Black Business Initiative. Interim Strategic Plan

Transcription

1 Black Business Black Business Interim Strategic Plan

2 The Black Business Centennial Building Suite 1201,1660 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1V7 Phone: Fax: Toll Free: flix 15

3 Message from CEO This interim Strategic Plan aims to facilitate opportunities for the Black Business Community across the Province to be more fully integrated into the economy, and to contribute more substantially to its growth. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Sir Winston Churchill Business thrives best in a political and economic environment in which skills, funding accessibility, bargaining power and other types of leverage are fair for all stakeholders. Though the Black Business (BBI) has, for the past 19 years, successfully pushed for this atmosphere for Nova Scotia Black businesses, there is still much work to be done in creating this environment. BBI s success in doing this would enable the vital but unacknowledged Black component of Nova Scotia s business class to make its contribution to provincial productive capacity development and utilization. Here, then, is a timely opportunity for political and economic leadership in Nova Scotia to respond to a vital need and justifiable initiative for change a change that would benefit the Province as a whole. While other communities are talking of wealth creation, we are still speaking about poverty reduction. We all have to embrace sustainability to survive and we must also grow our own to such an extent that we become leaders in commerce. The time is Right Now! This is our moment to dare, to be bold and to make a difference and this is the strategic path we will take to get there. 1. Sustainability 2. Connecting 3. Capacity Rustum Southwell, Chief Executive Officer (Interim) 3

4 The Vision BBI is committed to nurture and lend expertise and financial support to enhance emergence, maturation, and sustenance of a dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia business and broader socio-economic and cultural community. The Mission Through its own management and activities, BBI will inspire, aid, and service the initiatives of Black businesspersons, old and young, helping to equip them with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges in their chosen sectors of entrepreneurial activity. Guiding Principles BBI believes that helping individuals create and grow healthy businesses will provide economic self-sufficiency and a better future for Black youth looking for career options, while creating jobs in a community that traditionally experiences extremely high unemployment. Good Stewardship BBI will follow best ethical, managerial, and financial practices in its own operations, and in its dealings with partners and clients. It will utilize its educational training and client service opportunities to impart and superintend adherence to these practices. Youth Achievement BBI will ensure a continuous flow of intergenerational recruitment into Black Nova Scotian business through educational facilitation and focusing on business orientation for the youth, and via extension of financial and investment support for young entrepreneurs.. Black Business Growth and Success BBI will serve and encourage Black Nova Scotian entrepreneurs to venture into business and market niches uniquely suited to Black Canadian and international clientele and, in this way, be both a collective positive influence and an indispensable entity in Black Nova Scotian economic development and expansion. Unique Skills Through our staff, which comprises an eclectic mix of business competencies, seasoned entrepreneurs, senior university lecturers, chartered accountants and financial analysts, BBI provides advice and training tailored to the unique needs of the Black business sector in order to become more competitive. We follow up with our mentorship program where we connect our fledgling entrepreneurs to successful mentors. Opportunity not Charity In sum, BBI believes and seeks to ensure that every Black person who expresses an interest in starting a business is helped to acquire, and keep updated, the know-how and skills relevant to his or her chosen field, be financially supported (but not as charity) to implement ideas and projects considered potentially viable, and enabled to become fully integrated and to grow within the larger Nova Scotia business community. 4

5 BBI was created in 1996 as a consequence of the work carried out by a joint task force of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism to identify and address the unique circumstances faced by the Black community in the province, specifically the economic challenges. BBI was created to foster a Black business presence within the mainstream economy. Unique Issues The fundamental obstacles to unleashing the potential of the Black community to become an established and indispensable contributor to economic growth in the province, as identified by the Task Force and which are still relevant today, include: Low calibre or lack of business skills and know-how. Lack of access to capital as per loan, equity, and business growth funding resources, partly due to discrimination by mainstream business organizations and funding institutions. A weak Black business culture, deepened by lack of knowledge of business assistance programs; absence of linkages to business and community leaders; insufficient number of Black business role models and mentors; and poor communication channels and avenues among the scattered Black population that could not, thus, sustainably support their own business entities. Lack of exploration of and participation in high value added industries including information and communication technology, energy and oil and gas sectors in which Black presence is hardly noticeable, if at all. Virtual absence of any young Black people in business. 5

