Here at the Centre for Enterprise (CfE), we are the focus for Manchester Metropolitan University Business School's (MMUBS) activities which help support the small business community.

By co-ordinating various services in one centre, it is much easier for small business owners and managers to use MMUBSs' resources and quickly access the key knowledge and skills that they really need.

We offer a range of services that small businesses can call upon – including business support and development, academic analysis, research projects, improving organisational performance, skill development, education and learning, as well as informal contact with postgraduate and academic communities.

Consultancy

We have carried out many consultancy projects for a variety of clients. At the cutting edge of research in enterprise, our team can provide tailored solutions to meet the demands of both emerging and more established businesses. Recognising the vital role that enterprise plays in regeneration, we have also completed projects for a number of public sector clients. These include:

• Manchester City Council
• New Deal for Communities.
• Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Business Analysis Tools

We have also developed a number of business analysis tools to help the business community and support organisational development. Through our business analysis software tools, owner-managers are given the opportunity to reflect on their businesses. They then access our academic business analysts who can guide and direct them on the best ways to improve their organisations. Our three key business analysis tools are Clarity, Balance and Business Planner.

1. Clarity

If you are a small to medium sized business, then Clarity can help. We have specifically designed it to offer you an assessment and analysis of your business' strengths and weaknesses. Our business analysts will guide you through the Clarity assessment and analysis of your organisation's activities, and you'll also receive a report offering guidance on developing your organisational capabilities.

2. Balance

If your company operates in the social economy – such as a social enterprise, co-operative, social firm or voluntary organisation – then Balance can help. Balance is a free business tool, funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) which we have specially created as a business performance analysis tool for the social economy sector.

Balance is an online tool that can offer a number of key benefits to you and your business:

• through a series of scenarios, it helps you reflect and identify your current business practice
• it provides an instant diagnosis of your strengths and weaknesses
• it builds a personalised strategic development plan for your business
• it outlines steps you can take to develop your organisational capabilities.

To find out more visit www.socialenterprisebalance.org