Oldham & Rochdale Council
Oldham and Rochdale Councils' - Business Acceleration - plays a pivotal role in improving the economic prosperity of the region. Both Councils are committed to the common vision that “by 2017 Oldham and Rochdale will be thriving – playing a new and dynamic role in the economic growth of a world-class Manchester City Region”.
Entrepreneurship and enterprise plays a pivotal component in the local authorities' plans – this includes promoting more start up businesses and assisting those companies already trading to embark on a growth path. Encouraging growth in businesses that have the potential to become significant players in the local economy is a key priority, in particular those businesses that bring with them innovative products and services, knowledge, and international trade. It is these businesses that drive GVA and bring with them the associated economic benefits of added value jobs and creativity. They will hopefully act as a magnet for inward investment and attract other entrepreneurs to set up in business in the region.
This project will create breakthrough and accelerated performance of companies currently trading in Oldham and Rochdale. It will focus on providing practical interventions to entrepreneurs that have a desire, determination and passion to grow their business. More specifically we will focus on taking entrepreneurs through a proven model of business support that fuses company capability with can do mindset. This will deliver high performance for 90 local businesses.
We are running six Accelerator programmes, each involving 15 small businesses. Accelerator is an existing programme delivered by Winning Pitch Ltd and is based on a proven model of SME business support combining group Masterclasses, networking, sharing of best practice and individual company mentoring.
Oldham and Rochdale Councils' - Enterprise Rehearsal - Sustainable communities are built on entrepreneurs that have the passion to follow their dreams and bring to life their business ideas. These agents of change emerge from a diverse range of backgrounds – from both affluent and disadvantaged backgrounds and communities. The latter form a key part of this Enterprise Rehearsal initiative.
The key to unlocking enterprise spirit is to ensure that activities are aimed at winning over the hearts and minds of individuals and allow them to see for themselves that anything is possible, it is only restricted by their own limiting beliefs – these having been imposed by their culture and own negative self talk. There are numerous examples of entrepreneurs whose disadvantaged background became the stimulus and driver for their determination to succeed.
Equally important is the issue of business support organisations imposing restrictive thinking on entrepreneurs desires and dreams - labelling businesses as life-style can often inhibit the development of businesses and ideas. It is vital that the region creates a culture of enterprise that fills the pipeline of tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, this will catalyse and transform the economic landscape of Oldham and Rochdale and support a more vibrant start up community.
This project will provide the necessary foundations of an enterprise culture that drives entrepreneurial activity in Oldham and Rochdale. More individuals will consider self-employment and entrepreneurship as a career option. The focus of this activity is in Rochdale and Oldham’s disadvantaged communities.
The project will raise the bar for the community and create a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurial flair and will engage with 64 individuals creating new businesses