6 Common Goals BBI believes that helping individuals create and grow healthy businesses will provide economic self-sufficiency and a better future for Black youth looking for career options while creating jobs within a community that traditionally experiences extremely high unemployment. As a steward of government funding whose role is to support business development, it is imperative that BBI align its course of action with government s priorities. We have identified two priorities where BBI s resources and pool of talent can substantially help policymakers achieve their goals. 1. Growing the economy: Entrepreneurship and business startups remain the engine for economic growth. Our mandate is to support Black businesses in order to have a more inclusive private sector in Nova Scotia. We serve as a bridge that not only provides the opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to connect with the mainstream economy but also helps mainstream businesses connect to the untapped potential in the Black community. 2. Demography: Traditionally, people in the Black community tend to migrate earlier and in greater numbers because, in general, the community is hit hardest during times of economic crisis. We strongly believe that with our mission we can offer solutions that are perfectly aligned with the Ivany Goals. Our objective is to encourage African Nova Scotians to stay in the province and to grow and thrive, especially in rural areas, with appropriate programs and services. 615

7 Leading the Way Since its inception, BBI has developed and worked around a cluster of strategic objectives that were informed by its vision. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the development, growth, and expansion of Black-owned businesses that will create and sustain a positive influence on the province-wide business culture. Black Wealth and Sustainability BBI is, in fact, the principal facilitator for the development and utilization of entrepreneurial skills among Black Nova Scotians, accomplished through the following: Providing business development, skills training, and improvement through dedicated education and training programs for clients Providing linkages with mainstream business and financial institutions Engendering and maintaining functional co-operative relationships with other business development agencies, and relevant provincial and federal government departments Fostering and supporting Black Nova Scotia business in its effort to access the opportunities and financial and technical services that are available Ensuring a strong intergenerational sustainability to the vibrancy of Black Nova Scotia business by inculcating interest and orientation in entrepreneurship in Black Nova Scotia youth. 7

8 Opportunities for Strategic Partnerships Critical to BBI s successful implementation of its mission are the partnerships and collaborative initiatives with the various organizations and government bodies, some of which inform the strategic direction of the organization. Paramount among these is our relationship with ACOA and the government of Nova Scotia our core financiers. Our strategic initiatives are constantly being realigned to coincide with their priorities to ensure effective and efficient service delivery and value-added initiatives for the Black community that support the current economic direction of the province and nation. Information and communications technology and high-tech sectors, for example, are non-traditional areas of business for the Black community. BBI s youth strategy includes initiatives around these sectors, such as computer coding camps, which acquaint them with these areas of business with a goal of stirring interest that can result in pursuit of related opportunities. Also, as part of our comprehensive approach, we intend to partner with Innovacorp, NSCC, Dalhousie University and other institutions to mentor and help participants navigate the process of creating innovation-based businesses. Agriculture, once a mainstay of the Black community (many families had backyard gardens that provided most of their food), is also a are of focus with the goal of helping Black communities become self-sufficient by establishing farm businesses and community gardens, particularly in rural Nova Scotia (helping to stem rural-to-urban and east-to-west migration that s currently taking place Ivany Goals). We aim to offer options to achieve this by designing an agricultural training curriculum and implementing a business support structure that addresses specifically the situation of each community and includes regional partners and infrastructures. Business succession is a priority as well in light of the aging demographic of business owners in the province. 815

9 percent growth (%) Black Business Growth in Entrepreneurs* Census Canada Nova Scotia NS Black Business * Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development Tailor-made Solutions for Unique Needs The needs of the Black business community are unique, and so must be the solutions to the issues they face, so much so that mainstream resources cannot suffice. BBI is appropriately positioned and is constantly tailoring program and service delivery to cater to those needs. We have a very deep understanding of the cultural issues of the community that no mainstream business development or financing institution can match. This means that we speak the same language and are thus ideally positioned for the task. The statistics on business start-ups, growth, and job creation in the Black community since BBI s inception confirm the effectiveness of our initiatives. 9

