Opportunity Kintyre AGM and Planning Session

[D.H]

Opportunity Kintyre is holding its AGM and Planning Session at the Putechan Hotel on Monday the 21st January at 7pm where it is hoped that past clients, the business community and interested individuals within the community will come along and help shape the new version of the services to be delivered by Opportunity Kintyre, in preparation for applying for funding.

The relaunch of Opportunity Kintyre is supported by Argyll & Bute Council, local Councillors, Mike Russell MSP, the Regeneration Department of the Scottish Government and Community Stakeholders.

For anyone unable to attend the event due to transport issues car sharing will be used and anyone needing a lift should contact deirdre@tiscali.co.uk or 01586 830669.

Background:
With three years of Scottish Government funding Opportunity Kintyre piloted a proven economic development model in Kintyre from 2007 – 2009. The model was developed by Ernesto Sirolli, and works well with all stages of business development from start-up through to expansion and even winding down or selling on a business. The Sirolli method recognises that successful enterprises need financial, marketing and production skills and rarely is anyone in business passionate or skilled in all three. However, with the Sirolli model a Facilitator is employed to coach and mentor clients, enabling them to identify and fill skill gaps by building a team. The Facilitator is backed by a panel of local volunteers made up of business people and members of the community to provide a resource network for further support with client issues.

The Sirolli model was successful in Kintyre with Opportunity Kintyre’s Enterprise Facilitator working with 107 clients during the pilot project, helping develop 14 businesses and creating or retaining 24 jobs. A further 8 clients were supported by the part-time Co-ordinator and of the total 115 clients around 40% of them are still in business.

Gaps in business support were identified in a survey carried out in conjunction with the South Kintyre Development Trust in autumn 2011. Opportunity Kintyre is now looking to the future and wants to take the best of the Sirolli method from the pilot but tailor it to fit the needs of Kintyre highlighted in the survey.

[muppetanimal]

Hmmmm ........ optimist or pessimist ? Jar half full or half empty ?

Another sales pitch directed at the readers by an optimist, we now know that 40% of those that they "helped" are still trading after five years, how well we are not told.

Excuse me but their jar of clients isn't even half full. SIXTY percent, yes over half, have gone under within that same five year period, not I might suggest such an outstanding record of success.

Sirolli method, glad that I didn't come across it in my student days.

The secret of business success ...... right place, right time, right idea, right people, and lots of hard work.