Sirolli Workshop in Hobart

Social Enterprise Workshop with Dr Ernesto Sirolli

Monday 21^st November

Kick-start your social enterprise dreams in a 2-hour workshop with international local development expert Dr Ernesto Sirolli – an engaging and provocative speaker, trainer and business coach. At very short notice, Dr Sirolli has agreed to run this workshop for people with a dream to establish or expand a social enterprise to benefit their local community or cause.

When: Monday 21st November 2011, 9:30 – 11:30am (arrive 9:15)

Where: Australian Italian Club, 77 Federal St, North Hobart

Cost:      $25 per person

Please RSVP to Tim Tabart email: tim@tascoss.org.au

To register or for more information, download a flyer.  (if link doesn’t work, cut and paste this address into your web browser: http://tascoss.org.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=SpPrYSravbk%3d&tabid=87 )

Enterprise Development

There is little doubt that branching out has identified the need for greater hands on support for artists and arts organisations. The result of a little bit of expertise aimed in the right direction has enabled our two pilot groups to achieve some of their goals. But how do we support this work, how do we fund it and how do we do it?
In late 2009 I was drawn to Ripples on the Zambezi, a book written by Ernesto Sirolli that illustrates the damage that individuals can do when not invited by communities.
In partnership with Tasmanian Council of Social Services, we brought Ernesto to Tasmania in August last year to speak at the Regional Arts Australia Conference. Anyone who has heard him knows what a passionate, straight shooting speaker he is. His model of working with entrepreneurs resonates with me as I continue to hear stories of disillusionment, frustration and despair from artists, writers, performances and creative thinkers who are trying to do it all.

Branching Out has been working with two pilot organisations (Interweave Arts and TRA-K, a volunteer branch of Tasmanian Regional Arts based in Sheffield) to explore social enterprise and its’ potential to build sustainability, strength and new opportunities for the organisations.

Early in the project we identified the need for new approaches that could meet the needs of individuals and groups, as existing programs focused almost entirely on individual and organisational skill development. Our consultation indicated that this approach was not sustainable or realistic for many, especially given the amount of work that was already being undertaken. This situation was impacting on the capacity of the organisations to maintain current operations and expand programs and services.

Rather than operating as consultants or mentors, we developed and then implemented a facilitating and coaching service whereby people with the relevant skills became part of the groups and projects; injecting the right skills at the right time. The response from the pilots was immediate and we soon saw a ripple effect as they achieved many of their identified goals. These groups had already been contributing enormously to the cultural, social and economic life of their communities; they just needed a little assistance to go to the next stage.

The approach we have taken has elements similar to the Sirolli model whereby Enterprise Facilitators work with individuals and communities to develop enterprise. We have found there is a need for the type of work we have been doing and increased skills within Tasmania and a willingness to look at new models to respond to these needs. That's why we are partnering with TasCOSS to present the Sirolli training. It's not the only solution but it is a valuable addition to learning within the sector. If you are interested in undertaking the training please email tim@tascoss.org.au 

Dr Ernesto Sirolli Training Opportunity

PASSION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INVIGORATING LOCAL ECONOMIES
3 Day Trinity of Management® Training
by Dr Ernesto Sirolli of the Sirolli Institute
Presented by Tasmanian Council of Social Service Inc and Tasmanian Regional Arts Inc.
June 15-17, 2011 (inclusive)
Venue to be confirmed (location-Launceston)
Numbers are limited, so please book your place ASAP

Who should participate? People who have a passion for helping their region and clients grow and prosper, whose work brings them into contact with people with ideas, opportunities and passions, and would like additional tools to help those people move their ideas forward.
These include: Local government officers; Chamber of Commerce and local development organisation personnel; Community Relations/Sustainable Development Personnel in the corporate sector; rural advisors; community and social support organisations; arts organisations; migrant settlement services, etc.
For more information please contact Kylie on 0439 262 344 or email kylie@tasregionalarts.org.au

The imperative to create time for artists to work

Australians are showing an unprecedented love of the arts, but our artists remain amongst the lowest paid in our society – especially in regional Australia.
Please read the rest of the speech from Kathy Keele, CEO of Australia Council for the Arts
We are talking to more and more artists and community arts groups in regional areas who are struggling and looking for a new approach.
The Ernesto Sirolli mandate of 'only do what you love to do' is playing out as a possible solution, or at least part of the solution. Match this with skilled people and resources that actually respond to the needs of the sector, then who knows what is possible.

Investing in your art

What an amazing opportunity to not only participate in the workshop run by Dr Ernesto Sirolli and colleague Yvonne Fizer, but to spend time discussing our project and some of the possibilities. They have shown great generosity over the past few months and have been incredibly supportive of what we are trying to do.
Along with the discussion amongst delegates at the Junction 2010 Conference and Festival, it confirms our findings; that we need to look at some new approaches to encouraging innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in the art world.
We are seeking people, communities and organisations willing to explore possibilities and invest.

Dr Sirolli in Town

If you haven't heard, we are lucky enough to have Dr Ernesto Sirolli in Tasmania for the week. He is speaking at a number of engagements including the Dorothy Pearce Lecture and conducting a day long workshop on Wednesday 25th in Hobart. He then travels to Launceston where he will be a key note speaker at the Junction 2010 Conference, as well as conducting 2 workshops targetted at the artists and the arts workers.
It's a fantastic opportunity to have someone speaking about enterprise who has such a diverse and interesting background. Sirolli associates Yvonne Fizer and Martha Sirolli have also committed time to talk with us about the opportunities for social enterprise and the arts.
This has been made possible through a partnership between Tasmanian Council of Social Services and Tasmanian Regional Arts' Branching Out project, and has received sponsorship through the Tasmanian Government's Social Inclusions Unit.

Excerpt from Sirolli website-interview online

Before he explains his methodology, Sirolli insists I understand the idea at its core: A successful business requires three essential components—product, marketing and financial management—and no single human being is capable of delivering all three with equal passion and competence.

"The death of the entrepreneur is solitude," he says. "If you're alone in business, you'll die." This isn't some casual observation, but the core of his faith, what he has come to call "the trinity of management."

On the face of it, this idea doesn't strike one as particularly radical, but it goes against what Sirolli considers a pernicious but enduring myth: To start a successful business, you must be able to handle all three aspects yourself. Not one to shy away from absolutes, Sirolli lets me have it:

"Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Bill Gates: None of the greatest companies in America was started by one person! I've done the research. Not even one! It's always two, three, four people."
www.sirolli.com