10 Our Mission Statement To positively influence the Nova Scotia business culture by promoting and assisting in the development of Nova Scotia Black-owned businesses. Our Purpose Through our managerial and corporate functioning and activities, we will inspire, aid, and service the initiatives of Black businesspersons, old and young, helping to equip them with the knowledge and skills consistent with the ongoing challenges in their chosen sectors of entrepreneurial activity. Sustainability Remain relevant and up to date while continuing to provide critical supports to the business community, ensuring their long-term sustainability. Lending Strategy Revenue Generation Business Development Support Youth Strategies Connecting Serve as a bridge for the Black community by facilitating linkages and partnership between the Black community and the broader business sector. A dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia business community. Relationship Building Communication Strategy Partnerships Networking opportunities Capacity Place priority on supporting Black-owned firms to improve productivity, invest in strategic innovations, and enhance global and regional competitiveness. Public and private sector resources Community Development Business Skills Development Our Strategic Goals Economic independence for individuals Further Entrepreneurial Development, Education, and Training Our Vision Build Partnerships and Linkages to Business Community Create/improve access to public & private sector support 10

11 Sustainability Sustainability speaks to the need for BBI to remain relevant and up to date while continuing to provide critical support to the business community, ensuring its long-term sustainability. In this pursuit, BBI thus fulfills the two key goals of economic independence for individuals and business development for the Black community.. Strategic Priority #1 Goal #1: Economic independence for individuals While many African Nova Scotians start businesses as a way of getting out of poverty or achieving the social promotion they would otherwise gain through a corporate career, growing those businesses remains a tremendous challenge because the resources, including business training and financing available through mainstream channels, are inadequate and incompatible with their needs and thus cannot guarantee sustainable businesses. This means that these business ideas, even good ones, do not go beyond just an idea or a small operation they need access to resources. BBI s lending strategy, a vital component to attaining this goal, depends on successful partnership with policymakers and government officials to increase lending capacity in order to offer greater flexibility to our clients through additional financing options. This, complemented by our current collaboration in business financing with various organizations including the CBDC networks, Futurpreneur Canada, the Credit Unions, and the Business Development Bank of Canada ensures Black businesses adequate access to a key resource capital. BBI also enables access to different resources that are available through public entities (such as training and skills development through Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education) and private organizations. We also provide a series of networking activities and opportunities for clients to participate in various local and international tradeshows, to give them a platform where they can connect with potential suppliers, clients, and other stakeholders who can open doors to potential strategic partnerships or alliances

12 Strategic Priority #1 continued percent growth (%) Growth in Businesses with Employees* Census Nova Scotia * Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development NS Black Business Goal #2: Further Entrepreneurial Development, Education, and Training Lack of good business skills and poor business practices are a hindrance to growth for many Black businesses. Entrepreneurial skills development and business training are critical to creating viable business entities. Our training strategies accentuate the aspects of business development often overlooked by traditional training curriculums. This ensures that our clients not only have access to industry best practices and skills, but also are able to build on their unique capacity, enabling them to compete on the same level as their mainstream counterparts. Youth entrepreneurship strategies also aim to inculcate the business culture at a young age to counter the lack thereof in the community. These programs, which include youth orientation, training, and initiation in business have been and remain a major focus of BBI. The programs are designed to be both enjoyable and educational for youth. 12

13 Strategic Priority #2 Connecting BBI serves as a bridge for the Black community by facilitating linkages and partnerships between the Black community and the broader business sector. Through these connections, businesses can become more productive and profitable and are encouraged to compete and succeed globally.. Goal #3: Build partnerships and linkages to business community BBI seeks to maximize the leverage of its infrastructure and partnership with institutions, such as our financiers ACOA and Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) as well as other organizations such CBDCs, Chambers of Commerce, Trade Sector Groups and Community Economic Development Organizations, in order to increase Black businesses operational capacity and access more opportunities locally as well as globally. Trade missions, for example, are used to identify unexplored export potential for export-ready clients, facilitate their entry into identified areas, and interest other Black businesses in similar opportunities. Our strategic partnerships also ensure our clients have access to industries and sectors that they generally do not participate in, but are a priority for the provincial or federal economies. These include partnerships in areas such agriculture, information communication and technology, and shipbuilding. In partnership with the province of Nova Scotia through Invest Nova Scotia, BBI aims to put in place a robust and sustainable lending strategy that will increase access to much-needed capital for businesses in the Black community

