Business Planning

Success Story Business Education Council of Niagara

“We have 44 staff. Our income comes from a combination of project delivery, fee for service, brokering programs and administrating multi-partner programs.  For example, we manage the Early Years program, which in Niagara involves 20 partners.  We’re responsible for promotion, marketing, administration and meeting objectives.  We were asked to broker and administer the program because we’re neutral. No one wanted the government to do this (businesses think government is fully paid for so won’t donate).  The books are all computerized, we have monthly reports, there’s staff input and manager input so it’s transparent.  We have one meeting per year to present finances.  We are also ISO registered. If anyone is over budget by 20% they come to the ED, otherwise financial matters are handled between the finance manager and program managers.”

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Food For Thought

Thinking about pricing represents a culture change within and outside a non-profit organization.  This can cause tensions – you need to respond to the community, realize where you are gaining financially and politically: some things you can give away, some things you may want to sell due to time and money invested, or an opportunity for revenue generation to support other parts of your operation.

Notes from the Field

“Working within Job Connect we are required to write a business plan every year – we complete this activity with staff and dedicate a whole day to this. It is important for us to review what we completed the previous year and look at the positives and the negatives of those
various initiatives.”

John Howard Society, Welland

Recommended Resources

The website of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) has very useful business planning tools, including a “How to” document for preparing a business plan. A business plan is a critical step in developing a successful business. Prepared for you is a presentation which can be downloaded. The presentation offers an easy look at the key elements that make up a business plan. 

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