portfolio - business growth

B Spark Business Growth®

“Working with governments and corporations in the fields of enterprise and employability”

Regardless of what sector your organization operates within, the same commercial imperatives apply: generate revenue, maximize profits, exceed customer expectations, innovate, build a strong team culture. Whether you are an entrepreneur with an idea, a startup, SME or established organization, Spark Business Growth® is a program that can take you to the next level.

Spark works with government and corporate leaders to design, build and implement a business growth framework - the environment that helps you to achieve your growth goals.

Spark Global Businesswww.sparkglobalbusiness.com


Spark has provided business growth advisory services since 2001 and our Business Growth practice focuses on social and economic development through structured approaches to enterprise and employability.

All of our programs are specially designed to suit the needs of the community and are based around the simple approach of ‘consult, equip, embed, incubate’.

Advice, Consultancy, Training

Business startup; enterprise growth

As part of our structured approach, we map you onto the SparkWave - helping you to spot and anticipate issues and to plan your business growth strategy accordingly.

After consultation with the executive team, Spark builds a business growth development program tailored and aligned to the corporate objective.

Key aspects of the program:

• facilitated workshops to articulate & communicate corporate vision;• commercialization workshops;• consultant-led assessment of current business growth engine;• design & build of business growth framework;• phased roll-out of mechanism to achieve corporate strategy;• authoring of business plans;• introduction to funding partners

As part of our training programs, Spark works with customers to build their own Enterprise Academy - a series of courses integrating education, applied learning and mentoring with key objectives to source funding for their enterprise.

Every enterprise goes through stages of education - learning technical and soft skills in their evolution. Spark delivers 3 specific Enterprise Academies which includes workshops, guest speakers, mentors and a co-working space for learners to connect and work together.

Working with governments, Spark provides Academies to support entrepreneurs, early-stage startups and high-growth-potential enterprises. Our connections to funding partners helps to develop a strong enterprise ecosystem in your region.



The Spark Enterprise Academy has three key stages of education, underpinned by the mentor-led Engine Room that embeds and incubates lessons learned. Our incubator is focused on building successful enterprises and, once launched, Spark provides further training and mentoring.

Whether the goal for the learner is to set up a micro-business, an SME, or has higher ambitions, the Spark Enterprise Academy is equipped to realize that dream.

Building sustainable success

Enterprise Academies

Level 1 EnterpriseA series of workshops supplemented by applied-learning activities in the mentor-led Engine Room. Supported by the Accelerator Weekend to embed lessons learned, the key measurement is the number of micro-businesses launched. One of the outputs of this program is a business case to present at a Pitching Event with an opportunity to secure seed funding.

Applied EnterpriseFor learners looking to develop their enterprise further, Spark delivers an 8-week program of academically-certified workshops with an emphasis on using this knowledge in their microbusiness - turning their own enterprise into a mini-learning company. One of the outputs of this is an opportunity to pitch for growth funding.

Accelerated EnterpriseAt some point, the enterprise may be looking to achieve high-growth and this usually includes national or international trading ambitions. Spark runs a 60-day program of masterclasses and mentorship with the outcome being the opportunity to pitch for growth funding.

FundingSpark provides access to funding in order to support the development of the enterprise. We provide seed, growth and high-growth funding through our network of trusted investors.

In the building of the enterprise ecosystem, Spark engages with 6 key stakeholders:

Public Sector including both central government for policies and local government for resources. In addition to this, the ecosystem embraces healthcare, emergency services, NGOs, foundations and the 3rd sector.

Private Sector organizations can provide support as well as access to networks and finance. Whether this is local, national or international engagements, the private sector can boost the effectiveness of the ecosystem.

Community engagement is essential - people need to see the success and benefits of enterprise and how locally-sourced ideas can impact them at a fundamental level.

Finance is accessible from many quarters - business angels, business development funds, venture capital, crowdfunding, government grants: engaging with financial partners to source seed and growth capital.

Supporting Resources include the professional services (legal advice, insurances, etc.) as well as business services (co-working spaces, incubators, web development, etc.)

Education is a critical part of the ecosystem - equipping entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs with the know-how to succeed.



Spark works with governments in the design build and implementation of enterprise ecosystems - an environment focused on the creation and growth of businesses which includes turning jobseekers into job creators.

Our model ranges from introducing people to the concepts of enterprise through to the development of co-operatives and the sourcing of millions of dollars of growth finance.

Enterprise EcosystemsFor any organization to grow, there is a need for focused, enthusiastic, proactive and committed employees. Spark delivers 3 specific Employability Academies which includes workshops, networking with local employers, mentors and a co-working space for learners to connect and work with an in-house recruitment consultant.

The recruitment practice is a P&L-driven team that feeds the profits back into the Academies in order to be able to train more people.



The Spark Employability Academy offers academically-certified education with support from our mentor-led Engine Room. Our in-house recruitment practice is focused on identifying job opportunities and, once placed into a new position, Spark provides further training and mentoring.

The goal is to convert jobseekers into truly valuable employees

Creating valuable employees

Employability

Level 1 EnterpriseAn 8-week program comprising a series of workshops supplemented by applied-learning activities in the mentor-led Engine Room. One of the outputs is the opportunity to present their capabilities to a panel of employers at our Assessment Day. The key measurement is the number of placements secured (and still in post 6 months later).

Resource PlanningAs corporate strategies are being developed, HR needs to be able to align succession planning, recruitment and training with the ambitions of the business. Spark’s in-house recruitment practice can ensure that vocational and soft-skills training programs are in place to address these anticipated needs.

Work EthicsSpark runs an 10-unit program based around the principles of ‘work ethics’ - skills that can raise the usefulness of staff.

Flexible DevelopmentValuable employees identify their own skills gaps - whether this is through their own self-awareness or as part of an organization’s performance reviews. Spark delivers over 70 academically-certified workshops to consistently bridge the skills gaps within the business.


“Working with governments and corporations in the fields of enterprise and employability”

portfolio - business growth

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