1. www.bitc.org.uk My year as a Business Connector Isabel McKenzie

2. www.bitc.org.uk Office Manager at Bettys Harlow Carr, Harrogate Seconded to BitC Business Connector programme to work in Rural North Yorkshire Here to talk about… Bettys and Taylors involvement My experiences as a Connector How you can engage with Business to create successful partnerships Who am I?

3. www.bitc.org.uk ‘Community’ and our contribution towards it, is very much part of our values We have aspirations for the future in terms of how we strengthen our community commitments We saw the Business Connector initiative as a great way to deepen our understanding of local issues and meet like-minded businesses Bettys and Taylors – Community Values

4. www.bitc.org.uk Recruit and support over 600 Business Connectors to work in over 200 disadvantaged areas within 5 years leveraging more than £39m worth of talent from businesses and £52m worth of impact in to local communities. Generate new levels of on going support and connectivity in local areas of great need Create a powerful alumni group who will champion the concept within businesses What is the ambition of the Business Connector programme?

5. www.bitc.org.uk Trained and supported by BitC, Business Connectors: meet community and voluntary organisations to establish their needs meet local businesses to identify support (knowledge, skills, time and resources) they can provide to the voluntary sector facilitate and support partnerships between community organisations and businesses to promote employability; education; enterprise and community cohesion. What does a Business Connector do?

6. www.bitc.org.uk Yorkshire since July 2012 6 Seconding Organisations 6 Seconding Organisations 7.5 FTE Business Connectors 7.5 FTE Business Connectors 5 Locations £1.3m leveraged £1.3m leveraged Organisations received support on 370 occasions Organisations received support on 370 occasions

7. www.bitc.org.uk What type of Providers? 26% SMEs 26% SMEs 9% Public 9% Public 11% voluntary sector 11% voluntary sector 54% Large Businesses 54% Large Businesses

8. www.bitc.org.uk Big Lottery 10% of locations to be rural Priority for Prince’s Rural Action Programme Good fit for Bettys – home to many suppliers, customers and staff Why North Yorkshire?

9. www.bitc.org.uk My impact so far 25 Connections 20 Providers / Businesses 20 Providers / Businesses 15 Locations £90k leveraged £90k leveraged 8 months connecting 8 months connecting

10. www.bitc.org.uk Middleton Tyas village shop- brain storming afternoon with Proctor&Gamble merchandising & marketing team Ripon Community Link & the Walled Garden –growth & looking forward HOPE, Masham - new leaflet design and printing Others…HR, PR, IN-KIND, SCHOOLS, FUNDING, VOLUNTEERS…. Connection Stories

11. www.bitc.org.uk Very large area – decided to focus mainly to the West of A1 Unfamiliar territory – lack of experience with voluntary sector Very varied needs – one size doesn’t fit all Complex and extensive voluntary sector Some issues just too big to tackle – small steps Challenges – the area

12. www.bitc.org.uk How to make contact Cold call? Existing contacts? Attend events? Businesses already involved & connected within local communities- where can I fit in? A lot of microbusinesses – time and resources to help? Talking the same language – business principles v voluntary world Challenges - business

13. www.bitc.org.uk Business networking events Well known businesses not the only option Research- speaking to right person, no of employees, business priorities, customer base Building rapport & being patient How can you connect with Business?

14. www.bitc.org.uk Businesses might need to know what’s in it for them! Employee development / better staff engagement Meet CSR objectives Strengthening local community eg. future employees/customers PR opportunity / raising profile Prepare- being able to clearly explain what you need, and not just talking about what your organisation does Partnership working brings MUTUAL BENEFITS How can you connect with Business?

15. www.bitc.org.uk Thank you for listening