Web and Marketing Entrepreneurs’ Feedback Close Networking Opportunities & Lunch

3. Project Findings Leslie McDonald

4. Project Findings Content Background and context The project Activities and outputs Key Findings Conclusions Recommendations

5. Project Findings Background Established 1999 Business & Management Project Team May 2003 – February 2005 Funded by LSC Nottinghamshire

6. Project Findings Importance High tendency towards self-employment Lack of available data to analyse trends and needs Good management skills important to the economy Sustainability connected to the management of the business Ethnic minorities not doing as well as they should be Business Advice and Training not reaching Entrepreneurs

7. Project Findings Project Aim “ Conduct research into Management and Leadership skills gaps of BME entrepreneurs and managers. Identify Business development issues and provide practical support” Skills audits Identify management & leadership issues Provide appropriate hand holding support Share findings with support agencies

8. Project Findings Project Activities Literature review Recruitment of Participants Skills audit Business Development Plan Technical HRD Support

9. Project Findings Beneficiary Profile 7 12 5 6 19 15 10 Total 1 6 2 4 6 8 2 Women 6 6 3 2 13 7 8 Men Asian Caribbean African Social Commercial Existing Start-up ETHNIC ORIGIN SECTOR STATUS

10. Project Findings Literature Review | Key Findings Location Administrative Finance African/Caribbean Marketing Discrimination Labour Market Blockage Business Planning Concentration Influenced Running Business Barriers Motivation Skills & Knowledge

11. Project Findings Skills Gap Money - Strategic Planning - Quality/Admin - Winning Business

12. Project Findings Skills Gap (2)

13. Project Findings Skills Gap (3)

14. Project Findings Development Issues

15. Project Findings Business Issues

16. Project Findings HRD Support Provided Strategic Planning Marketing / Communication Finance & Funding

17. Project Findings HRD Support Provided (2)

18. Project Findings HRD Support Status

19. Project Findings Key Findings | Skills Gaps No significant differences in skills gaps between men and women Women – Motivation was lower Men – Communication was lower Social Enterprises – Motivation and delegation Commercial Enterprises – Communication African Entrepreneurs – Winning Business Caribbean Entrepreneurs - Motivation South Asian Entrepreneurs - Drive

20. Project Findings Key Findings | Business Development No significant differences of business development issues Key Issues: Strategy/Business Planning Finance/Funding Marketing – Winning new customers ICT – Not making use of Internet Policies – Lack of formal policies

21. Project Findings Key Findings | Technical HRD Support Amount of support time was roughly same for male and females High demand for strategic planning Caribbean and Social Entrepreneurs have wider range of support needs. South Asian Entrepreneurs had less business issues to address Key Support areas: Strategic/Business Planning Marketing/communications Performance Management Financial Management

22. Project Findings Conclusions BME Entrepreneurs/managers have similar not same needs Support needs distinctive – not been met by existing agencies Under representation on existing programme Support must be a balance of advice and practical support Reliable data to analyse trends and issues is required Lack of recognition of BME Business champions/expertise Project represent excellent value and achieved its objectives

23. Project Findings Key Outputs 14 new strategic plans 3 new businesses started 8 registered limited companies 25 non-executive Directors trained 2 organisations’ commitment to Investors in People 1 Quality System Assessment Action Plan

24. Project Findings Recommendations Wider needs analysis undertaken and acted up on Engagement strategy drawn up by Business Support Services Further help and support to existing participants

25. Web Design & Marketing Andrew Faulkner

26. Web-Design & Marketing Introduction What is Web-design & Marketing? Aims & Objectives Processes Outputs Findings

27. Web-Design & Marketing What is it? Branding Obtaining a website Web presence Effective use of a website & brand

28. Web-Design & Marketing Project Aims & Objectives Design, brand & market the clients’ websites Educate in jargon-free manner Communication Expectations Processes Find & report skills gaps Other technical services

29. Web-Design & Marketing Processes

30. Web-Design & Marketing Outputs 8 complete websites, 7 new brands, 1 renewed brand: 4 Stationery packs, 1 Leaflet campaign Directory listings placed & search submissions made

31. Web-Design & Marketing Findings – Client Facts Stats 29% - Clients that assumed they would have no input 57% - Clients that struggled to produce content 57% - Clients that admitted to not knowing where to find web-design services

32. Web-Design & Marketing Findings – Client Facts (2) 3 types of client: Are ready to create a web-presence for their organisation and have done research into the matter. Realise they need to gain a web-presence but put little thought into their site. Feel they are not ready to project themselves onto the Internet.

33. Web-Design & Marketing Findings – General Conclusions Whatever the level of technical knowledge of a client, the clients expect to be confused by jargon. Clients, even technically able ones, lose confidence when using the Internet. The cost of a website build is a major factor for clients avoiding using web designers.

34. Web-Design & Marketing Findings – General Conclusions Clients fear that communication will be minimal, but then offer little input when they realise otherwise. The concept design is generally designed quickly, but content is hard to obtain from a client. Most services offered were used by the clients.

35. Web-Design & Marketing Findings – Needs & Recommendations If ready for Internet presence: Educating entrepreneurs in the ways of Internet Marketing and Web Presence and how to get the best out of design services Designers must keep discussions free of jargon and treat the project in a business style. Meet in the middle If not ready/unsure: Business services to examine the organisation at a base level – creating missions, values and targets Encouraging entrepreneurs to embrace new methods of doing business – not to fear/ignore them

36. Entrepreneurs’ Feedback Leslie McDonald

37. Close Thank You W. www.trendbyte.com T. 0115 875 8808 E. [email_address] Now to network…and lunch…