The following overview and its successes were extracted from: ACBBA’s models of good practice which is available from ACBBA upon request.
The key principles of the Community Based Business Support (CBBS) model are:
Building on Existing Capacity
The CBBA model places emphasis on working with existing community organisations and networks that have a good track record of support in the areas where they operate. The experience of these organisations is the foundation upon which a new business support function can be introduced. The community organisation is responsible for identifying appropriate members to become Community Based Business Advisors.
Working with Embedded Community Organisations
ACBBA believe the enterprise agenda can only be taken to ‘hard to reach’ individuals through organisations that demonstrate a real presence in the communities in which they operate; referred to as ‘embedded’ organisations. The embedded nature of the community organisations translates into trust, recognition and goodwill within the community, all of which are essential for the CBBA model to work.
Developing High Calibre Business Advisors
The development of a group of employees working in grass-roots organisations as business advisors is a fundamental objective of the CBBA model. All advisors must be working towards accreditation as professional business advisors. ACBBA uses the SFEDI standards for accreditation. The success of the model depends both on the programme of support offered and the qualities of the people as trainee business advisors.
The training model is based on 5 key principles:
- Learning by doing
- Supported practice
- Development of support mechanisms and networks
- Linking effectively with mainstream providers
- Embedding enterprise support with other services
With community based business advice, the pace of work can initially be slow. Many of the clients using community based business advice will have complex circumstances such as refugee status, reliance on benefits, single parenthood and debt. Community based business advisers often provide support that goes beyond just business advice.
The community based business support model is successful because:
- The service is always person-centred, holistic and empathetic
- Advisors establish a relationship of trust and engagement
- It understands the importance of business advisors having knowledge of the history, culture and language of the communities they serve
- It recognises that the way business support is delivered is just as important as the content of the advice and development provided
- SFEDI qualified advisors can provide support to clients at pre-start, start-up and development stages covering a range of business and enterprise topics including access to sources of business funding;
- Advisors use a range of methods to support their clients and offer appropriate training and networking opportunities
- Advisors establish links with local business support organisations and training organisations to signpost clients if necessary.
To find out more about the Association of Community Based Business Advice visit www.acbba.org.uk or sign up to the launch of How to be a Brilliant Community Based Business Advisor a resource for advisers supporting entrepreneurs from under-represented communities on 13 November 2008 by calling 020 7697 4888 or email info@acbba.org.uk.