IntoEnterprise

IntoEnterprise is a one-to-one business coaching and diagnostic tool initiated by the Centre for Enterprise at MMUBS and partly funded by the European Regeneration Development Fund and the North West Regional Development Agency.

IntoEnterprise will provide expertise and comprehensive programmes of support to new entrepreneurs across the North West, and aims to give free help to 110 businesses by July 2008. It’s specially designed to help them maximise their potential and achieve fast track growth. It can help entrepreneurs in the private and social community sectors with important preparation and planning in the early days of starting up, and at least within the first year of trading. It is also aimed at entrepreneurs who have taken the NES programme run by MMUBS and partner organisations across the region.

Aims and Benefits

The aim of the project is to improve the formation, survival and growth rate of enterprises. It is a high-growth programme, which will benefit many new entrepreneurs helping them take their businesses that extra step forward towards growth and success.

The project will focus on enterprises based within specific areas in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire, Blackpool, Lancaster, Morecambe, Barrow, West Cumbria, Carlisle and Eden Valley. IntoEnterprise is free and offers access to business experts and coaching, online business skills training, advertising and promotional opportunities plus support.

Michael Bull, Sub Regional Project Leader and Research Fellow at MMUBS is keen to point out the benefits. “Not only will the IntoEnterprise experienced coaches develop an action plan with the entrepreneurs,” he says, “it will be a tremendous resource to help people engage in different aspects of their business, including a peer support network, which will foster a ‘community’ by putting businesses in contact with each other. Plus there’s a dynamic ‘enterprise portal’ which will feature a virtual enterprise library, virtual notice boards, news areas, and signposts to enterprise opportunities.”


Why IntoEnterprise?

“We need IntoEnterprise because there are 500,000 small to medium enterprises in the North West who employ 47% of the population and account for a staggering 37% of private sector turnover – yet only around one-third of new start-ups make it to their fourth year. We want to change that,” says Project Manager, Karl Lester.

“IntoEnterprise is a great way to get extra help with your business, help it grow to the next level, and ultimately improve your bottom line,” he explains. “Entrepreneurs can receive mentor support, a full business diagnostic, an action plan, support from a business advisor, the chance to get involved in action master classes, and to develop and hone business skills. It’s free to take part but entrepreneurs will need to give their time, commitment and bring along a passion for their business.”

Karl added: “IntoEnterprise will undoubtedly help new enterprises across the region by giving them access to expert advice and business networks, providing them with an entrepreneurial community so they can flourish. We want to help businesses grow and develop, not only to benefit the business itself but also the region as a whole.”


To find out more, visit www.intoenterprise.com