The document provides guidance for student groups on how to effectively develop and run their organization. It discusses topics such as focusing on the minimum viable product, planning long-term goals, providing valuable services to students, getting involved in student politics and media, and identifying potential funding sources. The overall message is that student groups should set clear objectives, deliver value to their members and school, and think strategically about sustainability rather than perfection.

1. WEB SUMMIT
Connecting Young People With The Resources To Thrive
Taking A Group To The Next
Level
SPONSORS & ASSOCIATES:

2. CONTENTS
• What’s good enough: Postponing perfection
• Thinking Like A Startup: MVP
• Planning Ahead
• Providing a service
• Getting political
• Shaping culture
• Arguing the case: applications and reports

3. What’s good enough?
Question 1: Are you a perfectionist?
Question 2: Are you an idealist?
A cautionary note…

4. What’s good enough?
“Perfection of means and confusion of ends
seem to characterize our age” – Albert Einstein
Know what we’re trying to do - Less panic &
doubt!
Example: Leeds University, Pizza and Film night.

5. Thinking Like A Startup
From Group to Startup.
‘MVP’ & ‘Feature Creep’
Finding your niche. Marketing concept.

6. Planning Ahead
Thinking beyond your own term.
Step back.
Look 10 years ahead…
Konosuke Matsushita.
Founder of Panasonic.
250 Year Plan.

7. Providing a service
A service to students, a service to the university.
Advising existing services, signposting to them,
lobbying on their behalf, promoting wellbeing tools
and resources, complementing what already exists.
Recognition as a student-led service.
First assess their needs. Then propose a method.
Then over-deliver.

8. Getting political
All groups are associated with their student union. This
means they have an opportunity to influence the way
the union works, and take a stand for changes in policy.
More funding? Different method? Branding?
“Politics is the art of controlling your environment” –
Hunter S Thompson.

9. Shaping culture
Changing attitudes. Capturing imagination.
Getting involved with student media.
…and social media.

10. Arguing the case
There is funding out there.
There are people who want to help. It’s about
good arguments. Sometimes it’s just about
asking.

11. Links
Unltd Funding
http://www.unltd.org.uk / http://www.liveunltd.com
The National Student
http://www.thenationalstudent.com/
The Student Room
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/
The Charlie Waller Trust
http://cwmt.org
The Matthew Elvidge Trust
http://thematthewelvidgetrust.com
Mental Wealth UK resources
http://mentalwealthuk.com/resources

12. Mental Wealth Foundation © 2012