Supporting Local Economy

Reasons to be cheerful.... (written by Graham Gardner, Aspiren.net)

We know somewhere deep down that supporting your local independent business makes sense, yet we find ourselves using the big chains out of "convenience." If we're not careful our shopping habits can leave us feeling guilty. So what about turning that round to a positive?

Here are my top reasons for supporting your local business...

1. They bring character into a local area... All high streets are in danger of looking the same as each other, all national (and international) corporate brands. Where's the local character?
   
   
2. They bring prosperity into a local area... Did you know that for every £100 spent with a national retailer only £13 stays in the local economy? That changes to £45 when you spend your money with a local retailer. Your pounds make a difference.
   
   
3. They increase community well being... Local businesses are often the main supporters of community events, providing prizes for raffles, organising time, goods and services as well as a whole host of other ways they contribute to communities across the UK. Big businesses might sponsor the premier league and the olympics but just remember who sponsors your local under 10's football team. I'll bet it will a local small business. Local businesses create a economic and social web of relationships that sustain local communities.
   
   
4. They create jobs for the local economy... Local businesses create local jobs. FACT. And they are often higher paid, with great prospects of personal development as the company grows.
   
   
5. They are environmentally friendly... Did you know the average person travels 893 miles a year to do their weekly shop? Strong local businesses mean we travel less to shop. Saving the environment. Saving money on fuel. Reducing pollution.
   
   
6. They encourage entrepreneurship... The Government believes that we need to create many more businesses to help us get out of the economic mire we are in. Have a strong local business sector provides young people the role models they are looking for. Yes, they look to the Bransons and Sugars of this world too, but seeing the success of someone from a similar background is priceless.

So... Why are we not shouting? I think it is in part because we have little faith in ourselves.

It feels a little woolly, maybe we are kidding ourselves? We need proof!

We have developed a simple online tool that will help your local business evidence that you contribute to the local economy, local jobs, the community, the well being of your staff and the environment.

The Local Impact Measurement Tool (http://aspiren.net/LIM/taskus/) is really easy to use. It doesn't take long to do. It provides a wonderful body of evidence that you can use to shout about!

Let's start shouting about how important we are!

Skan my Socialprint!

Skan my Socialprint!

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IMPACT YOU ARE HAVING ON THE WORLD AROUND YOU?

DO YOU EFFECTIVELY MEASURE THAT IMPACT?

CAN YOU PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THAT IMPACT TO YOUR STAKEHOLDERS AND SUPPORTERS?

Increasingly organisations need to demonstrate the impact they are having and provide evidence of their return of investment. This leads to questions of what, and how do I measure impact. How is it recorded? What benefits can this have for my organisation?

As commissioners, such as Local Authorities, look for organisations that provide added value and social return we need to be ensuring we have the mechanisms in place to measure, record and report the impact we are having.

This information is also vital when attracting and retaining funds from trust funds and individuals, all of whom want to know that their contribution is being used effectively.

To address these challenges you have a number of options, firstly look at how you measure your effectiveness, not just numerically but include the soft outcomes that are so important to most third sector organisation. There are a number of tools to assist with this including Rickter™ and Outcome Stars™.

To provide empirical evidence of your impact you can use Social Impact Modelling or Social Return on Investment which is recognised by local and national government as a significant tool which will be recognised by commissioning bodies and can be presented to all stakeholders across your funding mix.

The information gained through these processes is also invaluable for the production of your annual report.

If you would like more information or support in any of these areas I am happy to meet with you to discuss your options and the implementation of IMPACT MEASUREMENT.

Call me, David Johnson, on 07515 288105 or email david@taskus.biz

Demonstrating Impact - Motivating Clients

As you are aware it is becoming more and more important to demonstrate the effectiveness of the work we do. If we work one to one with clients the impact we have can be significant but difficult to capature.

One proven method is a process developed by the Rickter Company which involves motivational interviewing techniques and the use of scaling which is interactively recorded by the client themselves using a unique Rickter Board.

To use the system “Practitioners” have to be licenced which involves training for one day with an observational assessment at the end. This provides a lifetime licence.

There is the option for additional training for Group Rickter which, as you may guess, is for working with groups rather than individuals, and to track, monitor and report on any programme there is bespoke software package.

Rickter as a meas

urment of distance travelled is recognised by many of the major funders including PCTs, JCP and has been used as part of ESF assisted programmes to evidence the impact of intervention.

If you would like more information on how Rickter can benefit your organisation please get in touch, I can provide you with casestudies and demostrate the significant range of applications that Rickter can be put to, oh and of course the all important costs, email me at david@taskus.biz.

Social Return on Investment - What's that all about then?

Along with my colleague Steven Fox, I have recently undertaken training with nef Cons

ulting to allow us to provide support on SROI, but what is it all about?

There is a lot of talk about measuring 'return on investment' and service commissioners are looking at using SROI as part of the commissioning process, so it is becoming an important issue for any organisation who wants to either receive funding or have a chance of winning contracts with bodies such as Local Authorities.

This is because SROI demonstrates the value for money of the services you are providing to ensure that any investment, through grants or contracts, will be positive if not significant.

But SROI is more than just a measurement of a financial ratio - £x in : £y out; it also provides a valuable tool for determining how well an organisation is operating, it offers an insight into the outside world's perception of what you are doing, and provides an opportunity to step back and consider what you are achieving and the validity of the activities you undertake.

This is achieved through:

• Improved programme management
• More effective planning
• More effective evaluation
• Increased understanding of the impact of your work
• Stronger communication of the value of your work to ‘the people that matter’ (internal and external stakeholders)
• Enhanced attention to the social, economic and environmental value created by your business or organisation

SROI can be either evaluative, looking at previous achievements and demonstrating the worth of the activities undertaken, or forecast which predicts how much social value will be created if your activities meet their intended outcomes.

SROI was developed from social accounting and cost benefit analysis and based on the following seven principles:

• Involve stakeholders
• understand what changes
• Only include what matters
• Only include what is material
• Do not over-claim
• Be transparent
• Verify the result

It is well worth you considering using SROI as part of the evaluation of your services and certainly when planning future activities. You could look at including it as part of your annual report/review to provide a recognised and verifiable way of recording and reporting the impact of your work and the outcomes you have achieved.

SROI is not something to take lightly as it requires commitment and an investment of time and, if you bring in outside support, money. However, it will give you a clear statement of what you are trying to achieve and the benefit that your service has for your clients, stakeholders and the wider community. It can be invaluable in both developing your organisation and publicising the impact you are having.

You can find more information at the SROI Network website:

http://www.thesroinetwork.org where you can find the Cabinate Office of the Third Sector Guide to SROI.

Or give me a call on 0191 6450010, I would be more than happy to discuss how SROI can be of benefit and advise on how to introduce it to your organisation.

SROI: Measuring Value, Impact and Value for Money