14 Strategic Priority #3 Capacity BBI places priority on supporting Blackowned firms to improve productivity, invest in strategic innovations, and enhance global and regional competitiveness. This includes educating Black business owners while supporting business starts, business growth, and business attraction to Nova Scotia. Goal #4: Create/improve access to public & private sector support Historically, the Black community in Nova Scotia has faced many social, educational, and economical barriers. The challenges that aspiring Black entrepreneurs have to overcome are significantly greater than those faced by their peers from the mainstream economy. These range from lack of access to critical information to inadequate financing options. BBI appreciates these unique challenges and, as a result, has employed a comprehensive approach in its programs and service delivery that is designed to address issues specific to the Black business community. Through leveraging internal and external resources, BBI ensures that public and private sector supports are identifiable and properly channelled to the businesses that need them, thereby maximizing their chances of success. The result of BBI s approach is a transition of many of these businesses from a survival operational mode to being established, revenue-generating business entities that grow and contribute to the overall economy. Our business development model, financing strategies, and trade and investment opportunities, among others, ensure that these businesses are afforded the right environment they require to succeed. 14

15 Strategic Goals Strategic Priority Strategic Goal Strategic s Strategic Outcomes Economic Independence for Individuals Realign our products, services, and processes with our vision and mission Develop, in partnership with Invest NS a sustainable lending strategy to increase lending capacity Increase leveraged financing through partnerships with other financial institutions Enhance mentorship to boost current business development strategies that include coaching, counselling and in-house mentorship Improved client-focused service and program delivery Increased client access to capital as lender of last resort Improved access to capital Increased access for clients to hands-on training and guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs Sustainability Further Entrepreneurial Development, Education, and Training Develop new innovation-based training strategies Partner with regional business development agencies to expand and decentralize training delivery Develop a systematic approach to leverage resources from organizations including NS-LAE, other government agencies, public and private sector partners Develop training curriculum review framework Development new youth-focused entrepreneurship training and skills development programs Improved client competitiveness and awareness of industry best practices as well as increased participation in non-traditional sectors Greater availability of and access to our training programs and resources in regions outside of Metro Increased delivery scale and depth of training programs Up-to-date and relevant training curriculum Improved youth engagement and access programs Connecting Build Partnerships and Linkages to the Business Community Identify non-traditional private sector organizations to establish new partnerships to augment program delivery Realign resource allocation to increase access for clients to local, national and international networking and business opportunities through tradeshows, trade missions etc. Re-introduce Black Business Summit model Renew critical relationships with key public sector partners Revamp communication approach to stakeholders to be more strategic rather than informative Increased collaboration on delivery of initiatives as well as an expanded network Increased access to opportunities and a diverse business ecosystem (of suppliers, clients, potential partners) Strengthened BBI brand and provision of a premier networking platform for our clients Better access key decision centres and become part of public policy formulation Increased efficiency and consistence in communicating with clients, the public, funders and key partners as well as improved visibility of the organization Capacity Create/Improve Access to Public & Private Sector Support Undertake comprehensive Governance Review of board and management effectiveness Review of the Business Process Collaboration with NS-LAE's skills development programs and similar Align clients with export readiness export opportunities In collaboration with NSBI, avail training and other resources including counselling, business supports and access to market intelligence Improved board and management effectiveness Streamlined operations Enhanced technical and professional capacity of staff Increased participation in export participation Improved global competitiveness while fulfilling NSBI's mandate to connect NS businesses with new markets or new trade opportunities 15

16 As our theme clearly illustrates, these challenges need to be addressed before the situation becomes irreversible. We hope that in partnership with the stakeholders identified in our plan, we will develop sustainable solutions that will lead the way to prosperity. The Black Business 2016