2010 PAUL Partnership Enterprise Clients – Where are they now?

 PAUL Partnership Strategic Plan 2011–2013  Objective 3.3 – To increase enterprise development by individuals in Limerick City by 2013  Enterprise Support Services:  Business Advice  Business Planning  BTWEA  Enterprise Training- in partnership with Limerick City Enterprise Board & Department of Social Protection  Mentoring Support  Networking  Significance of Partnership  BTWEA

YearNumber who accessed Services Number of New Businesses via BTWEA Number of New Businesses without BTWEA Total Total

 How are the small businesses that were set up in 2010 doing in the current market place?  How useful/relevant was the Enterprise Support Service provided by PAUL Partnership?  What can we learn from the experiences of these small businesses – Current market place; role of PAUL Partnership?

 Telephone Survey:  160, 2010 enterprise clients contacted  66 completed questionnaires  Response Rate = 41%  Non respondents:  Non contactable; each enterprise called three times before being deemed ‘non-respondent’  Declined to participate

* Construction, Painting & Decorating, Plumbing, Carpentry etc... **Photography, Printing, Waste Collection, Music, Education, Childcare, Project Management SectorPercentage Trades*21% Hair & Beauty11% I.T.11% Food Services11% Architecture9% Financial Services7% Retail6% Engineering4% Manufacturing3% Other**22% TOTAL100%

Turnover FigurePercentage Up to 10K34% 11K – 20K22% 21K – 30K9% 31K – 40K7% 41K +11% Declined to Answer17%

 Of the 42 clients still trading – 38% are still in receipt of BTWEA (All due to end by December 2012)  The remaining 62% finished BTWEA at various stages within the past year but have managed to remain ‘open for business’

Jobs created by 2010 Enterprise Clients  42 Enterprises still trading = 42 Jobs  13 people employed by these businesses  Total of 55 people currently employed as a direct result of 2010 enterprise clients

YesNoNot sure 52%28%20%

Accessing finance for day to day activities1 Relevant knowledge about the sector2 Networking3 Having prior experience4 Passion/good work ethic5 Access to finance for capital expenditure6 Dealing with bureaucracy/paperwork7 Realistic financial planning and projection8 Ensuring sufficient sales/income to cover costs9 Relevant enterprise training10

Ensuring sufficient sales/income to cover costs1 Access finance for day to day activities2 Passion/good work ethos3 Relevant knowledge about the sector4 Networking5 Having prior experience6 Relevant enterprise training7 Dealing with bureaucracy/paperwork8 New Government Policies around SMEs9 More Assistance from Government and Local Authority 10

1. No Business/clients/work 2. Cash-flow problems/Accessing Credit 3. Current Economic Climate 4. Highly competitive market-unable to sustain income 5. End of BTWEA

YesNo Not Sure 54%23%

Training  Market Research  Book-keeping  Legislation / Regulation  How to Access Finance/Grants Assistance  Government Assistance for SMEs  Reduction in rates from local authority for a period of time  More support when BTWEA ends

Enterprise training delivered in partnership with Limerick City Enterprise Board & Dept. Of Social Protection

 Overall findings are positive  Almost two thirds of Start Ups still in business  In total 55 new jobs created from 2010 enterprise Clients  11% of clients report a turnover in excess of 41K  Many view the Business market today as stagnant, not declining  54% of clients no longer trading are engaged in employment or education  The enterprise services and training provided by PAUL Partnership are having a positive impact

 While results are positive, improvements can be made  ‘Follow Up’ process when BTWEA ends  Assistance from Government  Access to grants/low interest loans  Tax breaks  Reduction in rates  Highlight the importance of  Market Research  Consultation Process  Enterprise Training

 Positive Outcomes  More is needed from both Local Authorities & National Government  BTWEA is making a difference  PAUL Partnership’s continuing effort  Q&A