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Social on Business
Business Start-up Provision for
Disadvantaged People |
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4.1 Methodology
The methodology used within the pilot in the UK was based around the Business Ability process for providing start-up support for disabled people. The provisions within the process can be summarised as follows: -
- Engagement;
- Business Planning and Market Research;
- Implementation Planning;
- Early Trading Support
Essentially the model is designed around the individual and their personal development, this aspect sharing equal value with the business idea. The business plan becomes a key ingredient used not only to develop the business idea but improve competences such as decision making, numeracy, interpersonal and analytical. Not all business ideas are found to be realistic, the person is coached and mentored to look at the viability of the business and examine for themselves their aptitude to run a business. Through this process the confidence and self-esteem of the person is greatly enhanced, often enabling them to consider other options if the business idea is found not to be viable. Such other options include employment or training.
Experience has found that in terms of outcomes for people with disabilities and long term health problems the Business Ability approach can deliver dramatically better results, with a higher percentage of people moving into economic activity than through other tradition types of main stream support.
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