During the session, Social Enterprise organisations are given the opportunity to present their strategy, ideas, and issues informally to a small group of volunteers for questions and scrutiny. In doing so they gain the opportunity to receive an external opinion, and possible new ideas. The questions you will likely ask will be different to those they might usually receive in their own sector. The organisation will have a key theme or priority of the moment that they would like to discuss with the small group you will be part of.
 
Many PwC volunteers have taken part before and the feedback is fantastic on both sides. Using your intellect, skills, and ideas is the most effective form of volunteering there is, both for your own development and interest, and for the organisations taking part.
 

What is a social Enterprise?

Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition defines this as “… a dynamic business with a social purpose.  They have social aims, trade in competitive markets and reinvest their profits for community benefit.  DTI research in 2005 indicated there are at least 1,100 social enterprises in Scotland, employing 30,000 people and adding £1.25bn to the national economy.  More recent local and national studies suggest the true figure could be more than 3,000”.
 
The diagram below explains where Social Enterprise sits in relation to both the mainstream business environment and the wider third sector.  Looking at this diagram it is important to note that while linear in layout the boundaries between different approaches are not fixed and can be very blurry.

What will you do in the session?

Following an introduction, each table will begin the session, you and 4or 5 colleagues will meet with people from a Social Enterprise for 3 hrs.  In this time they will describe their Social Enterprise to you in detail and identify a specific area or issue they would like your help with. You will then all work as a group to develop ideas, strategies and/or an action plan for them to take away.  This may be a specific issue, or a more general business / management concern.  Some may be looking for advice, others an opportunity to test / brainstorm ideas, or to receive some validation for an existing approach. Some may be well established organisations, with a workforce, while others may still be at start up phase.

A suggested structure for your 3 hr session will be provided, however it is up to you as a group to facilitate and manage the time available. We hope to have enough volunteers who have taken part before to ensure each table has someone who has been involved in a session previously.

Feedback from previous sessions has verified that having this opportunity to take a step back and spend some time discussing the enterprise with private sector business people can make a significant impact.  Participants from both sides have all agreed that the sessions were very worthwhile and an enjoyable experience. Click here for a case study on a previous session with Social Enterprise Suited and Booted.
 

Feedback from a PwC Colleague

Project Summary
During the Evolve session we worked with the Walking Theatre Company – a young theatre company with a twist. The project was doing well in Argyll and Bute, but were seeking to move into other regions in Scotland. They wanted to see where they could take it next through a robust business plan and business model.

Why did you take part?
Volunteering was not something I had done previously, but the opportunity was presented to me and I took it. I had some exams coming up which had questions based on case study preparation – this seemed to me like a good way of practicing some of the skills I would need to pass the exam. I met colleagues from other parts of PWC that I hadn’t met previously – I found it was a good networking and research opportunity.

How did you feel before the day?
I was a little nervous and apprehensive as I didn’t know what to expect. Everyone was really warm and it was an informal friendly experience. Literally, it took 2 – 3 minutes to get down to it. As part of my role day to day, I should be challenging clients, and this gave me an opportunity to practice challenging in a supportive way.

How did you feel at the end of the day?
I felt great and really re-energised. I was extremely interested in the business that I was working with. They seemed to hang on every word – they were getting a lot out of it and therefore so did we. It showed me that what we do on a day to day basis actually does a lot of good for businesses.

What did you learn?
I learned that there is a lot of support out there for emerging social enterprises  - Firstport, SBC and Social Enterprise Academy. Funding is a big issue for new enterprises. I also learned that the sector is big and getting bigger.

Quote from email from Participant:
“The Walking Theatre Company....a company that I had not heard of until my Force 4 Good skills sharing volunteering day.

But a business that I have now, I hope, helped to be a little bit better by taking my PwC experience, and sharing my views. Initially i though "what could I add ?" but to escape another full day of ICAS revision I took the plunge to give real business advice to a Social enterprise - a company that works for a profit but also a social good.

By 10.05, all my fears were gone, after only 5 mins, and we (the other volunteers and myself ) were in full swing debating, branding, strategy, mission statements, reviewing a business plan, SWOT Analysis, and just being a sounding board for Sadie and Charles's ideas both good, bad and some ugly. I feel that I have really benefited from this experience, putting my TPE revision into practice with a real life case, receiving coaching from my colleagues on my style and ideas, but probably most important working with a client that has lashing and lashing of enthusiasm for business, and a really passion in what they do. (Very infectious!!!)

I would 110% encourage others to be involved in these days, as it is a refreshing opportunity to step back and look at what we do at PwC everyday and take for granted but is a huge help to these companies and to our clients in a fun, relaxed enjoyable environment.”