After a very successful NLP course at the weekend I realise I need a coach.

My project is not making the progress that I  need and with so many issues surrounding a social enterprise I find a coach may be an excellent avenue to explore a little further.

Does anyone know of someone skilled and knowledgable that may be able to help? I am currently looking into contacts and have a few already but would love to expand it to referrals where possible.

A good friend has been helping me but alas this is going nowhere. Perhaps too involved to meet my expectations which may be too high anyway.

I have a few funds to put into it and if I can find the right person or persons than I would like to draw them into the project so they can coach the team. For now it is just me.

thanks

Laurence

You're probably aware of this, but just in case you've not seen it - http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/advice-support

Hi Laurence, I used to work with a guy called Andy Peers (currently has a Social Enterprise Coaching business called Love Enterprise) who i can highly recommend you have a chat with http://www.linkedin.com/in/andypeers

Hi Laurence

Eggs-ploring the coaching route is eggs-actly what I think you need!! I speak from both a personal and professional stand on that. Dont knock having high expectations as it is important to aim high. The brilliant thing about coaching is setting your goal and then working out the milestones to achieving that goal. A coach worth their weight will motivate and empower you to realise your dream. I am a life coach, and have worked with people setting up businesses. Personal development is an area that I am passionate about, and in looking at your core values, what motivates you, changing negative beliefs into positive ones and strenghening self belief, anything is possible.

I would be happy to chat to you if you want to know any more

Jude

well that's a lot streaming in and thanks, I will go through and follow up, thanks Jude and Danny.

Chris, I have looked over many publications now and realise it is a personal front crisis. However all references are useful and thanks.

One of the best I have found to date is the 'Sharpest tool in the box' which seems hard to find as a download.

laurence

Hi Lawrence

I used to work as an adviser to social enterprise startups. I'd be happy to help.

What' do you mean by a "personal front crisis"?

Steve

Well how long have you got?

I have been working on my ideas for some 3 years now and the concept goes back 30, friends have said "it would've happened by now" and yes I do feel it may be me that needs focus, attention and planning and not just the idea. I also have a heavy reliance (at times at least) on others for inspiration and incentive which may explain a lot.

Additionally there is a few fundimental problems to solve that may require someone more knowledgable and understanding social aspects.

laurence

Without more detail, that just sounds like common or garden procrastination.

Do you want to tell me more of what you are thinking of doing? Here or in a message.

Steve

Hi steve,

I've narrowed it down to community shares as a priority on the business front.

Not sure what his means. Please expand.

Hi

need someone who is interested or familar with social enterprises and in particular the framework, creation and execution of fundraising using community shares through memebership and general public share offers.

An example would be Fordhall Farm in Shropshire..............

1 farmer, 8000 landlords!

Eggs from Scratch: a good example of community ownership: I recently had the chance to hear Charlotte Hollins speaking about the Fordhall Farm project in Shropshire and was very inspired. http://...

http://eggsfromscratch.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/good-example-of-community-ownership.html

any ideas?

Hi Laurence,

Might be worth getting in touch with the Permaculture network - this could gain some interest there and you'll find like minded people. That and Transition Towns may be able to offer some support and/or advice.

Where are you getting the eggs from? Or are you planning to get some land to farm them yourself?

Hi and yes I'm a member of Permaculture Assoc and no doubt there will be a huge crossover in time as bold plans progress.

Aim to produce eggs in London, none as yet but taking shape to rear and rescue my own hens.

I unfairly call Transition towns 'Transfusion'.

Sounds like you are putting the cart before the horse, or the egg before the chicken.

What is your experience of chicken farming?

Have you done a business plan with a cash flow forecast covering all your startup costs: land purchase or lease, capital equipment, livestock etc,

and your running costs: wages, insurance, feed, vet bills, cleaning, packing, marketing, advertising, sales, plus costs of communicating with members/shareholders.

What is your breakeven level? What are the commercial/environmental impacts of overproduction or low sales.

These things will tell you whether the idea is commercially viable, and how much startup and working capital you need.

Then you look at conventional sources of finance.

If that is not forthcoming then you look at alternatives.

If you start looking at a social enterprise structure then there needs to be more in it than just being slightly kinder to chickens, i.e. What do social investors get out of it other than a warm glow?

Then you start looking at corporate structures(co-op, community interest company etc), governance and operation.