Business Services
We offer a number of services here in The Centre to help get your business off the ground:
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Assistance and support with business idea development
Assistance with writing a business plan
Help with access to external finance
Specialised mentoring & coaching course
Workshop, networking, exhibition and promotion events for African entrepreneurship
English for Entrepreneurs
Course to teach language and practical skills needed to run a business:
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Increased competence in communicating with customers
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Strategies to resolve misunderstandings and defuse conflict
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Improved cultural sensitivity, customer service, community relations
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Increased awareness of city services available (guest speakers)
Opportunity Calls
Automated monthly information calls in several languages in order to:
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Efficiently disseminate information to merchants
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Reach those entrepreneurs with limited English skills
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Build bridges with other organisations and agencies
Market Research
Collect and analyse data about existing and potential markets in order to:
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Provide vital data about customers from within and outside area
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Assist immigrant entrepreneurs to develop market-based sales and marketing strategies
Business Clinics
Workshops held with local partners or internal business advisors to increase knowledge about:
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Laws and regulations pertinent to their businesses
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Short- and long-term business planning
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Increase access to financial institutions and expert advisers
Business Technical Assistance
Dedicated staff to provide expertise to native-born and immigrant entrepreneurs:
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Provide basic business technical assistance
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Share information about existing resources
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Make connections with financial, government, non-profit institutions
Courses
Business Training & Support: Empower the African Community
A seven weeks course to help potential entrepreneurs develop Soft & Communication skills, and the knowledge about running a Business in the UK.
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Start the 13th of June at 10:00, Baltic House
'How To' Guides
Clear, accurate business guides to help immigrant and native-born entrepreneurs to cut through the red tape of rules and regulations:
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Could be general or industry-specific (e.g., coffee shop)
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Could help steer entrepreneurs away from oversaturated fields
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Should be checked carefully with government officials for accuracy
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Should clearly indicate the municipality for which they apply
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Could be translated into multiple languages
Networking
Assist neighbouring entrepreneurs to work together in order to:
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Advocate to local government authorities
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Organize joint efforts for marketing, security, sanitation
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Increase buying power through group procurement