Barefoot Business News from Robert Ashton
| March 2011
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The times they are a-changin'
I live and work in a converted barn. We have a large clock high on one wall and so changing the clocks this weekend was, as always, something of an event. Manoeuvring a long ladder round tall plants and furniture is a challenge, as is climbing to the very top to turn the hands forward an hour and change the battery.
But for me, as in Bob Dylan's song, changing the time this Spring is also a call to action. It's time to build on recent successes and raise my game. I don't plan to stop working at the coal face of social entrepreneurship; indeed it is my ability to vividly describe what I find there that people are paying for.
I am consistently finding ways to make 'Big Society' work for communities, for charities and for councils too. My experiences can inform policymakers and give hope to those who feel threatened. It's going to be an exciting and at times scary time.
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| Bells are ringing across the countryside | |
No, they're not just practising for the Royal wedding. I'm talking about the return of the village shop and their jangling tills. There are now more than 250 community owned shops across rural Britain, providing a much needed social hub and very convenient local shopping.
I'm currently working with Victory Housing and the Plunkett Foundation to identify and support six Norfolk villages set up a community owned shop. By working differently I have already found real interest in four communities. Victory Housing have put money aside to invest in these new shops and Plunkett too are bringing grants, bank loans and expert advice. What we develop in Norfolk will be rolled out nationally later.
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| Time to wake up in the real world of social entrepreneurship |
I wake up some mornings worried that I'll turn into an expert. You know, the kind of person who will tell you how to do something they cannot do themselves. I hate those experts, preferring every time someone who's actually felt the pain, taken the risks and won the game.
So after looking round for a social enterprise with real potential in which to invest some time and money, I'm delighted to introduce you to Ethecol Merchant Services CIC. Founder Peter King had grown disillusioned working in the 'chip & pin' business and created Ethecol to provide both a better deal for smaller retailers and a fund-raising vehicle for charities. Together we are setting out to make a difference in this cut-throat business sector.
Our first major business win has been with the Plunkett Foundation. Community shops who join their brilliant community shop network can save on average £1,000 on credit and debit card processing fees with us. And the commission we pay the Plunkett Foundation on each shop's card turnover can collectively fund an extra business adviser, helping the shop network do even better. See www.ethecol.com
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The streets of London
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Did you know it's now 20 years since John Bird set up 'The Big Issue'? His street vendors are a common sight in London and increasingly across the world. It's been an amazing success story, giving thousands of homeless people the chance to earn some money and recover their self respect.
I'll be with John Bird later this week, together with MPs Zac Goldsmith, Greg Mulholland and Sadiq Khan. We'll be speaking to others at Westminster about how we can all build on the success of 'The Big Issue' and create more social enterprises that support disadvantaged people into self sufficiency.
Later the same day, I'll be in Ely, speaking on behalf of the Big Lottery to a group of funding advisers. Both audiences will get the same message. Social entrepreneurship can deliver amazing change and now is the perfect time to give it a go. There are countless opportunities and those who make rules are in my experience increasingly willing to be flexible once they can see what you're trying to achieve.
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| Making a noise in the morning |
I've been writing some challenging pieces for the press recently. It's a good way to get noticed and more importantly, to encourage others to challenge their thinking.
Guardian online ran this piece about benefits and it seems to me, that too often, the most vulnerable people end up taking the biggest risks when it comes to self employment. Guardian online also allowed me to talk about cement mixers and cake makers. It's my way of saying that entrepreneurship is more creative than enterprise. Read here and see if you agree.
Finally, I used the letters page of 'Third Sector' to challenge people to think again about social lending. I was provoked by an opinion piece by Debra Allcock-Tyler suggesting that charities would be 'stupid' to borrow money. I disagreed and so did Nick Hurd MP, who blogs on the Directory of Social Change website (Debra's organisation).
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| Here are a few good links | |
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Quote of the Month
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'All animals, except man know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it.'
Samuel Butler, 'Way of all Flesh' 1903
Funny how we so easily overlook the obvious; life is after all, something to be enjoyed as Samuel Butler pointed out more than 100 years ago. For me, happiness results when I'm working with people I like, doing things I believe in. I meet too many people trapped by greed, fear or a sense of duty. Let's all try harder to be authentic, true to our values and above all, have fun!
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Sincerely,
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