Social Firms UK

Chris Lee, Membership and Network Officer for SEEE has written a guide for new and existing entrepreneurs, particularly those in business to change the world, and others advising them.

This new book condenses the author’s 30-year experience down to 80 lessons to save others time and money.

The book - 80 Enterprise Essentials - shares this learning in eight sections: Planning to succeed; What does it take?; Getting started; Communication matters; Figure it out; Customer cares; Survival skills; The wider world. The advice is written for new and existing entrepreneurs, particularly those in business to change the world, and others advising them. It assumes that most have the passion, but not unlimited funds, for turning their ideas into action.

Whilst there are lots of tools and resources around to help Social Firm start up and development, there is no template ‘change and development plan’ for businesses that want to turn into Social Firms. Many supported businesses do want a change of direction, however.

There is interest in the Social Firm model and this guide is designed to help supported businesses that want to make that transition. It does not provide an “off the shelf” template because the transition depends on many factors that may or may not exist. What it does do is give a strong insight into the real life experiences of a number of supported businesses that have taken the Social Firm route. It looks at their journey and offers some clear pointers for other supported businesses that want to do the same.

Visit http://www.disabilityalliance.org/drh36.htm to get a copy of the 36th Edition, which is available in hard copy and as a CD ROM.