Diversifying Revenue Streams Through Innovative Program Development or Social Purpose Enterprise

Lesson Learned Guiding Principles

  • Because most CBET agencies deliver programs and services, program innovation and business development go hand in hand. The more innovative the program, the more likely it will be funded.


Lesson Learned Key Success Factors in Innovative Program Development

  • Think of your program innovation as a business proposal. Develop a comprehensive 2 or 3-year business plan for any new program or social enterprise.  Pay particular attention to client, revenue and service projections…


Lesson Learned Tips on Organizational Groundwork for Program Innovation

  • The ED must be prepared to be a strong leader to act in a timely fashion, to be opportunistic, to consult Board and staff, and to motivate the team through uncertainty.

  • Ensure staff who are (or will be) delivering the program are part of the planning process…

Lesson Learned Tips on Program Integration at the Agency and Community

  • An important aspect of program development involves integrating programs in order to leverage existing capacity and resources to develop new programs, or more often, modify existing programs to better suit client and community needs. This involves physical integration, program integration and community integration.

Food For Thought

In the process of integrating programs, it is crucial to be aware of the capacity of staff and resources to handle increased and diverse responsibilities.  There is a point where the efficiencies and effectiveness of program integration is nullified by over-extension of resources and the overwhelming of staff. A commitment to ongoing monitoring and program evaluation is necessary, and it is also important to encourage and respond to staff input and have them directly involved in program design. The primary driver of program design must be quality and impact of programs, not cost savings.

Notes from the Field

“We often start with concept papers and distribute draft ideas before we invest a lot of time into program development.  It provides a good option to explore interest without taxing resources.”

Lutherwood, Waterloo

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